Bullfighter Looks Forward To Stampede

Dakoda Simmes, of Sunburst, will join J.D. Harrell in the arena for the 2022 Wild Horse Stampede rodeo as a bullfighter ready to jump between a cowboy and 1,500 pounds of danger.

This will be Simmes’ third appearance at the Wild Horse Stampede.

In the blink of an eye, a bull ride can go from good to catastrophic, and it’s the bullfighters’ jobs to keep their own nerves in check and be ready to save the day.

“Everyone is different. It never really leaves, you always get that sense of nervousness, but if you learn how to control that, then that’s what drives you to do better and go out there and use it as a tool,” Simmes said.

“You just got a passion for it and I love what I do and want to do it for as long as I can,” Simmes added.

Simmes is a 2009 graduate of North Toole County High