Riding Through Adversity: Alex Cardozo’s Journey
Alex Cardozo moved to America from Brazil to pursue his dream of riding bulls professionally. Photo courtesy Alex Cardozo
For most Western sports athletes, paying the bills on time often depends on one good run at a rodeo. Without an annual salary or company-provided medical insurance, an injury can be devastating—not just to the athlete's career, but also to their family and finances.
Alex Cardozo knows this reality firsthand, but he found his saving grace in Western Sports Foundation (WSF).
“In 2015, at the PBR World Finals, I landed on my head and broke my neck,” Alex recalls. “I asked for help from the Western Sports Foundation.”
Although Alex had done well that season, the checks he took home weren’t enough to cover his medical expenses and bills for the next few months.
“There was no way I could make an income because I couldn’t work,” he explains. “Western Sports Foundation really helped me. I don't even know where I would have gotten help if not for WSF.”
Growing Up Cowboy
Growing up in São Paulo, Brazil, Alex worked alongside his father on the ranch he managed. From the first time he tried his hand on the back of a bull, Alex dreamed of competing at the highest level in the United States.
“I started riding at small rodeos in Brazil,” he shares. “I knew I could make more money in America. My dream was never to be a rider in Brazil, but to come to America and be one of the best bull riders out here.”
Now, Alex is well on his way to achieving that goal after finding success in both PRCA and PBR events. Along the way, he has made a home in Graham, Texas, with his wife, Paula, whom he met at the 2014 PBR World Finals.
Alex and his wife, Paula, married in 2016 after meeting at the PBR World Finals two years prior. Photo courtesy Alex Cardozo
Since their marriage in 2016, Paula has been Alex’s biggest supporter, constantly pushing him to strive for his goals.
“I feel blessed to have a wife like her,” Alex shares. “She wants me to dedicate 100% of my time to bull riding. I think she has more patience with bull riding than I do!”
Navigating the Highs and Lows
That unwavering support gives Alex the motivation he needs to push through the tough times, never letting a day pass without working toward his goals.
“If you take even a two-week break, people start passing you in points,” Alex says. “If you want to be the best at your sport, you have to put in 100% of your time—going to the gym, getting on bulls, and practicing.”
However, full dedication to a bull riding career means relying solely on that income—even when tragedy strikes.
“You never think you're going to get hurt one day,” Alex shares. “A lot of bull riders don’t think about that.”
A Lifeline in Crisis
While top Western athletes can earn six figures in a successful year of competition, that amount doesn’t reflect their true take-home pay.
“People see when we win a big check, but they don't see how much we spend the whole year,” Alex explains. “Let’s say you make $80,000 [in a year]. You probably spend $40,000 to $45,000 just to get to the rodeos, with entry fees and travel costs. So when you put everything together, you don't make very much money.”
With the constant risk of a major injury and no guaranteed salary without a win, there’s additional pressure to prepare for the unknown.
“It's all about planning and saving money,” Alex explains. “Sometimes it's hard because we have a lot of expenses. But you never know. In one day, you could be a world champion, or you could be at the bottom of the circuit. You have to be prepared for everything.”
In the world of Western sports, "everything" includes breaking world records, breaking bones, and everything in between. Unlike some careers, where employers provide standard medical insurance plus hazard pay for high-risk jobs, Western athletes are on their own—during the good times and the bad.
When crisis strikes, Alex relies on Western Sports Foundation to help him navigate the low points of his career. Photo courtesy Alex Cardozo
“Most of us don't have insurance, so it’s really hard when we get hurt,” Alex reveals. “Western Sports Foundation helps us a lot. When you’re struggling with bull riding but you're not hurt, you can do other things to make money. But when you have a broken leg, you're not able to do anything. That’s why Western Sports Foundation is so important to us.”
People like Alex, who dedicate every day to excelling at their sport, are the reason for WSF’s mission of providing support for Western athletes. By being there through the highs and lows, and offering resources to help them succeed in all areas of life, WSF enables Western sports athletes to not only survive but thrive.
“I think it's really important for people to know how much of a difference they can make for us by giving to WSF,” Alex shares. “I appreciate everyone who donates because they helped me, and I hope they keep giving to help other guys when they need it.”