Meet the Neighbors: Alex Cardozo, Professional Bull Rider

Alex and I became acquainted one evening over a chicken fried steak dinner, brought together by a mutual admiration for the Library of Graham, or rather for our wives who happen to be coworkers at the library. 

I immediately liked the kind, soft spoken young man seated across from me. As the evening progressed, we talked and found that we shared a common rodeo interest. You see, I was a high school rodeo competitor myself (once upon a time) and Alex is a professional bull rider. 

Alex was only eight years old when he first rode a calf while playing with his cousins. He also started playing soccer at this time and found that he had a natural ability for soccer. 

His soccer skills showed great potential, and he was soon scouted for a professional training program; but his heart and mind were fixed on the strength and beauty of the bulls that had amazed him from an early age, and the joy he felt when he was riding. Alex knew that bull riding was the life he wanted to pursue. 

Alex began working to make his dream come true; he got the gear he needed and began riding. Alex competed in his first riding event at age 13, just one week before he was slated to report for training with one of Brazil’s largest professional soccer clubs. Sadly, his first bull ride did not end well, when he fell off, the bull stepped on his ankle breaking it in three places. 

Alex was sidelined for a year to recover, and the soccer opportunity was lost but he found that his dream to ride bulls was stronger than ever. 

When Alex recovered, he met a professional bull rider that was famous in his town and the man agreed to teach Alex how to ride. The journey to become a professional bull rider was difficult, Alex had to ride and train in secret because his family feared how dangerous bull riding can be. 

Finally, he began riding professionally and won his first event. His bull riding career was taking off in Brazil, but he longed to compete on the world stage. To compete at this level, meant he needed to relocate to the United States. 

Alex came to America with little more than his dream; but with the help of a kind stranger and a new faith in Christ to start him on his journey, he is now living his dream. Sometimes holding onto your dream can be a struggle; Alex has endured 23 broken bones, seven surgeries, punctured lungs and a broken neck in 2015 that doctors said would end his riding career, killing his dream for good. 

However, in 2025, Alex is still living his dream; with his faith in Christ, support of loved ones, and the intervention of a wonderful organization that steps in to assist western athletes in need. 

The Western Sports Foundation made sure Alex had all that he needed to recover from his injury physically, mentally and financially; he is so grateful to them for helping to restore his dream and continue doing what he loves.