Shane Hanchey announced Tuesday, Dec. 12, that 2023 Nutrena/AQHA Horse of the Year Stylish Bugsy, known simply as “Bugsy,” will be out for the remainder of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with a hind suspensory strain.

“We’ve had him checked out by our vet and believe he is suffering from a strained suspensory branch on his left hind leg,” Hanchey wrote in a Facebook post. “We believe it could have happened on Monday when we ran calves through and breakaway roped them.”

Hanchey went on to explain that they thought Bugsy was OK to compete in Round 1 and 2, but it became apparent the gelding wasn’t quite himself, leading Hanchey to ride Haven Meged’s “Smoke” in Round 3 and Logan Bird’s “Peso” in Round 4.

“Our vet says if we leave him off the rest of the week I can have him ready for the winter rodeos. If I tried to ride him it could be a long-lasting injury that could keep coming back,” Hanchey said. “So with his best interests in mind, we decided to sit him out.”

Hanchey’s top priority is Bugsy’s health and comfort; he plans to ride “Peso” for the remainder of the NFR.