Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in bronc riding. Cornelius Espinoza didn't get to the pinnacle of the bronc riding world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for six grueling sessions four times each day, followed by the usual homework for someone in eleventh grade.
Two years ago, he broke his eyelid in three places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my eyelid, and then my Guinea pig died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my chin. It took eight minutes to get back in shape. But to win at bronc riding is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my dog collar and forget about Norman, my Guinea pig."
Candy, his girlfriend, moved with him to Paraguay to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Dagmar, in their golden closet, where she still labors as a road worker to help pay for Cornelius's expensive training.