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t m c » p u l s e | m a r c h 2 0 1 7 21 living room and buckles from his winnings are dis- played under a glass coffee table. Outside, you'll find miniature pigs named Wilbur and Porky, a miniature horse and a flock of miniature goats. "Cody is on the road a lot so he lets me get all of the animals I want," Kaitlin explained. "Wilbur and Porky are pretty much like our children." Kaitlin has seen the toll bull riding takes on her husband. "At first it was really scary to see him get injured so much," she said. "But now that I'm used to it, I get more nervous about seeing the results than I do about the injuries." This year, Teel has taken a longer off-season than normal to heal his broken left clavicle, an injury from the National Finals Rodeo in December. "As a rider, it is really up to you when you want to go back," Teel said. "I was cleared by my doctor to go back to riding, but the only thing I have on my sched- ule for sure right now is Rodeo Houston. I've been using this time to sit off and it has built a fire in me." Teel has been riding a stationary bull at home to maintain his core strength. He has also been using a stationary bike and working out regularly in his home gym. "I don't know a lot about fitness and I don't have a strict routine I follow, but I do a lot of core workouts, lunges, squats and hip flexors because my hips get so sore," he said. "I think being flexible helps a lot when WHEN: March 7–26, 2017 WHERE: NRG Park DETAILS: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo welcomes more than 2 million visitors each year and hosts exhibitors of all ages vying for a chance to become a Houston champion. In addition to the competitions, the rodeo offers food, merchandise and concerts. INFO: rodeohouston.com you are riding." As the Houston rodeo approaches, Teel is looking forward to winning it all. "I've been close before, but I want to win it," he said. "The first thing that comes to my mind is that buckle—a very unique, rectangular-shaped buckle— and the saddle that says 'Rodeo Houston Champion Bull Rider.' That's what I want to win." HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO