UCP candidate Leela Aheer jumped in front of a bull at Strathmore Stampede this weekend to save a rider.
Aheer was watching the Running of the Bulls event, after having participated last year, when her instincts kicked in to go after a fallen bull rider who was getting rolled by his bull.
“It never occurred to me not to do it,” she said.
Aheer recalled to Global News how she put her hand on the bull’s head to push it back, and how she felt its curly hair under her hand.
“All I kept thinking is that the organizers who told us you weren’t allowed to touch the bulls. And I’m a rule follower,” she laughed.
She said she doesn’t remember much after scooping the rider up and bringing him to the fence, which they climbed over to safety.
“I think I was in a bit of shock after doing that,” she said.
“When I actually saw the video and when it actually happened, I was shocked.
“I knew I wasn’t sure if I’d actually done what I had thought, because you just jump in. It’s just the way that it is. And I’m just so grateful he’s not hurt.”
Global News reached out to Strathmore Stampede for comment on the event, however, no response was received by the time of publication.
— With files from Tom Vernon