Mother of bull rider who died in rodeo accident tells her son’s story

BANDERA, Texas – A Spring Branch mother is heartbroken after her son died while doing what he loved: bull riding.

Peter De Luna, 22, died Friday at the Mansfield Park Rodeo Arena in Bandera during the “Riding on Faith” rodeo series. Officials say he fell off a bull and the bull stepped on him.

His mother, Vanessa De Luna, said Peter only started bull riding a year ago.

“It was a challenge for him,” Vanessa said. “Something new for him and once he started, he never looked back.”

She said her son started rodeo a year ago and she was nervous about it but wanted to support him in his dreams.

“I kissed him before we left, I blessed him every time before we left, wished him good luck and told him to take care of himself,” she said.

She was unable to attend the rodeo on Friday, but said Peter’s girlfriend was there. She received a call from her that evening to tell her the tragic news.

“It breaks my heart for her,” Vanessa said. “You know, she was with him that night. She was the one who called me, and I could hear in her voice how scared she was.”

A day after Peter’s death, he was honored at another rodeo in Bulverde. Vanessa said she is grateful for the support of the rodeo community as she still tries to come to terms with the manner of his death.

“I can’t blame anyone,” Vanessa said. “As bull riders, they know the dangers that come with it, and it just comforts me that he’s in a better place.”

But outside of the rodeos, Peter was a loving older brother and the life of every party, she said.

“He was a joy to be around and always made people laugh,” Vanessa said.

She said he would be missed by many.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family, and Gold Buckle Hatters, a Bandera hat-making business, is holding a raffle with all proceeds going to the family.

Tickets cost $15 and the winner can choose a hat valued up to $900.