Recipient Information

State of Residence: Texas

Injury: Spinal cord & traumatic brain injuries

Year of Injury: 2010

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THEIR STORY

Tad Leggett always wanted to be a jockey. Although he rode some Thoroughbreds, Tad is best known as an accomplished Quarter Horse jockey with a career spanning two decades. He piloted Quarter Horses in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Iowa, Texas, and other states, winning 131 QH stakes races including eight Grade 1 races.

Tad Leggett spent over two decades at the top of Quarter Horse racing. He captured 1,432 wins, earning more than $13.4 million for his mounts. A consistent standout, Tad was Prairie Meadows’ leading Quarter Horse rider and held the title of leading Quarter Horse jockey at Canterbury Park from 2003–2006.
His achievements earned him recognition as the AQHA’s Central High Point Jockey in 2005, 2008, and 2009, and inductions into both the Prairie Meadows Hall of Fame (2012) and the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame (2015).

But in June 2010, his life and that of his family changed forever. Thrown to the ground after pulling up his mount, Tad sustained a broken neck and other serious injuries. He was placed on a ventilator and underwent a nine-hour surgery to insert screws and plates into his neck and spine. He developed pneumonia and doctors worried whether Tad would survive the ordeal.

Tina Leggett was determined her husband would not spend the rest of his days in a nursing home attached to a ventilator. Tad was transferred to Craig Hospital in Denver, a well-regarded center for the rehabilitation of spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. He spent three months there, undergoing grueling physical therapy and was gradually able to breathe on his own. He regained some feeling in his fingers and could move his hands and arms. After a while, Tad was able to pull himself up out of his wheelchair to stand, but doing so was exhausting. Tad and Tina returned to their home in Bandera, Texas, but many challenges lay ahead. He is often in poor health as a result of his paralysis and battles both physical and emotional issues.

Recipient Testimonial
“It’s wonderful what the PDJF does for us disabled riders. But what’s even more wonderful are the people who donate to the fund. It’s important for people to know that a catastrophic injury like mine affects the entire family. We are so grateful to the PDJF for helping to make our lives a little easier.” - Tad says.