Local rodeo star JR Vezain — who continues rehabbing from a September 2018 accident — received a surprise check last week from Wyoming’s Unclaimed Property Division of the State Treasurer’s Office.

“I received a letter in the mail that $3,700 had been turned over to unclaimed property and it outlined the steps I needed to take to get the money,” Vezain said. “I was a little skeptical at first but the letter looked authentic, so I called the number and talked to one of the gals in the office. I figured out pretty quick it was legit.”

The money in question was a sponsorship check from Wyoming Tourism as a reward for qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo in 2018 and being part of Team Wyoming for the event.

Vezain was unable to compete in the prestigious event, however, after a horse reared back and landed on the rider, breaking two vertebrae and paralyzing him from the waist down. Vezain spent a month in Houston and then another six months rehabbing in Salt Lake City. The 27-year-old has regained movement in his legs and is able to stand with assistance, but he continues to rehab from his Montana home with a goal of walking on his own in the near future.

“The timing makes sense on why I didn’t receive the check,” Vezain said.

After a year passed without the check getting cashed, the Wyoming Tourism Office turned the money over to Unclaimed Property and a letter was then sent to his last known address in Cowley.

The bareback rider admitted he had never heard of Wyoming’s Unclaimed Property Division before and would not have known there was money waiting for him had he not received the letter.

The State of Wyoming is currently holding more than $91 million belonging to residents and former residents of the state. Those wanting to see if there is any money in their name can visit the state’s searchable database (at www.mycash.wyo.gov), enter their name and see what properties may belong to them. A video on the website also explains the claims process.

“After I talked to the gal in the office, all I had to do was go online and fill out the information,” Vezain said. “I just had to answer some questions and send in a copy of my ID. Everything was really easy.”

Vezain was named the Resistol Bareback Riding Rookie of the Year in 2011 and qualified for the NFR six times: from 2012-2014 and then 2016-2018. He finished fourth in the 2017 season world standings and, despite not being able to ride in the NFR, ended up 16th in 2018.

Before turning pro, Vezain was the College National Finals Rodeo all-around champion while attending Vernon (Texas) College; he later transferred to Casper College.

Vezain said the newfound $3,700 will come in handy to help pay for additional rehab sessions. It will also go to good use as he and his wife, Shelby, welcomed their first child eight months ago.