Florence Hughes Randolph facts for kids
Florence Hughes Randolph was an amazing cowgirl and rodeo star. She was born on June 23, 1898, and lived until April 24, 1971. She was so good at what she did that she was added to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in 1994. This means she was one of the best cowgirls ever!
Early Life and Skills
Florence Hughes Randolph was born as Cleo Alberta Holmes. She was born on June 23, 1898, in Augusta, Georgia. When she was 13 years old, the famous Ringling Brothers Circus came to Augusta in October 1912. Florence decided to join them!
While traveling with the circus, she learned many exciting skills. She became very good at trick riding, which means doing stunts on a horse. She also learned trick roping, where you make amazing shapes with a lasso. Even though she was a small woman when she grew up, she taught herself stunt riding and even how to race motorcycles. She also worked as a double for movie stars and performed in exciting Wild West shows.
Rodeo Career and Achievements
In 1914, Florence joined Captain Jack King's Wild West show. She had her own act called "Princess Mohawk," which later changed to "Princess Mohawk's Wild West Hippodrome." This show ran until 1918.
After that, "Princess Mohawk" competed in big rodeos. Some of these included the famous Calgary Stampede and the Pendleton Round-Up. After 1922, she started using the name Florence Hughes for her performances.
Florence won many events in rodeos all over the country. She was a champion in:
- Trick riding: Doing stunts on a moving horse.
- Trick roping: Creating patterns with a rope.
- Roman riding: Standing with one foot on each of two horses.
- Bronc riding: Staying on a bucking horse.
- All-around: Winning in many different events.
She won trick riding at the Eddie McCarty's rodeo in 1920. This was at the Fort Worth Stock Show. She also won at Tex Austin's rodeo in Wembley Stadium in London, England in 1924. In 1926, she won at the Philadelphia Sesquicentennial Exposition rodeo.
One of her biggest wins was at Madison Square Garden. She took first place in trick riding and second place in bronc riding. She also won the "all-around" title there. For this, she received the new MGM trophy.
Because of her amazing skills and achievements, Florence was honored in 1968. She was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
Personal Life
In 1923, Florence married Louis Fenton, who was also a rodeo performer. Their marriage lasted for two years. In 1925, she married Floyd Randolph, who promoted rodeo events. Florence retired from performing in 1939. She and Floyd moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma, where Floyd owned a saddlery shop.
