Fred Whitfield (rodeo) facts for kids

Fred Whitfield (born August 5, 1967) is a famous American former professional rodeo cowboy. He was especially good at an event called tie-down roping. Fred won eight world championships from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). He also won three big titles at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR).

Seven of his world titles were in tie-down roping, and one was for being the best all-around cowboy. Fred is one of the most successful African-American professional rodeo cowboys ever. He was honored by being added to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2004.

Fred Whitfield's Early Life

Fred Whitfield was born in Hockley, Texas, on August 5, 1967. He grew up in Cypress, Texas, which is just north of Houston. His family faced many challenges during his childhood.

Fred was raised with a brother and a younger sister. His mother, Marie Whitfield, worked hard to support the family. She cleaned houses for their neighbors, Don and Joanne Moffitt.

The Moffitt family played a big role in Fred's life. Their son, Roy Moffitt, was seven years older than Fred. Even with the age difference, Roy became a mentor to Fred. When Fred was just six years old, Roy taught him how to rope. They often practiced roping on small animals.

The Moffitt family also let Fred use their horses and equipment. They even helped pay his entry fees for youth rodeos. Fred quickly became skilled in tie-down roping. In this event, a calf weighing between 190 and 270 pounds is released. A cowboy on horseback then lassos the calf. The cowboy quickly gets off their horse, gently brings the calf to the ground, and ties three of its legs together. The cowboy with the fastest time wins.

As a teenager, Fred worked as a horse-trainer for a local rancher. He also competed in amateur rodeos, including the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeos. These rodeos were created for African-American competitors. Fred finished high school in 1986.

Fred Whitfield's Professional Rodeo Career

Fred Whitfield joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 1990. This allowed him to compete in official PRCA rodeos. His first few years were tough. Most PRCA members were white, and less than 5% were black. Cowboys needed their own equipment and horses, which was hard for many black cowboys to get.

Sometimes, crowds would shout mean things when he competed. Some white cowboys even tried to make him angry. Fred said that this disapproval actually made him stronger. He used it as fuel to try even harder and win.

Professional cowboys earn money by finishing at the top in rodeo events. Each dollar won at PRCA events helps them qualify for the yearly National Finals Rodeo (NFR).

In his first year, Fred was one of the top 15 earners in tie-down roping. This made him only the second first-year competitor ever to qualify for the NFR. Fred won the NFR in tie-down roping in 1991. He was the second black man to win an NFR title, and the first to win a timed event title.

In 1996, Fred won the world championship again at the NFR. The next year, Fred set a new record at the NFR. He scored a total of 84 points over ten rounds. In one round, Fred made a run in just 6.9 seconds, which was a new world record at the time!

Fred won the all-around world championship in 1999. This means he was the best cowboy across multiple rodeo events.

He won the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for the first time in 2000. In 2002, Fred was chosen to represent the United States at a special Olympic Command Performance Rodeo. This event showcased Western culture during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In 2004, Fred was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, a huge honor for any cowboy.

Fred won his eighth world championship in 2005 in tie-down roping.

He won the Calgary Stampede in 2007, a very famous rodeo. After getting injured in 2007, Fred missed qualifying for the NFR for the first time in his career. He also didn't qualify in 2009 and 2011.

Fred became a mentor to a young black Texas cowboy named Cory Solomon, who joined the PRCA in 2009.

In 2011, Fred won the year-end tie-down roping championship for the Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA), which is a semi-professional league.

By 2013, Fred Whitfield had earned more prize money in tie-down roping than any cowboy before him. In July 2012, his total earnings went over $3 million.

Fred started to compete less often, choosing to spend more time at home. He also began training other athletes. In 2015, Fred and other top cowboys formed a new group called the Elite Rodeo Athletes (ERA). They wanted to create their own rodeo tour. However, the PRCA changed its rules, saying that cowboys involved in other rodeo groups could not compete in PRCA rodeos. This meant ERA members could not go to the NFR.

At the 2016 Calgary Stampede, Fred finished in second place, earning $25,000.

After the ERA stopped its competitions, Fred decided not to return to PRCA rodeos. He mostly competed in the semi-professional CPRA.

Fred was invited to compete at the 2019 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. After his performances there, Fred Whitfield officially retired from rodeo competition.

Fred Whitfield's Honors and Awards

Fred Whitfield has received many honors throughout his career:

• 2000 Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
• 2003 Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame
• 2004 ProRodeo Hall of Fame
• 2005 Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame
• 2005 Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame
• 2012 National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame
• 2012 St. Paul Rodeo Hall of Fame

Fred Whitfield's Life Outside Rodeo

Fred Whitfield married Cassie in 2000. They have two daughters together.

The Whitfields bought a ranch in Hockley, Texas, near Houston. For several years, Fred trained and sold horses there. Just before he retired from rodeo, he sold the ranch and his horses. He then took a job in sales for a gas and oil company. Today, Fred and his family live in Magnolia, Texas.

In 2013, Fred published his autobiography, a book about his life, called Gold Buckles Don't Lie. He wrote it with Terri Powers.

Fred also acted in a documentary film called John Ware Reclaimed. He played the role of a famous black cowboy and rancher from Alberta, Canada, named John Ware. The film was released in 2020.