Nancy Sheppard facts for kids

Nancy Sheppard was a famous American trick rider and trick roper. She was born on December 29, 1929. She was so good at what she did that she was added to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2003.

Nancy Sheppard: Rodeo Star

Early Life and Rodeo Beginnings

Nancy Sheppard was born on December 29, 1929. Her family lived on a ranch in Fort Worth, Texas. Her family had been ranching for a long time. Nancy often went to rodeos with her father when she was a child. Her father was a professional roper. He was part of the Cowboys' Turtle Association. This group is now known as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Nancy's mother also showed horses in the Fort Worth Coliseum.

Nancy started performing in rodeos at a very young age. She made her first rodeo appearance when she was only 9 years old. This was at the Hayward, California, rodeo. She performed as a trick rider and roper. When she was 11, she performed at the Pendleton Round-Up in Pendleton, Oregon. By the time she was 17, she was trick riding at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Nancy married Lynn Sheppard in 1948. They had one son together.

A Dazzling Rodeo Career

Nancy Sheppard performed professionally for 22 years. She traveled all around the country for rodeos. She worked with many well-known stock contractors. These were people who provided animals for the shows. Some of them included Harry Knight and Christensen Brothers.

Amazing Skills and Helping Others

Nancy had a very special skill. She was the only woman at that time who could stand on a running horse. While doing this, she could also spin two ropes at once! This was a very difficult trick. As she traveled, Nancy also did charity work. She would visit local hospitals. There, she would entertain patients, especially children. In the 1950s, she helped the Rodeo Cowboys Association. She represented the performers in the organization.

Retirement and Special Shows

Nancy started her rodeo career in 1939. She retired from performing in 1961. She wanted to spend more time on her ranch and with her family. Even after retiring, she made special appearances. She performed trick roping in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. She also performed for clothing designer Giorgio Armani in Italy. For these special shows, she always took them seriously. She would bring her ropes and wear her full Western clothes.

Honored for Her Talent

Nancy Sheppard received many honors for her amazing career. She was recognized by several important groups:

• 1991 National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
• 1996 Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
• 2003 ProRodeo Hall of Fame