ProRodeo Hall of Fame facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
ProRodeo Hall of Fame

Established	1979
Location	101 Pro Rodeo Drive Colorado Springs, Colorado
Type	Hall of fame

The ProRodeo Hall of Fame is a special museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It opened in August 1979. This museum helps keep the history of cowboy contests and rodeo alive. It also honors the amazing champions of rodeo, both from the past and today. It is the only museum in the world just for professional rodeo. Only members of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) can be honored here.

Honoring Rodeo Legends

Since the Hall of Fame opened in 1979, many people, animals, and rodeo groups have been honored. Each year, over 100 people are suggested, but only a few are chosen. This makes being inducted a very special achievement.

Famous Rodeo Cowboys and Cowgirls

Many incredible athletes have been inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Here are some of the most famous:

• Jim Shoulders: He was a true legend, winning 16 world championships in rodeo.
• Chris LeDoux: A professional rodeo cowboy from the 1970s who also became a country music star. He won a world championship in bareback riding.
• Ty Murray: Known as "King of the Cowboys," he won the all-around world championship seven times. He also won the bull riding world championship twice.
• Tuff Hedeman: A three-time world champion in bull riding.
• Charlie Sampson: He made history as the first African-American world champion rodeo cowboy.
• Larry Mahan: Another "King of the Cowboys," he won the all-around world championship six times.
• Roy Cooper: He won six world championships in tie-down roping.
• Charmayne James: An amazing barrel racer who won the WPRA world championship 11 times. She also won the National Finals Rodeo barrel racing average seven times.
• Lane Frost: A 1987 world champion bull rider. He famously rode the bull Red Rock in a special "Challenge of the Champions."
• Don Gay: An eight-time world champion in bull riding.
• Lewis Feild: He won the all-around world championship three times and the bareback riding world championship twice.
• Fred Whitfield: An eight-time world champion in tie-down roping.
• Trevor Brazile: He holds the record for the most world championships won by any PRCA contestant, with 26 titles.

Actors Who Loved Rodeo

Some famous actors were also involved in rodeo and are honored in the Hall of Fame:

• Slim Pickens: An actor who was also a rodeo clown.
• Ben Johnson: An Oscar-winning actor who was also a steer roper.
• Casey Tibbs: A saddle bronc rider who also became an actor.

Legendary Rodeo Horses

Horses are a huge part of rodeo, and some have become famous for their skills:

• Steamboat: This bronc (bucking horse) was inducted in 1979. He is the model for the Wyoming state symbol, the Bucking Horse and Rider.
• Scamper: A famous barrel racing horse, inducted in 1996.
• Star Plaudit "Red": This barrel racing horse won two world championships in one season.
• Midnight: A saddle bronc inducted in 1979.
• Gray Wolf: Many of today's best bucking horses are related to Gray Wolf, who was inducted in 2016.
• War Paint: A saddle bronc who was named "Bucking Horse of the Year" three times. He was inducted in 2011.
• Descent: Despite an injury, this saddle bronc came back to win his fifth and sixth "Bucking Horse of the Year" awards. He was inducted in 1979.
• Scottie: A steer wrestling horse who helped three cowboys win four world championships. He was known for not getting tired easily.

Unforgettable Rodeo Bulls

Bulls are also stars of the rodeo, and some are truly legendary:

• Skoal Pacific Bell: This bull was only ridden five times out of 150 attempts. He was the only bull to be a three-time PRCA world champion bull and was inducted in 2007.
• Bodacious: One of only two bulls to win both the PBR and PRCA world champion titles. He was inducted in 1999.
• Crooked Nose: The only "fighting bull" (a bull used by bullfighters to distract a bucking bull) to be inducted. He was loved by fans and respected by bullfighters. He was inducted in 1990.
• Red Rock: This bull was never ridden in 309 professional rodeo attempts. He was famously ridden by Lane Frost in a special challenge. Red Rock was inducted in 1990.
• Old Spec: He was ridden only seven times out of 350 attempts and was inducted in 1979.
• Oscar: Out of 300 attempts, only eight riders managed to stay on Oscar. He became a very important bull for breeding other great bulls, including the famous Bushwacker. Oscar was featured in the Disney movie The Great American Cowboy and was inducted in 1979.
• Tornado: This bull bucked off 220 cowboys before finally being ridden by Freckles Brown. Tornado was inducted in 1979.

Pioneer Award Winners

The Pioneer Award honors people who made big contributions to rodeo in its early days.

• Earl W. Bascom: He received the Pioneer Award in 2016. Earl was an inventor of rodeo equipment, a world record holder, an actor, and an artist.

More About Rodeo

• List of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Champions
• List of ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductees
• Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
• Women's Professional Rodeo Association
• National Rodeo Hall of Fame
• Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame