ProRodeo Hall of Fame facts for kids
 |
|
| Established | 1979 |
|---|---|
| Location | 101 Pro Rodeo Drive Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Type | Hall of fame |
The ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy is a special museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It opened in August 1979. This museum helps keep the history of cowboy contests alive. It celebrates the amazing people and animals who have been champions in professional rodeo. It is the only museum in the world just for the sport of professional rodeo. Only members of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) can be chosen for the Hall of Fame.
Contents
Who Gets Into the Hall of Fame?
Since 1979, many people, animals, and even rodeo events have been honored. Over 290 people, 30 livestock (horses and bulls), and 30 rodeo committees have been inducted. Each year, more than 100 people are suggested, but only a few are chosen. You can find a full list of everyone inducted at List of ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductees.
Famous Rodeo Cowboys and Cowgirls
Many incredible athletes have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Here are some of the most famous:
- Jim Shoulders – He won an amazing 16 world championships!
- Chris LeDoux – A rodeo cowboy and country music star. He won a bareback riding world championship.
- Ty Murray – Known as "King of the Cowboys." He won seven all-around world championships and two bull riding titles.
- Tuff Hedeman – A three-time world champion in bull riding.
- Charles Sampson – The first African-American world champion rodeo cowboy.
- Larry Mahan – He won six all-around world championships.
- Roy Cooper – Won six world championships in tie-down roping.
- Charmayne James – An incredible barrel racer. She won 11 WPRA world championships!
- Lane Frost – A 1987 world champion bull rider. He famously rode the bull Red Rock in a special challenge.
- Don Gay – An eight-time world champion in bull riding.
- Lewis Feild – Won three all-around world championships and two bareback riding titles.
- Fred Whitfield – An eight-time world champion in tie-down roping.
- Trevor Brazile – He holds the record for the most world championships in the PRCA, with 26 titles!
Actors Who Loved Rodeo
Some famous actors were also involved in rodeo and are in the Hall of Fame:
- Slim Pickens – An actor who was also a rodeo clown.
- Ben Johnson – A steer roper who also won an Oscar for his acting.
- Casey Tibbs – A saddle bronc rider who became an actor.
Amazing Rodeo Horses
Horses are a huge part of rodeo, and some are so special they get into the Hall of Fame!
- Steamboat – A famous bucking horse inducted in 1979. He is the model for the Wyoming state symbol, the Bucking Horse and Rider.
- Scamper – A barrel racing horse inducted in 1996.
- Midnight – A legendary saddle bronc horse inducted in 1979.
- Gray Wolf – Many of today's best bucking horses are related to him. He was inducted in 2016.
- War Paint – A saddle bronc horse who was named "Bucking Horse of the Year" three times.
- Descent – Another saddle bronc who won "Bucking Horse of the Year" six times!
- Scottie – A steer wrestling horse who helped three cowboys win four world championships.
Unforgettable Rodeo Bulls
Just like horses, some bulls are so tough and famous they earn a spot in the Hall of Fame!
- 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.
- Bodacious – One of the most famous bulls ever. He won both the PBR and PRCA world champion titles.
- Red Rock – He was never ridden in his professional rodeo career (309 attempts!). He was famously ridden by Lane Frost in a special challenge.
- Oscar – Only eight riders managed to stay on him out of 300 attempts. He became a legend for breeding, and many great bulls like Bushwacker came from him.
- Tornado – He bucked off 220 cowboys before being ridden by Freckles Brown.
Pioneer Award
The Pioneer Award honors people who have made a big difference in rodeo history.
- Earl W. Bascom – He received the Pioneer Award in 2016. He invented rodeo equipment, set world records, and was also an actor and artist.
See also
- List of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Champions
- List of ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductees
- Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
- Women's Professional Rodeo Association
