Evolution of the Cowboy
Cowboys appeared in Texas as a result of the colonization encouraged by Mexico. In 1822 there were 150 settlers in Texas. By 1836 there were 36,000 settlers. The cattle and horses introduced by the Spanish explorers had multiplied and were available in great numbers to anyone who could catch them. The Mexican vaquero, anglo and black cowboy had fully evolved by the end of the Civil War.
“The combination of land, freedom, horses, and cattle had become the state of mind called Texas.”
Texas Best Bulldogger Hall of Fame
- Bill Picket
National Cowboy Hall of Fame
Invented bulldogging, now called steer wrestling. Bill was with the Buffalo Bill Show for 26 years. He died from a kick in the head from a horse in 1932.
Book on Amazon Bill Pickett: Rodeo-Ridin’ Cowboy
Texas Best Bull Rider Hall of Fame
- Don Gay
Mesquite Texas
First cowboy in history to win eight bull riding titles.
Video on Amazon Don Gay’s Worst Wrecks At Mesquite Rodeo “1990″
Texas Best Calf Roper Hall of Fame
- Toots Mansfield
Seven World Champion Calf Roping Championships.
Book on Anazon Calf Roping
Texas Best Bull Rider, 2004 World Champion
- Mike Lee
Decatur Texas
Mike Lee Decatur, Texas born June 11, 1983 is a Professional Bull Rider on the Professional Bull Riders, (PBR’s) Built Ford Tough Series, (BFTS) tour. Lee became the first rider to win both the Built Ford Tough World Finals event title and the Built Ford Tough Million Dollar World Championship in 2004. Edmonton, Alberta. July 26, 20082007 was a difficult year professionally for Mike due to many injuries, including two fairly severe head injuries. Mike is one of the growing number of Professional Bull Riders that wears a helmet instead of the familiar cowboy hat and he could have suffered career or life ending injuries this year without the safety of the helmet. .
Texas Best All Around Cowboy, 2006 World Champion
- Trevor Brazile
Decatur, Texas
Trevor Brazile of Decatur, Texas currently holds the single season record for the most money won in a season at $329,924 during the 2006 campaign. He won the “triple crown” with World Championships in Steer Roping, Tie Down Roping, and was named the All Around Cowboy again. He was the first cowboy in 24 years to win 3 world titles in one year..
CD on Amazon 2004 PRCA Media Guide Photo CD: Featuring Trevor Brazile (PC / MAC) [CD-ROM ]
Texas Best Calf Roper, 5 Time World Champion
- Joe Beaver
2001 All-Time money winner. 5 Time World Champion Calf Roper
Book on Amazon Get the Winning Edge with World Champion Calf Roper Joe Beaver
Texas Best Team Roper – with Speed Williams 8 Time World Champion. Only teach to win 8 consecutive championships.
- Rich Skelton
Book on Amazon Rich Skelton: The Next Level
CD on Amazon Vintage Rodeo & Cowboy Films DVD: 1950s Cowboys & Rodeos History
Rodeo Events
Saddle Bronc Riding
The cowboy must remain on a horse with a regulation saddle for eight seconds. During the ride, the cowboy must spur the animal as much as possible to get a good ride. He must also keep one hand free from touching the bronc or his equipment. Points are awarded for riders who stay on the bronc for the full count.
DVD on Amazon Saddle Bronc Riding with the Etbauer Brothers – DVD
Bareback Bronc Riding
This event is similar to saddle bronc riding except there are no saddle, stirrups or reins. The cowboy holds on to a cinch with one hand.
Book on AmazonBronc and Bareback Riding: Rodeo (Mcleese, Tex, Rodeo Discovery Library.)
Bull Riding
Also similar to bronc riding, a bull rider attempts to stay on a 2,000 pound plus bucking bull for eight seconds.
Book on Amazon King of the Cowboys
Calf Roping
Calf roping is an event patterned after the cattle round-up. During the spring and fall, calves are roped to be branded and worked. A rope called a lariat is used by a cowboy who rides a specially trained horse. The cowboy ropes the calf; and while the horse tugs on the calf, the cowboy dismounts and throws the calf down and ties three legs together with a string called a piggin string. The cowboy competes against the clock for the best time.
Book on Amazon Calf Roping
Steer Wrestling
Steer wrestling was invented by Bill Picket in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. A cowboy chases down a steer on horseback , jumps on top of the steer, grabs his horns, and with a twist throws him to the ground. The event is scored by the best time.
Book on Amazon They Call Me Sid Rock: Rodeo’s Extreme Cowboy
Team Roping
This event is a realistic demonstration of the cowboys’ skills. Two Cowboys chase down a 400 pound Longhorn steer. The cowboy called the header ropes the horns, then the Cowboy called the heeler ropes the hind legs. The ropes are wrapped around the saddle horn and drawn tight with the calf between the ropers. This is a timed event.
DVD on Amazon Power Team Roping – Heading with Rickey Green – DVD
Barrel Racing
This event is reserved for cowgirls. The cowgirl mounted on her horse races against the clock around three barrels set in the arena in a triangle pattern.
Book on Amazon Barrel Racing 101: A Complete Program for Horse and Rider
Texas Rodeo Schedule
Texas has 108 PRCA sanctioned rodeos.
- Sandhills Hereford and Quarterhorse Show and Rodeo
January
Ector County Coliseum
Odessa, Texas
432-366-3951 - Southwestern International Livestock Show and Rodeo
September 15 – 20
El Paso County Coliseum
El Paso, Texas
915-755-2000 - Book on Amazon The Southwestern International Livestock Show and Rodeo
- San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo
February 4-21
Joe Freeman Coliseum
San Antonio, Texas
210-225-5851 - Book on Amazon The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo ~ The First 50 Years
- Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
March 2 – 21
Reliant Park
Houston, Texas
832-667-1000 - Book on Amazon February Fever: Historical Highlights of the 1st 60 Years of the Houston Livestock Show
- CRA Finals
Spring
1200 Houston
Sulphur Springs, Texas
903-885-6515 - Austin – Travis County Livestock Show and Rodeo
3rd week March
512-471-7448 - San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo
Feb 19
Coliseum Fairgrounds
San Angelo, Texas
325-653-5622 - Mesquite Championship Rodeo
April – September, Friday and Saturday
118 Rodeo Dr.
Mesquite, Texas
214-285-8777 - Book on Amazon Don Gay’s Worst Wrecks At Mesquite Rodeo “1990″
- Western Heritage Classic and Ranch Rodeo
May 2 -9 2009
Taylor County Expo Center
Abilene, Texas
325-677-4376 - Western Days
May 29 – June 1
Grand Prairie Rodeo Club
Grand Prairie, Texas - International Rodeo Association Championship Rodeo
June
Greenhill Rd FM 2152
Mount Pleasant, Texas
903-572-1170 - Llano County Rodeo
June 7
RR 152
Llano, Texas
325-247-5354 - George Strait Team Roping and Concert
March 13, 14
San Antonio Rose Pallace
San Antonio, Texas
210-698-3300 - Red River Rodeo
June 19, 20
Mounted Patrol Arena
Wichita Falls, Texas
940-592-2156 - Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo
June 19, 20
Fairgrounds, FM 700
Big Spring, Texas
915-263-7641 - PRCA Rodeo and July 4th Celebration
Feb 12,13
Bell County Expo Center
South Loop 121
Belton, Texas
512-477-6060 - American Junior Rodeo Association Rodeo
Aug 6, 8
San Angelo, Texas
325-651-2908 - Kuecklehan Rodeo
Last week July
TX 78
Bonham, Texas
903-583-5337 - Texoma Quarter Horse Association Rodeo
4-18
TQHA Arena, US 75
Denison/Sherman,Texas
903-821-0596 - Parker County Sheriff’s Posse
June 17 – 20
Frontier Days and rodeo
US 180 W.
Weatherford, Texas
817-599-9076 - XIT Rodeo and Reunion
First weekend August
Rita Blanca Park
Dalhart, Texas
806-244-5646 - Sutton County Days PRCA Rodeo
August
Sutton County Park
Sonora, Texas
325-387-2880 - West Texas Fair and Rodeo
Labor Day – Friday
Taylor County Expo Center
Abilene, Texas
325-677-4376 - Washington Country Fair
September 16 – 19
Horton St. E. FM 577
Brenham, Texas
979-836-4121 - Four States Fair and Rodeo
First week in October
Loop 245 E.
Fairgrounds
Texarkana, Texas
870-773-2941 - Texas Tech Intercollegiage Rodeo
October
Texas Tech Esquesterian Ctr.
Lubbock, Texas
