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The ProRodeo Hall of Fame in
Colorado Springs
,
Colorado
, has re-opened and
anticipates many new and different programs.
The museum itself, which houses not only the
history of the sport but special features throughout
the year, hung out their “Open for Business”
shingle on
April 9th, as
a thousand people attended this tremendously
important mainstay
of rodeo
and of Colorado Springs.
Cowboys have a unique way of ‘tending to
business’ and it was not a big surprise to hear the
Hall closed it’s door the end of 2004.
During the ‘down time’ the Board reviewed
the direction of the Hall of Fame, dedicated totally
to the sport of rodeo.
When it re-opened they
announced their future goals, which includes a
multifaceted educational program, among other
projects.
The introduction of rodeo over one hundred
years ago expanded a cowboys opportunity to use his
cowboy skills in another way rather than just working
on a ranch. Other
than the short
twenty years, after the Civil War until the late
1880s, when they trailed cattle to railheads and
northern pastures offering grasses not grown further
south, the sole life of a cowboy was on a ranch.
The rodeo, even in it’s infancy, gave the
cowboy a choice. Instead
of staying on the ranch, which was often lonely and
solitary, he could travel to various rodeo locations,
fraternize with other cowboys and spectators, and
still use his abilities with a rope or on the back of
a bronc.
The earliest rodeos were not well advertised or
promoted. It
was not unusual for a cowboy to ride in to a town,
expecting a rodeo, and discovering he’d been
misdirected. There
were other disappointments cowboys faced at rodeos
such as winning an event and finding the rodeo
producer had slipped off with the purse before anyone
could be paid. But
did this discourage the cowboy from trying to rodeo?
Not a bit!
He was ‘on down the road’ headed to the
next ‘riding and roping’ contest before the dust
could settle.
A cowboy is known for his determination, his
will and his independence.
The business at hand will get done.
He may not approach the task as others might,
but you can ‘bet your boots’ he will see it to the
end. This
strong conviction is what makes cowboys world
champions and strong competitors.
This drive to win and do their best inspires
them to travel from rodeo to rodeo in the dead of
night, through all kinds of weather, and sleep four to
a bed and split a Big Mac four ways, until they get a
win. Then
they are known for splitting their winnings with those
less fortunate than themselves.
These same determined bronc busters and rope
wizards have re-opened the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, and
will see that it succeeds in every way.
Hal Littrell, Hall of Fame Board of Trustee
member, said the main key to the revamping of the
ProRodeo Hall of Fame is to develop repeat business.
They plan to give patrons multiple reasons for
returning to visit the museum again and again.
He also said “The goal is to sustain the
activity of the Hall in concert with other venues
happening community-wide, such as conventions”. Kevin
Maguire, owner of Colorado Springs Overhead Door
company, and
co-chairman of the Rodeo Clown Reunion held
in
Colorado Springs
twice, in conjunction with the
Pikes Peak
or Bust Rodeo, said
he was happy to see the Hall was “refocusing
on community involvement”.
I am thrilled to announce the re-opening of the
ProRodeo Hall of Fame located on Interstate 25 as you
drive through
Colorado Springs
. You
can’t miss it, and you really don’t want to.
It is truly a first class Hall that is filled
with outstanding rodeo history, mementos and winnings
of cowboys and cowgirls who have made a special
impression in the sport, and information about some of
the horses and bulls, as well.
Support rodeo the only sport of our western way
of life – visit the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
For information call 719-593-8840 or website:
prorodeo.com.
Congratulations
to the following ‘movers and shakers’ who are
being inducted in to the
Pendleton
RoundUp and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame for 2005.
The recipients are:
Walt Arnold, of
Silverton
,
Texas
, who began his rodeo career in 1964 as a calf roper.
He participated in the Pendleton RoundUp for 24
years, won the steer roping titles there in 1976, 1978
and 1980, and was named All Around Champion at
Pendleton in 1973.
On a national level he went to the National
Finals twice in team roping and ten times in steer
roping. He
became the World Champion Steer Roper in 1969, and
took the average in that event three times.
William G. Shaw, of Pendleton.
He became an active volunteer in 1939 for both
the rodeo and the night show.
He and his horse, Monty, performed the horse
act in
Happy
Canyon
from 1939 to 1954.
Shaw performed other roles in
Happy
Canyon
including the cavalry, bank robbery and rescue.
His first jobs for the rodeo were feeding
Indian horses and working the east end barrier.
A RoundUp Director from 1970 to 1978 and Shaw
served as vice president for two years.
Ron Hudson, of Pendleton,
began his involvement with the RoundUp in 1949
on the untying crew.
He participated in the wild cow milking for 20
years, winning three titles and also competed in the
wild horse race and steer wrestling events.
He was a participant in the Happy Canyon
husband and wife scene for 25 years, passing his role
on to his sons, Kevin and Marty, and then to his
grandsons. His
daughter also performed in the show.
Hudson
was on the Board of Directors from 1981 to 1990,
serving two years as president.
Cataldo, born in 1982 at
Orofino
,
Idaho
and a registered overo paint.
He is owned and trained by Rusty Black from
Pilot Rock,
Oregon
. The
horse began performing in the
Happy
Canyon
show when he was three, with a small role in the
captured girl scene.
For the last fifteen years he is the first
horse seen in each show.
He is also in the fade-out scene when the
American Indians move camp and is also the horse
ridden by Lance Dick carrying the
U.S.
flag for the playing of the National Anthem.
Our hats are off to these long-time
participants in an historic and unique rodeo and
pageant performed annually.
The 2005 event will be held September 14, 15,
16 & 17th.
For information and tickets call:
1-800-457-6336.
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