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The Rodeo Historical Society has introduced a very
exciting project for anyone interested in the history
of rodeo. They
have officially begun gathering Oral Histories and
Stories from cowboys and cowgirls across the nation.
The purpose of this program is to be able to
listen to competitors, performers and an array of
rodeo people tell in their own words how they became
involved in rodeo, how they traveled and who they
traveled, what were the exciting events that happened,
in their era. I
just returned from a whirlwind trip to Tucson, AZ and
a variety of California locations and gathered
fourteen interviews to add to this worthwhile program
that will be available to authors, educators or anyone
interested in listening to these stories at the
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in
Oklahoma City.
My interviews included Dorothy Satterfield,
originally from Cheyenne, WY,, who was a trick rider
from 1944 to 1956 and worked rodeos throughout the Midwest.
She married Carl Satterfield, a rodeo
competitor, but better known at a rodeo clown and
bullfighter during his era.
I talked with Bart Clennon, National Cowboy
Hall of Famer, who rode broncs and kept a log, during
his heyday, on every bronc in the country, and what
kind of rein it took to have a successful ride.
When you talk with Bart you talk broncs!
Nancy
Sheppard, a trick rider and roper, who has represented
rodeo at a Georgio Armani Style Show in Milan, Italy,
in addition to years of performing in the rodeo arena.
This beautiful black haired charmer represented
rodeo in so many ways, such as modeling for western
wear manufacturers.
She was also offered a movie contract ‘on the
spot’ which she turned down because of family
obligations. Alvin
Gordon, a rough stock competitor, who won the bronc
riding in 1934 in London, England, and was Captain of
the U.S. rodeo team that went to Australia and
competed against Canada and Australia.
Later he was in charge of the stock and chute
boss for producers such as Gene Autry and Everett
Colborn. Holloway
Grace, age 96, of Torrance, CA, relayed his
experiences in rodeo including a World Championship in
steer decorating, which is no longer a competition, but once
was very big in the California area.
Polly Burson, National Cowgirl Hall of Famer,
and recipient of the revered Tad Lucas Award at the
Rodeo Historical Society, told of her life, starting
as a child, with her mother who was a relay racer.
Polly became a successful and sought after
trick rider, then became a stunt woman, and double for
movie stars, such as Ruth Roman, Yvonne DeCarlo and
Betty Hutton in The
Perils of Pauline.
My next interview was with Larry McKinney,
former rodeo clown and bullfighter, who related the
dangers of saving cowboys as they try to dismount a
bull. He
also had quite a career in movies as a stunt man,
stand-in for Willie Nelson, Richard Widmark, and
wrangler. He
also appeared as Buffalo Bill in various Wild West
events around the world.
Jack Roddy, two time World Champion Steer
Wrestler, was our next visit.
He has represented rodeo in the political
arena, against animal activists, and throughout the
sports world. He
owns Roddy Ranch Golf Club at Antioch, CA where
golfers can enjoy a rodeo theme at each hole.
As we traveled toward the ‘gold country’ we
interviewed Cecil Jones, who spent his life as a
competitor, a rodeo secretary and became President of
the Rowell Ranch Rodeo.
We visited with Mrs. Slim Pickens, deceased
rodeo clown, bullfighter and movie actor, and learned
of many of Slim’s humorous antics and experiences
during his lifetime. We visited with Emma “PeeWee” Burge Ott, in Modesto, who
came to the U. S. from Switzerland when she was eight
years old and lived on a ranch.
She learned to rope, trick ride and ride
broncs. Despite
her bout with Parkinsons Disease, the diminutive
lady’s eyes sparkled when she relived her days of
riding broncs. Next
we headed to the mountains and visited with Montie
Montana, Jr. who shared stories about his dad who was
one of the flashiest trick ropers, and personable men
in the business.
He performed for Presidents and rode in the
Rose Bowl Parade over 60 years. Montie Jr. also shared stories about his life growing up with
this consummate showman, and how he made his own path
in rodeo and wild west.
The trip was a highlight of my year and the
stories made it so.
Please inquire about this Oral History Program
next time you visit the National Cowboy & Western
Heritage Museum, and if you care about rodeo history
and are not a member of the Rodeo Historical Society,
join today. Call 405-478-2250 for information.
The National Cowgirl Hall of Fame & Museum
inducted four honorees on November 14 in to their
prestigious numbers.
Red Steagall did the introductions. Those
inducted for 2003 were; Sheila Varian, of California,
top Arabian horse breeder for thirty-plus years,
starting with three mares she imported from Poland in
1961. Ann
Secrest Hanson from Montana, who not only worked with
horses her entire life, she was one of the only woman
‘pick-up men’ in rodeo, and held rodeo schools in
the area. Dan
Mortensen, World Champion All-Around Cowboy and World
Champion Saddle Bronc Rider, was on hand to tell that
when he started riding rough-stock and completed his
first qualified ride on a horse named Pistol Pete, Ann
was there to ‘pick him up’!
He also presented her with two front row seats
to the National Finals Rodeo in December as he is a
strong contender to be World Champion Saddle Bronc
Rider this year.
Glenna Goodacre, sculptor from Santa Fe, NM,
was the third recipient, and remarked that she
was shocked she was selected. “I am just a ‘clay-masher’,” she jokingly remarked,
admitting she wasn’t a very good horsewoman, and she
always sketched people, not horses.
Her bronzes range from the Vietnam Women’s
Memorial in Washington D. C., Ronald Reagan, at the
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in
Oklahoma City, to the U. S. mint’s new dollar coin
of Sacajawea. The
fourth Honoree, was Velda Tindall Smith, deceased.
Her daughter, Garlene Parrish, accepted in her
behalf, and told of her mother’s career in rodeo
trick riding, flat races and relay races.
And how she and seven other women formed the
Texas Barrel Racing Association in 1955, held the
first Barrel Racing Futurity.
This group set the standards for the sport at
that time. The
Fern Sawyer Award was presented to a man, Van A.
Romans, Director of Cultural Affairs for Walt Disney
Imagineering, whose dedicated contributions in the
design and implementation of the exhibitions in the
Museum.
This annual affair is always a treat to attend
as various businesses as well as Fort Worth movers and
shakers decorate the luncheon tables and it is
imperative to just wander among the tables observing
the creative themes used, each one being different.
Plus you never know who you might see!
UPCOMING
EVENTS:
If you go to
the National Finals Rodeo, in Las Vegas, NV, be sure
and go by the COWBOY CARTOONISTS INTERNATIONAL
booth at Cowboy Christmas.
The cartoonists have designed and decorating
twenty Wrangler denim jackets, donated by Corral West,
which will be offered at a Silent Auction during the
venue. The
proceeds will go to the Rodeo Clown & Bullfighter
Hardship Foundation.
Please support this wonderful event and take
time to visit with the cartoonists.
Not only do they draw hilariously funny
cartoons, they are also a laugh a minute.
The COWBOY REUNION will be held at the
Excalibur Hotel, Las Vegas,
11th through 13th of
December, during the National Finals Rodeo.
There will be entertainment by Dennis Gaines,
the western poet and storyteller from Kerrville, TX,;
give-aways and an auction are held throughout the
event; Clem McSpadden and Charlie Throckmorton, well
known rodeo announcers, will handle the microphone.
Most importantly those attending range from
member of the Cowboy Turtles Association, Rodeo
Cowboys Association and PRCA members, plus those who
have always enjoyed rodeo.
It’s a must during your NFR stay in Vegas.
For more information contact June Ivory, 806-669-7708.
The Third Annual ROPERS GATHERING will
be held in Okeechobee, Florida, on January 15, 16, 17
& 18, 2004. There
will be classes on ropes, whips, guns, knife and
hatchet throwing, and yodeling, plus music and
entertainment – contests – films – videos of
acts, documentaries and movies -- and food.
Cost is $40 per person, or $75 per couple.
This venue is in conjunction with the Wild West
Arts Club. For more information contact Gordie Peer, 863-763-3773
evenings only
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