Shawn Davis

Saddle Bronc Riding • Inducted 1979

Shawn Davis, a three-time world champion saddle bronc rider, has devoted much of his life to the sport of rodeo. Davis won his first title in 1965 and then captured back-to-back titles in 1967-68. In 1969, he was leading the world standings when a bronc fell on him in Thompson Falls, Mont., breaking his back. At least one surgeon predicted Davis would never ride even a gentle horse again, but 13 months later, following intensive, self-motivated physical therapy, he was riding broncs and winning. He returned to the National Finals Rodeo in 1971. Davis has been general manager of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo since 1986 and was a major proponent of moving the NFR from Oklahoma City, Okla., to Las Vegas. Davis has served on the PRCA Board of Directors and was the rodeo coach at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls for 29 years before retiring in 2007. He was born on Dec. 7, 1940, in Butte, Mont.

World Championships: 3

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1965, 1967, 1968

Born: December 7, 1940, in Butte, Montana

Legend of ProRodeo: 2011

PRCA President: 1982-85

PRCA Steering Committee: 1987

NFR General Manager: 1986-2019

Black Hills Roundup / Belle Fourche, SD
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1973

Buffalo Bill Rodeo / North Platte, NE
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1964

Cheyenne Frontier Days / Cheyenne, WY
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1966

Cody Stampede / Cody, WY
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1974 (tie)

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo / Fort Worth, TX
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1973, 1975 (tie)

Iowa’s Championship Rodeo / Sidney, IA
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1979 (tie), 1983

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo / Tucson, AZ
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1967, 1975

National Western Stock Show & Rodeo / Denver, CO
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1965, 1969, 1977

Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo / Ogden, UT
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1973, 1977

Pendleton Round-Up / Pendleton, OR
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1965

Red Bluff Round-Up / Red Bluff, CA
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1967, 1978

Redding Rodeo / Redding, CA
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1965, 1967

Reno Rodeo / Reno, NV
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1966, 1967, 1972

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo / San Antonio, TX
All-Around: 1968

Snake River Stampede / Nampa, ID
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1965

Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo / Spanish Fork, UT
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1967