Tie-Down Roping • Inducted 1979 From 1939-50, Texas roper Toots Mansfield won seven tie-down roping world championships, a record that lasted for 19 years. Riding Juan Salina’s black gelding Honey Boy, Mansfield was recognized as the man to beat whenever he competed. A master at handling calves on the ground, his...
All-Around • Inducted 1979 His records might not stand anymore, but Larry Mahan, born Nov. 21, 1943, in Salem, Ore., definitely will go into rodeo’s history books as one of the greatest cowboys of all time. Only 14 years old when he broke into professional rodeo, Mahan developed an individual talent...
All-Around • Inducted 1979 Phil Lyne, born Jan. 18, 1947, in San Antonio, was one of the few contestants to excel in every rodeo event, winning a combined five world titles in three different events. He also won aggregate titles in two events at the National Finals Rodeo. Following an amateur...
Rodeo Notable • Inducted 1979 A tiny lady bronc rider from the Nebraska sand-hill country, Tad Lucas was the youngest of 24 children born to a pioneer family. She rode bulls in the main streets of Cody, Neb., during World War I to raise money for the Red Cross. In 1921,...
All-Around • Inducted 1979 In 1950, Bill Linderman of Red Lodge, Mont., became the first man in professional rodeo history to win three world titles in a single season, claiming the championships in the all-around, steer wrestling and saddle bronc riding. Born April 13, 1920, Linderman won six world titles between both...
Saddle Bronc Riding • Inducted 1979 Born May 5, 1903, Pete Knight dominated saddle bronc riding more than any other contestant of his era, winning four world championships and four Canadian titles. Though born in Philadelphia, Pa., Knight grew up around Stroud, Okla., and near Crossfield, Alberta. He entered his first...
Rodeo Notable • Inducted 1979 Harry Knight, born in Quebec City, Canada, in 1907, learned to pack horses as a youngster at a Banff, Alberta, lake resort operated by his father. In 1935 he entered his first saddle bronc riding event in Sundrie, Alberta, and began a half-century career in rodeo. Those...
Steer Wrestling • Inducted 1979 John W. Jones. Sr., born June 26, 1932, in Fresno, Calif., excelled on the PRCA’s biggest stage, winning the National Finals Rodeo’s aggregate title three consecutive years and a record four times overall. The Rookie of the Year in 1956, Jones’ world bulldogging title came in...
Team Roping • Inducted 1979 Ben Johnson, son of a famous early-day roper, grew up determined to follow in his father’s footsteps. However, despite winning one world title, he was best known for his depictions of cowboys in the movies and his Oscar. Born June 13, 1918, in Foraker, Okla., Johnson...
Stock Contractor • Inducted 1979 Consideration and friendship for contestants, even in the tension of arena action, made this stock contractor one of the most respected persons in rodeo. Certainly, Andy could identify with the contestants. He had been one himself. Ranch raised, he became a skilled saddle bronc rider in...
