Gene Pruett

Saddle Bronc Riding • Inducted 1979

Saddle bronc rider Gene Pruett could ride any horse he was dealt, good or bad. Born Feb. 1, 1917, in Moscow, Idaho, to a pioneer family, he entered his first rodeo at age 17. In 1948, he won his first world title. In 1955, he called it quits at Madison Square Garden after making his 2,000th successful ride. He became editor of the Rodeo Cowboys Association’s (RCA) newspaper and in 1965 assumed the position of secretary/treasurer of the association until 1969. He died in 1987.

World Championships: 1

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1948

Born: February 1, 1917 in Moscow, Idaho
Died:1987 in Lakewood, Colorado

Cheyenne Frontier Days / Cheyenne, WY
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1951

Ellensburg Rodeo / Ellensburg, WA
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1939, 1947

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo / Fort Worth, TX
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1952

National Western Stock Show & Rodeo / Denver, CO
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1950

Pendleton Round-Up / Pendleton, OR
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1947, 1954

Red Bluff Round-Up / Red Bluff, CA
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1950