Gene Ross

Steer Wrestling • Inducted 1994

Gene Ross, born Jan. 23, 1904, in Sayre, Okla., was known as a good bronc rider and tie-down roper, but his best event was steer wrestling. He won the world steer wrestling title in 1929, the first year “official” championships were awarded. He started his career in 1922 in Comanche, Okla., and went on to become a familiar sight at Boston Garden, Madison Square Garden, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. In 1934 he was part of Tex Austin’s troupe that sailed to England to perform for King Edward VIII. His horse, Chico, recalled by some as one of the best steer wrestling mounts of any era, traveled with the troupe. Ross retired from competition in the early 1940s. He died Feb. 16, 1988.

World Championships: 3

Steer Wrestling: 1929, 1931, 1937

Born: January 23, 1904 in Sayre, Oklahoma
Died: February 16, 1988 in Clute, Texas

Deadwood Days of ’76 Rodeo / Deadwood, SD
Steer Wrestling: 1936

Iowa’s Championship Rodeo / Sidney, IA
All-Around: 1933
Steer Wrestling: 1932, 1933, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938

World’s Oldest Rodeo Prescott Frontier Days / Prescott, AZ
Steer Wrestling: 1930