McLaughlin, Don

Tie-Down Roping • Inducted 1979

Don McLaughlin, born Oct. 24, 1927, in Chester, Pa., literally grew up in rodeo arenas, working as a trick roper as a child. He went on to win four consecutive world championships in tie-down roping and added a fifth title three years later. He also won three world titles in steer roping. McLaughlin was the epitome of steadiness under competitive pressure. Nothing bothered him. He loved to have fun, as well as to win. He had extraordinary “cow sense.” Months after seeing a calf, he would recognize it and remember what it did when roped. Always thinking, McLaughlin innovated a new style of tying calves. Instead of taking the first two wraps around all three feet, he shaved time off by taking only one wrap around the back feet, then cinching the tie with a final half-hitch. He died July 20, 1994.

World Championships: 8

Tie-Down Roping: 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957

Steer Roping: 1960, 1963, 1970

National Finals Rodeo Average Champion

All-Around: 1960

Tie-Down Roping: 1960

Steer Roping: 1960, 1964

Born: October 27, 1927 in Chester, Pennsylvania
Died: July 20, 1994

Cheyenne Frontier Days
Cheyenne, Wyoming

All-Around: 1959, 1960
Steer Roping: 1960

Pendleton Round-Up
Pendleton, Oregon

All-Around: 1959, 1966
Steer Roping: 1954, 1962, 1969
Tie-Down Roping: 1966

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
Fort Worth, Texas

Tie-Down Roping: 1952, 1961

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
San Antonio, Texas

Tie-Down Roping: 1954

National Western Stock Show & Rodeo
Denver, Colorado

Tie-Down Roping: 1951

West of the Pecos Rodeo
Pecos, Texas

Team Roping: 1956