Walt Arnold

Steer Roping • Inducted 2009

A rancher all of his life, Walt Arnold didn’t compete full time until he was 25 years old, yet he qualified for the National Finals Steer Roping 19 times (1965-67, 1969-72, 1974-82, 1984-86), a number surpassed only by Guy Allen and Arnold Felts in steer roping history. Arnold, of Silverton, Texas, won the world championship in 1969 and finished as reserve champion three additional times (1971, 1978-79), missing out on the 1971 title by just $538 to Olin Young. He won the NFSR average title twice (1965 and 1978) and competed in team roping at the NFR in 1966 with Bob Ragsdale and 1968 with Tim Prather. He served as the PRCA’s steer roping director from 1974 to 1977, elected by his fellow competitors.

World Championships: 1

Steer Roping: 1969

National Finals Rodeo Average Champion

Steer Roping: 1965, 1978

RAM Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion

Texas Circuit:

Steer Roping: 1979

Born: September 1, 1938 in Silverton, Texas
Died: August 14, 2020 in Silverton, Texas

NFSR Qualifications: 19

ProRodeo Hall of Famer Walt Arnold passes away

Cheyenne Frontier Days / Cheyenne, WY
Steer Wrestling: 1969

Dodge City Roundup / Dodge City, KS
Steer Roping: 1983

Greeley Stampede / Greeley, CO
Team Roping: 1974

Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo / Guymon, OK
Steer Roping: 1980, 1984

Pendleton Round-Up / Pendleton, OR
All-Around: 1973, 1975
Steer Wrestling: 1976
Steer Roping: 1980