Congratulations Class of 2015 - Pro Rodeo Hall of fame Inductees

The Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame ( website / Facebook ) and Museum of the American Cowboy exists to educate the public about rodeo, its history, and its impact on Western American culture. The Hall of fame will also provide recognition to rodeo notables of the past, present, and serve as an inspiration to the future.

"ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductees are selected by a committee of former contestants and rodeo experts.  More than 150 individuals are nominated each year and selection is based on contributions to the sport of professional rodeo in any one of seven categories: contestant, stock contractor, contract personnel, rodeo committees, livestock, media, and notables/lifetime achievement."  (Information courtesy of ProRodeo Hall of Fame).

This morning, (August 8, 2015) something very special and exciting will happen at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado - Induction ceremonies will be held enshrining 10 distinguished Inductees into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.  Please join us as we congratulate all who are to be enshrined:  (To learn more about each of the inductees, please click the link - it will take you directly to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame website link to each inductee's story.)

Note:  The 2015 ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy Induction Ceremony on the ‪#‎WranglerNetwork this Saturday, August 8, at 10 a.m. MT/12 p.m. ET. www.WranglerNetwork.com

Bob Wegner - Bull Rider ( link )
Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo (Oklahoma) - Rodeo Committee ( link )
Harry Charters - Steer Wrestler ( link )
Hendricks Brothers - Contract Personnel - ( link )
Iowa's Championship Rodeo - Rodeo Committee ( link )
Jack Hannum - Notable - ( link )
Mark Garrett - Barback Rider - ( link )
Precious Speck-Livestock (AQHA/PRCA Team Roping Head Horse of the Year four times) ( link )
Tom Nesmith - All-Around ( link )

Now, you may have noticed there are only 9 inductees listed above.  The reason for that is because we want to send out extra special "Congratulations" to the remaining Inductee:

 The Red Bluff Round-Up Committee !!

This committee is, and has been in the past, made up of very special people who work very hard to bring the best cowboys, cowgirls, livestock, entertainment, volunteers, sponsors - all of whom make the Red Bluff Round-Up ( website / Facebook ) one of the most prestigious and most anticipated rodeos in the world.

Rodeo Fans across our great State of California and across our Nation, look forward to attending the Red Bluff Round-Up, year after year.  Their success in bringing the best of the best to their rodeo and to their community, is to be applauded and celebrated.  We join all of their friends, families, volunteers, sponsors, and fans, in sharing the pride and excitement of this great honor which will be bestowed upon this outstanding rodeo committee.

Rodeo Committee • Inducted 2015

Red Bluff Round-Up Association

From our friends at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame:

"Founded in the fall of 1921 as an adjunct to the Tehama County Fair, the Red Bluff Round-Up was the first Northern California rodeo to join the Cowboys’ Turtle Association – precursor to the PRCA – and has overcome interruptions due to hoof-and-mouth disease, The Great Depression and World War II to become one of the sport’s signature events.

The Red Bluff Round-Up Association moved to its traditional late-April place on the schedule in 1926, replacing one in nearby Vina, Calif., that had gone defunct, and was long known as “America’s Biggest Two-Day Rodeo,” before switching to a three-day format in 1996.

Thanks in part to the creative efforts of advertising man Don Tait (aka Montana Red), that inaugural spring rodeo drew more than 10,000 fans and since that time, the Red Bluff Round-Up has consistently attracted the greatest names in the sport to compete for top prize money in front of crowds of 30,000.

The rodeo’s economic impact is estimated to be more than $4 million annually, and the entire town becomes involved during rodeo week with a bowling tournament, foot race, pancake breakfast, street dance, Chamber mixer, golf tournament, chili cook-off, parade and Western lifestyle tutorials in local elementary schools.

Red Bluff drew national attention in 1988, when it hosted one of the seven Challenge of Champions match rides between 1987 World Bull Riding Champion Lane Frost and 1987 Bull of the Year Red Rock, a hometown bull from Growney Brothers who had bucked off all 311 riders who tried him in his rodeo career.

Since 2000, the Round-Up has held a unique place in the hearts of rodeo fans with its annual Wild Ride at the conclusion of the rodeo, which features top roughstock cowboys competing in full costume, judged not just for their rides, but for their look and creativity."

Red Bluff Round-Up's history has been archived and preserved for future generations through the hard work of many volunteers and community donations/labor, at the Red Bluff Museum.  We were fortunate to be able to tour the museum during our last California Circuit meeting, which was graciously hosted by the wonderful folks at Red Bluff.  Here are just a few of the historic artifacts that can be found at the Museum. To learn more and/or to make a donation, please visit (website ).

Again, "Congratulations" for many years of outstanding Professional Rodeo and for ensuring our Western Heritage will be preserved for future generations.

2015 Pioneer Award Recipient - Brenda Michael

The "Ken Stemler Pioneer Award" recognizes those who have provided ground breaking, innovative ideas and forward thinking that help the development, advancement and success of the PRCA and/or the Hall of Fame and their missions. It is given to recognize those whose significant contributions through their service, dedication and positive influence, have enhanced the scope, reach or future success of both organizations. Ken Stemler was the recipient of the inaugural Pioneer Award in 2014, given to him posthumously, and it was named after him starting in 2015. Congratulations to Brenda Michael for all of her contributions.

Congratulations once again to all of the 2015 Inductees, and Congratulations to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame on their 36th Year Anniversary.

Thank you to Cindy Schonholtz, Matt Cohen, and Shawna Nelson for photos for this story.

Long Live Cowboys and Cowgirls!