- an exhibition or contest in which cowboys show their skills at riding broncs, roping calves, steer wrestling etc.
Rodeo Origin
Rodeos originally originated in Mexico in the early 1800’s, where cowboys worked on perfecting their roping and riding. When not doing ranch work, the cowboys would make a competition between ranches of who could ride the rankest horses or throw the best rope, this quickly drew a crowd.
As the years went on and Texas took over parts of Mexico, this “competition” and culture got absorbed into the Western American culture. Eventually in 1883, the event Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show started and in 1893 it became one of the most popular events hosting three million attendees at the World’s Columbian Exposition. In 1945, the cowboy union named themselves as the Rodeo Cowboys Association, where the sports name became common. 30 years later, the organization had become one of the worlds largest associations and gained the name of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association otherwise known as the PRCA.
In the last few years, there are have been more than 5,000 competitors and thousands in noncompeting roles. Hundreds of events are hosted throughout the year by the PRCA, competitors then head to finals where they compete for the winning prize money of millions of dollars.
Womens History In Rodeo
Although many of the rodeo sports focused on the men of the Western World, women quickly took shot at the rodeo world in the early 1940s. They attempted the cowgirl bronc riding contest which was suggested by Gene Autry. However, this did not last long and quickly the cowgirl sections disappeared from the rodeos. However, these strong willed cowgirls did not give up on getting back into the sport and in 1948, the Girl’s Rodeo Association, which is now called the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) was formed by a group in Texas. The women quickly made their way back into the rodeo world specifically in barrel racing which spread through the country.
Sources
Murray, Katie. “A Brief History of Rodeo in the United States.” AGDAILY, 3 July 2024, www.agdaily.com/livestock/brief-history-of-rodeo-in-the-united-states/.
Smithsonian Magazine. “A Brief History of the Rodeo.” Smithsonian.Com, Smithsonian Institution, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/brief-history-rodeo-180980341/
“History of Rodeo.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Aug. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rodeo#:~:text=Rodeo%20stresses%20its%20western%20folk,to%20the%20sixteenth%2Dcentury%20conquistadors.