The cowboys of Color rodeo is an annual multicultural rodeo event held in Oklahoma City. It celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of African American, Hispanic, Native American and other non-white rodeo cowboys and cowgirls. The rodeo features all the traditional rodeo events like bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing with competitors from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
History of the cowboys of Color rodeo
The cowboys of Color rodeo was founded in 1984 by Jim Mason, Chester Rosser, Cecil Pickard and other members of the Oklahoma Black Rodeo Association. They wanted to create a rodeo event that would provide opportunities for minority cowboys and cowgirls to compete professionally. At the time, African American rodeo athletes faced significant racial discrimination and were often excluded from mainstream rodeo events and associations.
The first cowboys of Color rodeo was held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma in July 1984. Around 300 cowboys and cowgirls competed for $15,000 in prize money. The rodeo was an immediate success and provided a platform for talented Black rodeo athletes like Cleo Hearn, Kenneth Harris and Victor Nathaniel to showcase their skills.
Over the years, the cowboys of Color rodeo continued to grow in popularity and competitors. In 1991, the event moved to the larger Jim Norick Arena in Oklahoma City which allowed more fans to attend. Hispanic and Native American cowboys were also welcomed to participate. Today, the cowboys of Color rodeo attracts over 600 competitors from across the United States and Canada.
Rodeo events at the cowboys of Color rodeo
The cowboys of Color rodeo features all the traditional rodeo events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Here are some of the popular events and top competitors at the rodeo:
| Rodeo Event | Description | Top Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| Bull Riding | Riders attempt to stay mounted on a bucking bull for 8 seconds | Myron Duarte, Cody Jesus, Darion Mccommas |
| Bareback Bronc Riding | Riders attempt to stay mounted on a bucking horse for 8 seconds without a saddle | Brian Leddy, Devan Reilly, AJ Johnny |
| Saddle Bronc Riding | Riders attempt to stay mounted on a bucking horse for 8 seconds with a specialized saddle | JJ Elshere, Trell Etbauer, Spencer Wright |
| Steer Wrestling | Contestant wrestles a steer to the ground by grabbing horns and twisting neck | Cody Cabral, Josh Peek, Tyler Pearson |
| Calf Roping | Contestant ropes a running calf, dismounts from horse, runs to calf, and ties three of its legs together | Marty Yates, Tuf Cooper, Timber Moore |
| Team Roping | Two contestants rope a steer – one around the horns and one around the back legs | Derrick Begay, Clay Tryan, Erich Rogers |
| Barrel Racing | Contestant races horse around a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels | Shelley Ann Morgan, Carman Pozzobon, Sherry Cervi |
There are also specialty events like breakaway roping for women competitors and ranch bronc riding featuring horses instead of bulls. The rodeo also has youth events for competitors under 18 years old.
Rodeo scoring and payouts
All rodeo events at the cowboys of Color rodeo follow the standard PRCA rules for scoring and judge evaluations. The cowboy or cowgirl with the highest score wins the event. All contestants also earn money based on their finish in each event.
For rough stock riding events like bull riding, contestants are scored 0-100 points by judges based on their control and skill during the 8 second ride. Points are added or deducted if the rider successfully spurs the animal. For timed events like calf roping, the fastest time wins.
Rodeo competitors earn payouts for each event based on their rank. The total rodeo purse is over $200,000 with the Champion bull rider typically winning over $10,000. There are also prizes for the All-Around Cowboy and Cowgirl who earn the most money across multiple events at the rodeo.
History of Black cowboys and cowgirls
The cowboys of Color rodeo celebrates the rich history and influence of African Americans in pioneering cowboy and rodeo culture in the United States. Black cowboys and cowgirls contributed enormously to taming the frontier and establishing the cattle ranching industry in the late 1800s.
After the American Civil War, many freed slaves became cowhands helping to drive cattle from Texas to states further north. Famous Black cowboys like Nat Love, Stagecoach Mary Fields, and Bill Pickett invented new rodeo events like bulldogging and helped popularize the rodeo.
Despite their accomplishments, Black cowboys faced discrimination and segregation. They were excluded from rodeo competitions and not recognized for their innovations and skills. The cowboys of Color event highlights these forgotten contributions.
Prominent cowboys and cowgirls
The cowboys of Color rodeo has showcased many talented minority rodeo athletes over the past 4 decades. Some prominent cowboys and cowgirls include:
- Fred Whitfield – An 8-time PRCA world champion calf roper and All-Around Cowboy. He is a rodeo legend with over $3 million in career earnings.
- Cleve Hatley – Member of the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum Hall of Fame. First Black bull rider to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo in 1976.
- Myron Duarte – The 2004 Prairie Circuit Bareback Riding Champion. Has won multiple events at the cowboys of Color rodeo.
- Cheryl Robinson – Among the first Black women to qualify for the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) Finals. Won barrel racing events at major rodeos.
- Joshua McGee – A rising young star and steer wrestler. Won the 2022 cowboy of Color Rodeo event.
- J.W. Harris – The first Black bull rider to win a PRCA world title in 1990. Still competing professionally with over 30 years experience.
Rodeo scholarships and youth programs
A key part of the cowboys of Color rodeo’s mission is supporting youth education. Each year, the event awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to students from Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
There is a special cowboy of Color Youth Rodeo held alongside the main event. Young riders and ropers under 18 years old compete in junior versions of traditional rodeo events. The Youth Rodeo provides an opportunity for young minorities to get exposure to the sport.
The rodeo also partners with schools and youth organizations like the Boy Scouts to provide free tickets for disadvantaged children to attend the rodeo. Over 3,000 kids get to experience the excitement of rodeo through these outreach efforts.
Economic and tourism impact
The cowboys of Color rodeo delivers significant economic benefits to Oklahoma City each year. A 2017 study found that the rodeo generated over $4.2 million for the local economy through direct spending, hotels, restaurants and other tourism.
The rodeo draws competitors, vendors and spectators from across the country to Oklahoma City. Visitors spend money at hotels near the arena, restaurants downtown and shopping centers. The rodeo has become a major cultural event boosting tourism annually.
The economic impact expands as the rodeo gains popularity. Television broadcasts and livestreams of the event bring valuable exposure for Oklahoma City nationally. The rodeo also employs many local residents for its operations.
Future of the rodeo
After over 3 decades, the cowboys of Color rodeo continues to grow bigger each year. More than 600 cowboys and cowgirls competed at the 2022 rodeo. And over 25,000 fans attended the events at the Jim Norick Arena.
The organizers hope to expand the number of events and competitors to provide more opportunities. There are also plans to offer additional scholarships for minority youth. The rodeo may move to an even larger Chesapeake Energy Arena in the future to accommodate more fans.
The enduring success of the cowboys of Color rodeo confirms the appeal of rodeo across cultures. The rodeo enriches Oklahoma City both economically and culturally each year. Going forward, it will keep showcasing incredible minority talents and preserving the legacy of the Black cowboy.
Conclusion
The cowboys of Color rodeo in Oklahoma City is an exciting multicultural event celebrating Black, Hispanic, Native American and other non-white professional rodeo athletes. Since starting in 1984, the rodeo has become a major stop on the PRCA circuit and provides opportunities for talented minority cowboys and cowgirls to compete and gain exposure.
The rodeo features all the traditional events like bull riding, calf roping and barrel racing with hundreds of competitors. There are also special youth events and scholarships to support the next generation of minority rodeo stars. Over its 30+ year history, the rodeo has showcased many top cowboys and cowgirls and brought positive economic impact to Oklahoma City.