Morris “Dutch” Corthell was a Laramie resident who played football at the University of Wyoming. Corthell also loved horses!  In 1910, having never ridden a bronc before, he got his chance to ride on the legendary Steamboat at Cheyenne Frontier Days — and stayed on throughout the entire ride!. Dutch completed his education at the … Continue reading Dutch Corthell Riding Steamboat →

Calf roping is a rodeo event featuring  a calf and  horse rider. The goal of this timed event is for the rider to catch the calf by throwing a loop of rope from a lariat around its neck. Then, the rider dismounts from the horse, runs to the calf, and restrains it by tying three of … Continue reading Rodeo Riders and Roping the Calf →

Trick riding refers to the act of performing stunts while riding a horse, such as the rider standing upright on a galloping horse. Other stunts might include hanging upside down from the side of the horse while remaining attached to a strap, or jumping on and off a galloping horse. Learn more about the history … Continue reading Trick Riding →

A common practice at a rodeo is bowing to the judges. This photo was taken at a 4th of July Rodeo Celebration in Laramie in the early 1900s. Learn more about Laramie Jubilee Days.  Resources

“Trick” riding refers to the act of performing stunts while riding a horse, such as the rider standing upright on a galloping horse. “Roman” riding refers to a method of horseback riding in which a person stands astride a pair of horses. Other stunts might include hanging upside down off of the side of the horse … Continue reading Roman Riding →

Few could ride Steamboat without being thrown.  Jake Maring, a Laramie native and championship cowboy rode Steamboat to a standstill in 1905 at the old Albany County Fairgrounds.  Steamboat the horse is arguably the most famous bucking bronco of all time.  His iconic image — whether in truth or legend — represents the Cowboy State … Continue reading Steamboat & Jake Maring →

“Mr. T,” a bull, earned his reputation for being mean. Mr. T. was owned by Pete Burns of the Burns Rodeo Company in Laramie who named his prized livestock for the popular television character, Mr. T. However, the difference was that this namesake bull wasn’t acting. He was born mean! Learn more about Mr. T the … Continue reading Mr. T Buckle →

Only three cowboys ever rode Mr. T the bull — Marty Staneart, Raymond Wessel, and Ty Murray — and all of their scores set arena records. Mr. T was voted Bucking Bull of the Year in 1986 by the cowboys and was named Bucking Bull of the National Rodeo Finals in both 1986 and 1989. … Continue reading Mr. T →

  Born of necessity on Old West homesteads and tempered by decades of competition, the rodeo cowgirl comes from a long lineage of pioneering women. Learn more about the history of women in rodeo.  Resources

Dorothy Morrell was a bronc rider and trick rider in the early 1900s. She competed with many popular female rodeo stars during a period of time when women were permitted to compete in all the same events as men. Morrell was judged World’s Champion Cowgirl Bronc Rider in 1914 at the Pendleton Roundup in Oregon. … Continue reading Dorothy Morrell →