The rodeo is a well-recognized aspect of American culture and an important part of Texas’s heritage. To help preserve its history, the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame holds an induction ceremony to recognize the contributions of world champions such as Ty Murray, Roy Cooper, Martha Josey, and other lesser-known heroes and heroines in the rodeo industry. TRCHF recently announced the 2025 Hall of Fame nomination process is already underway.
Each year the organization nominates its newest members to receive the prestigious award. The 2024 Hall of Fame inductees included a long list of well-known names in the national rodeo circuit including Tomas Garcilazo, Skeeter Hagler, Dave Scott III, and Fallon Taylor, with the Spirit of Texas Award going to Ray Benson.
The TRCHF is open to visitors year-round, and its walls are lined with more than 300 award plaques that reflect the history and the heroes of Texas rodeo. Visitors can read their biographies and see photos of Texas rodeo cowboys, cowgirls, events, animals, and trailblazers on display.
In 1975, Belton businessman and PRCA bull rider Johnny Boren founded the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. The hall was moved in 2011 to its current home in the Cowtown Coliseum, located in the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District in Fort Worth, Texas.
Rodeo Season is Big Business
Rodeo season is underway across Texas and the US. Both Local rodeos and national rodeos are gearing up for the season. The 131st-annual Comal County Fair and Rodeo in New Braunfels is just one of many smaller Texas county rodeos held in 2024-2025. The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is another yearly event that features both big circuit names, as well as those cowboys and cowgirls just getting started.
Bigger venues in the Texas rodeo circuit are also planning for a very lucrative year. Houston’s Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of the largest in the state and country. It kicks off on March 4 and goes until March 24th. The Houston rodeo also announced its historic and unprecedented purse, a total athlete winnings increase to $2.5 million for 2025.
In a press release, Chris Boleman, president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo noted that the increase not only elevates the stakes but also underscores the event’s responsiveness to its athletes’ needs, and its reputation as a leader in the rodeo industry.
“As the world’s richest regular season rodeo, we are so proud to say we can now offer a purse of this size to our incredible contestants,” said Boleman. “As RODEOHOUSTON continues to maintain its place among top rodeos, we continue to evolve, and it’s one of our priorities to ensure our payout amounts do too. These athletes are among the most competitive in the world, and we are proud to be a rodeo they strive to compete in.”
Those heading up rodeo associations feel that the growth of rodeo’s popularity is helping it to carve a niche in mainstream sports.
“In the last five to 10 years, there has been a big shift with more money being added to events and we are thrilled to see that showcased at RODEOHOUSTON in 2025. Houston’s unwavering support for athletes and their families during the 20-day competition is invaluable. This financial boost will expand opportunities for rodeo athletes, elevating the sport to new heights,” said Tom Glause, CEO of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).
A Texas Tradition
A big part of Texas’s unique traditions including the rodeo is rooted in the cattle herding and ranching industry. Today’s Texas rodeo can be traced back in American history, from the days of the Old West to its transition into a modern-day show. Rodeo’s origins began with the cattle herding practices of the 16th-century Spanish, who introduced horses and cattle to the New World. The skills used to manage and control livestock quickly spread throughout the Southwest, especially in places like Texas. Eventually practices including roping, cutting, and bronco busting evolved into competitive sporting events that showcase the daily rigors and techniques of working cattle ranchers.
The first Texas rodeo took place in Pecos, an important town in American frontier history with roots tracing back to 1873. Pecos was an important supply town for the ranches scattered within a 100-mile radius. In 1883 the cowboys from several area ranches were trying to settle an argument as to which ranch had the best cowboys. On July 4, 1883, the cowboys held the first rodeo and outlined a number of contests to determine who had the best cowboys.
Since that day, various areas of Texas have continued with the tradition and the sport has evolved into a pro rodeo circuit seen across the United States.
Honoring Texas Rodeo History
The Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame is lined with more than 300 award plaques that reflect the history and the heroes of Texas rodeo. Visitors will find biographies and photos of Texas rodeo cowboys, cowgirls, animals, personnel, events, trailblazers, and “empty saddles” on display. When you visit the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, you will see world champions as well as gold-buckle inductees who make up the history of Texas rodeo.
