PRORODEO Sports News - February 7, 2025

MANAGER’S MESSAGE REMEMBERING THE LATE, GREAT CHRIS LEDOUX 20 YEARS AFTER HIS PASSING

From 1976-78, world champion ships were determined by the highest amount of money won at the NFR. LeDoux secured the coveted world championship with a 78-point ride on Tommy Steiner’s Stormy Weather to place second in Round 10. The rank horse bucked off Bruce Ford in Round 3 and was a horse no one wanted to draw. LeDoux, however, embraced the challenge. “THIS IS THE ONLY RIDE OF MY LIFE THAT MATTERS. LIVE OR DIE OR GET CRIPPLED, IT DOESN’T MATTER. THIS IS THE DEMON WE ALL MUST STAND UP TO AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIFE,” LEDOUX PENNED IN ‘THE FINALS, THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL FINALS RODEO’ BOOK. LeDoux joined the PRCA in 1968 and retired from rodeo in 1980. As good as LeDoux was in the arena, he perhaps was more successful and well-known as a country music recording artist. After superstar Garth Brooks mentioned LeDoux’s music in a 1989 song, his popular ity grew steadily, and he went on to sign with Brooks’ record label, Capitol Records. He recorded 22 albums on his own between 1973-89 and went on to record a total of 36 albums. LeDoux sold nearly 6 million albums during his prolific career. Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal proclaimed July 30, 2005, the last day of the Cheyenne Frontier Days that year, as “Chris LeDoux Day” in the state.

Honestly, 20 years after his pass ing, LeDoux is as popular as ever with PRORODEO fans. Anytime media members at the PRCA post stories or photos of him on prorodeo.com or on our social platforms, they receive thousands upon thousands of views. That’s a testament of how great a guy LeDoux was. Moreover, he had a unique cowboy character which kept him ground ed to his roots and humble in the respect for and dedication to his peers in the rodeo industry. A well-known saying states that the brightest stars often burn out long before their time. The PRORODEO family experienced this firsthand with the passing of Chris LeDoux. The good thing is because of who he was - 1 of 1 - he will never be forgotten. Not 20 years after his passing or ever for that matter.

TRACY RENCK

Sometimes in sports, legends are gone too early - but never forgot ten. The death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. comes to mind. On Feb. 18, 2001, The Intimidator was involved in a final-lap collision in the Daytona 500, in which he crashed into a retaining wall after contacting Sterling Marlin and Ken Schrader. He was 49. His death was regarded in the racing indus try as being a crucial moment in improving safety in all aspects of car racing, especially NASCAR. When it comes to rodeo one star who passed away too soon was rodeo music legend Chris LeDoux. LeDoux passed away on March 9, 2005, at the age of 56 after losing his battle with cancer of the bile duct. It is crazy LeDoux’s death was 20 years ago. LeDoux, the 1976 PRCA Bareback Riding World Champion, was diag nosed with cancer in 2004. LeDoux made a name himself in rodeo by qualifying for the Nation al Finals Rodeo five times – 1970 71, 1973-74 and 1976. He placed third in 1974 and then won the ‘76 world championship. LeDoux won the world with $4,912 defeating Jack Ward Jr. ($3,742).

Though hampered by injuries in 1976, bareback rider Chris LeDoux still qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in the eighth spot. He went on to win the lone PRCA World Championship of his career that year.

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