PRORODEO Sports News - July 12, 2024

TEAM ROPING

“It took a lot of practice and trying to perfect techniques. This means a lot because there are not a lot of peo ple who get to be (inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.)” – ART ARNOLD

PRCA ProRodeo file photo

Art Arnold Team roper was inaugural NFR qualifier, 1968 champion BY TANNER BARTH A rt Arnold took the team roping world by storm in the late 1950s and 60s. The Buckeye, Ariz., native joined the Rodeo Cowboys Association, the precursor to the PRCA in August of 1958. It didn’t take long for Arnold to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

“Oh, my God!” Which Arnold replied. “My wife just heard that (news).” The caller said he hoped Arnold would be able to attend the festivities in person. “We will sure make every effort to do it,” Arnold said. His wife quickly had another response. “We are going to be there.” While it seemed like success happened overnight for Arnold, he said it was in fact the opposite. It took 10 years of rodeo before he captured his first world championship. “It took a lot of practice and trying to perfect techniques and just watching guys and learning from guys who did it well,” said Arnold, who was also the reserve world champion in 1967. Arnold becomes the 21st cowboy to be inducted into the team roping category. He realizes the elite company he now finds himself among, forever enshrined in the sport of rodeo. “This means a lot because there are not a lot of people who get to be (inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame),” said Arnold. “This is one of those things you’ll never forget that’s for sure.”

In 1959, he punched his ticket to the inaugural National Finals Rodeo in Dallas. Arnold went on to compete on rodeo’s biggest stage nine more times (1959-63 and 1965-68 and 1970) during his legendary career – all as a header except for 1962. He was crowned the 1968 RCA World Champion Team Roper after earning $12,823. That year at the Finals, Arnold teamed up with fellow Arizona world champion Dale Smith. At that time, only one team roper was awarded the world championship. He has a lifetime full of rodeo memories both inside and out of the arena, but one he will never forget is the moment he received the call as the newest inductee into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, April 8. A call that was 65 years in the making. After the news was delivered that he was chosen for induction in Colorado Springs, Colo., on July 13, this is what was heard on the other end of the phone line.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/12/2024

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