PRORODEO Sports News - July 12, 2024

BARREL RACING

“This is a dream come true. Rodeo has made so many of my dreams come true and I would have to say this tops the cake. This was probably the final dream that I have dreamed of for my rodeo career.” – MARLENE McRAE

Calgary Olympics photo

Marlene Eddleman McRae Colorado barrel racer qualified for NFR 10 times BY ANN BLEIKER Special to the ProRodeo Sports News

89-90) of any barrel racer and the gold medal at the Olympic Command Performance in conjunction with the Winter Olympic Games in Calgary in 1988. “Being from Colorado, I am really glad WPRA members are now part of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame,” McRae said. “It means a lot to me because I have been around the Hall the majority of my life. I wish both my parents were still alive to see it, but they will see it happen from heaven.” For more than 30 years, McRae has been an innovator, developing her own line of saddles and tack, including introducing the first carbon fiber saddle tree. Last but not least, she served two different terms on the WPRA Board of Directors, first as a Circuit Director and then as the Director of the Futurity and Derby program. As a clinician from 1980-2015, she personally taught and shared her knowledge at over 500 clinics across not only the United States but the world. She also published a book, Barrel Racing 101, and created the Millennial Series video program to help those unable to attend one of her clinics. She was honored in 2018 with the Calgary Pioneer Award, the first American female to receive this honor. In 1995, McRae was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, and now she can add ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee to her list of accomplishments.

M arlene (Eddleman) McRae significantly impacted the WPRA in and outside of the arena, and in July, she’ll be inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. The Ordway, Colo., barrel racer qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 10 times (1983-91, 2000), won the world in 1983 and the NFR Average twice (1983, 1988). After retirement, McRae gave back to rodeo by serving two stints on the WPRA Board of Directors in 1990 and 2016. “It was great to hear it from Jimmie. That was outstanding in itself,” McRae said upon learning of her induction from WPRA president Jimmie Munroe. “This is a dream come true. Rodeo has made so many of my dreams come true and I would have to say this tops the cake. This was probably the final dream that I have dreamed of for my rodeo career.” McRae finished as the reserve world champion three times behind the legendary Charmayne James (1987-89). She also finished as the reserve champion at the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo (1988-89). McRae also won the most Calgary Stampede titles (5 in 1984-85, 87,

ProRodeo Sports News 7/12/2024

ProRodeo.com

69