PRORODEO Sports News | Roy Cooper 1955-2025 | May 2, 2025

TIME CAPSULE

TREND SETTER MCCLURE CHANGED TIE-DOWN ROPING

By PRCA Staff

N ot many cowboys are recognized for changing their sport – but Jake McClure is one of them. The talented roper was the first to throw a small loop with fast action, and to throw it like a rock. He was inducted into the PRORODEO Hall of Fame in 2002, and his plaque says, in part: As the dominant tie-down roper of his era, he has been called the cowboy who revolutionized the event, bringing lasting changes to the sport. McClure’s only world championship came in tie-down roping in 1930, but for 10 years he was the man to beat. He won all the big rodeos, including the all-around title at the Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up in 1930. He set the world record with a 12-second run in 1934 at the London, England Rodeo. Born in 1903, he grew up on a ranch and roped just about anything that moved, including dogs, cats, chickens, goats and other kids. His father want ed him to pursue an education but Jake had other ideas and hit the rodeo circuit at age 16. He worked on ranches until trying his hand at rodeo full time in 1928. He was stylish and always wore a tie, whether he was roping at a rodeo or working on the ranch he bought in New Mexico after marrying Katheryn in 1933. Modest and well-liked, he was quiet and unassuming, but friends with people from all walks of life, in cluding famous humorist Will Rogers. McClure mentored many young ropers before he died tragically in 1940 in a ranching accident.

JAKE MCCLURE PRCA file photo

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