ProRodeo Sports News - February 19, 2021

Yakima, WA in 1969. Other notable rank bulls Lee rode were #21 Mighty Mouse of Jim Shoulders Rodeo Co. at Baton Rouge, LA in 1975. He was the second person to ride Mighty Mouse after Marvin Paul Shoulders rode him at the NFR in 1974 and received the highest marked ride of the entire NFR. He rode G of Cervi Rodeo Co.

at Casper, WY in 1978. Lee was the second person to ride Red One of Kelsey Rodeo Co. at Yakima, WA in 1973; Red One wasn’t ridden again until the 1976 NFR by Donnie Gay who earned the highest marked ride up to that point at any NFR. The three rank Christensen Bros., bulls he rode were; #5 Missoula for a three for three record, #300 Wilfred with a three out of six, and #37 Snuffy

with a four out of the five times he drew him. Gary Leffew said, “I LOVED watching you dominate rank bulls!!!” Lee was known for taking his bull rope with him after making a qualified ride. After the whistle he would reach back with his free hand as he was stepping off the bull and grab his bull rope pulling it off the bull so his rope wouldn’t touch the ground. Randy Magers said “Lee was as good as anyone riding bulls and was the only bull rider I ever saw to be able to step off and take his rope with him!” He loved teaching kids about rodeo , in the arena he built with his brother Bob, when they were ready, he took them to compete. He taught a bull riding school with A.J. Swaim and volunteered to go into schools to educate kids and teachers about the sport of rodeo. Lee rode bulls for 24 years retiring at the age of 41. The last year he rode bulls at the Denver Coliseum Donnie Gay told him, “I hate to see you show up around here because there’s never as much money to go around!” Also, in his final year he won both go rounds at Eugene and when he stepped off his second bull Bob Tallman said, “This guy is just like a fine wine in a crystal glass he gets better with age!” After he retired from bull riding, he continued steer wrestling until he broke his leg in two at the age of 51. He competed and stayed primarily on the West Coast and Northwest because he was a single father. Once he retired from competing in rodeos, he was a judge for the PRCA, BRO and PBR. He was a pioneer in the Organic Food Program and had the first Certified Organic Meat Shop in the US. Lee also won many awards for breeding and racing Quarter Horses for over 30 years. Markholt is survived by his loving family. A celebration of life will be held when everyone can safely come together. To stay updated for Lee’s Celebration and share fond memories https://www.facebook.com/anna. markholt or email annamarkholt@gmail.com In lieu of cards or flowers the family asks that you donate in Lee’s name to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.

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