ProRodeo Sports News - February 8, 2019

Deb Copenhaver, a two-time Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion and 1992 inductee into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, passed away in his sleep Feb. 6. DeVere Helfrich photo

Deb Copenhaver Hall of Fame cowboy dominated 1950s

BY MATT NABER P roRodeo Hall of Famer and two- time Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion Deb Copenhaver passed away late at night after going to sleep Feb. 6 at his home in Creston, Wash., a few weeks after his 94th birthday, said his son Jeff Copenhaver. “He went to sleep and woke up in heaven,” Jeff Copenhaver said. “He was reunited with his wife of over 50 years, Cheryl. He was excited about seeing her.” Copenhaver is considered one of the greatest bronc riders to come from the Pacific Northwest. Known as a “thinking” rider, Copenhaver started the style of the “dehorned” saddle, now

required in saddle bronc riding competition. He did it partly by accident. After a bronc mashed the horn when it ran into the unsaddling chute, Copenhaver whittled off the rest of the horn and a new style was born. Rodeo runs in the Copenhaver family’s blood as his son, Jeff, was the 1975 Tie-down Roping World Champion, and his daughter, Deborah, is a former Miss RodeoWashington and a respected bronze sculptor. Born inWilbur, Wash., Jan. 21, 1925, he began breaking horses and exercising racehorses as a young boy. He entered his first rodeo at 15. He enlisted in the Navy Seabees at 17 and spent two years in North Africa during WorldWar II. After the war, Copenhaver worked as a logger in the Northwest for a couple of years before embarking on his rodeo career full time in

J.B. Harris photo

ProRodeo Sports News 2/8/2019

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