ProRodeo Sports News - June 7, 2024

TIME CAPSULE GENE ROSS

ProRodeo Hall of Fame file photo

Oklahoma cowboy Gene Ross was acknowledged as the top steer wrestler in his era in the 1920s and 1930s.

BY PRCA STAFF M any great bulldoggers have come from Oklahoma and Gene Ross is certainly near the top of that list. He was a three-time steer wrestling world champion, taking top honors in 1929 – the first year official champs were recognized by the Rodeo Association of America – and again in 1931 and ’37. He was a big man that stood 6-foot-3 and weighed 230 pounds, far bigger than many contestants in rodeo’s early days. An affable and fun loving cowboy, Ross was a good tie-down roper and saddle bronc rider but he was acknowledged as the best of his era as a bulldogger. Born in Sayre, Okla., in 1904, Ross was one of 10 children and he learned to be a cowboy while growing up on the family farm. After he became successful, he was elevated to celebrity status when coming back home to Sayre, about 130 miles west of Oklahoma City. Pioneer Champ

Gene Ross among the best bulldoggers ever

He began competing in professional rodeos at the age of 18, and didn’t retire until he was 40. Ross was a familiar figure at the big rodeos in Madison Square Garden, Boston Garden, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Calgary, Pendleton (Ore.) and Cheyenne (Wyo.). He also performed in London, England, before King Edward VIII. Ross’ black gelding, Chico, was considered one of the best steer wrestling mounts of any era. Ross also calf roped on him. Ross was honored by the town of West Columbia, Texas, in 1986 and he was presented with several gifts, including a buckle commemorating his world championship years. Letters congratulating Ross on his accomplishments were also read; among the senders were President Ronald Reagan, Vice President George H.W. Bush, Texas Gov. Mark White and officials of the PRCA. He was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1986. He died at the age of 84, in 1988, in Clute, Texas.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/7/2024

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