Rodeo is the only sport in America derived from an industry. The cowboys of the 1880's began to plan different contests from their daily work.

The early cowboy contests often took place in the town square or the railhead at the end of the cattle drive. They were something the cowboy looked forward to and were, along with upcoming dances, a topic of conversation in his peer group.

The community that claims to have been the first to hold an organized rodeo, even before the days of the cattle drives, is Prescott, Arizona. Prescott was only a few months old when it held its first rodeo on the fourth of July. In 1888, admission was charged for the first time, making rodeo a spectator sport, and the first medal was given as a Citizens' Prize to a Juan Leivas, who roped and tied a steer in one minute and seventeen seconds. The Fourth of July became the special day for rodeo and is nowadays popularly referred to as the cowboys' Christmas. It is without a doubt the busiest of all times of the year for the contestant.

For quite a few years, rodeo remained strickly the amusement of the working cowboy, and many contests later prided themselves on the fact that the participants were real, working cowhands. The Prescott Arizona Frontier Days and the Pendleton, Oregon, Round-Up were among these competitions, as was Pecos, Texas.

In the fall of 1887, a cowboy tournament was held in Denver in connection with the Denver Exposition.

Rodeo gradually became a profession in itself. Primarily those who worked the ranches and trail drives first engaged in it. Later, athletes who were highly suited to the contests became the primary cowboys in this sport of Rodeo. Today it is one of America’s greatest sports.

It is the American cowboy, however he may be interpreted, and the contest-rodeo, wild west show that this site is dedicated. You will find the details of this great part of western Americana here at the AWCC.

The extensive rodeo story can be found in the main menu for members only on this site.

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