ProRodeo Hall of Fame excited to announce special events
The ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) presented a special screening of “LANE: Life | Legend | Legacy” during the Class of 2024 ProRodeo Hall of Fame induction events in Colorado Springs, Colo. on July 13.
According to a June 24 PRCA press release, legendary Bull Rider Lane Frost will be the subject of the documentary by Fort Worth, Texas-based production company Tough Draw working with Out of Order Studios and produced in association with the Lane Frost Brand.
The feature film focused on Frost’s faith, various challenges the young cowboy faced and most importantly, why 35 years after his death in Cheyenne at the Cheyenne Frontier Days, he is still one of the most celebrated figures in Western culture.
“I have to be honest – it was tough to watch. Half of me was gone when Lane died. This true story tells the real-life drama surrounding Lane’s life. I had a front row seat, and I will never forget that time in my life. It was the best and then the worst,” states Frost’s best friend Tuff Hedeman in the PRCA press release.
Hedeman, a three-time PRCA World Champion Bull Rider, continues, “But, for those who only know the ‘Eight Seconds’ side of the story, this is the real story. Texas Filmmakers Brad Hughes and James Trawick got it right. Spending more than five or six years entrenched in the sport produced a story I appreciate as a tribute to what Lane’s life and career did for his friends, family and generations of bull riders who are still trying to be like him.”
Class of 2024
Headlining the ProRodeo Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is Kaycee Fields, winning an event record six PRCA world championships, and joining Fields are Team Roper Art Arnold, a 1968 PRCA World Champion; the late Blue Stone, a 2001 and 2002 PRCA world champion bull rider and Stock Contractor Sammy Andrews.
Also being honored are Bullfighter Darrell Diefenbach, who was selected to work the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) 12 times and notable J.D. Yates, who made the NFR as a team roping header and heeler.
Standout bull Mr. T of Burns Rodeo Company, the 1986 PRCA Bull of the Year and Bull of the NFR in 1986 and 1989 was also honored at the induction.
Rodeo committee from the Tri-State Rodeo in Fort Madison, Iowa and Barrel Racers Marlene (Eddleman) McRae, the 1983 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) world champion, and Jeana Day, the 1974 WPRA world champion, were also inducted into the Class of 2024.
The 2024 Ken Stemler Pioneer Award, which recognizes those who have provided groundbreaking, innovative ideas and forward thinking to help the development, advancement and success of the PRCA and/or the Hall of Fame was awarded to Bob Feist, announcer at the 1979 National Finals Steer Roping and 1980 NFR and founder of the Bob Feist Invitational Team Roping.
Turning 45
On Aug. 6, the ProRodeo Hall of Fame will celebrate its 45th anniversary, and in preparation for the anniversary, the the Hall of Fame will debut a new exhibit titled “45 Years of Memories” in the 101 Gallery, which will be available to view until September 2024.
The organization will celebrate its long-standing dedication to preserving rodeo history and honoring the champions and legends of the PRCA.
In a June 11 press release from the PRCA, Director Kent Sturman states, “It is an exciting exhibit, detailing the 45-year history of this museum. The timeline features major milestones for the Hall of Fame including photographs of each class of inductees by year.”
Items featured in the gallery include unique pieces from the Hafley-Shelton Wild West Collection, the Ralph Ardourel Bit and Spur Collection, the Barrel Racing Clothes of Gayle Bannon, Rodeo Clown memorabilia and masterpieces of art including sculptures and paintings.
The exhibit kicks off the anniversary year and will help promote the 45th anniversary celebration, open house and exhibition rodeo to be held in August.
The celebration commences Aug. 2 with the Rodeo Clown Reunion, where over 30 retired and active rodeo clowns will be featured at the Hall of Fame throughout the day.
The ProRodeo Hall of Fame notes activities planned for this first day include autograph sessions, clown act performances, magic tricks, clown storytelling and much more.
Anniversary activities continue daily at the Hall of Fame Aug. 5-9 with demonstrations, performances, film premiers and educational presentations.
Throughout the week of anniversary events, the Hall of Fame will feature showings of several rodeo documentaries and feature length films in a “rodeo film festival” atmosphere.
“We are excited to plan and execute this milestone anniversary,” Sturman continues. “As a museum and hall of fame, we have a lot to celebrate and honor. We are proud of our history and want to share our successes with the fans and museum visitors. There is so much rich history to preserve and stories to tell.”
To conclude the anniversary activities, the Hall of Fame will host an exhibition rodeo on Aug. 10, at the Ed Honnen Priefert Arena, produced by the award-winning PRCA Stock Contractors Cervi Championship Rodeo.
Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
