Greetings from The Cowboy, home of the National Rodeo Hall of Fame! The month of April found me right here at home base as we hosted the Western Heritage Awards and watched Boley Rodeo Day shift from the planning stages to full-scale activation.
Western Heritage Awards, Oklahoma City
It was a privilege to be in the room as two distinct rodeo events were honored with Wrangler Awards. Both have deep ties to The Cowboy, making the celebration even more meaningful.
The Highlights
- “Boley Rides Again” took home the Wrangler for Outstanding Magazine Article. Author Caleb Gayle captures the sweeping story of Boley, Oklahoma — a historic all-Black town — and the rodeo’s fight to keep its heritage alive. Established in 1903, the Boley Rodeo is recognized as the oldest Black rodeo in the country. The Museum is proud to host the inaugural Boley Rodeo Day on May 22.
- “Break-A-Wave: A Cal Poly Rodeo Documentary” received the Wrangler award for Outstanding Western Lifestyle Program in film and television. This powerful documentary by Makeline Productions follows the Cal Poly Rodeo Team as they produce a one-of-a-kind rodeo on Pismo Beach. I first met Coach Ben Londo at the NFR in Las Vegas, so stay tuned for a dedicated “Postcards From the Rodeo Trail” post later this year featuring the Break-A-Wave Rodeo!
Boley Rodeo Day at The Cowboy, May 22
Boley Rodeo Day is a collaboration between The Cowboy Museum and the Boley Rodeo. Founded in 1903, Boley was regarded as one of the most successful all-Black towns in the United States. With a history rooted in ranching, the rodeo became an annual community reunion that now draws thousands of fans from across the country.
How did this historic event — located about 70 miles down the road — become a full day of activities at The Museum? It began with the drive of one woman: Karen Ekuban, founder of the Project 2020 Foundation and a Boley alumna.
“Boley Rodeo is more than an event—it’s a living celebration of community, culture, and history,” said Ekuban. “Together, we’re bringing wider recognition to the Black cowboys, artists, and families who have shaped Boley’s legacy for generations.”
Boley Rodeo and The Cowboy Museum share a mission to honor, celebrate and preserve the heritage of the West’s original sport—Rodeo—and the evolving history of the American West.
Event Highlights
- 10:30 a.m. | Unveiling of “Like Father, Like Son”: A public unveiling of a photograph by Seth Stern celebrating the legacy of familial tradition within Black rodeo history that will be on display in the Atherton Gallery.
- 12:30 – 3 p.m. | Painting Demonstration: Prix de West artist Thomas Blackshear II will conduct a live session and discuss his creative process.
- 1 – 3:15 p.m. | Roping Demonstration: Join world champion bull rider, Resistol Rookie of the Year, and IPRA champion Danell Tipton for a live showcase of technique and skill.
- 10 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Prosperity Junction transforms for the day to “Boley: Turn of the Century”
- Explore Boley’s early history with a self-guided audio tour of Boley in the early 1900’s recorded by Boley historian Henrietta Hicks.
- A photo exhibition in the Prosperity Junction Gallery, featuring artists Garrett Augustus, Brian Edwards, Eyakem Gulilat, Leondre Lattimore, Jakian Parks, Nicol Ragland and Seth Stern
- The original short film, “Boley Rides Again,” will play in the Express Ranches Theatre.
- 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Cowboy Concert: The event concludes with an outdoor musical performance by Grammy Award winning artist Tony Williams, accompanied by a five-piece brass band and a 30-member choir.
All Boley Rodeo Day programming, including the concert, is included with general Museum admission.
Trail Notes:
- The 25% Stat: Historians estimate that during the era of the great cattle drives, roughly one in four cowboys was African-American. While early Hollywood often omitted this fact, the reality of the Western frontier was incredibly diverse, with Black cowboys playing essential roles in the industry.
- The Bill Pickett Legacy: Bill Pickett, a legendary Black cowboy and 1971 National Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee, invented the technique of “bulldogging” (steer wrestling). His innovative spirit is still evident in every modern rodeo performance.
Cal Poly Rodeo Team Draws Big Crowd
While their documentary was winning awards in Oklahoma City, the Cal Poly rodeo team was busy breaking records in California. The same weekend as the Western Heritage Awards, the Cal Poly students and student athletes produced the Poly Royal Rodeo — the nation’s largest college rodeo.
Held in Spano Stadium, the university’s football stadium, the event saw over 30,000 spectators across three days. This year’s 84th anniversary coincided with Cal Poly’s 125th anniversary.
A Note on the Sport
From the grit of youth competitors to the massive crowds at collegiate events like Poly Royal and the prestigious honors at the Western Heritage Awards, the momentum of rodeo is undeniable. Whether it’s a small-town arena or a major university stadium, the sport continues to thrive at every level, bridging the gap between historic preservation and modern entertainment.
What’s Next?
The Cowboy Crew is gearing up for the summer rodeo run. Watch for more “Postcards from the Rodeo Trail” to keep up with our travels as we head into the busiest months of the year.
I hope to see you down the rodeo trail,
Joey
Interested in becoming a part of The Cowboy’s Rodeo community? Click the link below to purchase a Rodeo Membership.
