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Ben Johnson Memorial Award
Awarded in 2026
John Miller
Miller was born in McAllen, Texas, in1942. His grandfather, Ben Johnson Sr., earned championship honors during the 1920s, while his uncle, actor and rodeo champion Ben Johnson Jr., won the world team roping title in 1953.
Miller competed in several events but built his greatest success in team roping, calf roping and steer roping. He won major titles throughout the West and captured back-to-back World Champion Team Roping titles in 1970 and 1971. He also won the National Finals team roping championship in 1973 and was PRCA reserve world champion steer roper in 1972 and 1973.
Following his competitive career, Miller became a respected rope-horse trainer, clinician and American Quarter Horse Association judge. He spent a decade as a resident trainer at the Lazy E Ranch/Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and earned a reputation as one of the sport’s finest team roping teachers.
Miller was inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2009
Miller was born in McAllen, Texas, in1942. His grandfather, Ben Johnson Sr., earned championship honors during the 1920s, while his uncle, actor and rodeo champion Ben Johnson Jr., won the world team roping title in 1953.
Miller competed in several events but built his greatest success in team roping, calf roping and steer roping. He won major titles throughout the West and captured back-to-back World Champion Team Roping titles in 1970 and 1971. He also won the National Finals team roping championship in 1973 and was PRCA reserve world champion steer roper in 1972 and 1973.
Following his competitive career, Miller became a respected rope-horse trainer, clinician and American Quarter Horse Association judge. He spent a decade as a resident trainer at the Lazy E Ranch/Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and earned a reputation as one of the sport’s finest team roping teachers.
Miller was inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2009
