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National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Inducted in 1982
Homer Holcomb
EVENTS
Rodeo Clown
Rodeo Bullfighter
Homer Holcomb, born in 1896 at Sioux City, Iowa, moved to Idaho in his youth, where he learned to cowboy. By 1915 he was a racing jockey in the Northwest. After a stint in World War I, Holcomb entered his first rodeo in 1919, riding bareback broncs and saddle broncs.
A natural comic and mimic, he soon switched from riding to entertaining. His career coincided with the introduction of Brahma bulls to rough-stock competition. He carefully studied these animals and their dangerous ways, originating bullfighting tactics that are still used today.
From 1923 to 1945 Homer Holcomb traveled the circuit, saving cowboys from bulls and making people laugh. His most famous specialty acts used mules–Orphan Annie (later known as “Mae West, The Talking Mule”), Parkyacarcass, and Mortimer Snerd.
Severely injured by a Brahma bull at San Francisco in 1945 (it broke his back and broke one leg in 12 places), he retired to Lewiston, Idaho. Homer Holcomb died in 1971.
EVENTS
Rodeo Clown
Rodeo Bullfighter
Homer Holcomb, born in 1896 at Sioux City, Iowa, moved to Idaho in his youth, where he learned to cowboy. By 1915 he was a racing jockey in the Northwest. After a stint in World War I, Holcomb entered his first rodeo in 1919, riding bareback broncs and saddle broncs.
A natural comic and mimic, he soon switched from riding to entertaining. His career coincided with the introduction of Brahma bulls to rough-stock competition. He carefully studied these animals and their dangerous ways, originating bullfighting tactics that are still used today.
From 1923 to 1945 Homer Holcomb traveled the circuit, saving cowboys from bulls and making people laugh. His most famous specialty acts used mules–Orphan Annie (later known as “Mae West, The Talking Mule”), Parkyacarcass, and Mortimer Snerd.
Severely injured by a Brahma bull at San Francisco in 1945 (it broke his back and broke one leg in 12 places), he retired to Lewiston, Idaho. Homer Holcomb died in 1971.
