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National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2011
Howard "Sonny" Linger
EVENTS
Rough Stock Rider, Steer Wrestler,
Stock Contractor and Superintendent, Rodeo Producer
Born at Alamosa, Colorado, in 1928, Sonny Linger pursued rodeo competition from 1947 to 1961 at such notable venues as Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Colorado Springs and Denver, Colorado, Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Toward the end of his competitive career, Linger was selected as chute boss for the first National Finals Rodeo (NFR) at Dallas in 1959, a position he held for twenty years. In 1961, he joined Beutler Brothers as general manager and worked venues all over the West for a decade. He then became an independent stock contractor and rodeo producer, serving major venues such as Pendleton, Oregon; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Fort Worth and Houston, Texas.
Sonny Linger spent his later rodeo years as the livestock superintendent for the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo and as the NFR Livestock Superintendent. He was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1998 as the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
EVENTS
Rough Stock Rider, Steer Wrestler,
Stock Contractor and Superintendent, Rodeo Producer
Born at Alamosa, Colorado, in 1928, Sonny Linger pursued rodeo competition from 1947 to 1961 at such notable venues as Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Colorado Springs and Denver, Colorado, Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Toward the end of his competitive career, Linger was selected as chute boss for the first National Finals Rodeo (NFR) at Dallas in 1959, a position he held for twenty years. In 1961, he joined Beutler Brothers as general manager and worked venues all over the West for a decade. He then became an independent stock contractor and rodeo producer, serving major venues such as Pendleton, Oregon; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Fort Worth and Houston, Texas.
Sonny Linger spent his later rodeo years as the livestock superintendent for the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo and as the NFR Livestock Superintendent. He was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1998 as the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
