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National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2012
Sammy Thurman Brackenbury
Sammy Thurman Brackenbury, born Sammy Lenore near Wikieup, Arizona, grew up learning rodeo skills from her father, Sam Fancher, a rodeo competitor. She mastered horse riding, calf roping, and even chased wild mustangs in the desert. Brackenbury’s talent extended beyond barrel racing, as she roped calves at major rodeos like California Rodeo Salinas, becoming one of the first women to do so.
Although Brackenbury competed in various rodeo events, her main focus was barrel racing. She enjoyed a long and successful career, qualifying for 11 National Finals Rodeos (NFR) and winning the World Barrel Racing Championship in 1965. She achieved five go-round wins between 1960 and 1968 and tied for the NFR Average Championship in 1960. In 1964, she became the Reserve World Champion, earning $7,042 in season earnings. Brackenbury consistently ranked among the top five in the Girl’s Rodeo Association (GRA) World Standings and became known for her precision and dedication to the sport. Beyond rodeo, she performed as a movie stuntwoman.
Sammy Thurman Brackenbury, born Sammy Lenore near Wikieup, Arizona, grew up learning rodeo skills from her father, Sam Fancher, a rodeo competitor. She mastered horse riding, calf roping, and even chased wild mustangs in the desert. Brackenbury’s talent extended beyond barrel racing, as she roped calves at major rodeos like California Rodeo Salinas, becoming one of the first women to do so.
Although Brackenbury competed in various rodeo events, her main focus was barrel racing. She enjoyed a long and successful career, qualifying for 11 National Finals Rodeos (NFR) and winning the World Barrel Racing Championship in 1965. She achieved five go-round wins between 1960 and 1968 and tied for the NFR Average Championship in 1960. In 1964, she became the Reserve World Champion, earning $7,042 in season earnings. Brackenbury consistently ranked among the top five in the Girl’s Rodeo Association (GRA) World Standings and became known for her precision and dedication to the sport. Beyond rodeo, she performed as a movie stuntwoman.
