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National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Inducted in 1976
Tex Austin
EVENTS
Rodeo Producer
Affectionately referred to as “the Daddy of Rodeo,” Tex Austin was perhaps the first great promoter and showman of the sport. His productions introduced pageantry and spectacle, brought individual “star” contestants to prominence, and made big-money contests a central part of the sport.
Born in West Texas in 1887, Van “Tex” Austin cowboyed in Mexico and participated in the revolution of 1911. He then bought the Forked Lightning Ranch near Las Vegas, New Mexico, and began producing cowboy contests. Prior to 1920 he staged outstanding rodeos in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Indiana, and Illinois.
As a colorful impresario, Tex Austin is best remembered as the producer of the first “World’s Championship Rodeo” at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 1922, one of the most spectacular contests ever held. He also took the first rodeo pageant to London, England, in 1924. Tex Austin continued promoting the sport until his death in 1941.
EVENTS
Rodeo Producer
Affectionately referred to as “the Daddy of Rodeo,” Tex Austin was perhaps the first great promoter and showman of the sport. His productions introduced pageantry and spectacle, brought individual “star” contestants to prominence, and made big-money contests a central part of the sport.
Born in West Texas in 1887, Van “Tex” Austin cowboyed in Mexico and participated in the revolution of 1911. He then bought the Forked Lightning Ranch near Las Vegas, New Mexico, and began producing cowboy contests. Prior to 1920 he staged outstanding rodeos in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Indiana, and Illinois.
As a colorful impresario, Tex Austin is best remembered as the producer of the first “World’s Championship Rodeo” at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 1922, one of the most spectacular contests ever held. He also took the first rodeo pageant to London, England, in 1924. Tex Austin continued promoting the sport until his death in 1941.
