EVENTS
Saddle Bronc Rider
Horsemanship came naturally to Idaho’s Hugh Strickland. Born in 1888, he ran wild horses and learned to work cattle on his father’s ranch. Strickland entered his first rodeo while still in his teens.
Hugh Strickland was one of the sport’s great all-around cowboys. In his prime, between 1917 and 1927, he did it all. He competed in every rough-stock and timed event, winning titles at the major venues, but he excelled in saddle bronc riding. In 1916 and 1920 he won in that event at Cheyenne. In 1927 he permanently injured a leg, ending his riding career, but he continued to rope professionally. In 1932 he earned the RAA reserve championship in team roping.
While still competing, he became arena director for many venues and is credited with developing ways to make rodeo “fast and snappy.” Strickland is also acknowledged as the inventor of a barless aluminum hackamore bit. Only days after placing third in steer roping at Saugus, California, Hugh Strickland died of a heart attack in 1941.
