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National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Inducted in 1984
PRHS
Emmett C. Roberts

Emmett C. Roberts

1895-1992

Kansas

EVENTS
Rodeo Producer
Rodeo Livestock Contractor

One of Kansas’ most famous livestock contractors, Emmett C. Roberts raised a rodeo family on his ranch. “The Riding Roberts” included son Ken, a three-time champion bull rider, son Gerald, a two-time all-around champion cowboy, and daughter Marjorie, a saddle-bronc rider and trick rider.

Emmett Roberts created and produced Kansas’ first professional contest, the Flint Hills Rodeo. Around 1947 he joined with his son Ken to form Roberts Rodeo Company, which produced shows all around the country. The Roberts’s string had some of the sport’s best buckers, including Devil’s Tower, Flying Dutchman, and Jesse James, a notorious bronc selected as Bucking Horse of the Year in 1961.

Emmett Roberts retired to his Strong City, Kansas, home in 1961. He died in 1992.

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