EVENTS
Calf Roper, Champion, 1951-1954, 1957
Steer Roper, Champion, 1960, 1963, 1970
Rodeo Trick Roper
“The McLaughlin Brothers, Champion Juvenile Trick Ropers of the World” were a headline attraction at all of the major rodeos around the nation in the 1940s. In their matching, custom-made western suits, little Don and his brother, Gene, dazzled audiences with their roping skills in one of the sport’s most enchanting specialty acts.
Born in 1927, Don McLaughlin had few peers as a rodeo competitor. He won the calf-roping title five times in the 1950s and captured the steer-roping championship in 1960, 1963, and 1970. He remained among the nation’s top 15 calf ropers through the early 1960s and was a top-ranked steer roper through the early 1970s.
After retiring from professional competition, McLaughlin continued to rope on the Senior Tour for several years. He died in 1994 in Colorado.
