EVENTS
Saddle Bronc Rider, Champion, 1955-1956
Born at Wilbur, Washington, in 1925, Deb Copenhaver learned to work horses as a teenager. His skills soon propelled him into professional rodeo.
Copenhaver captured his first trophy in 1942 at a rodeo in Washington. He followed it with many more victories on the Northwest circuit. He also won contests at major rodeos, including Houston, Kansas City, Calgary, Cheyenne, Pendleton, Fort Worth, Boston Garden, and Madison Square Garden. He claimed the IRA saddle-bronc riding crown in 1951 and won the RAA championship in that event in 1955 and 1956.
Deb Copenhaver retired from the big-time venues in 1960 but continued to compete actively on the Pacific Coast until 1970.
