EVENTS
Rodeo Trick Rider
Saddle Bronc Rider
Stepdaughter of showman California Frank Hafley, Reine Hafley grew up in the business. Born at Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1902, she traveled with her parents, who performed in various Wild West shows before producing their own extravaganza.
Reine Hafley took part in relay racing, trick riding, breakaway roping, and saddle bronc riding, first as a contestant and then as a contract act. She competed against–and often beat–Tad Lucas, Mabel Strickland, and Vera McGinnis. In fact, Reine Hafley taught world champion cowgirl Tad Barnes Lucas to trick ride. Hafley scored victories in bronc riding and trick riding at Madison Square Garden in 1924, in trick riding at Fort Worth in 1929, 1930, and 1934, and in bronc riding at Fort Worth in 1932.
In 1925 Reine Hafley wed steer wrestler Dick Shelton, and in 1937 she retired to their Beeville, Texas, ranch. After suffering a stroke in 1970, Reine Hafley Shelton died in 1979.
