EVENTS
Steer Wrestler
Rufus Norfleet “Rusty” McGinty was born in 1907 at Aspermont, Texas. In a career that spanned 18 years he specialized in bulldogging but entered every other event–wild cow milking, wild horse races, trick riding, bull riding, and bronc riding.
In 1934 McGinty traveled to London to perform in Tex Austin’s rodeo. His career honors included the 1937 Madison Square Garden steer wrestling championship and the 1942 competition at the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show rodeo. He also worked as a pick up man and as chute boss for Col. W. T. Johnson’s Rodeo Company and as stock foreman for the Lightning C Rodeo Company.
Rusty McGinty is well known for his role in the formation of the Cowboys Turtle Association at Boston Garden in 1936. A respected leader, he was elected the cowboy union’s first president but was unable to serve.
When he left the rodeo circuit, McGinty retired to a ranch near Plains, Texas. He often served as a rodeo judge. Rusty McGinty died in 1964.
