EVENTS
Bull riding, Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, 1934
Nelson started rodeoing in 1950, joining the PRCA in 1953. He first appeared in the PRCA world standings in 1955, where he finished 5th in the All-Around, 5th in Bareback and 8th in Saddle Bronc. In 1956, Nelson finished 3rd in Saddle Bronc, 8th in Bareback and 8th in the All-Around standings. From 1955-1966, Nelson appeared in the PRCA end-of-year world standings in 3 categories, Saddle Bronc, Bareback and the All-Around. He was the 1957 PRCA World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider; 1961, 1962 NFR Saddle Bronc winner; and the 1961 NFR rodeo All-Around winner. He qualified for the NFR five times, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1966. Nelson was inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1998; South Dakota Hall of Fame in 1989; and the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2004.
