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National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Awarded in 2025
Jon Taylor
1941-
California
2025 Directors' Choice Award
2025 Directors’ Choice Award
Johnnie Ray “Jon” Taylor was born a twin on August 22, 1941, in Orange, California. He attended Pierce College in Los Angeles, California, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, earning a degree in animal business management with a minor in animal science.
After enlisting in the Army and serving a tour in Vietnam, Taylor began his career as a barrelman with Cotton Rosser. He received his PRCA card in 1970 and worked the NFR as a barrelman in 1974, 1979 and 1983, and was selected an alternate twice.
He also worked the Canadian Finals Rodeo 17 times; the Badlands & Columbia River Circuit Finals six times; the Indian National Finals three times; the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) Finals twice and the NIRA Finals in 1985. Chosen as the PRCA Clown of the Year in 1981, Taylor was the PRCA contract acts director for two years and saddle horse boss at the NFR from 1974 to 2007.
His favorite act was Snort, a fiberglass horse that Taylor liked to say could do almost anything other horses could. “He hauls well, doesn’t eat much and is impervious to disease,” he joked.
He was the activities director for the Expo at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho, for many years, and was also featured on “Good Morning America.” These days, Taylor assists his son, Andrew, a rodeo music director, and lives in Filer, Idaho, with his wife, Dottie.
2025 Directors’ Choice Award
Johnnie Ray “Jon” Taylor was born a twin on August 22, 1941, in Orange, California. He attended Pierce College in Los Angeles, California, and California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, earning a degree in animal business management with a minor in animal science.
After enlisting in the Army and serving a tour in Vietnam, Taylor began his career as a barrelman with Cotton Rosser. He received his PRCA card in 1970 and worked the NFR as a barrelman in 1974, 1979 and 1983, and was selected an alternate twice.
He also worked the Canadian Finals Rodeo 17 times; the Badlands & Columbia River Circuit Finals six times; the Indian National Finals three times; the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) Finals twice and the NIRA Finals in 1985. Chosen as the PRCA Clown of the Year in 1981, Taylor was the PRCA contract acts director for two years and saddle horse boss at the NFR from 1974 to 2007.
His favorite act was Snort, a fiberglass horse that Taylor liked to say could do almost anything other horses could. “He hauls well, doesn’t eat much and is impervious to disease,” he joked.
He was the activities director for the Expo at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho, for many years, and was also featured on “Good Morning America.” These days, Taylor assists his son, Andrew, a rodeo music director, and lives in Filer, Idaho, with his wife, Dottie.
