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National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2025
Neal Gay
Neal Gay’s professional rodeo career began in Atoka, Oklahoma in 1945. He competed in saddle bronc, bull riding, and bulldogging. Neal traveled with sixteen-time World Champion Jim Shoulders and others. When the mother of his sons Pete and Donnie died of leukemia, Gay’s life as a rodeo competitor ended, and he began raising his two young boys.
In 1957, Gay founded Rafter G Rodeo, which still runs strong four generations later. In 1958, Gay put Mesquite, Texas on the map with the opening of Mesquite Championship Rodeo in partnership with several other cowboys including Shoulders. The rodeo grew from a small Saturday night rodeo to a cultural icon watched by millions on TV.
In 1956, Gay married Kay, who became an instant mother to his two sons, and welcomed their son, Jim. All three have made their marks in professional rodeo. Pete is a three-time NFR qualifier and plays key roles in the Rodeo company. Donnie is the 8-time world champion Bull Rider and television commentator. Jim is a former Texas High School Rodeo Champion and runs Rafter G Rodeo Company.
Gay has received many other honors during his 70-year commitment to Rodeo.
He passed away in August 2022 at his ranch in Terrell, Texas with his family by his side; he was 96.
Neal Gay’s professional rodeo career began in Atoka, Oklahoma in 1945. He competed in saddle bronc, bull riding, and bulldogging. Neal traveled with sixteen-time World Champion Jim Shoulders and others. When the mother of his sons Pete and Donnie died of leukemia, Gay’s life as a rodeo competitor ended, and he began raising his two young boys.
In 1957, Gay founded Rafter G Rodeo, which still runs strong four generations later. In 1958, Gay put Mesquite, Texas on the map with the opening of Mesquite Championship Rodeo in partnership with several other cowboys including Shoulders. The rodeo grew from a small Saturday night rodeo to a cultural icon watched by millions on TV.
In 1956, Gay married Kay, who became an instant mother to his two sons, and welcomed their son, Jim. All three have made their marks in professional rodeo. Pete is a three-time NFR qualifier and plays key roles in the Rodeo company. Donnie is the 8-time world champion Bull Rider and television commentator. Jim is a former Texas High School Rodeo Champion and runs Rafter G Rodeo Company.
Gay has received many other honors during his 70-year commitment to Rodeo.
He passed away in August 2022 at his ranch in Terrell, Texas with his family by his side; he was 96.
