Skip to content

The Museum will close at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 for an event.

National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2013
Earl Bascom

Earl Bascom

1906-1995

Utah

EVENTS
Saddle Bronc Rider
Bareback Bronc Rider
Bull Rider
Steer Wrestler

Known by some as the “father of modern rodeo,” Earl Bascom was born June 19, 1906, in Vernal, Utah. He was encouraged by his cowboy-and-rancher father to learn how to ride and rope at an early age after the family moved to Canada in 1912.

Bascom sometimes is credited with developing the first side-delivery bucking chute in rodeo history in 1916, the same year he began competing in rodeo at the tender age of ten. He is credited by others with designing a hornless bronc saddle in 1922. It is well established, though, that he did formulate the first one-hand, bareback-bronc rigging in 1924.

A Cowboys Turtle Association member, Bascom won all-around, bareback and saddle-bronc titles at rodeos across North America and co-produced the first night rodeo held outdoors. An artist and sculptor, Bascom was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts of London for his work. Earl Bascom died in 1995, aged 89.

 

More to Explore

Stay Connected

Sign up for our e-newsletter