Tom R. Ferguson (born December 20, 1950) is an American former professional rodeo cowboy. He was the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Champion all-around cowboy for six consecutive years from 1974 to 1979; breaking the previous mark of five consecutive titles held by Larry Mahan. He was also the 1974 World Champion calf roper and the World Champion steer wrestler in 1977 and 1978. In 1999, he was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
Early life edit
Born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, United States, on December 20, 1950, Tom Ferguson moved to California at the age of 3 and was later chosen for the California Polytechnic State University rodeo team.[1] The team took home multiple National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association championships, before Ferguson turned professional and returned to Miami, Oklahoma, in 1973. He joined the Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA), which later renamed itself to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).[1]
Rodeo career edit
Though Larry Mahan was the first to have six world all-around titles, Ferguson won six consecutively.[2] The 5-foot-11 Native American rodeo cowboy specialized in calf roping and steer wrestling.[2] In 1994, Ty Murray broke Mahan's and Ferguson's record of six titles and tied Ferguson's record of having won six titles consecutively. In 1998, Murray won his seventh title, surpassing both of them and holding the record for all-around titles at seven titles.[3] In 2010, Trevor Brazile won his eighth all-around title, surpassing them all. In 2018, Brazile won his 14th all-around title.[4]
In his first year as a professional rodeo cowboy, Ferguson came in second in the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in the All-Around Cowboy event.[1] He accumulated more than $1 million in his rodeo career and was among the first rodeo cowboys to hire a manager.[1]
In 1974, he won the World Tie-Down Roping championship and came second in the Steer Wrestling event. In 1976 he won the World Steer Wrestling Championship.[1] Ferguson retired from rodeo in the late 1980s.[1]
Honors edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g "Ferguson, Thomas". The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Oklahoma Historical Society. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- ^ a b "Kings of Rodeo II". Indian Rodeo News. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
- ^ "PRCA World Champions (Historical)". Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
- ^ "Trevor Brazile wins 14th all-around title in final NFR". Las Vegas Review-Journal. December 16, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
- ^ "Tom Ferguson | Rodeo Hall of Fame". National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
- ^ "Inductees". Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
- ^ "Tom Ferguson". ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- ^ "Ty Murray Top Hand Award". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
External links edit