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protected by U.S. and International Law for Jim & Lani Muche. The Bill Pickett Invitational Pro Rodeo rode into the Industry Hill arena for the first time on July 19th & 20th, a change of venue that was well received by the capacity crowd of nearly 5,000 who attended daily . The event, in its 25th year, was part of a 39-city tour that climaxes with a Nov. 21-22 finals in Las Vegas.
Named after Bill Pickett, who in 1972 became the first African-American cowboy to be inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, the quarter-century-old rodeo, “the nation’s only touring black rodeo,” draws elite African-American cowboys and cowgirls from all over the country. Lu Vason, founder and president of the Bill Pickett Rodeo, attended his first rodeo, the Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming, in 1977. "I had never seen a rodeo," said Vason, who found it exciting, but "The only thing that was missing, after watching the rodeo, was black cowboys and cowgirls."
He learned about African-American cowboys while visiting the Black American West Museum in Denver. “The cowboy mystique has had strong influence in all of our lives, beginning in childhood and continuing throughout adulthood. Rodeos exemplify this influence and are an important part of our western culture. The black cowboy has been an integral part of the history of the American West from the earliest rodeos to the present,” he said.
To keep the spirit of the West and of rodeo alive, the Bill Pickett Scholarship Fund has been established for high school and college students interested in pursuing careers in rodeo or animal science. This special scholarship is awarded based on academic standing, determination, student needs, community involvement and professional recommendations.
Events at the rodeo were a mix of the traditional with a few variations thrown in to keep things lively. A mini cattle drive and Pony Express transfer helped to acquaint the crowd with some western history and prepare them for the competition to come. Among the nonstandard events was Ladies Steer Undecorating where a cowgirl tried to grab a ribbon off a running steer. The mounted cowgirl chased a steer which was “decorated” at the shoulder with a ribbon and attempted to remove the ribbon while at a gallop. Once she successfully grabbed the ribbon, she raised it high overhead to signal to the judge she was finished.
The rest of the events included were: Bareback Bronc Riding; Tie-Down Roping; Bull Dogging (steer wrestling); Ladies and Junior Barrel Racing; and Bull Riding.
After the competition there was one not-to-be-missed event left. The contestants came to the crowd line to sign autographs while a herd of wild horses circled the arena behind them. The horses ran free presenting a display of pure beauty.
Bareback Bronc Riding:
Tie Down Roping:
Barrel Racing: 
Bull Riding:
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