Ty Murray, Pearl honored at Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame induction

Bareback rider Clint Mayo receives scholarship

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"Pearl," owned by Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller, was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in Fort Worth over the weekend. Miller and Pearl are shown with April Field. || From April Field's Facebook page

SPECIAL TO THE FLASH

By JANETTE HALLIDAY

Fort Worth (April 9, 2016) — Continuing the legacy of excellence with the rodeo industry, the Cowboy Capital of the World was well represented at the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame induction this past weekend.

The ceremony, held at the River Ranch in the historic Ft. Worth Stockyards, recognized professional cowboys and animal athletes for their contributions and accomplishments within professional rodeo. The 2016 class of inductees that call Stephenville home included: Ty Murray, receiving the Director’s Choice Award; animal athlete, “Pearl,” Big Smokin’ Wonder, AQHA tie down calf roping horse, owned by Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller;  and Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame Scholarship winner, Clint Mayo, high school rodeo athlete.


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Murray, seven-time PRCA All-Around Champion, was quick to acknowledge his support system during his emotional acceptance speech. “It takes a lot of people helping and supporting you. When you like it more, you practice it and you love it more.”

Murray’s accomplishments and contribution to the sport were highlighted in introductions made by Larry Mahan, six-time PRCA All-Around World Champion and two time bull riding World Champion and also a TRCHF member and Ted Nuce, 1985 PRCA World Champion bull rider and Stephenville resident.

Murray acknowledged Mahan, describing him as his childhood hero and having a significant role in his success saying, “It’s nice when you get an award to have your hero introduce you.”


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The animal athlete award was presented to two time AQHA Horse of the Year, Big Smokin’ Wonder, a.k.a. “Pearl,” owned by Stephenville resident Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller. Video was presented on several of Pearl’s winning tie down calf roping runs that resulted in large paychecks for PRCA contestants.

Miller cited “Pearl’s” willingness as an athlete as a critical part of her success in the arena that helped roping contestants achieve their goals. One of those contestants is Cody Ohl, five time PRCA World Champion calf roper, resident of Hico.

Rounding out the Cowboy Capital of the World representation was Clint Mayo, one of three TRCHF scholarship recipients for 2016. Mayo is a third generation rough stock competitor, competing in several Texas high school rodeo associations and is the son of Beau Mayo, the 1992 PRCA bareback rookie of the year.  Mayo will attend college at Sam Houston University in the fall of 2016.


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