Local cowboy provides an example for the world

Being a past honoree of the National Day of the Cowboy, Bascom was also an inductee into the Rodeo Hall of Fame in Oklahoma. He was named the only rodeo cowboy among Canada’s top athletes of all time.

Bascom was credited with helping the Calgary Stampede become the “greatest outdoor show on earth,” and honored as a “true rodeo pioneer” by the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.

He is the only cowboy artist who was made a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts of London, England. He was honored by the European Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Artists Association.

Bascom has now become well-known on the other side of the world, in Australia, where “down under” rodeos still honor his name today. The upcoming National Finals Rodeo for the National Rodeo Association of Australia, which will take place in Toowoomba, Queensland, features the popular bareback bronc riding event with credit given to Bascom for helping to develop this sporting event.

With worldwide notoriety and recognition, Bascom has been called the “father of rodeo bareback riding,” the “father of modern rodeo” and “rodeo’s greatest inventor.” His invention and design of the one-hand bareback rigging has become a worldwide standard for professional rodeo, and caused him to be listed with other world famous inventors, according to a press release.

The famous Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo features Earl Bascom this week in its own publicity while promoting bareback bronc riding history on video and acknowledging him as the maker of rodeo’s first one-hand bareback rigging back in 1924.