Casey Tibbs
After an amateur showing in 1945 at Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Casey Tibbs came back to capture the bronc riding title in Cheyenne in 1948. Riding on a horse called Old Gray Mare Tibbs claimed it was the worst bucker he ever rode. He was 19 years old. Coming back to Cheyenne in 1953 he claimed another Saddle Bronc Title as well as the All Around Title. As one of the earliest cowboys to promote or capitalize on his fame Tibbs wore purple shirts and drove a purple Cadillac. He continued to come back to Cheyenne throughout the years to watch the rodeo act as a grand marshal in the parade and even as a bull riding substitute for an injured friend! He did charity work wrote a syndicated news column produced and starred in movies and had his own wild west show. Called the “Babe Ruth” of rodeo Casey Tibbs was one of the founders and an important activist of the Rodeo Cowboys Association improving the image of the cowboy and professional rodeo.