Charles Sharkey Irwin
Sharkey Irwin was given his first horse on the Y6 ranch at the age of four. Nephew of famous stock contractor and rodeo producer C.B. Irwin, Sharkey grew up in the rodeo world and at Cheyenne Frontier Days™. Sharkey recalled the early years of the event when it was just a contest between the local ranches. The contests would last one or two days, with all the local ranchers making a circle with their wagons to contain the fun and competition. As a teenager, Sharkey toured with the family's "Irwin Brothers Wild West Show" through the U.S. and Canada. For several years, he performed trick riding a little Indian Bay pony named "Chief". In 1925, at the age of 15, Sharkey competed at Cheyenne Frontier Days™. This was the beginning of over thirty years of rodeo competition which included Cheyenne Frontier Days™, Madison Square Garden, the Calgary Stampede, Pendelton Round-up and more. In 1928, Irwin won the World Championship Saddle Bronc title at Cheyenne Frontier Days™. For that title, he received a saddle and $750.00. That same year, he won the prestigious Roosevelt Hotel Trophy. Throughout his career, Sharkey Irwin took three world championships, the Saddle Bronc title at Pendelton and the Bull riding title at the rodeo in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Fifty years later, Irwin was still competing and winning, roping until his death in 1984.