Born in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota in 1929, Casey Tibbs was a rodeo cowboy, businessman, and actor. Starting his career at age 12, Tibbs would go on to win nine world championship titles across bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, and all-around cowboy disciplines. While serving on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys’ Association (PRCA) board of directors, he advocated for a season-ending championship event, which would grow to become the National Finals Rodeo (NFR.) The PRCA hosted the first National Finals Rodeo in Dallas, Texas in 1959, where Tibbs competed for the final time. He died at the age of 60 in 1990. Today, the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota carries on the legacy of Casey and other notable South Dakota cowboys.
Available Resources:
- Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center*: Biography and foundation information.
- National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Biography
- ProRodeo Hall of Fame Biography and Video Footage
- South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame*