#steve wursta

[countryhixes]

What Forced Rodeo Cowgirls Out of the Arena in 1929? | True West

‘Trailer from Steve Wursta's documentary, "From Cheyenne to Pendleton: The Rise and Fall of the Rodeo Cowgirl." This preview documents how Bonnie McCarroll's 1929 death at the Pendleton Round-Up was just the straw that broke the camel's back when it came to forcing out women's competitions in rodeo.’

Horrific Cowgirl Saddle Bronc Wreck 1929 Bonnie McCarroll: 

‘Bonnie and Frank McCarroll were favorites on the rodeo circuit. In 1929 Bonnie ‘‘‘McCarroll pleaded with her husband, Frank, "Please Frank, just one more show. I want Pendleton to be my last ride." Bonnie and Frank were on their way to retirement, and looking forward to their new life with Bonnie's nephew and a new home. Frank didn't want Bonnie to ride but as he so often did, he gave in to the wishes of his wife. Frank accompanied Bonnie into the arena and lifted her, little boy style, into the saddle. The crowd loved that and they knew how to play to the crowd. But on this day, something went terribly wrong and when the snubber removed the gunny sack from the eyes of her bucker, Black Cat, he sommersaulted backwards with Bonnie trapped in the saddle. Her boots hobbled into the stirrups prevented any chance of escape. Each eye witness saw the horrific event differently. Each account is as valid as the other, each was as heartbreaking as the other.’