Erected in 1991 by the Texas Historical Commission & the Woodson-Dickey History Club.
Originator of bulldogging/steer wrestling (1903)
First African-American to be inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame of the Rodeo Historical Society (a support group of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum) in 1971.
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6 thoughts on “Black Cowboy 3 … Bill Pickett”
Nice that he got some recognition. Not surprised he died from injuries in a riding accident. Considering what he did all his life …
Bill’s technique involved biting the steer on the lip as he twisted it’s head (that would work on me) – a method that has since been discarded in modern rodeo.
Thanks Cindy! Thanks to Bill too.
Remarkably, it’s said that Bill was a small man – and probably weighed only about 145 lbs. Most modern day rodeo Bulldoggers are well over 200 lbs (but we likely have bigger cows too!?) His invention of ‘bulldogging’ was purely practical though – as it was not always possible to rope a cow/steer. And it evolved into a rodeo competition (which is now a event challenged by ‘animal Rights’ activists).
A different era.
Nice that he got some recognition. Not surprised he died from injuries in a riding accident. Considering what he did all his life …
A hell of a man. Left his brand.
Bill’s technique involved biting the steer on the lip as he twisted it’s head (that would work on me) – a method that has since been discarded in modern rodeo.
Never knew. Thanks for sharing! What a great post.
Thanks Cindy! Thanks to Bill too.
Remarkably, it’s said that Bill was a small man – and probably weighed only about 145 lbs. Most modern day rodeo Bulldoggers are well over 200 lbs (but we likely have bigger cows too!?) His invention of ‘bulldogging’ was purely practical though – as it was not always possible to rope a cow/steer. And it evolved into a rodeo competition (which is now a event challenged by ‘animal Rights’ activists).
A different era.
Hard to imagine a petite man having that kind of control over a beast.