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Leonard Stroud on Indian Tom, 1918, photo by Ralph Doubleday.
Over the years other famous riders have appeared. One of the more famous rodeo cowboys was the
1918 Champion, William Leonard Stroud (1893-1961), born in Honey Grove, Fannin County, Texas.
Stroud became famous as a trick rider frequently participating in "Roman Race" events in which the
rider stands astride two horses.
Roman Race, Frontier Days, photo by Ralph Doubleday.
As a trick rider Stroud would ride, as indicated by the next photo, parallel to the ground
while twirling a rope.
Leonard Stroud on his horse Chief, 1923, photo by Ralph Doubleday.
One of Stroud's tricks was swinging under the horse and coming up on the
other side. This could be a dangerous trick. On one occasion in Colorado he slipped and fell between the
horse's legs, receiving three broken ribs.
Leonard Stroud swinging under chief. Location undidentified. photo by Ralph Doubleday.
Other trick riders performed a similar but less dangerous trick, going under the horse's neck in front of the horses legs, rather than beneath the
horse between the legs.
Harry Walter, undated, photo by Ralph Doubleday.
Harry Walters won first place at Pendleton in 1918.
Another trick ride performed by Leonard Stroud and Chief was leaping over other horses or, as indicated in the next photo, over
motor cars. Stroud for his tricks would use a saddle especially designed and made for him by
N. Porter Saddle and Harness Co., Phoenix, Arix. Porter was a Confederate veteran who originally started making
saddles in Abilene, Tex. and came to Arizona in 1897. After Porter's death in 1906, the business was
carried on by his two sons. Stroud's saddle had auxiliary straps, an extended horn, and
crupper handholds. Stroud was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1965.
Other participants in the 1923 Men's Trick and Fancy Roping Contest were Chester Beyers,
Indian Joe Davis, Roy Kivett, and Sam J. Garrett (see previous page). Garrett also participated in the
Cowboys and Cowgirls Championship Trick and Fancy Riding Contest. Other participants in the
riding contest included well-known cowgirl stars Fox Hastings and Mabel Strickland, Mr. and Mrs. Hank Durnell, and
Donald Stroud.
Leonard Stroud at Belle Fourche, photo by Ralph Doubleday.
but if Len Stroud's leap was spectacular, more spectacular was some trick riding featuring a team of horses owned
by Buck Lucas
L. Tyndall on a team owned by Buck Lucas. Photo by A. E. Gordon, 1929.
James Edward "Buck" Lucas (1898-1960) was a bulldogger and bronco rider from Nebraska.
Buck Lucas being thrown from General Pershing, Frontier Days, 1920.
In 1924, Lucas won the steer wrestling contest at Pendleton and participated in Tex Austin's First International Rodeo and Cowboy Championships in Wembley Stadeum in
London. In New York prior to departure, he married Barba Inez Barnes (1902 -1990) who was also
participating. Later Lucas organized the Triangle Rodeo Company and acted as a rodeo judge.
Gus Anderson, undated, photo by Ralph Doubleday.
Anderson was the 1913 Colorado state champion bronc rider winning an H. H. Heiser saddle.
Herman H. Heiser started making saddles in Denver in 1856 and had a saddlery at
379 Blake Street. The company continued in business until it sold out to
Denver Dry Goods in 1945. Anderson also won the San Diego [Calif.] Fair bronco championship in
1924.
Plaque from championship San Diego championship saddle
J. F. Kahle operated a saddlery in San Diego on the first floor of the Brooklyn Hotel. The hotel
building has since been moved and is now a part of another hotel. Anderson also appeared in
western movies, including the 1931 Riders of the Cactus.
Music this page: Chariot Race or Ben Hur March by Edward Taylor Paul (1858-1924).
Next page, Frontier Days continued.
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