Dakota Cowboy-05.14.23

Rodeo is a way of life for ND High School rodeo athletes, but they also find success in other areas. Cole Gerhardt is a 4x high school state champion wrestler and all-around cowboy athlete. Faith Heim works on her family cattle business, trains horses, and is a multi-event cowgirl. Ranch-raised cowgirl, Paige Delaney, brings back a national title judging grasslands and competes at ND high school rodeos.

The ProRodeo Sports news recently published an article that read the Command Performance Rodeo put on by the PRCA on Sept. 24, 1983, at Landover, Maryland's Capital Centre. The White House invitation-only rodeo event included special guests President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan, and there were 10,249 government dignitaries, including Ambassadors from 46 foreign countries. The rodeo was designated as a tribute to America's government, and the special performance featured former and present ProRodeo world champions, along with top 1983 contenders in seven events.

Representing North Dakota at this event were Miss Rodeo America 1983 Brenda Lee Bonogofsky Pickett, 4x world champion saddle bronc rider Brad Gjermundson and novelist Louis L'Amour, who received a congressional gold medal from President Reagan. We feature their presence at this event with recently discovered video footage by The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame and courtesy of the PRCA.

Arguably the greatest cowboy there ever was is Larry Mahan. Unfortunately, he passed away on May 7. In 2017, Larry was the special guest for The NDCHF induction ceremony. We remember that glorious day and pay our respects to him today.

<h2>TAKEAWAYS</h2>

- ND High School Rodeo athletes are diverse, and these athletes are learning life skills that will promote industry leaders in the future.

- North Dakota was well represented at the 1983 Command Performance Rodeo, which was a white house invitation-only event

- Larry Mahan gave a piece of himself to many entities, including the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

🛠 TOOLS AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE:
http://ndhsra.org/
https://www.prorodeo.com/
https://northdakotacowboy.org/

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