A Look Inside the World’s Oldest Rodeo

Many rodeos claim to be the world’s oldest rodeo. However, only one of them has been given the official title. That honor belongs to Prescott Frontier Days in Prescott, Arizona. A rodeo is a competitive equestrian sport that started with cattle herding in Spain and Mexico in the late 1800s. Throughout the years it expanded into a sporting event that involved horses and other livestock. This was used to test the speed and skill of a cowboy or cowgirl. The first rodeo started off with horse racing, bronco riding, and steer roping. These competitions, along with many others, are still used in rodeos today.

Important Days Throughout the Years

On July 4th, 1888, Prescott Arizona had its first rodeo. In 1985, the U.S Patent office approved the request of Prescott, Arizona. That year, Prescott Frontier Days was officially dubbed the world’s oldest rodeo. Prescott’s “arena” for their cowboy tournament started out as just a plot of land in an area called Forbing Park. If you were to visit Prescott now, this area would be off of Iron Springs Road, near where Watter’s Nursery Garden stands today.

In 2008, the Prescott Frontier Days Committee was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs. They are one of only 16 rodeos to ever be given this honor.

Naming the Cowboy Tournament

Throughout the years, this tournament went through a few name changes before landing on rodeo. From 1888 to 1924, it was called everything from a Fiesta to a Stampede, to a Cowboy Tournament. Finally, in 1924, it was given the name Rodeo and has remained ever since.

As far as sporting events go, no other sport is as directly related to the real world like the rodeo. The skills that go into competing are the same skills that are used on a daily basis by a rancher and cowboy in real life. The earliest competitions were quite appealing to the local ranchers and cowboys because it gave them the ability to show off their ranching skills to the townspeople.

In 1913, this yearly rodeo was held at what is now its present location, the Yavapai County Fairgrounds, now the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. It was also given the official name of Prescott Frontier Days which refers to the Yavapai County Fair Association.

Criteria Needed to Become the World’s Oldest Rodeo

In 1985, this yearly event in Prescott met the required five criteria and was given the official title of the World’s Oldest Rodeo. This cowboy tournament had a committee that was required to plan and stage the event. It also invited cowboys to compete, as well as charge admission. There were prizes and trophies that were handed out to the winners and all the contests were documented.

Famous Celebrities at the Rodeo

Prescott Frontier Days was so popular that it garnered the attention of some major celebrities of the time. Tom Mix was a famous movie actor that starred in hundreds of early western movies in the 1910s and 1920s. Mix used his skills as a cattle wrangler and ranch hand in his movies. When he moved to Prescott in 1913, he took his skills to the rodeo. In 1920, he took first prize in the bull riding competition.

Another major celebrity of the time that attended this rodeo was Will Rogers. Known for being a cowboy himself, among a humorist and vaudeville performer, Rogers had everyone on their toes. He came to visit the worlds oldest rodeo in 1933. Many people hoped he might ride or compete. But Rogers had something else in mind. He offered $100 dollars cash (the equivalent of around $2,000 dollars now) to the three best ropers that day. The rodeo ended up creating a special event and even handed out the Roger’s Award.

Is This Really the World’s Oldest Rodeo?

Prescott Frontier Days have been hosting their cowboy tournament every year without fail since 1888. The rodeo even persisted through both of the world wars and a global pandemic. However, there are a few rodeos that are technically a bit older. Payson, Arizona had its first one in 1884. Pecos, Texas had theirs in 1883, and Deer Trail, Colorado started theirs in 1869. All of these rodeos started before Prescott did. But Prescott was the one to beat them all and lay claim to the title.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Michele Jackson/iStock via Getty Images