September 2017 28 By Jim Olson, ©2017 www.TotallyWestern.com Prescott, Arizona claims to have the world’s oldest continuous rodeo (started in 1888). Payson, Arizona argues they held the world’s first rodeo (started in 1884). Then there is Pecos, Texas who claims the right (1883), but history tells us that William F. Cody (AKA Buffalo Bill) staged his first Wild West Show (which also had rodeo events) in 1882 at North Platte, Nebraska. However, Santa Fe, New Mexico has a stronger claim to the first rodeo based on a letter written by Captain Mayne Reid from Santa Fe, dated 1847, which speaks of rodeo events held there during a roundup celebration. The Mexican Vaqueros definitely influenced the American Cowboy with their clothing, language, traditions and equipment, which in turn, influenced the sport of rodeo. You hear a lot about cowboys and the Vaqueros influence with regards to rodeo history, but many do not realize the Native American Indian was right there from the get-go as well. Many of the first “Vaqueros” were actually Indians forced into servitude along with the working class “peons” of Mexico (who were controlled by the ruling class Spaniards) from the late 1600’s through the 1800’s. These were the people who originally founded rodeo-style competitions and many of the cowboy traditions we treasure today. When you look at rodeo from a more traditional or “organized” view—there were also Indians in Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show (probably the earliest show organized by a white man). The Native Americans who took part in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show were mostly Plains Indians, such as the Pawnee and Sioux, but there were other tribes also. They participated in staged “Indian Races” and historic battles, and often appeared in scenes attacking settlers whereby their savagery and wildness was played up to the enjoyment of the crowd. They also performed dances, such as the Ghost Dance. The Native Americans wore their best costumes and full war paint. It was said Cody treated them with respect—the extent of which was demonstrated when he referred to the Indians as “the former foe, present friend of the American.” Probably the best known Indian in Cody’s show was Sitting Bull who joined for a period of time and was a star attraction alongside the sharp shooting, Annie Oakley. During his time at the show, Sitting Bull was introduced to President Grover Cleveland, traveled to Europe and became personal friends with Buffalo Bill. Other familiar Native American names who performed at various times in the show were Chief Joseph (the famous Nez Perce Chief), Geronimo (the famed Apache warrior) and Rain in the Face (a Lakota who some claim killed Custer at the Little Bighorn). Jackson Sundown (born in 1863) was probably the first Native American to actually become famous for performing in rodeo events other than playing an Indian—Sundown rode broncs. He was about fourteen when he participated in the Nez Perce War of 1877 (he was said to be Chief Joseph’s nephew). Afterwards, wounded, he escaped to Canada with a small group of warriors who took refuge with Sitting Bull’s camp. Sundown later came back up in the United States and eventually settled in Idaho on the Flathead Reservation where he raised a family. He was known locally, during this time, as a superb horseman and he raised and trained horses for money. At the advanced age of his early forties, Sundown started going to rodeos and Wild West shows, mostly competing in bronc riding. He became a favorite at these rodeos because he wore his braids tied under his chin and he always wore bright colored shirts and angora chaps—he was quite a sight to behold. Sundown had much success as a rodeo cowboy. It has been reported that other contestants sometimes pulled out of rodeos because he was entered (some say fear of being beaten by an Indian) and at times stock owners would pull their stock if Sundown drew them. He had the reputation of riding buckers to a stop and taking any future buck right out of them. As a result, some rodeo producers hired Sundown to put on exhibition rides to entertain the crowds instead. In 1911, Sundown placed third at the Pendleton Round-Up, in Oregon, in a controversial decision whereby he, George Fletcher (a black man) and John Spain (a white man) competed in the final round together. Spain wound up winning the title, but it was said that both Sundown and Fletcher were not treated fairly by the judges (probably due to prejudices of the day). In 1915, (at age fifty-two) he once again placed third at Pendleton. He decided to retire after that, but sculptor, Alexander Proctor (who was working on a sculpture of Sundown at the time), persuaded him to enter the 1916 Round-Up in Pendleton, offering to pay his entry fees. Sundown made it to the finals once again, with two other cowboys (Rufus Rollen and Bob Hall). Rollen and Hall both made great rides. It was then time for Sundown. All those years of bucking horse experience showed up on display when the blindfold was pulled from the horse for that final ride. It has been written that Sundown became one with the bronc and was even fanning his hat at the horse while he made that legendary ride.  At the end of the ride, Jackson Sundown, was crowned the 1916 (and first ever Indian) World Champion Bronc Rider! He had used his old range saddle (as he always did) and when the new trophy saddle was awarded, he was asked what he would like engraved Sitting Bull and Buffalo Bill, 1895 Photo courtesy of William Notman Studios