100 Years of The Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo

(Photo reference by Phil Doyle/ Poster design by Scott Coleman)

100 years of bucking chutes, barrels, and roping. The Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo was finally able to celebrate 100 years after having to postpone due to Covid-19. This celebration was one for the books. Originally started by Harry Rowell, "The Rodeo King of the West", Rowell Ranch supplies many laughs and excitement every May. To celebrate 100 years, let’s take a look at the history of the Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo and the man who started it all, Harry Rowell.

Harry Rowell was born in Petersburg, England on November 11, 1891. He then moved to the United States in 1918, where he started a canned dog food factory and built a ranch. He presented his first rodeo in 1921. This rodeo took place on his ranch in Hayward, California. Harry was the biggest stock contractor for rodeos throughout the west for over 30 years. Along with being a stock contractor, he was the arena director in 1941 for the first Bay Area Grand National Rodeo at the Cow Place.

Rowell Ranch keeps the cowboy tradition. Throughout its 100 years, the Rowell Ranch Rodeo has provided many laughs, smiles, and buckles. Harry Rowell believed in giving back. The doors to his bunk house were always open for cowboys to work and “earn their keep”.

 The Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo supports many non-profits in the community. Rowell stated that “you can have a good rodeo without being cruel to animals”. This rodeo prides itself on having a progressive rodeo policy and ensuring they are doing good. The Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2014. Harry Rowell was also inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1971. He passed away on August 23, 1969, but his cowboy attitude lives on.

By Jacqueline