When I met Dalton Snowden, back in 1965, he competed in every rodeo event. Eventually, he excelled in bull riding and steer wrestling, winning the year-end Central American Rodeo Association Championship in 1981.
When his rodeo competition days came to an end, Dalton transitioned to stock contracting as owner of Bar & Rodeo Co. During this same time period, Dalton also worked as rough-stock pickup man for American Cowboy Rodeo Association (ACRA) contractor, Bud Mayberry.
In 1980, members of that association voted him “Pickup Man of the Year.”
But it wasn’t just winning titles in the arena that made Dalton Snowden a great cowboy—it was his love and respect for his fellow competitors. He was the first to cheer for and congratulate the ride on the run that might have just bumped him out of the prize money.
Once I saw him take off the spurs off his own boots and give them to a young contestant who had none. He mentored countless young men through the decades—some who went on to become rodeo champions themselves.
On Aug. 1 and 2, we honor the memory of this great cowboy with an MMRA-sanctioned rodeo at Lone Pine Arena.
Please come and join us, won’t you?
