Riding Through History: Idaho Rodeos
Idaho’s landscape has long been a backdrop for adventure and daring feats. Among the most iconic expressions of this spirit is the rodeo, a sport deeply rooted in the cowboy culture of the American West. The history of rodeo in Idaho combines tales of community, grit, and skill, as it quickly became a centerpiece of community gatherings, drawing participants and spectators from afar. The origins of rodeo in Idaho date to the late 19th century when cattle ranching flourished in the region. Cowboys and cowgirls, many of whom were Basque, Hispanic, or Native American, honed their skills while working on ranches across the state. They discovered that participating in rodeos could result in additional earnings if luck or skills favored them, but also in misfortune if they did not. Over the course of the 20th century, rodeos and cowboy culture have maintained a presence in the Gem State. This year, on June 14-15, Mackay, Idaho’s Rodeo—dubbed “Idaho’s Wildest Rodeo” will celebrate its 78th anniversary. If you plan to attend this or any other Idaho rodeo this summer, keep reading to foster a deeper appreciation of this western pastime.
Today, one can read Idaho’s historic newspapers, some dating to the 1880s, and find mentions of small rodeo activities peppered throughout the “local news” sections. However, most rodeo enthusiasts and participants, journalists, and historians across the state point to one rodeo, Idaho Fall’s War Bonnet Round-Up, as Idaho’s oldest professional rodeo in Idaho. This rodeo began in 1911 when local businessmen first organized rodeo activities before the city’s Chamber of Commerce took over operations. Eventually, the American Legion Department of Idaho Post 56 took over management and promotion. Today, the City of Idaho Falls and its Parks & Recreation Department, in close collaboration with the Shoshone Bannock Tribe of Fort Hall Reservation, manage the event, which features more than 450 participants performing for more than 12,000 spectators in August.[1]
By the mid-20th century, rodeo in Idaho had evolved into a more structured and competitive sport. Events like bronc riding, bull riding, and calf roping became standardized, and rodeo associations began to emerge, organizing competitions across the state. One of the most significant milestones in Idaho rodeo history came in 1915 with the establishment of the Snake River Stampede in Nampa. This annual event grew to become one of the premier rodeos in the Northwest, attracting top riders and ropers from around the country.[2] Throughout the decades, Idaho rodeo continued to thrive, with communities large and small hosting their own rodeo celebrations, such as Mackay’s Wildest Rodeo, which dates to 1946.
Historical sources note that the first Mackay Rodeo raised over $500 in prize money for the winning competitors, which equates to almost $8,500 in today’s dollars. The individuals who first organized the Mackay Rodeo saw the event as a means of preserving the cowboy culture in Idaho, supporting an industry that was foundational to the development of Custer County, and as a central tenant of summertime festivities, drawing families, cowboys, and thrill-seekers alike.[3] They worked in and near Mackay as ranchers and businessmen. Together, Carl Albert “Hoot” Anderson, “Babe” Evans, Al Zollinger, George Miller, P.W. Frank, Fred Diers, and I.T. Perkins formed the Mackay Rodeo Association. Today, the legacy of these individuals is a two-day event that draws locals and regional visitors, including celebrities who maintain summer homes in Sun Valley, and others seeking fun and a connection to the ranching and horse culture of the American West. Despite the passage of time and the ever-changing landscape of the American West, rodeo in Idaho endures as a testament to the resilience and tenacity of the cowboy way of life.
Written by State Historian HannaLore Hein
Bibliography:
Corgatelli, Kathy. “Idaho’s Wildest”: The Mackay Rodeo’s Early Years. 1st ed. Blackfoot, Idaho: The Way Out West Co., 1995.
“Our History – Snake River Stampede,” n.d. https://snakeriverstampede.com/who-we-are/about-us/our-history/.
“War Bonnet Round Up Starts In” n.d. https://www.tickcounter.com/countdown/5014917/war-bonnet-round-up-starts-in.
Photographs:
MS511-191d, Dry Creek Rodeo, Idaho State Archives
MS511-191e, Dry Creek Rodeo, Idaho State Archives
MS511-191f, Dry Creek Rodeo, Idaho State Archives
P2006-18-141-2b, Idaho State Archives
P2008-6-075, Idaho State Archives
[1] “War Bonnet Round Up Starts In,” n.d., https://www.tickcounter.com/countdown/5014917/war-bonnet-round-up-starts-in.
[2] “Our History – Snake River Stampede,” accessed May 8, 2024, https://snakeriverstampede.com/who-we-are/about-us/our-history/.
[3] Kathy Corgatelli, “Idaho’s Wildest”: The Mackay Rodeo’s Early Years, 1st ed (Blackfoot, Idaho: The Way Out West Co., 1995).