W O R L D ’ S
O L D E S T
R O D E O ®
1928 PRESCOTT RULES
Rodeo’s Rules of Wide Fame
Photo by Blushing Cactus Photography
By 1928 “Prescott Rules” had become “Rodeo’s Rules of Wide Fame.” They had been worked to a fine point by Lester Ruffner, former arena director; Doc Pardee, arena director in 1926, 1927 and 1928; and Grace Sparkes, secretary of Prescott Frontier Days® since 1915. By 1928, these rules had been found to be almost foolproof and had been copied and used at many of the big rodeos held throughout the country. Few complaints had been lodged against them or the judges during this era, and the Prescott rodeo was being held up as a shining example to be copied in other places where cowboy sports were featured. In 1928, many noted Wild West shows are conducted on the rules adopted in Prescott many years ago and made famous through their general acclaim by the show-following punchers. The rules, worked out first by Ruffner, the former arena director, and now adopted and expanded by the new director, Pardee, are held to be fair to all concerned, the show 94 WORLD’S OLDEST RODEO® • 1888-2022
directors, the participants, and the public that pays its money to take in the contests. With the big show, the 40th annual Prescott Frontier Days celebration started in 1888, less than a month distant, it is held to be not too soon to print the general rules for the contests, which follow: This contest will be held in the afternoon, commencing exactly 1:30 P.M. You can dance all night, sleep and recuperate in the forenoon, but be sure to be in the parade at 12:45 P.M. every day of the show. Every contestant must have his own outfit and be ready when called and no cowboy will be entered who is not willing to wear his big hat and boots at all times. If you are ashamed of being a cowboy, stay away from here.
