Title Sponsor

Monday, January 19, 2009 6:00 pm | Denver Coliseum |eserved Seats $12 - $35

Presenting Sponsor

On Monday, January 19, 2009, a legacy continues and a new tradition continues to take place right here in Colorado in conjunction with the Martin Luther King Holiday and the 53rd Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement.

For the 4th time in history, the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) will have a Black Rodeo.

As the Founder and Producer of the annual Bill Pickett Rodeo held at Adams County Fairgrounds every summer,

I’m honored to work with the NWSS to create an additional event that is different from the Bill Pickett Rodeo and provides yet another opportunity for people to experience the rich diversity of the West.

Lu Vason, Producer

Event Sponsor

Why a Black Rodeo of champions?

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) a Denver based corporation that produces rodeos across the United States.

The BPIR circuit is composed of African American cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation, which has acted as a feeder group for both the PRCA and IPRA organizations, with names such as Fred Whitfield, Ronnie Fields, Darnell Tipton, Jesse "slugger" Guillory, Marilyn LeBlanc and Deboraha Akin.

BPIR has also fed the PBR Asso-ciation with such riders as Gary Ricahrds, Lee Akin and Mike Moore.

The BPIR with a 24-year proven history provides educational, cultural and entertaining events around the country while promoting the heritage of African Americans in the development of the west.

The BPIR has also been utilized to generate funds for local charitable organizations.

Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo and NWS

In 2009, The National Western Stock Show (NWSS) continues their benchmark nationally by showcasing The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo and it's champions and highlighting the African American influence on the history and diversity of the West.

NWSS will feature four different rodeos under one roof - the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) Rodeo, the Mexican Rodeo, the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Rodeo, and the 2009 MLK Jr. African American Heritage “Rodeo of Champions”.

No other stock show in the country offers this unique line-up while striving to provide a platform to introduce the impact Black cowboys and cowgirls had in the West.

The MLK African American Heritage Rodeo of Champions will add a new dimension to the Stock Show.

History will made in Colorado, on Monday, January 19, 2009

We hope you will join us in celebrating Dr. King's Legacy and the great African American Heritage of Black Cowboys and Cowgirls.

MLK Rodeo Stories

Read some stories and interviews highlighting the MLK Rodeo.

Rodeo educates even as it  thrills -
By Joey Bunch - Denver Post

Wade has rope, will travel
Calf-tying champ extends tradition of black cowboy.
By Julie Hutchinson, Special to the Rocky Mountain News