Davis, Shawn
Saddle Bronc Riding • Inducted 1979
Shawn Davis, a three-time world champion saddle bronc rider, has devoted much of his life to the sport of rodeo. Davis won his first title in 1965 and then captured back-to-back titles in 1967-68. In 1969, he was leading the world standings when a bronc fell on him in Thompson Falls, Mont., breaking his back. At least one surgeon predicted Davis would never ride even a gentle horse again, but 13 months later, following intensive, self-motivated physical therapy, he was riding broncs and winning. He returned to the National Finals Rodeo in 1971. Davis has been general manager of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo since 1986 and was a major proponent of moving the NFR from Oklahoma City, Okla., to Las Vegas. Davis has served on the PRCA Board of Directors and was the rodeo coach at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls for 29 years before retiring in 2007. He was born on Dec. 7, 1940, in Butte, Mont.
Accolades
Biography
World Championships: 3
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1965, 1967, 1968
Born: December 7, 1940, in Butte, Montana
Legend of ProRodeo: 2011
PRCA President: 1982-85
PRCA Steering Committee: 1987
NFR General Manager: 1986-2019
Rodeo Championships
Black Hills Roundup / Belle Fourche, SD
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1973
Buffalo Bill Rodeo / North Platte, NE
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1964
Cheyenne Frontier Days / Cheyenne, WY
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1966
Cody Stampede / Cody, WY
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1974 (tie)
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo / Fort Worth, TX
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1973, 1975 (tie)
Iowa’s Championship Rodeo / Sidney, IA
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1979 (tie), 1983
La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo / Tucson, AZ
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1967, 1975
National Western Stock Show & Rodeo / Denver, CO
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1965, 1969, 1977
Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo / Ogden, UT
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1973, 1977
Pendleton Round-Up / Pendleton, OR
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1965
Red Bluff Round-Up / Red Bluff, CA
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1967, 1978
Redding Rodeo / Redding, CA
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1965, 1967
Reno Rodeo / Reno, NV
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1966, 1967, 1972
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo / San Antonio, TX
All-Around: 1968
Snake River Stampede / Nampa, ID
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1965
Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo / Spanish Fork, UT
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1967
