Smith, Bill
Saddle Bronc Riding • Inducted 1979
Bill Smith, born July 28, 1941, in Red Lodge, Mont., is one of a few men with the distinction of winning three saddle bronc riding titles, doing so in 1969, 1971 and 1973. A professional horse breaker in his youth, Smith started his professional career at age 20. Ranked consistently among the world’s best bronc riders, he went to the National Finals Rodeo in 1965. For the next 13 years, he failed to make the NFR only once and that was because of an injury. A steady taciturn man, Smith is universally respected in professional rodeo and bears the affectionate nickname, “Cody,” after his adopted hometown in Wyoming. He has served as saddle bronc director on the association’s Board of Directors.
Accolades
Biography
World Championships: 3
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1969, 1971, 1973
Born: July 28, 1941 in Red Lodge, Montana
Joined PRCA: 1961
NFR Qualifications: 13
Rodeo Championships
Cheyenne Frontier Days / Cheyenne, WY
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1970
Cody Stampede / Cody, WY
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1972 (tie)
Greeley Stampede / Greeley, CO
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1971 (tie), 1975
Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo / Guymon, OK
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1965, 1974 (tie)
La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo / Tucson, AZ
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1973, 1976
National Western Stock Show & Rodeo / Denver, CO
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1968
Red Bluff Round-Up / Red Bluff, CA
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1966
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo / San Antonio, TX
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1969, 1973, 1974
Snake River Stampede / Nampa, ID
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1968, 1969, 1975
World’s Oldest Rodeo Prescott Frontier Days / Prescott, AZ
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1974 (tie)
