Casey Tibbs
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World Champion Cowboy, Casey Tibbs, was to Rodeo what Babe Ruth was to Baseball! He was the first superstar of Rodeo and he was pivotal in Pro Rodeo becoming an acknowledged sport, instead of just a show or a spectacle. Casey not only won nine World Titles in ProRodeo, he was a great American character as well, playing practical jokes on his fellow rodeo cowboys and others. Many of the National Magazines such as: The Saturday Evening Post and Playboy, ran articles on him and he appeared on the front cover of the October 22, 1951 LIFE Magazine, along with a lengthy article.
His is an incredible story. Casey Tibbs' parents homesteaded a remote spot in South Dakota, called Mission Ridge. They built a log home with a sod roof, without running water or electricity. They raised ten children fifty miles from the nearest town. They also built a horse trap to capture the wild horses that roamed the open plains. Thousands of horses poured through that trap and they were started and trained by John Tibbs, and his sons, the youngest being Casey Tibbs. Casey honed his skills there, working for his dad, and he later ran away from home to rodeo at thirteen, to become what many believe was the greatest Saddle Bronc rider who ever lived. His record of six Saddle Bronc Championships has remained unbroken for the last forty some years, however, it was tied in 2003 by the talented World Champion, Dan Mortensen.
Casey’s journey from a humble log home with its sod roof, without running water or electricity, to being friends with many of the world's most famous people including Presidents and Royalty - is unique!
Casey recognized that Rodeo gave him his biggest break in life. He loved the sport and did his best to give back to it. He raised the bar on the style of Saddle Bronc riding by perfecting the full stroke. He was a great showman; he dressed in flashy Western clothes, usually purple, and drove purple Cadillacs. He served on the RCA Board, and introduced the Bucking Horse of the Year Award. But most importantly, Casey came up with the idea of the National Finals Rodeo and he fought it into existence! This alone has elevated Rodeo from a spectacle to a sport with a great following and huge prize-money, which enables the successful cowboys of today to actually make money at what they do. Before the NFR the World Champion Cowboys often ended up with little more than a Championship Buckle and Saddle.
Although Rodeo was a major part of Casey’s life and the main thing he is remembered for, it is only one part of this many-faceted character. His sense of humor is legendary, and there is a lot of that in CASEY TIBBS Born to Ride. Casey loved to laugh and spent a lot of his life doing just that and making his friends laugh! His rise above alcoholism is truly heroic and he wanted his AA success told, in the hope that it might bring help to others. The thirty-five foot tall bronze statue of Casey Tibbs astride the Bronc, Necktie, which greets you in front of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, speaks volumes.
Casey Tibbs and Rusty Richards were close friends and they spoke to each other nearly everyday for the last eight years of Casey's life. Much of CASEY TIBBS Born to Ride, is in Casey's voice and the voices of many other legendary rodeo professionals who generously gave Rusty their stories. Famed Western Author, Louis L’Amour was a close friend of both Rusty's and Casey’s and Louis encouraged Rusty in the writing of this biography.
This book will make a great gift for anyone interested in learning more about the cowboy way!
Praise for Rusty Richards and CASEY TIBBS – Born to Ride
CASEY TIBBS – Born to Ride (Moonlight Mesa Associates, Inc.) is, hands down, the best Western biography yet published. Expertly paced and beautifully written, this biography will be read for generations to come.
~ T. Jerome, book reviewer
Rusty Richards captures the legend of Casey Tibbs as only a close friend and fellow horseman could. The character, the sense of humor, the talent to ride a bucking horse as no other man ever has...it’s all here, the story of a unique Westerner, told by another.
~ Duncan Hunter, former U.S. Congressman
Casey Tibbs was to rodeo what Babe Ruth was to baseball, a true legend. The story of the flamboyant, dangerous and exciting lifestyle of the great saddle bronc rider and all-around champion of the world, could only be told by Casey’s long time friend, Rusty Richards.
~ Jack Roddy, World Champion Steer Wrestler, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, National Cowboy Hall of Fame
This is truly a “must read” written by a great artist about a cowboy who revolutionized rodeo and the way it is viewed by the rest of the world.
~ John Miller, Two-Time PRCA World Champion Team Roper
Casey Tibbs touched a lot of people. Some might say he was a good guy, but the truth is, he was larger than life. Each one of us who knew him has our own Casey story. We drop his name in conversation and it’s like rubbing rodeo’s greatest touchstone. That Rusty Richards has a way with words, is like saying Casey Tibbs could ride a bronc. It’s appropriate that Casey’s biography has been written by a cowboy who is his equal.
~ Baxter Black, Cowboy, Poet, Humorist
I have always loved Rusty Richards’ songs because he is a superb storyteller. This book is like his songs: it tells a wonderful story about the life of a fascinating man, Casey Tibbs. I couldn’t put it down.
~ Cheryl Rogers-Barnett, Entrepreneur and Author (Daughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans)
Casey was a prankster, great cowboy, rodeo ambassador, and master storyteller. But the stories about Casey are legendary. And now, master storyteller Rusty Richards makes Casey’s exploits and personality come to life.
~ Red Steagall, Singer/Songwriter, Actor, and Television and Radio Personality
Rusty Richards’ cowboy credentials are unquestionable, and his biography of Casey Tibbs stands to be the definitive work on one of rodeo’s legends. More than that, it’s a cracking good read, told with dash, humor, and authenticity. Whether you’re a rodeo fan or just fond of a cowboy tale well told, this is a book you’ll want to throw a loop around. Climb aboard, hunker down, grab your slack, and let ‘er buck. I guarantee you’ll enjoy the ride!
~ J.R. Sanders, Historian and Western Author
Congratulations to Casey’s longtime friend, cowboy, music man, author Rusty Richards for a job well done. Born to Ride is a superbly crafted, richly textured, amazing story of a true American icon, rodeo’s original superstar, Casey Tibbs. Casey grew up tough during tough times and lived life to its absolute fullest – this book is a wonderful testament and journey through that life. Enjoy the ride, I sure did.
Don’t pick up this astonishing book until your chores are done…I guarantee you won’t be able to put it down.
~ Larry Mahan, Six-Time All-Around World Rodeo Champion
Over the years I have read many books about cowboys, but this book about Casey Tibbs is at the top of the list! I just wanted to tell you that I’ve been reading this book, and it’s the best damn book about a cowboy, by a cowboy, that I have ever read, and if you aren’t a cowboy by the time you finish reading it, then there was never any hope for ya!
~ Harry Carey Jr., Actor and Author of: Company of Heroes, Life as an Actor in the John Ford Stock Company
From roundups to winning awards and insight into the very heart and soul of Casey Tibbs, this book has it all. I am honored that now I have a knowledge of a great American Legend that I will not soon forget.
For all who love a slice of the true west, a big bite of rodeo history, and just a downright great story about one exceptional man, you will love this book. Very well done, recommended.
~ Shirley Johnson/Senior Reviewer MidWest Book Review
Casey Tibbs was not only one of rodeo’s greatest athletes, showmen, and champion, but he was also a wonderful story-teller…. Now his life story has been told by his friend, Rusty Richards, a master story-teller himself! Congratulations, Rusty. Great book!
~ Bob Tallman: Seven-time Recipient of the ProRodeo Cowboy’s Association “Announcer of the Year Award” and Member of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame
I traveled on the rodeo trail with Casey Tibbs, so I knew him well... and while there has been a lot written about him... some of it was true, some not... This book is written by another good friend, Rusty, and as close a friend as he was to Casey, the truth is here, and it is the best of all of them put together!
~ Cotton Rosser, well known Rodeo Stock Contractor and owner of the Flying U Rodeo Company
Having been in the publishing business for over 40 years, I truly admire the talents of Rusty Richards within this book. He has told the story of a great cowboy, Casey Tibbs, in a way only a true friend and cowboy could do. I knew Casey Tibbs very well, his sense of humor kept me on edge...
~ Bob Feist, frequently TV announcer for the NFR, Announcer for the PBR Finals (many times), Producer of the Bob Feist Invitational Team Roping Classic (now in its 33rd year), Publisher of Ropers Sports News (now in its 42nd year), Roper's Man of The Year Award, and Steer Roping Finals (announcer)
CASEY TIBBS Born to Ride
Published by:
Moonlight Mesa Associates, Inc.
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