George Fletcher's Impact on rodeo
The year is 1911, the contest; championship saddle bronc rider, the place, Pendleton Roundup& stayed tuned and I will be right back with how rodeo's classic event took on a whole new meaning that year. If you were a black cowboy in the early years of rodeo you never expected to place better than third in an event that is if you were even allowed to compete. In the words of W. K. Stratton author of Chasing Rodeo ,the color line was firm, never mind how well Fletcher rode". and no one rode broncs like George Fletcher. Here's Susan Allen . Jeff, The Umatilla Indians raised George Fletcher who was a black child rescued from the brothels by a pastor. On the reservation Fletcher learned horsemanship skills that would make him really one of our first horse whisperers for his method of breaking a horse without breaking it's spirit. A talented rider, it was a constant frustration to be banned from rodeos because of his skin color. Yet George got to ride in 1911 at the Pendleton Roundup, and received a standing ovation for what reporters dubbed the most showy ride of the round-up. Certainly Fletcher would be saddle bronc champion. John Spain was awarded the winning saddle that day midst loud booing . Angered by the prejudice judging, Sheriff Till Tayor sold enough pieces of Fletchers cowboy hat to purchase the black cowboy his own duplicate championship saddle. While George Fletchers ride changed history, sadly many white cowboys refused to compete against him so George Fletcher channeled his gifts into becoming a renowned horse trainer and respected member of the Umatilla Indian tribe.
