5. Bill Pickett
Bill Pickett was a trailblazing African American cowboy who invented “bulldogging,” today known as steer wrestling. His unmatched athleticism—leaping from horse to steer, wrestling it to the ground—dazzled Wild West Show audiences and cemented his status as a showstopper. Pickett’s daring performances challenged racial barriers in the early rodeo scene. His cultural impact paved the way for Black cowboys and modern rodeo stars. Compare today’s top bull-riders with Pickett’s legacy through the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association for a sense of how his techniques endure.
