African-American cowboys helped win the West

[Blue_Tires]

By BRETT HOFFMAN

Special to the Star-Telegram

Darrell Petry is a prize-winning steer wrestler on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit

In fact, he’s entered in the bulldogging competition at the Fort Worth Stock Show’s traditional PRCA rodeo that kicks off later this week.

But on Monday, the Beaumont cowboy backed into the box at Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum to ride in a rodeo that pointed out how a huge number of cowboys and cowgirls of minority races played an integral part of the settling of the West.

"I compete in Cowboys of Color rodeos when I can, when I’m not competing in PRCA rodeos," Petry said. "But when I got an invitation to compete in a special rodeo like this, I felt like I really didn’t have a choice. It was a great opportunity to show off our skills."

Petry displayed his skills in dramatic fashion at the Fort Worth Stock Show’s first Cowboys of Color Rodeo by downing his steer in 3.8 seconds. He clinched the title in a tough performance that also featured Tommy Cook, a former National Finals Rodeo qualifier, who turned in a 4.1.

The Cowboys of Color Rodeo featured other well-known cowboys such as Fred Whitfield, who has snared seven world tie-down roping titles, one shy of the PRCA record of eight that’s held by 1960s legend Dean Oliver. Bud Ford of Everman, who qualified for the National Finals in the mid-1990s, was another well-known roper who competed.

Whitfield spoiled his chances of finishing in the money by receiving a 10-second penalty for breaking the barrier, meaning he didn’t give the calf a proper head start. However, Whitfield was a big hit with the fans because of his unusual accomplishments.

Whitfield and Charles Sampson, who won the world bull-riding title in 1982, are the only African-American cowboys who have earned gold buckles in the PRCA.

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/1902795.html