Meet Prairie Rose Henderson, Rodeo’s Legendary Lady Bronc Rider

Discover the story of one of Wyoming’s most celebrated rodeo pioneers and her connection to the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas.

Wild West shows first began touring America in the late 1800s, entertaining audiences with dramatic performances, historical reenactments, and displays of horsemanship that captured the spirit of the American frontier. As rodeos grew in popularity, events like the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas and Cheyenne Frontier Days combined Wild West entertainment with competitive events such as bronc riding, bull riding, and bareback riding.

Among the most influential performers of the era was Prairie Rose Henderson, one of rodeo’s earliest professional female bronc riders. Born Ann Robbins on a Wyoming ranch in the late 1870s or early 1880s, she grew up riding and roping before being recruited by Charlie and Frank Irwin’s Wild West Show when it launched in 1913.

Prairie Rose Highlights

• One of rodeo's first professional female bronc riders
• Champion bronc rider at major rodeos across the West
• Favorite performer at the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas
• Inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in 2008

Prairie Rose quickly earned a reputation as “the greatest woman bronc buster in the country.” She won top honors at the Los Angeles Rodeo in 1913 and the Walla Walla Frontier Days Rodeo in 1914. Crowds admired not only her riding ability but also her flair for showmanship. She often performed in colorful homemade costumes featuring Turkish-style pants, chiffon blouses, and decorative vests adorned with sequins, feathers, and fur.

Although the Irwin Brothers’ Wild West Show lasted only three seasons, Prairie Rose continued competing internationally. Over the course of her career, she won more championships than any other lady bronc rider of her era. The Wyoming State Fair remained one of her favorite places to compete and perform.

Prairie Rose's achievements came during a time when opportunities for women in rodeo were rapidly changing. Women's bronc riding was discontinued at many rodeos after 1929, and by the 1930s women were largely excluded from rough stock events. Their participation shifted toward barrel racing and rodeo queen competitions for much of the twentieth century.

Today, women once again compete in a variety of rodeo disciplines, continuing the legacy established by trailblazers like Prairie Rose Henderson. Her story remains an important chapter in Wyoming rodeo history and a reminder of the talented women who helped shape the sport.

Visitors interested in learning more about Wyoming’s rodeo heritage can explore exhibits at the Wyoming Pioneer Museum on the grounds of the Wyoming State Fair, where artifacts connected to legendary rodeo promoter Charlie Irwin are on display.