Barbara Barnes Lucas

(1902-1990) born at Cody, Cherry County. Rodeo cowgirl, a major pioneer of rodeo for women from 1917 to 1958, ranking as one of the great cowgirls with daredevil skills and bravery during her performances nationwide and in several foreign countries, competed in events for cowboys from 1924 to 1933, won largest women's trick riding competition at Madison Square Garden eight times and at Cheyenne Frontier Days six times, was named world champion cowgirl eight times; inducted into three halls of fame in 1967, 1978, and 1979. Consult Teresa Jordan, Cowgirls: Women of the American West (Anchor Press, 1982) 200-213 and obituaries in Ft. Worth /TX/ Star-Telegram, February 25, 1990, Sec. 1, p. 26 and Pro Rodeo Sports News, March 7, 1990, p. 26 and Mary Lou LeCompte, Cowgirls of the Rodeo: Pioneer Professional Athletes (Illinois University Press, 1993).

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