Lady Rode Bucking Horses: The Story of Fanny Sperry Steele, Woman of the West
Long before rodeo, when bucking-horse contests were held at stampedes and roundups, Fannie Sperry Steele stepped into the bronco-riding arena-and won. The Lady Rode Bucking Horses tells the remarkable story of the girl who became Lady Bucking Horse Champion of the World-twice-and went on to become a western performer and legendary rancher.\ Born on a Montana homestead in 1887, Fannie knew what she wanted from the age of two, when she declared, "I gonna catch me a white-face horsie." During...
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The story of Fannie Sperry Steele (1887-1983), who won the title Lady Bucking Horse Champion of the World at the first Calgary Stampede in 1912.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. The Lady Bucking Horse Champion of Montana! Fannieeee....Sperry!"\ \ The roar of Helena's Fourth of July crowd accompanied Fannie to the platform in front of Central Park grandstand at the Lewis and Clark Anniversary Celebration. Clasping both arms above her head in a victory salute, she looked out over the faces of her fellow Montanans. Those who had cheered her for years now applauded their new state champion. A judge pinned a small gold medal to the knot of her neckerchief and shook her hand earnestly. "I've known a lot of fine bronc riders, Fannie, but you're the best." The other judges, too, stepped forward and clasped her hand. "Congratulations, Fannie." \ \ Fannie felt a lump rising in her throat. No use pretending this was just another exhibition. These were her people, Montanans, declaring her their state champion. Walter and Christine broke through the crowd around the platform, followed by Rachel and Datus. When she saw her mother's misty eyes, she had to blink back her own tears. "Ma, I want you to have this." She took the medal from her scarf and pinned it on Rachel's dress collar. "You're the real champion of Montana." Rachel held her head high with pride, happy tears streaming.
(1) Homestead and Horses (2) Riding with the Cowboys (3) Wild Horse to Bucking Bronco (4) A Horsewoman's Dilemma (5) Relay Racing (6) Winter on the Homestead, Summer on the Track (7) The Montana Girls (8) Touring the Midwest (9) Montana's Lady Bucking-Horse Champion (10) A Peer among the Best (11) Competing at the First Calgary Stampede, 1912 (12) Lady Bucking-Horse Champion of the World (13) Romance on Horseback (14) The Newlyweds (15) Defending Her Championship (16) Sharpshooting and Bronc Stomping (17) Disappointments at the Miles City Roundup (18) Wild West Headliner (19) A Place to Call Home (20) Big Cities and Buffalo Bill (21) A Troubling Revelation (22) The Fading Dream (23) More Bad Luck (24) Dude Ranching on Arrastra Creek (25) Packing into the Wilderness (26) Loved Ones Lost (27) Life with Beloved Horses (28) Broken Promise (29) Survival and Contentment (30) Hitting the Trail for the Last Time
