Road to the Horse

Dedicated to the sport of rodeo and the recognition of Texas’ finest contributors to that sport, the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame is home to some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the Lone Star State. Each year, the Hall holds an induction ceremony to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of men and women across the state.

The 2009 Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame induction ceremony included the induction of the late Steven “Dooky” Bland, co-founder of Road to the Horse. There to accept the honor of this award was his wife, Tootie Bland.

As one of the top all-around cowboys to come out of Texas, Bland competed in both timed and roughstock events. Winning his first saddle at the age of five, he went on to championships in junior, college and professional rodeo.

The Bland name has long been associated with rodeo. The late R.L. Bland, Steven’s father, was instrumental in establishing the Lone Star Circuit Finals, now known as the Texas Circuit Finals. Together with his wife Rosemary, he raised a family of outstanding rodeo cowboys and cowgirls.

R.L. and Rosemary Bland of Trent, Texas, were also inducted to the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame as the 2009 Rodeo Couple. Only one couple was chosen for the 2009 induction and it is evident by their accomplishments why this couple will forever be remembered as outstanding contributors to the sport of rodeo in Texas.

Find out more about the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame at www.trchf.com.