When old time cowboy Bob Robinson heard he was nominated as an inductee into the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Rodeo Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, OK, he felt proud and excited.
The Millet resident has had a long and illustrious career as a cowboy including winning the average at the National Finals Rodeo in 1962, all-around champion in Edmonton in 1956 and saddlebronc champion at the Calgary Stampede the same year plus more champion buckles than is possible to put in one article.
That same year, Robinson earned the title of Canadian Champion Saddlebronc Rider.
Robinson started out as a bareback rider and steer wrestler but found a strong desire to be a saddlebronc rider and bull rider. Robinson said he jumped into competitive bull riding when bulls were newly introduced to the sport.
Prior to riding bulls, cowboys would ride steers, explained Robinson. “Bulls are a little bigger, stronger and faster.”
Not only was Robinson heavily involved in the competitive rodeo circuit from the 1950s to the late 1960s, he was instrumental in negotiating a 10-year contract with Northlands in Edmonton in 2004 bringing $1 million in prize money to the Canadian Finals Rodeo. The agreement with Northlands was to add $200,000 every year in prize money.
Being a cowboy is in Robinson’s blood. His father was involved in the rodeo circuit in the 1920s and ’30s and even after returning from the Second World War, his father would compete.
Robinson is now 83-years-old and the cowboy has continued competing in milder roping events and only recently took a break. “I was roping up to this year.”
“I decided I’d retire and see if I can’t get into any shape,” he added.
Recognition in Canada occurred in 1997 when Robinson was inducted into the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame. There can be no doubt as to Robinson’s love for the sport. Over the period of 1991 to 1998, Robinson won four titles as heeler in the Canadian Senior Pro Rodeo Association.
He also served as president of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, the Canadian Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Canadian Senior Pro Rodeo Association.
Robinson is heading to the induction ceremony Sept. 26 and 27 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.