Arizona in the Saddle September 2014 Issue | Page 45

the charter members of the Girls
Rodeo Association formed in 1948, the
predecessor to the Women’s Professional
Rodeo Association (WPRA). She
supported the fledging organization as a
performer, contestant, officer and rodeo
official through her retirement in 1958.
In 1966, she was also one of the founders
of the Rodeo Historical Society. She
served as its president from 1970 to ’74.
She was elected to the board of directors
for another ten years and became an
honorary board member in 1984.
By all accounts, Tad was a woman
of great humor, talent on a horse,
and having plenty of spirit, courage
and compassion.
Starting in the late ‘30s and through
World War II, women’s events were
dropped from most major rodeos.
However, Tad remained active through
a new organization. She was one of

Tad was the first, and only person,
honored by all three rodeo halls of fame.
She was elected to the National Rodeo
Hall of Fame in 1967 (the first woman
elected), the National Cowgirl Hall of
Fame in 1978, and the ProRodeo Hall of
Fame in 1979. 
Tad is still considered one of the greatest
rodeo cowgirls of all time and one of the

most successful, popular, and famous
women of rodeo history. In her will, she
made provisions for a memorial award
to honor women who excel in any field
related to
our Western
heritage. After
her death,
daughter,
Mitzi Lucas
Riley made
that dream
come true by
establishing
the Tad
Lucas
Memorial
award.
Barbara Inez “Tad” Lucas
died on February 23, 1990,
in Fort Worth—leaving behind
the legacy of a cowgirl not soon to
be forgotten.

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AZintheSaddle.com

September 2014

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