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Larry Mahan Will Serve As The Grand Marshal At Nebraska's Big Rodeo
Nebraska's Big Rodeo Boosters are excited and proud to announce that Larry
Mahan will serve as the Grand Marshal for the 86th edition of Burwell's
historic rodeo.
The Grand Marshal program, which started last year with the appearance of Jim Shoulders, has been very successful. Booster members decided to continue the program and immediately thought of Larry Mahan. Mahan graciously accepted, remembering many good times at the Burwell Rodeo. Mr. Mahan will appear at the Rodeo Information Office before performances on Friday and Saturday, at an autograph signing session on the track after Friday's performance, and will visit Dry Creek Western Wear Saturday following the rodeo parade. Mr. Mahan will graciously sign memorabilia or Rodeo Booster's commemorative plates at these times.
Larry Mahan entered the professional rodeo circuit in 1963. He won his first World Bull Riding Championship title in 1965 and another in 1967. In 1969 he won his first of five consecutive World Championship All-Around Cowboy titles, competing in all three riding events - bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding. Following a series of injuries in the early 1970's, Mahan triumphantly returned in 1973 to win an unprecedented sixth World Championship All-Around Cowboy title, earning him a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
During his active fourteen year stint as rodeo's most acclaimed cowboy, he was the epitome of the "new breed" of rodeo cowboys - a fine athlete and a careful businessman. His charisma and style were impressive and the media loved to write about him.
Mahan continued to win world titles; flew his own plane across the west to international airports and remote dirt strips, and during one period of his rodeo career rode with a cast on one foot with a spur molded into the plaster of paris. He also launched a successful line of western wear, The Larry Mahan Cowboy Collection. Whether in the rodeo arena or in an apparel mart signing autographs, Mahan maintained a star status as a "real cowboy" with all the flare that is usually associated with the cowboys that rose to fame on the silver screen.In fact, Mahan's career was immortalized on film in 1973 when he starred in "The Great American Cowboy," which won an Academy Award for Best Feature Length Documentary. The film revolved around the competition between Larry and Phil Lyne for the World Championship All-Around Cowboy title. When the film was presented at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow in 1975, Larry was guest of honor.At the time of his retirement from rodeo in 1977, he had already established the Larry Mahan Boot Collection, as well as a clothing line.
Larry's resume also includes hosting the television program Horseworld for eight years. Horse lovers around the world followed his unique perspective of the finer points of the equestrian world and competitions. Larry also hosted guest experts, celebrities and even tried many of the events himself.
Larry owns, breeds, trains and shows his own cutting horses, raises longhorn cattle and plays in all cowboy disciplines of cutting, roping and training. He owns a winter ranch in Sunset, Texas and a summer ranch in Guffey, Colorado.