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Often omitted from popular culture - Historians estimate that one in four cowboys who shaped and settled the American West were black, which is not often how it's portrayed.

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Even the Lone Ranger’s history was omitted - It’s now widely believed that one of most the iconic heroes of Wild West folklore (sometimes called fake-lore) was based on an African-American marshal named Bass Reeves.

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Bill Pickett - The rodeo was named after one of the most famous African-American cowboys of all time.

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Born in Texas in 1870 - William Pickett was revered for his talent on a horse, and was posthumously inducted into several halls of fame for his contributions to the sport.

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His signature move was ‘bulldogging’ - After watching how dogs would herd cattle by nipping at their heels and lips, Pickett invented his own technique for steer wrestling, while also simultaneously inventing steer wrestling.

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Rockdale, TX, 1903 - Like the dogs, Pickett would ride his horse alongside the steer, sometimes reaching up to 40 miles per hour, then he’d slide onto the steer’s back…

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He’d grab it by the horns - And he’d drive his feet into the ground while the steer was still shooting ahead.

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Then he’d bite the steer’s lower lip - Which would nearly paralyze it, much like the bulldog’s bite, making it easy to wrestle down.

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Though lip-biting is no longer allowed… - Bulldogging quickly became an event at the country fair and cemented Pickett’s place in history.

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He was billed as the "Dusky Demon" - Pickett reportedly first received national attention when he bulldogged a steer at the 1904 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, which was essentially the Super Bowl of the early 20th century.

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America's first black cowboy star - He made two movies for the Norman Film Manufacturing Co. in 1921, ‘The Bulldogger’ and ‘The Crimson Skull.’

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He died by hoof - While roping a horse, its hoof clipped his head and knocked him down, ending his life at just 61 years old.

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Some great progressive historical moments - Pickett was the first black man to be elected to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center in Oklahoma.

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Some not-so-great moments - In 1993, the US Postal Service honored him as part of its Legends of the West stamp series, but the picture they used was of Pickett's brother. It was recalled and reprinted, but clearly there is still work to be done.

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Showing rather than telling - What better way to re-educate rodeo audiences than entertaining the boots off them?

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How it all began - According to the Regional and National Coordinator Jeff Douvel, Lu Vason, the late founder of BPIR, visited “the granddaddy of all rodeos,” the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo, and noticed there was not one black cowboy or cowgirl.

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It took research - Previously a hairstylist, model, actor, soldier, writer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Vason started looking into the omitted history of major black characters that opened up the Western frontier.

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What he found was an entire lifestyle - Rodeoing, as it is for many already, became both a culture and lifestyle for African Americans who just needed a platform.

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People anchor their lives around it - According to Douvel, 90% of the participating cowboys and cowgirls have other full-time jobs, and save up vacation time to travel and compete on the weekends.

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Competitors bring their kids along - Either to observe a reenactment of history they’re likely not learning in school, or to learn the ropes themselves!

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Long, wild days - The modern cowboy/cowgirl is up at the crack of dawn, competing in high-intensity situations all day, and remaining at the arena after everyone leaves to take care of the horses and livestock.

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It’s going 34 years strong - A social and cultural event, it’s an opportunity for families to enjoy and embrace the cowboy culture.

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The events include: - Bareback riding, bull riding, calf roping, ladies barrel racing, ladies steer undecorating, mutton busting, and more.

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Mutton busting - Their website describes the activity as such: “Take willing kids, age 6 and under, strap a hockey helmet to their heads, put them on the backs of live sheep and see how long they can hang on.”

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What does BPIR want? - They first and foremost want to prove that there’s no lack of talent in African-American rodeo crowds.

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Getting respect from sponsors - Their rodeo doesn’t get the same kind of funding as others, so they can’t pay their cowboys and cowgirls those same hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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Tearing down the difference - As Douvel says, their “cowboys and cowgirls are just as tough, just as talented and just as athletic.”

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Modern day stadium stars to look out for - Fred Whitfield is currently one of the most famous and renowned calf ropers in the industry, making millions of dollars every year.

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Modern day stadium stars to look out for - One of the best-known bull riders right now is Neil Holmes, a young man who has won numerous championships nationwide.

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Modern day stadium stars to look out for - Douvel advises you look out for a seven-year-old girl, Kortnee Solomon, who’s already won more championships across all categories and events than anyone her age.

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A celebration and continuation - Black Western Heritage is strengthened and celebrated by its representation in the show, and new torchbearers emerge for the next generations.

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The truth is out there - The true diversity of the American West looks best at the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo—check it out in a city near you!

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