TAD LUCAS – SHE’S A LEGENDARY BRONC RIDER

by Terry Lidral

Tad Lucas is a legend in Western history.  This cowgirl, born Barbara Inez Barnes in Cody, Nebraska on September 1, 1902 became one of the best-known names in early Twentieth Century rodeo.  Renowned as a trick rider, Lucas made a huge impact on the world of rodeo as a highly acclaimed bronc rider.

Lucas was one of 24 children in the Barnes family.  Her kid nickname of “Tadpole,” befitting her small stature and high level of activity, stuck with her throughout her life.  “Tad,” as she came to be known as she grew older, started out riding steers and won her first steer riding contest at the age of 14.  She went on to ride bulls and participated in bull riding events in the streets of Cody, Nebraska to raise funds for the Red Cross during World War I.

Still a teenager, the Nebraska native joined California Frank’s Rodeo Company as a bronc rider in 1921.  The next year, she met a cowboy named “Buck” Lucas who she married in 1924.  Tad Lucas found she had a talent for trick riding and traveled to London with the Tex Austin Rodeo where she delighted audiences with her outstanding skills in the original Wembley Stadium.

Trick riding was in its heyday in the 1920’s and 30’s and competitions were held with significant prizes given out to the winners.  Tad Lucas won Tex Austin’s Rodeo competition in Madison Square Garden 3 years in a row, taking home its MGM $10,000 silver cup all 3 years.  She was also the winner of the Cheyenne Frontier Days trick riding competition 8 consecutive times.

But Lucas wasn’t limited to trick riding.  She continued to ride broncs until 1964, when she decided to hang up her spurs at the age of 62.  During her rodeo career, Lucas participated in a variety of riding events including pony express races, relay races and whatever other challenges she decided to put her mind to.  

Lucas was a determined woman.  Even when she crushed an arm in 1933 while winning the champion all-around cowgirl title at the Chicago World’s Fair, she continued to perform with her arm in a cast for the next 3 years.  And, in the 1940’s, she was key in forming the Girl’s Rodeo Association in 1948 to promote the future of women in the sport of rodeo.

When Lucas stopped riding, it was not the end of her involvement with rodeo.  She served on the PRCA Board of Directors and was a member of the board of the Rodeo Historical Society. 

And in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the sport of rodeo, Lucas was inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1967, becoming the first woman to receive that honor.  She was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1979.

Lucas died in 1990 at the age of 88.  To commemorate the life of the great cowgirl known as “Rodeo’s First Lady,” the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum created the Tad Lucas Award to be given to women who have exhibited the same extraordinary characteristics while upholding and promoting Western heritage.

Author: Terry Lidral

Terry Lidral is a western writer/journalist who lives in Idaho. She is the publisher and editor of the online magazine Bucking Stock Talk and the online magazine Western Living Journal. Her publishing credits include Storyteller for Real American Cowboy Magazine, writing feature articles for Humps N Horns Magazine as well as a wide variety of national and international web sites, historical magazines and news publications. She is known for her "up close and personal" profiles of celebrities and industry moguls such as NPR's Tom Bodett; PBR's Wiley Petersen and D.H. Page, PRCA's Sammy Andrews, Cindy Rosser and Julio Moreno to name a few. She has been applauded for her way of making a personal connection between her readers and her subjects. She indulges in her love of rodeo by serving as an associate board member for the Caldwell Night Rodeo. She is also an accomplished trainer and handler in dog agility. Her shelties Amelie and Milo are titled in NADAC, USDAA and AKC.