Western Heritage Award
Born on a Texas farm November 20, 1904, Pilot Grove, Texas welcomed into the world the boy who would grow up to be the man that brought the National Finals Rodeo from Oklahoma City to Las Vegas, Nevada. Benny discovered his love for horses and cowboy at the tender age of 10 when he started trading horses in the famous Fort Worth Stockyards. Mos of his education came from spending time horseback and traveling with his father. From those travels, his dreams grew beyond any education a classroom could have provided him.
Benny was well known for providing bucking stock and pickup horses from anu of the major rodeos across the country, including the National Finals Rodeo. His passion for cutting horses won him three world titles in the NCHA, 1946-47-48 with his little black gelding, Son of Band Time. Benny was a proud sponsor of the Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo for many years. Benny’s dream still lives on every December in Las Vegas with the Benny Binion World Famous Bucking Horse and Bull Sale held in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo.
Benny was loved by many in the world of rodeo. He was always ready to help any cowboy with a warm bed and a surprise entry fee paid at many rodeos across the country. Benny lived his life by the code of on of his favorite sayings: “Your friends and do no wrong and your enemies can do no right”. Benny Binion is still honored at every National Finals Rodeo with the appearance of the famous red stagecoach drawn by six black horses.