Dave Hopper was born in Marathon, Texas, grew up in Lubbock, and now lives in Hereford with his wife, Joan. He is a PRCA Gold Card Member. Dave began his rodeo career going to Junior Rodeos and Amateur Rodeos from 1951 to 1954. He then started competing in Intercollegiate Rodeos. In 1954, he was Champion Bull Rider at the Texas Tech Rodeo and Champion Bareback Rider at Sam Houston State’s Rodeo. In 1955, he was the NIRA Finals Champion Bareback Rider, a member of the NIRA National Team Champions, Champion Steer Wrestler at Texas Tech Rodeo, Champion Bareback Rider at the San Angelo State University and West Texas State University Rodeos, and Champion Bull Rider at the New Mexico State University Rodeo.
In 1956, Dave captured the NIRA Southwest Region Champion Bull Rider title. He was also All-Around Cowboy at New Mexico State University and West Texas State University Rodeos. In 1957, Dave was the NRA National Champion Bareback Rider, NIRA National Finals Champion Bareback Rider, and NIRA Southwestern Region Champion Bareback Rider.
From 1954 to 1967, Dave participated in Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association rodeos. He was Champion Bareback Rider at Oklahoma City, OK; Lovington and Roswell, NM; and Gladewater, Levelland, San Angelo, and Crosbyton, TX. He captured Champion Bull Rider titles at Albuquerque, NM; El Paso, Pecos, Big Springs, and Lubbock, TX; Springdale, AR; Mangum, Ada, and Guymon, OK; and Sidney, NE. He was All-Around Cowboy at Big Springs, TX; Coffeyville, KS; Springdale, AR; and Hinton, OK. Dave won money at Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Houston, TX; Cheyenne, WY; Nampa, ID; Burwell, NE; and Las Vegas, NV. He also served as Arena Secretary part-time for Elra Butler & Son from 1960 to 1967.
Dave was inducted into the Texas Tech Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1987. Dave has been very active in civic affairs. He served on the Hereford and Vicinity YMCA Board of Directors from 1977 to 2004. For 16 years, he worked on the Sports and Agriculture Committees for Deaf Smith County Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the President’s Council at Texas Tech University, and he also serves on the Spicer Gripp Youth Rodeo Foundation.
Dave has been a partner and manager of Champion Feeders Inc. from 1970 to 2001. He was a Charter Member of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, served on the board of Directors for six years, and served various TCFA committees over a span of thirty years. He was on the Board of Governors of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Dave served as Deacon from 1967 to 1989 and has been an Ordained elder since 1989.
