Gary “Roach” Hedeman was born in Raton, NM and grew up around the racetracks of El Paso, TX, Raton, NM, and Ruidoso, NM. He was a member of the New Mexico Junior Rodeo Association, National High School Rodeo Association, National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association holding a card for 24 years. He attended Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. It was here that he became part of the original “Bad Company Rodeo” crew, fighting bulls, and flanking livestock.
One of Gary “Roach” Hedeman’s earliest memories of rodeo was of the rodeo clown. As a youngster Roach was fascinated by the cowboy funny men of rodeo. Legends such as Wilbur Plaugher and his monkey, that he watched during the El Paso rodeo shaped Hedeman’s desire to make a living in the rodeo world.
During his 25+ years in the rodeo business, Roach specialized in cowboy protection. His lighthearted attitude and amazing way with animals make him a natural to liven up any rodeo.
Gary “Roach” Hedeman is knowledgeable in just about every facet of the rodeo business. He has fought bulls at the 1989 Texas Circuit Finals, 1996 National Finals Rodeo and the 1996, 1997, 1998, & 1999 PBR Finals, flanked award winning bucking animals, raised a world champion bucking bull, Biloxi Blues, competed at the college and professional rodeo level, and trained numerous ponies and dogs. The most notable of these being “Trigger” a palomino pony, and Buster, the Beach Dog. Hedeman is also familiar with the promotional side of rodeo as he produced a successful Pro Rodeo for 8 years in Bowie, Texas. This rodeo donated over $20,000 to the youth of Montague County over the years.
Roach has worked for renowned stock contractors such as Harry Vold, Mack Altizer, & Neal Gay just to name a few. He fought bulls at the El Paso Pro Rodeo for 14 years. Other professional rodeos and bull ridings he as worked include: Pecos, TX, Prescott, AZ, Lovington, NM, Manhattan, KS, Dodge City, KS, Sonora, TX, The George Paul Memorial Bull Riding in Del Rio, TX, The Tuff Hedeman Challenge, Ft. Worth, TX, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Mineral Wells PRCA Rodeo, and many more.
