Johnny Shields was born in Louisiana, but moved to Texas in 1955 with his parents. Johnny began his rodeo career in 1955 competing in junior rodeos in bareback riding, bull riding, calf roping, and ribbon roping. From 1955 to 1963 as a member of the American Junior Rodeo Association (AJRA), Johnny consistently finished in the top three in each event he entered. From the years of 1961 to 1965, he competed in amateur rodeos and in 1965, Johnny enrolled at Sul Ross State College. There, he began competing in the intercollegiate rodeos working the events of bareback riding, bull riding, calf roping, ribbon roping, and steer wrestling. In his first year of competition in the intercollegiate rodeos, Johnny won the 1965 All-Around Championship at the Texas Tech Rodeo. He qualified for the intercollegiate finals all four years while attending Sul Ross State College.
As a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Johnny competed from 1965 until 1984 and is a PRCA Gold Card member. He won several championships during this time which include Pecos and San Angelo, TX and Spooner, WI in bull riding and Weatherford, TX in steer wrestling. Aside from his championships, he was a self-proclaimed “2nd & 3rd place winner”. Other associations with the PRCA were working for stock contractor Bob Barnes in the Midwest -1972 to 1974 while competing and served as a rodeo judge -1975 to 1980. His rodeo career spanned 4 decades and ended in retirement in 1984.
Johnny retired from participating in but not his association with rodeo. His three sons were provided a life of opportunities through their participation in the AJRA and at the same time Johnny was able to give back to the sport. Giving his time he helped raise over $100,000.00 per year for 15 consecutive years for the AJRA and was instrumental in cultivating sponsors that continue to donate to the AJRA to this day.
He served on the AJRA Board of Directors from 1992 to 2006. Since leaving the AJRA, he has continued to welcome many opportunities to advise, fund and transport other kids to rodeos at the request of his friends. Throughout his many years in rodeo, Johnny says he is most thankful for all of the friendships he has made.
