This multi-talented, husband and wife team has been a stabilizing factor in the backbone of rodeo since the 1950’s.
Mildred Farris was born in Andrews, Texas, and is a college graduate. She was the 1955, ’56 and ’57 TBRA Barrel Racing Champion. Her career took her to a induction into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. In 1958, she joined the GRA (later to become the WPRA) and qualified for the National Finals Rodeo three times. Mildred was secretary of the PRCA seven times.
John Farris was born in Iowa Park in 1944. He has a reputation of running the best, no matter what it is-chute, arena, stock boss, etc.- and running it cleanly and safely. Contesting in the three rough stock events and calf roping, too, John was known as a tough and winning competitor in all events from the 1950’s through 1975. Working for several stock contractors, he worked all the major rodeos in the National Finals Rodeo in one capacity or the other over the years. He was elected “Texas Circuit Man of the Year in 1997 and has received countless other awards in the support of rodeo.
