Tom Taylor began professional rodeoing at about 20, entering bronc riding and roping events in the tough rodeo days of the 1930s and 1940s. Tom won or placed in all the major rodeos of the day, including Madison Square Gardens, Cheyenne, Calgary, Boston, Fort Worth, Carlsbad, and Chicago (an unprecedented three times). Coyote roping was a featured event at a rodeo in Oklahoma, and Tom won against 24 other contestants. Tom was a member of the Cowboys Turtle Association and served as its calf roping spokesperson for several years. He was a charter member of the Rodeo Cowboys Association.
