The Champion Calf Roper in 1939, Toots Mansfield, won the same title six more times in the next eleven years, a record that is not likely to be broken. Add a few seconds, thirds and fourths in several other seasons and it becomes evident that this man may have been sort of a superman when it came to roping calves.
He started out as a pro in 1933 and was still tough enough to win third for the year in 1955, after a lay-off of two seaons, at the age of 41. He conducts a roping school now, and is turning out some might tough ropers, with just a short spell of instruction from the man who actually started the present day style of handling calves, his students learn things he was a long time developing in the rodeo arenas.
Mansfield roped like a guy with all the time I the world, then just loped down to the calf and tied him, apparently, in no hurry, but every move he made was right. He just didn’t make any false moves, or any mistakes.
When the R.C.A. was formed in 1945, he was elected President and re-elected to that office each year through 1951, when he resigned. A quiet, easy going man at all times, he exerted a calming influence on the Board of Directors, during some rather stormy sessions. The same good judgment that made him the toughest competitor that ever went down the road, made him an excellent leader for this organization. He carries a gold card, now, and should have a medal along with it. There were times when if it weren’t for him there might have been utter confusion for the R.C.A. cowboys.
Mansfield added considerable money to the winnings he racked up roping calves by some outstanding wins in Steer Roping contests. One of the highest roping’s ever held at Clovis, N.M. saw Toots beat the field and carry off $14,500for one day’s competition.
He won many other Steer Roping contests including the 7th Annual King Merritt invitational roping, at Laramie, WY, and has won many match ropings over a span of twenty years.
A big man, a little over six feet tall, and weighing in at 190 pounds, Toots Mansfield could have been a top athlete in any sport, but he is convinced he chose the best one of them all.
Toots now lives in Big Spring, Texas, with wife, Mary Neil, and teenage daughter, Deane. He is in the insurance business, as well as operating the very successful roping school.
Rodeos will hold a lot of interest for Toots as he watches his students’ progress in the rodeo arenas over the country.
There is a lot of doubt if the sport of rodeo will ever see another roper with the all-around ability of Toots Mansfield, and no chance at all of producing a finer man.
