He was the catalyst who suggested she give the sport a try, and she won the first event she ever entered, in Muleshoe, Texas. She was off and running and would qualify for seven consecutive National Finals Rodeos from 1963-69 on her beloved horse, Red, whose registered name was Shaws Kingwood Snip. Bruce won the 1964 title by just $400 over Sissy Thurman that year, and Red—which she bought for just $1,600 in 1960—was named reserve AQHA Horse of the Year. Bruce and Red won six Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo titles, as well as the 1967 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo the first year it was held at the Astrodome. In 1965, Red was the first GRA/ WPRA barrel horse to ever appear on the cover of Quarter Horse Journal in color, and Bruce would retire him in 1969 after the National Finals. Bruce, the first world champion to go to the left barrel first, was inducted into the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1997. Giving back to the sport
world title. “She might just walk up and say, ‘Hey, I saw this. Would you like to try this to maybe get better?’ Nine times appear on the cover of Quarter Horse Journal in color and was the first world champion horse to go to the left barrel first. Photos courtesy Ardith Bruce Ardith Bruce reached the pinnacle of the sport of barrel racing in 1964 when she won the world title aboard Shaws Kingwood Snip better known as Red. Red was the first GRA/ WPRA barrel horse to ever
Bruce was committed to helping others learn the craft of barrel racing, becoming one of
the first professionals to conduct clinics and horsemanship schools. She taught them in 20 states, including Hawaii, and was quick to offer any competitor advice, whether it was requested or not. “She helped grow the sport with her knowledge with anyone wanting to learn, and all you had to do was ask and maybe not even ask,” said West, who wore a buckle commemorating her grandmother’s 1964
out of 10, she was right, and it helped.” Bruce, who ran barrels into her 80s, helped set up the WPRA headquarters in Colorado Springs and helped celebrate the Hall of Fame inductions of Charmayne James’ famed horse, Scamper, and the first WPRA members who were inducted in 2017. She was a charter member of the Fountain Riding and Roping Club and a member of the El Paso County Parks Advisory Board, and the south entrance to the city of Fountain still is adorned with a sign that reads “Home to Ardith Bruce.” West remarked that Bruce kept her WPRA Gold Card current every year and would routinely critique barrel racers’ runs after watching them on The Cowboy Channel. And she remained a big fan of her beloved movie cowboys. “Sixty-plus years later, I am still enamored with Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Rex Allen, Hopalong Cassidy and all the rest of the movie and TV cowboys and their horses,” Bruce wrote in her speech. “They have and are still providing excitement and entertainment and are emphasizing clean living as good guys to children who, like myself, dreamed but never expected to be a part of that world.” But Bruce, the first female licensed outrider in the state of Colorado, became a huge part of that world. West summed up her grandmother’s legacy succinctly and powerfully during her speech. “I know how honored she was to be included in these hallowed halls with her friends and her fellow competitors. I know because I heard the stories,” West said. “She was a legend, a trend-setter and a matriarch of barrel racing, and we are all better for the path that she helped pave for women in rodeo.”
Ardith Bruce’s granddaughter, Amber Bruce West (middle), accepted the induction into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame on behalf of Ardith Bruce on July 16, 2022. Ardith passed away on June 27, 2022, just weeks before her induction. Photo by Amanda Dilworth
AUGUST 2022 WPRA NEWS 25
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