Jim Shoulders


James A. Shoulders was an American professional rodeo cowboy and rancher. He is commemorated at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. At the time of his death, he was one of the most successful contestants in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, having won 16 World Championships, which was the most of any performer at that time. He was known as the 'Babe Ruth of rodeo'. He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and died in Henryetta, Oklahoma.

Rodeo career

Shoulders won his first bull riding competition in Oilton, Oklahoma, at the age of fourteen. He competed until his retirement due to injury at the age of forty-two. His success at competitions included:
Shoulders was the first competitor to win all three events at the National Finals Rodeo.
Shoulders set the record of 16 world championships in 1959 when he won his 15th and 16th titles. The record stood for a long time until steer roper Guy Allen matched the record in 2001 after winning his 16th steer roping title. Two years later in 2003, he broke Shoulder's record after winning a 17th title. Allen won his 18th and final record to date in 2004. In 2013, Trevor Brazile won another all-around title and his total number of world titles moved to 19 world titles. This broke Allen's record of 18 world titles. As of 2019, Brazile has 25 world titles, seven more than Allen, who is in second place with 18 titles, and Shoulders is in third place with 16 titles. Brazile won his 25th title in 2019.

Business ventures

From his rodeo career earnings, Shoulders bought a ranch in Oklahoma where he raised livestock. He owned several bucking "weather" bulls, the most famous of which was Tornado, a rodeo bull who threw 200 riders over 14 years. According to Frank Boggs, an Oklahoman sports writer and columnist, Shoulders bought Tornado in South Texas when he was three years old. In 1967, Freckles Brown rode Tornado.
On the basis of his rodeo success, Shoulders took work in advertising. His manager was Billy Martin, a former New York Yankees manager. He made advertisements for products such as Miller Lite beer, jeans ; and Justin boots.

Honors

Shoulders is honored in many rodeo halls of fame. Shoulders was an early participant in the American Cowboy Culture Association, which holds the annual National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration each September in Lubbock, Texas.
In 1947, Shoulders married Sharon and they had four children. Shoulders' son, Marvin Paul Shoulders, has also competed professionally in rodeo sports. He was of English descent.