What's in a name?

Some bronco names live on in history

When I researched The Last of the Wild West Cowgirls I discovered that show people in Wild West shows and circuses would often tell their fans how amazing it was that their horse had the same name as a show’s promoter or an exhibition’s president. Re-naming a horse to attract fans was common. The same horse could have dozens of names as the shows criss-crossed America and Europe. Performers even changed their hometowns or their own names in ways to relate to the local crowd.

The cowboy/cowgirl culture was known for its pithy expressions, and that creative way of speaking carried through to the naming of their horses. Those names were clever and descriptive of the particular horse’s signature moves.

And when a horse was famous enough, a name stuck. Candace Savage writes in Born To Be A Cowgirl that rodeo cowgirls “admired and respected the bucking horses that gave them such rough rides.” Their names live on in history. Cowgirl Fanny Sperry, for instance, had a soft spot for a roan called Silver Tail. “She was a fine bucking horse, and always put on a good show in the arena.” According to Savage, other broncs Sperry remembered included Memphis Blues, Morning Glory, Highpockets, Little Swede, Bonehead, Midnight, and Blue Dog.

Another legendary bronco was Steamboat. Early in Steamboat’s life a bronco buster became so enraged at the big black's furious bucking that he belted the horse brutally across the nose with the loaded butt of his quirt. Thereafter, due to some undiagnosed and untreated obstruction of his breathing apparatus caused by the injury, the maltreated horse whistled like a riverboat whenever he went into action.

Sunfish starred alongside the first Western cowboy to appear on film in "Bucking Broncho" (1894). In the film, Lee Martin, one of the cowboy stars in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, rode a bucking Sunfish as a crowd looked on.

‘Killer bronc Red Wing’ went down in history when cowgirl Fannie Sperry rode him at the Calgary Stampede in 1912, earning her the title, “Lady Bucking Horse Champion of the World.” She earned the title again in 1913.

Trick-riding and stunt horses also hold a special place in the history of rodeo cowgirls. Among the most famous cited by Savage were White Man, ridden and trained by Lucille Mulhall, Boy (Florence Hughes Randall), King Tut (Bonnie Gray), and Candy Lamb (Tad Lucas).

Bonnie Gray, on King Tut, jumps a car in Wyoming in the mid 1920s.

Five Notable Horses in Wild West Shows

According to namesflare.com, the Wild West shows that were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries often featured famous horses that became legendary figures themselves. Here’s a list of five from their website:

1. Buckskin Joe: Buckskin Joe was a well-known horse in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. He was admired for his agility and speed, and his ability to perform intricate tricks and maneuvers.

2. Pinto Ben: Pinto Ben was another famous horse in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. Known for his flashy coat and striking appearance, he was often used in trick riding and roping demonstrations.

3. Monte: Monte was a legendary bucking horse in Pawnee Bill’s Wild West show. He was famous for his fierce bucking and was often ridden by some of the best rodeo performers of the time.

4. Topsy: Topsy was a trick horse in the Miller Brothers’ 101 Ranch Wild West show. Known for her intelligence and ability to perform complex tricks, she was a favorite among the audiences.

5. Maude: Maude was a renowned trick riding horse in the Annie Oakley Show. She was admired for her speed, agility, and ability to perform daring stunts, including jumping through fire.

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Cowboy/Cowgirl Lingo of the Day:

Hopped for mama and wrinkled his spine--descriptions of bucking horses.

As in: Highpockets hopped for mama, and then he wrinkled his spine, working furiously to toss his rider.

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Kay Turnbaugh is author of The Last of the Wild West Cowgirls: A True Story. Follow her on Cowgirl Cocktail by subscribing.