Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame, Inc

08/20/2026

Congratulations to all of the 2026 Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees!!
Our 2026 Hall of Fame banquet is SOLD OUT!! At this time there are still tickets available for the Friday Night Gala.
Kick off the weekend in style on Friday, October 2nd, with our exclusive Hall of Fame Gala. Enjoy complimentary Coors and a lavish array of hors d’oeuvres. This is your chance to mingle with this year’s inductees and rodeo legends in an unforgettable celebration of rodeo greatness.
Inductees, past and present, receive a complimentary ticket. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be part of something truly special. For tickets and info, contact 208-283-6525. We look forward to seeing you there!

08/19/2026

08/18/2026

Honoring 2026 Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee, Dustin Young
Rodeo was in Dustin Young’s blood from the beginning. Born in California and raised in Idaho, Dustin grew up in a rodeo family. His father, Avon, competed in bull riding and steer wrestling, and his mother, Carol, was a barrel racer. Dustin started his rodeo journey at just three years old in mutton bustin’ and quickly developed into one of Idaho’s outstanding bull riders.
By age nine, Dustin was competing in the Idaho Junior Rodeo Association, and by his teenage years he was making a name for himself across the region. He was the 1983 Eastern Idaho Rodeo Association Bull Riding Rookie, the 1987 EIRA Bull Riding Champion, a two-time National High School Rodeo Bull Riding finalist, and the 1987 Idaho State High School Rodeo bull riding, ba****ck, and all-around champion.
Dustin continued his success at Central Wyoming College on a rodeo scholarship, winning two Central Rocky Mountain Region NIRA bull riding titles. He earned his PRCA permit in 1988 and went on to become the 1990 PRCA Wilderness Circuit Bull Riding Champion, win the circuit finals average twice, qualify six times for the Wilderness Circuit Finals, three times for the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, and compete at the first PBR World Finals in 1994.
After his riding career, Dustin continued to give back to rodeo. He judged PBR events, raised championship bucking bulls with his brother Jimmy, and helped produce bull riding and bucking bull events with his wife, Georgia. His passion for the sport helped develop the next generation of competitors and stock contractors.
Dustin Young’s legacy is one of dedication, talent, and a lifelong love for rodeo. The Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame is proud to honor his remarkable career and the lasting impact he made on Idaho rodeo.

08/18/2026

🤠 Honoring Jimmy Young — Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee
Rodeo runs deep in the Young family, and Jimmy Young was raised right in the middle of it. With parents Avon and Carol Young both competing in rodeo, Jimmy and his siblings followed their lead. At just 11 years old, Jimmy was riding calves, steers and ponies at junior rodeos around Idaho.
He quickly made his mark in bull riding, earning EIRA Rookie of the Year, Year-End Champion and Finals Champion Bull Rider while still in high school. A rodeo scholarship to Central Wyoming College took Jimmy to the college ranks, where he qualified for the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Finals twice. He later attended Idaho State University, qualified for the college finals again, and finished second in the nation while earning his degree in Civil Engineering.
Jimmy went on to ride professionally in the PRCA and Bull Riders Only, qualifying for the Mountain States Circuit Finals and an impressive seven Wilderness Circuit Finals. He also qualified multiple times for the BRO World Finals before retiring from bull riding at age 30.
But Jimmy didn’t leave rodeo behind. He turned his attention to raising bucking bulls, eventually building a herd of about 80 head with partners Dustin Young, Kyle Duren and Shawn Wiese. Their bulls have competed at regional and national events, with their stock reaching both the PBR Finals and PRCA Finals in Las Vegas.
Today, Jimmy continues raising and competing bucking bulls while helping others get their start in the sport he has spent a lifetime around.
From riding bulls as a young Idaho cowboy to raising the next generation of bucking stock, Jimmy Young has truly given a lifetime to rodeo. 🤠🏆

08/15/2026

Honoring 2026 Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee Russ Stoddard
Raised on his family's ranch in Monteview, Idaho, Russ Stoddard developed the grit, determination, and work ethic that carried him to an outstanding career in ba****ck riding.
Russ was the 1986 Idaho State High School Reserve Champion Ba****ck Rider and went on to compete at the National High School Rodeo Finals. He also represented Idaho at the Little Britches National Finals before launching a successful professional career.
In 1987, Russ earned IMPRA Rookie of the Year honors and went on to capture three IMPRA year-end Ba****ck Riding Championships (1992, 1993, and 1994). He also claimed four ICA Finals Championships and the 1994 ICA year-end title, becoming one of the few cowboys to win year-end ba****ck championships in both associations during the same season. After earning his PRCA card, Russ competed across the United States and Canada and qualified for the PRCA Wilderness Circuit Finals multiple times.
Beyond his success in the arena, Russ has given back to the sport by serving on the IMPRA Board of Directors as Ba****ck Riding Director and by mentoring countless young cowboys. His dedication to preserving the western way of life and encouraging the next generation makes him a deserving member of the 2026 Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame.
Congratulations, Russ Stoddard! Your achievements, leadership, and commitment to Idaho rodeo have earned you a lasting place among the legends of our sport.

08/13/2026

Honoring Matt Stephenson — 2026 Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee
Matt Stephenson grew up in the small farming and ranching community of Wapello, Idaho, where rodeo was simply part of life. His dad raised registered horses and competed in steer wrestling, and every spring the family was headed to rodeos. Matt started his high school rodeo career in 1982, climbing aboard his first bull at the age of 15—and a 15-year career in bull riding was underway.
Matt went on to become the 1989 EIRA Bull Riding Champion, was a six-time EIRA/IMPRA bull riding runner-up, and qualified for the EIRA/IMPRA Finals 10 times. He was also a 1987 Coors World Finals qualifier and a four-time Idaho State High School Rodeo qualifier.
After retiring from competition in 1996, Matt picked up a pencil and continued doing what he loved. He spent 30 years judging rodeo, becoming a respected and trusted official across numerous associations, including IMPRA, EIRA, PRCA, PBR and others. From 2000–2006, he was named IMPRA Judge of the Year. He also served on the EIRA and IMPRA Boards of Directors and taught bull riding and judging schools.
Matt says rodeo gave him lifelong friendships, incredible experiences and the opportunity to work alongside some of the best people in the business. He remains passionate about bull riding, rodeo traditions and passing those values on to the next generation.
From climbing aboard his first bull to spending decades in the judge’s box, Matt Stephenson has given a lifetime to the sport he loves. We are proud to welcome him into the Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame.
Long live rodeo! 🤠🏆

08/10/2026

Honoring 2026 Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee Cal Stoddard
Cal Stoddard began his rodeo career in 1967 after returning home from the Army, competing in all three rough stock events. In 1972, he earned the EIRA All-Around Cowboy title and went on to win multiple event championships.
After moving to Salmon in 1976, Cal and his family operated Cold Meadows Outfitter while he continued giving back to rodeo. He helped establish the Little Britches Rodeo program in Salmon, served as Idaho High School Rodeo District 1 President from 1985 to 1997, and dedicated countless hours as a pickup man, judge, and mentor to young contestants.
One of Cal's favorite memories was rodeoing with his daughter. He would pick up broncs on her barrel horse while she roped calves and tied goats on his pickup horse—then they would simply switch saddles. When people questioned the arrangement, Cal would grin and say, "I might just be the crazy one to let her run barrels on my pickup horse."
Known for his positive outlook and his reminder that "It's just rodeo, and there's always another one," Cal's leadership, mentorship, and dedication to the cowboy way of life have left a lasting legacy in Idaho rodeo. Congratulations, Cal, on your induction into the 2026 Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame.

08/07/2026

Honoring 2026 Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee, Rodney Speelmon
Rodney Speelmon’s rodeo journey began at a young age, inspired by his uncle Gary Laird, a bull rider who became his hero and sparked Rodney’s dream of following in his footsteps. Rodney started riding calves as a young cowboy and quickly developed a passion for the sport that would lead to an outstanding rodeo career.
Rodney made his mark as one of Idaho’s top bull riders, earning numerous championships and honors throughout his career. His accomplishments include being the 1982 Coors Bull Riding Champion, 1984 Wilderness Circuit Rookie of the Year, 1985 Wilderness Circuit Bull Riding Champion, and 1985 Wilderness Circuit Finals Average Champion. He was also a 1991 EIRA Champion Bull Rider runner-up.
His success started early, qualifying for the 1979 National High School Finals Bull Riding, earning the title of 1981 Idaho High School Bull Riding Champion, and capturing the 1981 Idaho High School Saddle Bronc Reserve Championship. He also competed at the National High School Finals in 1981, representing Idaho among the nation’s top young rodeo athletes.
Beyond his accomplishments in the arena, Rodney has given back to the sport by teaching and helping the next generation of rodeo competitors. His dedication, talent, and willingness to share his knowledge have made a lasting impact on Idaho rodeo.
Congratulations to Rodney Speelmon, a 2026 Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee!

08/04/2026

Honoring 2026 Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee Monte Russell
Monte Russell's love for rodeo started long before he entered his first competition. Growing up in Nampa, he and the Prater boys turned two Shetland ponies into rodeo stock, bucking them in ba****ck and saddle bronc riding—and even using them for calf roping. It was an unforgettable beginning to a lifetime in the arena.
Monte's rodeo career officially began in 1967 at the Caldwell Little Britches Rodeo in steer riding. Over the next 23 years, he competed in 30 to 40 rodeos each year riding ba****ck horses throughout the Northwest. Beyond competing, Monte gave back to the sport by serving on numerous rodeo associations, helping organize the ICA Finals from 1977 to 1985, and judging rodeos from Little Britches to the professional level.
While he earned many victories, Monte says there are only a handful that truly stand out. His favorite rodeos were Jordan Valley, Oregon, and Council, Idaho, but what he cherished most were the people and experiences rodeo brought into his life.
Monte summed up his rodeo career best:
"If I could do it all over, I'd do it just the same—except I'd enter more rodeos and ride for the fame!"
Congratulations, Monte Russell, on your well-deserved induction into the 2026 Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame!