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memorabilia (along with that of other cowboys and cowgirls of all ages),
promote the sport of rodeo and preserve its heritage. It was Casey's
personal wish that if a rodeo center were to be built it would be used to
pay tribute to all the South Dakotans in the rodeo field, not just for his
benefit. In June of that year, the Casey Tibbs Foundation was
formed.
After Casey's death in 1990,
the Foundation Board made a commitment to pursue a rodeo center and promoted
youth activities in rodeo. In July of that year, the first Casey
Tibbs Foundation Tribute Dinner was held in honor of Casey Tibbs and his accomplishments
in the sport of rodeo as well as in movies and television. This
Tribute Dinner is held on a continuing annual basis as a fund-raiser and
to honor other people in the rodeo world and their accomplishments. This is done in the following five categories each year:
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Past Rodeo Great
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Present Rodeo Cowgirl
Great
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Present Rodeo Cowboy Great
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Rodeo Promoter
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Ranch Cowboy Family - this
category was added realizing that rodeo first got its start with
cowhands on local ranches challenging each other with their riding and
roping skills.
Each year the Casey Tibbs
Foundation presents five memorial belt buckles at the following events:
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High Point Saddle Bronc
Ride at the 4-H Finals Rodeo
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High Point Saddle Bronc
Ride at the High School Finals Rodeo
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Rookie Saddle Bronc Rider
of the Year in the South Dakota Rodeo Association
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High Point Saddle Bronc
Ride at the 4th of July Rodeo held in Casey's hometown of Fort Pierre,
South Dakota
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Winner of the Casey Tibbs
Match of Champions held each year on the first Saturday of June in
Fort Pierre, South Dakota
A life-size statue of Casey Tibbs riding the famous bronc
"Necktie" was unveiled in a community park and historical
turnout in Fort Pierre, South Dakota.
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Pictures
A $22, 500 donation was given
by Casey's brother, Ancel Tibbs to purchase five acres of land where the
outside shell of the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center now stands. Board member, Bernard
Duffy, has donated an adjoining three acres of land (valued at
$15,000). The Rodeo Center is located in a prime location on a bluff
overlooking the sister cities of Pierre and Fort Pierre, and the rivers
that run through them. The view from the top floor window of the
Rodeo Center is breathtaking - you can see for miles in all directions.
An anonymous donor awarded
$100,000 to the Foundation to kick off the building fundraising
campaign. Over the years enough money has been raised to complete
the outside shell of the rodeo center. Inside the skeletal framework
is in place for the individual rooms. We continue to work at raising
funds to complete the project.
We have received outstanding
support from the community in the form of pledges of labor to be
donated. A local electrician has committed to heading up a group of
electricians who will donate the cost of the labor to wire the Rodeo
Center and another contractor ahs donated the cost of his labor to do the
dry wall work needed in the Rodeo Center. Other groups and
individuals in the community have committed to donating their time for
staining, painting, and other finish work needed on the interior of the
Rodeo Center. Stanley County and the City of Fort Pierre have
pledged their support in doing preparation, hauling gravel for the parking
lot, and digging holes for the pylons necessary in the foundation of the
building.
In June of 1993, the first
annual "Casey Tibbs Match of Champions" bronc ride was held in
the Casey Tibbs Arena at the Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre,
South Dakota. The Match of Champions bronc ride matches some of the
top bronc riders in the nation (also including cowboys from Canada and
Australia) with some of the best bucking stock in the upper Midwest.
It has been a huge success every year and has become our largest annual
fundraiser. Learn more about the Match of Champions at our website -
www.matchofchampions.com.
Renowned western artist, T. R.
Chytka from Spearfish, South Dakota, has sculpted two life size bronzes
that he has donated to the Casey Tibbs Foundation. One of the
bronzes is of Casey Tibbs standing over a bronc in the bucking chute,
waiting for the time to climb aboard for an eight-second eternity.
The other bronze is of Mattie Goff-Newcombe, a World Champion Trick Rider
and lady bronc rider who will be showcased in the completed Rodeo
Center. The bronze of Mattie shows her on her trick riding horse
doing the famous Liberty Stand. These two large pieces of beautiful
artwork will be a focal point in the Rodeo Center.
We have received 501 © (3)
status from the Internal Revenue Service which makes all donations to the
Casey Tibbs Foundation tax deductible.
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