Sonny Davis

Steer Roping • Inducted 1979

With his unconventional technique, Sonny Davis was credited with putting some “zip” into the single steer roping, which until that time was something of a perfectionist event. Davis, born Jan. 2, 1935, in Kenna, N.M., handled himself with catlike quickness and superb coordination, despite his 6-foot-3 inch, 220-pound frame. He won three world championships in five years. His 1968 championship might have been his toughest. He had to battle back from a 10-month layoff after suffering severe knee and ankle injuries when his horse fell with him. Davis passed away April 4, 1991.

World Championships: 3

Steer Roping: 1964, 1966, 1968

National Finals Rodeo Average Champion

Steer Roping: 1968

Born: January 2, 1935 in Kenna, New Mexico
Died: April 4, 1991 in Kenna, New Mexico

Cheyenne Frontier Days / Cheyenne, WY
All-Around: 1974
Steer Roping: 1968, 1977

Deadwood Days of ’76 Rodeo / Deadwood, SD
Tie-Down Roping: 1959, 1960

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo / Fort Worth, TX
Tie-Down Roping: 1959

Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo / Guymon, OK
Steer Roping: 1974
Tie-Down Roping: 1965, 1972

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo / Tucson, AZ
Tie-Down Roping: 1963, 1966, 1973, 1977

National Western Stock Show & Rodeo / Denver, CO
Tie-Down Roping: 1961, 1963

Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo / Ogden, UT
Tie-Down Roping: 1955

Pendleton Round-Up / Pendleton, OR
All-Around: 1964
Tie-Down Roping: 1962, 1964

Reno Rodeo / Reno, NV
Tie-Down Roping: 1956

Snake River Stampede / Nampa, ID
Tie-Down Roping: 1956, 1957

West of the Pecos Rodeo / Pecos, TX
Steer Roping: 1966, 1978