Lonnie Hale
Class of 2020 (posthumously)
1935-1972
Lonnie was born in Melville, Utah and moved with his family to Manns Creek, Idaho as a small child. After getting his first pony, and his cowboy hat, he was hooked on the western life style.
Rodeo was his passion. He started riding Bareback horses, Broncs and Bulls. He traveled in Idaho winning many rodeos. Later he joined the PRCA and extended his travel and competition. He was an auctioneering graduate from Billings, Montana, and was a sculptor and artist as well.
He and his brother, Lou Hale, traveled together and worked together for McGregor Triangle construction company during the week. Then on the weekends they would hit the rodeo trail.
Lonnie was also a master bull rope braider and sold bull ropes to many a champion. He could do any size plait the bull rider needed.
Some of his rodeo wins included Weiser, Id. Cambridge, Id. Lakeview, Ore. Red Bluff, Ca. Edmonton, Alberta. And many more. He was a mentor to many young cowboys and admired for his numerous talents.
Lonnie Hale
Class of 2020 (posthumously)
1935-1972
Lonnie was born in Melville, Utah and moved with his family to Manns Creek, Idaho as a small child. After getting his first pony, and his cowboy hat, he was hooked on the western life style.
Rodeo was his passion. He started riding Bareback horses, Broncs and Bulls. He traveled in Idaho winning many rodeos. Later he joined the PRCA and extended his travel and competition. He was an auctioneering graduate from Billings, Montana, and was a sculptor and artist as well.
He and his brother, Lou Hale, traveled together and worked together for McGregor Triangle construction company during the week. Then on the weekends they would hit the rodeo trail.
Lonnie was also a master bull rope braider and sold bull ropes to many a champion. He could do any size plait the bull rider needed.
Some of his rodeo wins included Weiser, Id. Cambridge, Id. Lakeview, Ore. Red Bluff, Ca. Edmonton, Alberta. And many more. He was a mentor to many young cowboys and admired for his numerous talents.
Lonnie Hale
Class of 2020 (posthumously)
1935-1972
Lonnie was born in Melville, Utah and moved with his family to Manns Creek, Idaho as a small child. After getting his first pony, and his cowboy hat, he was hooked on the western life style.
Rodeo was his passion. He started riding Bareback horses, Broncs and Bulls. He traveled in Idaho winning many rodeos. Later he joined the PRCA and extended his travel and competition. He was an auctioneering graduate from Billings, Montana, and was a sculptor and artist as well.
He and his brother, Lou Hale, traveled together and worked together for McGregor Triangle construction company during the week. Then on the weekends they would hit the rodeo trail.
Lonnie was also a master bull rope braider and sold bull ropes to many a champion. He could do any size plait the bull rider needed.
Some of his rodeo wins included Weiser, Id. Cambridge, Id. Lakeview, Ore. Red Bluff, Ca. Edmonton, Alberta. And many more. He was a mentor to many young cowboys and admired for his numerous talents.
Lonnie Hale
Class of 2020 (posthumously)
1935-1972
Lonnie was born in Melville, Utah and moved with his family to Manns Creek, Idaho as a small child. After getting his first pony, and his cowboy hat, he was hooked on the western life style.
Rodeo was his passion. He started riding Bareback horses, Broncs and Bulls. He traveled in Idaho winning many rodeos. Later he joined the PRCA and extended his travel and competition. He was an auctioneering graduate from Billings, Montana, and was a sculptor and artist as well.
He and his brother, Lou Hale, traveled together and worked together for McGregor Triangle construction company during the week. Then on the weekends they would hit the rodeo trail.
Lonnie was also a master bull rope braider and sold bull ropes to many a champion. He could do any size plait the bull rider needed.
Some of his rodeo wins included Weiser, Id. Cambridge, Id. Lakeview, Ore. Red Bluff, Ca. Edmonton, Alberta. And many more. He was a mentor to many young cowboys and admired for his numerous talents.
Lonnie Hale
Class of 2020 (posthumously)
1935-1972
Lonnie was born in Melville, Utah and moved with his family to Manns Creek, Idaho as a small child. After getting his first pony, and his cowboy hat, he was hooked on the western life style.
Rodeo was his passion. He started riding Bareback horses, Broncs and Bulls. He traveled in Idaho winning many rodeos. Later he joined the PRCA and extended his travel and competition. He was an auctioneering graduate from Billings, Montana, and was a sculptor and artist as well.
He and his brother, Lou Hale, traveled together and worked together for McGregor Triangle construction company during the week. Then on the weekends they would hit the rodeo trail.
Lonnie was also a master bull rope braider and sold bull ropes to many a champion. He could do any size plait the bull rider needed.
Some of his rodeo wins included Weiser, Id. Cambridge, Id. Lakeview, Ore. Red Bluff, Ca. Edmonton, Alberta. And many more. He was a mentor to many young cowboys and admired for his numerous talents.
War Bonnet Round Up
Class of 2021
The War Bonnet Round Up is Idaho’s Oldest Rodeo. Held the first weekend in August. Today, more than 450 cowboys and cowgirls compete each summer in front of more than 15,000 rodeo enthusiasts. The Round Up was originally started in 1911 by a group of local businessman and then was later taken over by the Chamber of Commerce. Eventually, the American Legion Department of Idaho Post 56 nonprofit veteran’s organization took over the reins. Over the years, the rodeo has been held at various locations including Tautphaus Park and is now held at Sandy Downs Arena, a city-owned facility. The Legion grew the widely popular event into the show it is today and for that we are forever grateful.
This year marks another year the City of Idaho Falls and the Parks and Recreation Department has run this historic rodeo. They are honored to welcome back the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall. From the beginning, the tribes provided the most colorful component of the rodeo, making the War Bonnet Round Up an important part of eastern Idaho’s culture and tradition. The War Bonnet Round up is very passionate about maintaining and building upon this legacy.