Lore
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The world’s first championship jackrabbit roping began as a “hare-brained” publicity stunt during the 1932 annual Odessa Rodeo and was held at the 3rd and Grant Street site despite objections from out-of-town do-gooders. The local sheriff opposed the event, but the mayor and judge ruled that it violated no Texas law. Cowgirl Grace Hendricks won over numerous male competitors by roping a rabbit from horseback in five seconds flat. The notorious contest was revived in 1977, causing coast-to-coast outcry. A Midland animal lover delayed the action by liberating captive jackrabbits, but the event proceeded on schedule when the former prisoners returned at feeding time. Seven ropers competed on foot, and Jack Torian placed first with a six-second scamper. In 1978, the Humane Society blocked all future ropings with a court order.
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Odessa, Texas · United States
