A Rodeo Pioneer’s Final Ride: Jim Sutton Jr. Leaves Generations of Competitors a Lasting Legacy

 Jim Sutton Jr., the Onida, South Dakota, rodeo pioneer and longtime leader of Sutton Rodeo, died September 3, 2026, at age 91 in Pierre. His passing closes a remarkable chapter in professional rodeo history, but the programs, livestock traditions, and opportunities he helped build remain woven into the sport. For decades, Sutton represented a rare combination of business vision, horsemanship, showmanship, and devotion to family. His name became closely associated with some of rodeo’s most respected stock and productions.

Sutton Rodeo grew from a family tradition that began in 1926, and Jim eventually became a partner in the company with his father in 1968. Under his leadership, the operation developed into a major force in professional rodeo. The company’s stock earned national recognition, including three PRCA Horse of the Year honors for Deep Water in 1979, Big Bud in 1985, and Chuckulator in 2012. Chuckulator also earned top saddle bronc horse honors at the 2012 National Finals Rodeo.

Jim’s influence extended well beyond producing outstanding bucking stock. He had a talent for turning ambitious concepts into attractions that expanded opportunities for competitors and gave audiences new reasons to engage with rodeo. Among his best-known innovations were the Wrangler Bullfights and the Bailey Bail-Off. His production work also helped shape the atmosphere of major rodeos, including memorable National Finals Rodeo openings that reflected his belief that competition and entertainment could work together.

The Wrangler Bullfights became one of Sutton’s most enduring contributions. The concept developed around the Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo in the late 1970s before expanding through professional rodeo. The touring program gave bullfighters a dedicated competitive platform and helped create pathways for athletes seeking greater exposure and experience. For two decades, the Wrangler Bullfight Tour crowned world champions, and its eventual connection to the National Finals Rodeo gave competitors an opportunity to perform on one of rodeo’s biggest stages.

Recognition for Sutton’s career came in several forms. He and his wife, Julie, received the PRCA Donita Barnes Contract Personnel Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, honoring their long commitment to the industry. Jim also served in leadership roles connected with Miss Rodeo America, the PRCA, and the American Quarter Horse Association. In 2020, he entered the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as a stock contractor, an honor that placed his name among the most influential figures in the sport.

Behind the professional achievements was a family-centered life. Jim and Julie built their work together, combining his production instincts with her business strengths and attention to detail. Their family operation continued across generations, preserving a tradition that reached from ranch life into major arenas across the country. Jim also valued friendships formed with rodeo committees, personnel, sponsors, competitors, and countless people who became part of his journey through the sport.

Jim Sutton Jr. leaves an enduring legacy measured not only by awards, famous horses, or major rodeo productions, but by the opportunities he helped create and the generations who encountered his work. His vision helped Sutton Rodeo remain a respected name in professional competition while preserving the family character at its heart. From Onida to the national rodeo stage, his career reflected persistence, creativity, and a deep commitment to the western way of life. His memory will endure wherever the Sutton name, great bucking stock, and professional rodeo continue to meet.