Rich Skelton
World Champion Team Roper, Teacher & Coach
1966-Living
Rich Skelton has earned the reputation of being the most consistent and skillful competitor of all time. He is an 8 Time World Champion, setting a record for the most consecutive team roping titles in 1997-2004, qualifying for the NFR 22 times.
Other career highlights include the Ram National Circuit Finals title in 1987, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2009, the Pendleton Round-Up, Grand Nationals Stock Show, San Antonio Stock Show, Tour Finale titles, Sand Hill Stock Show, the Lewiston Roundup, Red Bluff, National Western Stock Show, and Rodeo, Greeley Independence Stampede, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Reno, Houston, and countless others.
Skelton was inducted into the PRCA Hall of Fame in 2018. Rich bought his PRCA permit in 1986. The first rodeo he attended was the West of the Pecos Rodeo where he won the first go round and filled his permit. The rest is history.
Rich was born in Ft. Worth, Texas in 1966, to Keith and Peggy Skelton. Skelton grew up in Electra, Texas, and attended Vernon College.
Rich and his wife Rhonda, live in Llano, Texas with their beautiful daughter Rainey. Rainey is a rodeo star in her own right, competing in team roping, breakaway calf roping, and barrel racing. Rich and Rhonda enjoy coaching and hauling her to every event.
Rich has a great gift as a teacher and coach. Rich holds schools and private lessons at his ranch in Llano, Texas, as well as other venues across the United States. Skelton is a kind, approachable man inside and outside the arena. He has always been a champion of encouraging the young and old in the sport of rodeo.