Walt Arnold

Champion Steer, Team & Tie-Down Roper
1938-Living

Walt Arnold was born on September 1, 1938, on a ranch out of Silverton, Texas.  Roping was always a natural part of life for Arnold.  He roped his first cow when he was 6.  Arnold's childhood was spent around horses and he could usually be found with a rope in his hand.  His experience from an early age helped him become a top-notch horseman, an ability that no doubt aided his career in the arena.

            He competed in his first Junior Rodeo in Post, Texas at the age of 14.  Along with his education at Silverton, he attended South Plains Junior College on a rodeo scholarship.

            Walt first entered the West of the Pecos Rodeo in 1967, the first year that they had Steer Roping.  He last entered in 1991, a span of 25 years.  He always thought that Pecos was a good place to rope, it was a very well-run organization with good people.

            Many, many honors have been won by or awarded to Arnold, including 1969 World Champion Steer Roper, Steer Roping Runner-Up three times, and was inducted into the Pendleton Hall of Fame in 2005, the PRCA Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2017.

            A model of longevity, Arnold won NFSR Average titles in 1965 and 1978.  He qualified for the NFR Steer Roping 19 times in 1965-67, and 1969-72. 1974-82 and 1984-86.  This record is only surpassed by Guy Allen (2006 TRHoF Inductee) and Arnold Felts (2005 TRHoF Inductee).  His roping prowess extended into other events, as he twice qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in team roping in 1966 and 1968 and won the 1972 Cheyenne Frontier Days All-Around title for his exploits in tie-down roping and steer roping.  Walt was the PRCA’s Steer Roping Director from 1974-77.

            Walt raised 2 daughters, 2 sons, 7 grandkids, and 8 great-grandkids.  He still calls Silverton, Texas home.