Description
As a cowboy in scrubland where roping cows was ineffectual, Bill Pickett saw how dogs grabbed the lip of a cow to bring it down. Pickett followed suit grabbing the horns and biting the cow’s lip while it was branded. He performed steer wrestling at county fairs which led to its incorporation into rodeos. Lip biting was banned but steer wrestling endured. Once, with Will Rogers acting as his hazer, the steer he was to bulldog jumped into the stands scattering the audience. Pickett rode into the stands grabbed the steer by the lip and Rogers roped its back leg and dragged them both back into the arena. Pickett died in 1932 after being kicked in the head while roping a stallion.
This Bill Pickett History Mug is part of our Rodeo series which includes many unique rodeo stars. Activities involved in the practice of herding cattle were the basis of what became modern-day rodeos. Nowadays cowboys and cowgirls compete in steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, team roping, tie-down roping, bull riding, and barrel racing.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
