About The Bill Pickett Rodeo
MISSION STATEMENT
The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo celebrates and honors Black Cowboys and Cowgirls and their contributions to building the west. We highlight the irrefutable global appeal of Black Cowboys and Cowgirls in the West and the stories behind a sub-culture that is still strong today. BPIR also serves as a cultural event and opportunity for families to enjoy and embrace the cowboy culture, while being educated and entertained with reenactments, history highlights, and western adventure.
VISION
The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo remains committed to its vision of educating people about Black Western Heritage and honoring the contributions of Black Cowboys and Cowgirls. BPIR will persist in delivering an affordable, family-friendly entertainment experience that is both educational and enjoyable, maintaining its track record of engaging audiences of all ages and backgrounds for the past 42 years.
IN CONCLUSION
The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) remains committed to celebrating heritage, building community, and creating meaningful connections across generations. By ensuring continued engagement with our core audience while inviting a broader public to share in the experience, BPIR stands as both a cultural movement and a thrilling entertainment tradition.
Through every performance, we are dedicated to educating Americans about the diverse history of the American West, while offering an exhilarating showcase that unites people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, and income levels. Our mission is to uplift communities, inspire future generations, and provide opportunities for corporate America to join us in preserving and promoting this legacy.
Valeria Howard-Cunningham
President and Producer
Celebrating our 42nd Year!
Get Ready BPIR Fans and Competitors, 2026 Is Going to Be Bigger, Better and Bolder than Ever!
As Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo celebrates its 42nd anniversary, the excitement is building for what promises to be our most dynamic season yet! Team BPIR is gearing up for a year full of celebration, reflection, enhanced contestant rewards, and world-class action and entertainment. After all, this is THE GREATEST SHOW ON DIRT!
One of BPIR’s proudest accomplishments in 2025 was the release of the highly anticipated book, Under the Western Skies: Lu Vason – Dreamer to Visionary to Pioneer. This powerful work reveals the inspiring journey of BPIR’s founder, Lu Vason, and the creation of what the world now knows as “The Greatest Show on Dirt.”
Authored by Anton L. Cunningham, the book celebrates the man whose vision transformed the face of rodeo, opening doors and shining a spotlight on the legacy of Black cowboys and cowgirls across America. Under the Western Skies stands as both a tribute and a testament to a dream that became a movement—and continues to ride strong today.
Another major accomplishment, honoring Lu Vason’s vision, passion, and lifelong commitment to Black excellence and entertainment, was BPIR’s continued partnership with Soul Country Music Star (SCMS). Together, we are maintaining a groundbreaking platform that celebrates Black Country Music Artists and showcases their talent during rodeo events across the United States.
With the rise of SCMS, this partnership represents the powerful fusion of heritage and modern expression—where the rhythm of country music meets the spirit of the rodeo. Together, BPIR and SCMS are amplifying a national stage for Black excellence, uniting Western history, culture, and artistry in a way that inspires audiences and uplifts future generations.
What’s New for 2026?
- Texas Connection Series Expands: Four thrilling rodeos will be held at the legendary Fort Worth Stockyard Coliseum, with an additional October event to crown the 2026 Texas Connection Buckle Champions!
- Legacy Tour Grows: The BPIR Legacy Series now rides through Atlanta (two shows!), Memphis, Oakland, and Los Angeles, bringing the spirit of the West coast-to-coast.
- Soul Country Rodeo Weekend: Experience a full weekend of culture and country! Get exclusive combo passes for both the Soul Country Music Star regional competitions and BPIR Rodeo events in participating cities.
All roads lead to the BPIR National Championship Finals in Washington, DC/Upper Marlboro, where the nation’s top Black cowboys and cowgirls battle for glory, pride, and a place in rodeo history.
Under my leadership as CEO and President, BPIR continues to uphold and elevate the powerful legacy of its late founder, Lu Vason. As the only Black woman owner and promoter of an African American family touring rodeo association and circuit in the United States, Valeria remains steadfast in her mission to preserve the past while blazing trails for the future and creating a footprint for the younger generations.
“The rodeo holds a rich history, legacy, and significance within our community,” says Valeria Howard-Cunningham. “I am as enthusiastic about our future today as I have ever been. Over the past 41 years, BPIR has faced challenges, celebrated triumphs, and grown in extraordinary ways. We have the insight and fortitude to do things never done before, like our partnership with Soul Country Music Star, and most recently with SP5DER to produce the BPIR Sweet Tooth Rodeo in Houston, Texas., where we brought fashion and rodeo together.
We are always inspired to explore new opportunities, partnerships, and even international possibilities—because at BPIR, nothing is impossible.
Entering our 42nd year, we honor the legacy of Black cowboys and cowgirls by celebrating their excellence today and building new platforms for tomorrow.”
The countdown to 2026 has begun. Get your boots ready, your hearts steady, and your tickets early, because the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is riding into a legendary new year!
Join the Celebration!
As the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) enters its 42nd year, we invite you to celebrate with us and experience the thrill, the heritage, and the heart that make this truly The Greatest Show on Dirt!
Follow the Tour. Feel the Culture. Experience the Legacy.
Stay connected with BPIR all season long—follow us for the latest updates, tour news, behind-the-scenes moments, and unforgettable highlights from The Greatest Show on Dirt!
Facebook: facebook.com/billpickettrodeo
Instagram: @billpickettrodeo
YouTube: Bill Pickett Rodeo TV
X (Twitter): @bpirrodeo
TikTok: @billpickettrodeo
Use #BillPickettRodeo and #GreatestShowOnDirt to join the conversation and share you rodeo experience!
Lu Vason, Founder & Visionary
The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo was the brainchild of a visionary promoter who distinguished himself as an innovative leader in special events marketing. Lu Vason, a native of Berkeley, California, relocated to Denver in 1977, bringing with him over 50 years of experience as a producer, media impresario, and marketing consultant. Widely recognized as a trendsetter and creative force, Vason's influence extended beyond rodeo circles—he was credited with launching the careers of musical acts like the Pointer Sisters and managing various other artists. Additionally, he established Aries Concerts and the Jazz Lives Series, further solidifying his reputation as an industry maverick.
Vason's interest in rodeo was piqued during the 1977 Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming, where he observed a notable absence of Black cowboys participating in the event. This observation sparked his curiosity about the awareness of the significant historical contributions made by Black cowboys in the United States. Convinced that it was time to shed light on the cultural legacy of the Black cowboy, Vason embarked on a mission. In 1984, he launched an all-Black rodeo named in honor of the legendary Black cowboy, Bill Pickett, renowned for originating the "bulldogging" technique. Now, some 42 years later, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo stands as a beloved series, captivating audiences across the United States and reaching millions with its celebration of Black cowboy culture.
INSPIRATION
Lu Vason, the visionary behind the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, undertook the challenge of dispelling the misconception of a lack of Black presence in the development of the American West, while simultaneously transforming his traveling rodeo into a resounding success. The Black rodeo served as a potent tool in his dual mission of educating people about the Black West and establishing a lucrative enterprise.
The inaugural Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, launched in 1984 in Denver, Colorado, was born from Vason's experience at the renowned Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming. Reflecting on his visit, Vason remarked, "My experience was exhilarating but lacked one crucial element: Black cowboys." His journey led him to the Black American West Museum of History in Denver, where he encountered the remarkable story of Bill Pickett and the Black West.
"Many knew the name Will Rogers," Vason noted, "but few were familiar with Bill Pickett, and even fewer knew he was Black." Born in 1870 in Texas, Pickett pioneered "bulldogging," a daring maneuver where he leapt from his horse onto a steer's shoulders, ultimately bringing it down by anchoring his feet into the ground. This move, now known as steer wrestling, remains one of the most captivating spectacles in rodeo history.
For Vason, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo was not just a business venture; it was his passion. "Concerts offer financial rewards," he explained, "but the rodeo is educational; I aim to promote the culture of the Black West." Raised in New Orleans and Berkeley, Vason emphasized the importance of connecting with the history of Black Americans who played a vital role in shaping the nation.
Throughout his illustrious career as a producer, Vason provided access to a piece of history that had long been overlooked. Today, children and adults alike can journey to witness firsthand the dust of the bull pen, the fearless prowess of Black cowboys, and the bold demonstrations of bulldogging—a legacy that remains as authentic now as it was over a century ago. As the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo celebrates its 42nd year, the enduring legacy of Lu Vason continues to inspire and educate.
Lu Vason: April 6, 1939 - May 17, 2015
Under The Westerns Skies
Discover the Story Behind the Legacy - Newly Released Book
Under the Western Skies: Lu Vason – Dreamer to Visionary to Pioneer shares the inspiring journey of BPIR’s founder and creator of The Greatest Show on Dirt. Written by Anton L. Cunningham, the book celebrates the man whose dream changed rodeo history.