Casey Tibbs - Born to Ride

by Rusty Richards

Rodeo superstar Casey Tibbs lives again in Rusty Richards' authorized biography of the memorable, charismatic cowboy from South Dakota. Movingly written, Richards spent over twenty years meticulously researching, interviewing, and capturing vibrant memories and recollections of the six-time world champion saddle bronc rider. Born in a log home in the wilds of South Dakota, the youngest of ten children, Tibbs grew to be the most well-known, popular rodeo star of all time. Richards' biography is all-inclusive and also covers the Roberts family, including rodeo greats Ken, Gerald, and E.C. Roberts, along with Jim Shoulders, Deb Copenhaver, Carl Olson, Ben Johnson, Gene Pruett, Bill Linderman and so many more. In addition, Richards recounts Casey's phenomenal success in Hollywood and his friendship with Audie Murphy, his Las Vegas associations, and his world tours promoting rodeo and the Wild West. Richards does not gloss over Casey's battles with alcohol and gambling addictions, either. This is a biography that inspires, amuses, saddens, and gives real meaning to determination and grit. Casey Tibbs deserves to have his story told, and Rusty Richards has done an excellent job of doing so.

298 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2010

Reviews

[Carson Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the way Richards put together this book about Casey Tibbs, a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Champion Rodeo Cowboy. Not only did I like the biography that Richards put together of Tibbs, but I also liked the way he described Tibbs' experience of rodeo, travel, film, and even money. I especially liked the way Richards described Tibbs' idea of creating the National Finals Rodeo (a.k.a. the "Super Bowl of Pro Rodeo") and how Tibbs felt that that was the best way to determine who was going to be a PRCA World Champion (in any event) after competing in 10 Rounds of competition (which is the format that is still used today). Overall, I think that Richards did an outstanding job with this book and that this is why I rate this book a 5-star rating.

[Dallon Stockton]

This book was a really good authorized biography about Casey Tibbs that has tons of stories talking about his rodeo life and how he was raised and grew up. It later talks about his addiction to gambling and his last days of his life.