Five-time PRCA World Champion steer wrestler Luke Branquinho, formerly of Los Alamos, has been named to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
He is one of 11 making up the class of 2023 for the ProRodeo Hall of Fame’s 44th annual induction ceremony, planned for this summer.
Branquinho, who retired from the sport and now lives in Texas with his family, won world championships in 2004, 2008, 2011-12 and 2014.
He is second all-time in ProRodeo steer wrestling world championships, behind only Homer Pettigrew, who had six.
“I don’t even know if words can describe it,” Branquinho said in a written statement. “A guy starts his rodeo career just wanting to be the best that he can and win a world championship, and to win five is pretty special.
“Then to be able to consider myself as one of the greatest with what you guys are saying being inducted to the hall, I don’t have words to describe it. Some of my heroes are in there obviously, John W. Jones Jr. and John W. Jones Sr., and a lot of the California cowboys that helped put ProRodeo on the map and to be able to be in that hall with them is very special.”
Champion steer wrestler John W. Jones Jr., who was born in Santa Maria and later was a farmer and rancher in Morro Bay , was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1996 next to his father, who was an inaugural member in 1979.
Appearing on the “According to Flint” podcast with barrelman Flint Rasmussen, Branquinho said it was emotional learning the Hall of Fame news, recognizing it meant that his competition days were over.
“It’s still kind of surreal, and I’ll be honest with you, it’s a bittersweetness because in my head I’m still a competitor. I’m still somebody that could go out and win,” he said. “Now, my body, it says otherwise.”
Branquinho, who was known for delivering a signature booty shake, qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 14 times – 2001-04, and 2006-15 – and won the average three times in 2008, 2011 and 2014.
He has the record for most NFR rounds won by a steer wrestler at 25 with a series of his top NFR rides —and victory booty shake — compiled in a “Top 35 Memorable NFR Moments” episode focused on Branquinho.
He often competed close to home at the annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo.
Branquinho remains close to the sport as an announcer and podcaster for “The Luke Branquinho Show” available on YouTube.
Alongside Branquinho in the class of 2023 will be two-time PRCA World Champion Saddle Bronc rider Cody Wright (2008 and 2010), World Champion Team Roper Doyle Gellerman (1981), pickup man Kenny Clabaugh, rodeo notables Butch Knowles and Tom Feller and standout bareback horse Night Jacket, rodeo committees from the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo and Cowtown Rodeo in Pilesgrove, N.J., and barrel racer Sherry (Combs) Johnson, the 1962 WPRA World Champion and WPRA notable Fay Ann Horton Leach.
The 2023 Ken Stemler Pioneer Award, recognizing those who have provided innovative ideas that helped the success of the PRCA or the Hall of Fame, is being awarded to Bryan McDonald, former bull rider and National Finals Rodeo judge.
The class of 2023 will be enshrined July 15 during ceremonies at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo.