Larry Mahan - Rodeo

No one in Rodeo won ever won six would all around championships before Larry Mahan did it. Nor had anyone won five consecutive world all-around titles.

The fact is Salem’s Mahan pulled off firsts all the way through a career that included more than 1,200 rodeos , rides on more than 6000 bucking horses and bulls, and earnings of a ½ million dollars over 10 years on the professional circuit.

He won the first championship in bull riding his 12th year as a pro. The next year 1966, he took the all-around world title, the first of his unprecedented 5 straight crowns, tying the legendary Jim Shoulders.

Slowed by injuries in 1971 and 1972 he came back in 1973 to capture the record breaking sixth world all-around cowboy title.

While still active in the Rodeo Mahan started appearing on the movie screen. “The Great American Cowboy,” in which he starred won the Academy Award as the Best Documentary Feature in 1973.

Mahan’s business interests include cowboy boot manufacturing, western ware hats and jewelry. He has authored a book on rodeo and has appeared professionally as a country western singer.