Charles Sampson
First Black Bull Riding Champion
Welcome to our Legends Page!
Charles rode his first bull at age 12; won his first rodeo at age 17. He
received a rodeo scholarship to Central Arizona College where he joined
the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit. In 1982 he became the
first black "World Champion Bull Rider". Later he performed in
the Presidential Command Performance Rodeo. He was hired by Timex to promote
the durability of their watches and signed endorsement contracts Wrangler
Jeans. Charles appeared ten times in the National Finals Rodeo and has
earned earned more than $900,000 in prize money as a bull rider during
his 17-year career.
His name is Charlie Sampson, and he looks like he just rode in from the
Ponderosa. He is only 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs a mere 133 pounds,
but when it comes to bull riding, rodeo's most dangerous event, he's one
of the biggest men in the PRCA.
