HALL OF FAME: A RECORD OF NSPRA HISTORY AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Leta Rasco

Lakeside, California
Membership Card #1495

Leta Rasco, along with her husband, Bud, was a grassroots
member of the NSPRA. Raised in an era when few women pursued
rodeo careers, Leta got her start in rodeo through participation in a
performing drill team and did not begin barrel racing until she was
49. Leta entered her first senior pro rodeo in 1982 at Las Vegas, NV,
and in 1996, at the age of 71, competed at her last rodeo in Reno, NV,
at the SNFR.

During her 14 year long career with the NSPRA, Leta carved .her
name in the Association's history book, not merely as a competitor,
but as a progressive and a visionary. When Leta joined the
Association there was only one age category in the barrel race, and
ribbon roping was not a sanctioned event. Leta worked diligently to
get a 50+ age category in the barrel race and to get ribbon roping
sanctioned. As the Association grew, Leta again recognized the
need for 60+ age categories long before it became apparent to most of
the Board and was a leader in achieving 60+ age groups for the
women's events.

Another significant contribution which Leta made to the
Association is the mandatory use of electric eyes in the barrel race.
Leta served as a barrel racing spokeslady for most of her career
with NSPRA. She and Bud purchased an electric eye and carried it
to the rodeos for many years before the Association purchased its
own.
NSPRA TItles: Reserve World Champion 50+ Barrel Racer - 1985,
1987, 1989, 1990. World Champion 60+ Barrel Racer - 1991, 1992,
1993. Reserve World Champion 60+ Barrel Racer - 1994 and World
Champion All Around Cowgirl - 1992.


Inducted: 1999

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