Sammy Andrews rode into the arena of the Old Fort Days Rodeo for the first time in 1990 as a pickup man for Harry Vold and holds many fond memories of the rodeo and its traditions. In 2016 Sammy and son James were honored to have been selected to begin producing the Old Fort Days Rodeo.

Third generation stock contractor Sammy Andrews was introduced to rodeo at a young age. The son of Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame Contractor, B. D. “Burr” Andrews, a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Stock Contractor in the 40’s and 50’s, Sammy competed in bareback riding and steer wrestling and eventually followed in his father’s footsteps. Sammy began producing amateur rodeos in 1980 and bought his PRCA Card in 1987. For over 40 years he worked as a pickup man.

Sammy’s son James has been a vital part of the company from day one. James manages the daily operations of the ranch and the breeding program and flanks the horses and bulls at the rodeos. He also produces rodeos for the United Professional Rodeo Association (UPRA). When not working at the ranch or at a rodeo James enjoys competing in team ropings. Grandkids, Kelon and Alee, are continuing on with the rodeo tradition competing in High School Rodeos, Youth Rodeos, Breakaway Ropings and Team Ropings.

Sammy’s wife, Jacel has timed for the Old Fort Days Rodeo since 2016. She began working for the rodeo company in 2000, when she obtained her PRCA Timers Card. She has been selected twice to time the Texas Circuit Finals and has served as the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Southern Region Secretary for over 20 years. She also takes care of the day-to-day office work and is in charge of the social media for the company.

Sammy and James take pride in producing and raising some of the rankest bucking bulls in rodeo history, such as: Bodacious; Bo’s Excuse; Bo Dippin; Skat Kat Skoal; Tumble Weed; Wild Weed and Little Weed; Erkel; Erks Me; Fender Bender and Red Onion, along with superior bucking horses such as: Roany Wiggles Skoal; Skoals Roly Poly; Copenhagen Omalene and Faded Star, just to name a few.

Sammy’s ability to produce quality stock is well documented with the success of his 1999 PRCA Hall of Fame Bucking Bull - J31 BODACIOUS - with 135 outs and only 8 qualified rides. Retired in 1995, Bo toured state fairs and rodeos throughout the U.S. and even appeared as a celebrity guest at Harrah’s and the Silverton Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. His career has been featured in Sports Illustrated and GQ magazines and profiled on Fox TV’s Guinness World Records Prime Time. In 2004 Outdoor Life visited the Andrews ranch and filmed a documentary titled “Fearless Bodacious.” The rodeo world lost one of the greatest animal athletes in May 1999, when Bo passed away after complications from medications for a bone infection. With the help of Bob Tallman Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show presented Sammy with a bucking chute to use as a memorial for Bo’s grave, which remains on the ranch today. The Bodacious legacy continues to live on through his offspring.

Sammy, as well as the Andrews Rodeo stock, has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout the year. He has been inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, and recognized by the Texas House of Representatives, and the Texas State Senate. In 2002 Andrews received the prestigious PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year award and has been recognized 7 times as one of the Top Five PRCA Stock Contractors of the Year. He has served on several boards including: the PRCA Board of Directors, the National Finals Rodeo Committee, Texas Circuit Board of Directors and the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Armed with the knowledge gained from a lifetime of ranching and rodeo experience, including founding and operating Andrews Rodeo Company, Sammy and James along Jacel, James’ wife, Pepper, and their three children, Summer, Kelon and Alee, continue to contribute to the growth of the rodeo industry and western heritage, raising superior bucking stock and producing exceptional rodeos around the country with their award-winning breeding program on their ranch located in Addielou, Texas.

Courtesy Old Fort Days Rodeo.