Pendleton Round-Up Wins Inaugural National Rodeo Legacy Award

By Griffin Beach on Friday, August 21st, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories

PENDLETON – The Pendleton Round-Up has added to its trophy case as an inaugural winner of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum’s Rodeo Legacy Award.

The prize was established this year to recognize rodeos for their historical significance, their lasting impact on the sport and commitment to preserving Western heritage.

Both the Round-Up and California Rodeo Salinas were selected by the National Rodeo Hall of Fame Advisory Board for their contributions to rodeo history, their communities and the continued growth of the sport for future generations.

They will be honored at the National Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend in Oklahoma City on Nov. 13-14.

“For more than a century, generations of volunteers, contestants, fans, and this community have carried the traditions of the Pendleton Round-Up forward,” the Round-Up said in a statement. “This recognition belongs to every person who has played a part in preserving what makes this rodeo so special while ensuring its legacy continues for generations to come.”