Cody Lambert
Cody Lambert (born December 2, 1961) is an American former professional rodeo cowboy known for his expertise in saddle bronc riding and bull riding, as well as his contributions to the sport's safety and organization.[1][2] Born in Artesia, New Mexico, Lambert began competing in rodeo events during his youth, participating in high school rodeo across multiple disciplines including bareback riding, saddle bronc, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and calf roping, and qualifying for the National High School Finals Rodeo five times.[2] He joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 1980 and quickly rose to prominence, qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) nine times between 1981 and 1993—three times in saddle bronc riding (1981, 1990, 1991) and seven times in bull riding (1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991–1993).[1][2] During his college years at Sul Ross State University, he won the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) men's all-around championship in 1982 and helped his team secure national titles in 1982 and 1983.[2] In 1992, motivated by the death of his friend and fellow cowboy Lane Frost, Lambert designed and introduced the protective vest that has since become mandatory for professional bull riders, revolutionizing safety in the sport.[3][1] That same year, he co-founded the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) organization alongside Tuff Hedeman and other riders to elevate bull riding as a standalone professional sport.[4][2] He qualified for the PBR World Finals in 1994, 1995, and 1996 before retiring from competition in 1996 following knee surgery.[1][4] From 1997 to 2022, Lambert served as the PBR's Director of Livestock, where he selected and managed the bulls for major events, drawing on his deep knowledge of the animals to ensure competitive integrity.[4][1] Since 2022, he has served as head coach of the Texas Rattlers in the PBR Team Series.[5] He also holds the position of Vice President on the PBR Board and occasionally judges events.[2] Lambert's achievements include multiple Southwest Region championships in saddle bronc riding (1980–1983), bull riding (1983), and all-around (1980, 1982–1983), as well as two Texas Circuit Finals wins each in bull riding and saddle bronc, and three in all-around.[2] His legacy is honored through inductions into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2020 and the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, along with early entry into the PBR Ring of Honor alongside legends like Jim Shoulders.[1][2] Now residing on a ranch near Bowie, Texas, with his wife Leanne and son Riley, Lambert continues to mentor young riders, including PBR World Champion Jess Lockwood.[4][1]Early life
Upbringing in New Mexico
Cody Lambert was born on December 2, 1961, in Artesia, New Mexico, a small rural town in the southeastern part of the state known for its ranching and oil industries.[6][2] He was the son of Cliff Lambert, a prominent racehorse jockey and trainer who achieved notable success, including winning the inaugural All American Futurity in 1959 aboard Galobar at Ruidoso Downs, and his wife Glenna Lambert.[6][7] The family's equestrian heritage extended to both grandfathers: Cody's paternal grandfather was a bronc rider and pickup man in Kansas rodeos, while his maternal grandfather worked as a horse trainer in Arizona.[6] Cody grew up alongside siblings, including brothers Casey and Chuck, and sister Cheyann, in a household deeply connected to the horse racing and ranching world.[7] The Lambert family resided on a ranch in El Paso, Texas, providing Cody with an upbringing steeped in the traditions of rural life, where daily routines revolved around livestock care, horse handling, and the vast open landscapes of the region.[7][6] Summers were often spent in Ruidoso, a mountainous area famous for its racetracks and cowboy culture, further embedding him in New Mexico's ranching heritage that emphasized self-reliance and outdoor labor.[7] This environment, though not affluent, fostered a strong sense of family and community ties typical of small-town New Mexico ranch families during the mid-20th century.[7] From a young age, Cody engaged in typical childhood pursuits on the family ranch, such as exploring the countryside and assisting with everyday farm tasks, which built his early familiarity with animals and the land.[6] These experiences in the close-knit rural community near the New Mexico-Texas border, surrounded by the influences of local agriculture and equestrian activities, shaped his foundational years before his interests turned toward organized rodeo.[6]Introduction to rodeo
Cody Lambert's introduction to rodeo began in his youth in the El Paso area, Texas, where he first encountered the sport around age 12 through local opportunities to ride junior bulls.[8] Growing up in a rural environment that fostered an early interest in horsemanship, Lambert seized every chance to participate in these initial events, building a foundation in roughstock riding before formal competitions.[2] At age 13 in the fall of 1974, Lambert attended renowned bull riding instructor Jerome Robinson's school in Fort Collins, Colorado, becoming the youngest participant despite the minimum age of 14; his mother secured special permission based on his prior experience riding junior bulls.[8] Under Robinson's guidance, Lambert honed his technique, applying systematic approaches to mimic professional bull riding while riding practice stock, which significantly influenced his early development in the event.[8] This mentorship from Robinson, a respected figure in bull riding education, marked a pivotal step in Lambert's training, emphasizing discipline and skill refinement during his formative teenage years.[8] Throughout his teenage years in high school, Lambert expanded his roughstock expertise to include bareback riding and saddle bronc riding, alongside continued bull riding, through consistent practice and family-supported involvement in the sport.[2] He joined the American Junior Rodeo Association (AJRA), competing in New Mexico junior rodeos that provided structured platforms for skill-building in these events.[1] He qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo five times, three times in saddle bronc riding, once in bull riding, and once in steer wrestling.[2] These experiences extended to local and regional amateur rodeos across the state, where Lambert participated regularly leading up to 1980.[2][1]Personal life
Marriage and family
Cody Lambert met Leanne, a barrel racer, on the rodeo circuit; they married in May 1982.[9] Leanne was inducted into the PBR Hall of Fame in 2011.[10] The couple welcomed their son, Riley, on October 22, 1986.[11] Riley later transferred from the University of Texas at El Paso to Abilene Christian University, where he competed in basketball.[12] Throughout Lambert's rodeo career, which involved frequent travel for competitions across the United States in the 1980s and 1990s, Leanne managed the family home and provided unwavering support, allowing Cody to focus on his professional pursuits.[13] The family remained closely tied to rodeo, with Riley participating in youth events from a young age, inspired by his father's achievements and the sport's prominence in their household.[14] This integration helped balance the challenges of Lambert's absences, fostering a shared passion for the rodeo lifestyle.[9] As of 2025, Lambert and Leanne remain married and reside on a ranch in Bowie, Texas, surrounded by horses and dogs.[4] Their son Riley, now 39, continues to engage with the rodeo community as the host of the PBR Bullsh*t podcast.[15]Residences and interests
Following the progression of his professional career and involvement with the Professional Bull Riders, Lambert relocated to Texas.[16] He currently resides on a ranch on the outskirts of Bowie, Texas, a property he purchased in late 2010 with financing from Capital Farm Credit.[4][17] Lambert's primary personal interests revolve around ranching and livestock management, including raising cattle and horses on his land.[4][1] He has also built a private arena on the ranch, which local cowboys frequently use for training and rehabilitation sessions.[1] In addition to these pursuits, Lambert embraces a rural lifestyle, often spending time customizing his home and enjoying the countryside as a self-described "country person."[4] Lambert engages in community and philanthropic activities, particularly in rodeo safety advocacy, by serving on the board of the Rider Relief Fund, which provides financial assistance to injured riders at all levels during recovery from potentially career-ending injuries.[4]Rodeo contestant career
Professional debut and early competitions
Cody Lambert joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 1980 at the age of 18, marking his entry into professional rodeo as a saddle bronc and bull rider.[2][16] In his debut professional year, Lambert quickly established himself in regional circuits, earning the Southwest Region All-Around Championship and the Southwest Region Saddle Bronc Riding Championship.[2] He continued this momentum through 1981–1983, securing consecutive Southwest Region Saddle Bronc Riding Championships each year and adding the Southwest Region Bull Riding Championship in 1983, along with additional All-Around titles in 1982 and 1983.[2] These regional successes highlighted his versatility across events and positioned him among top young contenders in smaller and circuit rodeos, where he qualified for events like the Texas ProRodeo Circuit Finals, winning the average championship in 1981.[18] Lambert's early rankings reflected his rapid rise, with consistent top placements in PRCA regional standings that allowed him to compete in a growing number of professional outings, often limited to under 30 rodeos per season initially.[16] During this period, he traveled extensively with fellow up-and-coming cowboys, including Bobby Brown in 1982, and formed key connections with figures like Lane Frost and Tuff Hedeman as his career progressed into the mid-1980s.[16][19]Saddle bronc and bull riding achievements
Cody Lambert specialized in saddle bronc riding and bull riding during his professional career with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), establishing himself as a formidable competitor in roughstock events throughout the 1980s and 1990s.[16] His versatility allowed him to occasionally enter bareback riding competitions, though his primary focus remained on the demanding disciplines of saddle bronc and bull riding.[1] Lambert achieved significant success at the circuit level, capturing the Texas Circuit Finals saddle bronc riding championship twice and the bull riding championship twice, while also earning three all-around titles in the circuit during his peak years.[1] These victories highlighted his consistency and skill across events, as he frequently placed among the leaders in regional standings and major PRCA-sanctioned rodeos. In 1982, he won the saddle bronc riding title at the St. Paul Rodeo in Oregon, a prestigious event known for its challenging stock.[16] One of Lambert's standout performances came at the Pecos Rodeo in Texas during the 1990s, where he took first place in saddle bronc riding aboard the renowned horse Sensation, noted for its powerful bucking action, and finished second in bull riding on the explosive bull Cadillac.[16] These results underscored his ability to excel against elite competition, often traveling and competing alongside rodeo's top talents, which positioned him as a regular contender in the national world standings for both events.[16] Lambert's rides, such as those on Sensation and Cadillac, became emblematic of his technical prowess and fearless style, contributing to his reputation for handling some of the toughest livestock in professional rodeo.[16]National Finals Rodeo qualifications
Cody Lambert qualified for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) nine times between 1981 and 1993, establishing himself as a consistent contender in both saddle bronc riding and bull riding. His debut qualification occurred in 1981 in saddle bronc riding, achieved after just 29 rodeos in his second professional year with the PRCA. Over his NFR career, he earned approximately $70,985 in bull riding alone, reflecting his endurance in one of rodeo's most demanding events.[1][20][2] Lambert's saddle bronc riding qualifications came in 1981, 1990, and 1991, demonstrating his foundational skills in the event from an early age. The 1991 NFR marked his sole dual qualification, where he competed in both saddle bronc and bull riding, underscoring his versatility across disciplines. While detailed round scores for his saddle bronc performances remain sparsely documented, these appearances contributed to his overall PRCA earnings and reputation for balanced expertise.[1] In bull riding, Lambert qualified seven times: 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, and 1993. His NFR bull riding results highlighted resilience, with multiple full-go performances despite the event's high injury risk. For instance, in 1986, he rode all seven rounds, though earnings were modest at $4,200; by contrast, 1985 and 1993 each yielded over $16,000, establishing key financial benchmarks in his career. A challenging 1991 saw six rides but no earnings, illustrating the variability of NFR outcomes.[1][20] The following table summarizes Lambert's bull riding NFR statistics:| Year | Rounds Ridden | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 5 | $17,170 |
| 1986 | 7 | $4,200 |
| 1988 | 6 | $11,475 |
| 1989 | 5 | $15,749 |
| 1991 | 6 | $0 |
| 1992 | 3 | $5,888 |
| 1993 | 5 | $16,503 |