French Flash Hawk
“Bozo”
2018 Inductee
French Flash Hawk “Bozo” Inducted into ProRodeo Hall of Fame
By Jolee Jordan
With his big blazed face, French Flash Hawk, known as Bozo, was one of the most recognized athletes in pro rodeo in his time, a champion in the arena who touched off a revolution in barrel racing bloodlines.
Purchased as a 2-year-old by Kristie Peterson for $400, Bozo stormed the rodeo world in 1993, nearly upsetting the legends Charmayne James and Scamper in their 10th championship year.
French Flash Hawk “Bozo”
After finishing a close second in 1993, Peterson and Bozo won the first of four WPRA World titles in 1994. The duo won three more world titles (1996-1998), three reserve world titles (1993, 1995, 1999), five consecutive National Finals Rodeo average titles (1994-98), and four Dodge (now Ram) National Circuit Finals Rodeo titles (1992, 1994-95, 98).
In a feat unsurpassed to this day, Peterson and Bozo went two years at the NFR without missing a check (1996-1997); in fact, Bozo placed in 22 consecutive rounds from 1995 to 1997, missed a check in the first round of 1998, then rattled off another 17 straight.
Bozo was voted AQHA Horse of the Year five times (1995-1999) and WPRA’s Horse With the Most Heart four times (1995-1998).
French Flash Hawk “Bozo”
By the stallion Sun Frost out of Caseys Charm, Bozo’s accuracy on the pattern had breeders seeking out his bloodlines. Two sons of Sun Frost, Frenchmans Guy and PC Frenchmans Hayday, have become household names.
Peterson retired the gelding not long after winning her third RodeoHouston title in 2003.
On May 4, 2016 at the age of 29, Bozo died peacefully at their home in Texas. Bozo will be remembered for the heart and determination that enabled his remarkable achievements.
World Championships: 4 world titles – 1994, 1996-98 Barrel Racing
WPRA INDUCTEES
2024 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Class Announced
2024 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Class Announced By Ann Bleiker COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – The Solar Eclipse was not the only big news of the day as the Class of 2024 ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductees were announced on Monday, April 8 marking the 45th annual induction. A...
2023 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Class Announced
2023 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Class Announced By Ann Bleiker COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado - The Class of 2023 ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductees were announced on Monday, March 27 and will mark the 44th annual induction. A total of 11 will be inducted including two...
2022 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Class Announced
2022 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Class Announced By Ann Bleiker COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Class of 2022 ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductees were announced on Tuesday, April 12 and will mark the 43rd annual induction. A total of 11 will be inducted including two...
ProRodeo Hall of Fame Nomination Form
Nomination FormNomination FormNominate Your Rodeo Hero By WPRA Office The colorful history and equally colorful legends of professional rodeo live on at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy in Colorado Springs, Colo. In 2017, WPRA members and...
Cindy Rosser Joins Father, Cotton, in ProRodeo Hall of Fame
Cindy Rosser2022 InducteeLIKE FATHER, LIKE DAUGHTER Cindy Rosser Joins Father, Cotton, in ProRodeo Hall of Fame By Neal Reid Cindy Rosser was too busy to take the call of a lifetime. The Yuba City, California, native was standing atop a gooseneck trailer, unloading...
Venerated Horsewoman Bruce Takes Rightful Place in ProRodeo Hall of Fame
Ardith Bruce2022 InducteeAT HOME IN THE HALL Venerated Horsewoman Bruce Takes Rightful Place in ProRodeo Hall of Fame By Neal Reid Ardith Bruce couldn’t hold back the shriek. According to her granddaughter, Amber Bruce West, the venerated horsewoman who won the 1964...
Sammy Thurman Brackenbury to be Enshrined in ProRodeo Hall of Fame
Sammy ThurmanBrackenbury2019 InducteeSammy Thurman Brackenbury to be Enshrined in ProRodeo Hall of Fame By Jolee Jordan From chasing mustangs on the deserts of Arizona and Nevada, to World Championships inside Prorodeo’s arenas, to roping and falling off horses in the...
Wanda Harper Bush a True Leader
Wanda HarperBush2017 InducteeWanda Harper Bush a True Leader By Jolee Jordan If a fiction writer had invented the character of Wanda Harper Bush the critics may have condemned the figure as unbelievable. Thankfully, for thousands of professional barrel racers, Bush...
Charmayne James to Add ProRodeo Hall of Fame Inductee to Illustrious Career
Charmayne James2017 InducteeJames to Add ProRodeo Hall of Fame Inductee to Illustrious Career By Ann Bleiker Charmayne James could have never imagined that her horse obsession at the age of 5 would turn into a lifelong career that would take her to places she never...
Magnificent Martha Josey Fashioned Hall of Fame Career from Meager Beginnings
Martha Josey2020 InducteeMagnificent Martha Josey Fashioned Hall of Fame Career from Meager Beginnings By Neal Reid Sitting in the grandstands at a rodeo in Shreveport, Louisiana, in the mid-1950s, 17-year-old Martha Arthur made a decision. The Texas teenager...
Billie McBride Among 2018 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Inductees
Billie McBride2018 InducteeBillie McBride Among 2018 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Inductees By Ann Bleiker Billie McBride was fearless. Whether in the saddle aboard her favorite mare Zombie or guiding the budding Girls Rodeo Association (GRA) as its President, McBride had...
Jimmie Munroe to be Enshrined in ProRodeo Hall of Fame
Jimmie Munroe2019 InducteeJimmie Munroe to be Enshrined in ProRodeo Hall of Fame By Jolee Jordan In August of 1979, a young cowgirl attended the very first induction ceremony for the brand new ProRodeo Hall of Fame. She came to represent the Girls Rodeo Association...
Kristie Peterson and Bozo to be Enshrined in ProRodeo Hall of Fame
Kristie Peterson2018 InducteeKristie Peterson and Bozo to be Enshrined in ProRodeo Hall of Fame By Jolee Jordan In their early days, barrel racing superstardom may have seemed unlikely. He was a broncy stud colt, suspected of being partially blind in one eye, who was...
Florence Youree to be Enshrined in ProRodeo Hall of Fame
Florence Youree2019 InducteeFlorence Youree to be Enshrined in ProRodeo Hall of Fame By Jolee Jordan With grace, humility and more than a fair share of humor, Florence Youree led the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA) from struggling beginnings all the way to the National...
431 South Cascade
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 447-4627
(719) 447-4631 (fax)
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BARREL RACING — Where the Elite Compete®
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
BARREL RACING
Where the Elite Compete®
