Marlene Eddleman McRae
WPRA Barrel Racing — Inducted 2024

By Ann Bleiker

Marlene Eddleman McRae grew up in Ordway, Colorado, wanting to be a cowgirl. Her parents, Carl and Elma Schiffer, were busy building their ranching, farming and petroleum businesses, but they always had time to encourage and support her in her quest to become the best. This lifestyle contributed greatly to Marlene’s horse and cattle knowledge, as well as her business intelligence. She set goals early in her life and set out to accomplish each with a vengeance.

McRae’s Hall of Fame career inside the rodeo arena consisted of qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo a total of 10 times (1983-1991, 2000), winning the World title in 1983, winning the NFR average twice (1983, 1988), finishing as reserve World champion three times (1987-89), reserve champion at the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo (1988-89), won the Calgary Stampede title five times (1984-85, 87, 89-90) and captured the gold medal at the Olympic Command Performance in conjunction with the Winter Olympic Games in Calgary in 1988.

Outside of the arena she contributed to the growth of the sport of barrel racing as a clinician, innovator and elected voice for WPRA members. As a clinician from 1980-2015 she personally taught and shared her knowledge at over 500 clinics across not only the United States but the world. She also published a book, Barrel Racing 101, and created the Millennial Series video program to help those unable to attend one of her clinics.

As an innovator for over three decades, she was involved in the development of her own line of saddles and tack, including the first ever carbon fiber saddle tree. And last but not least, Marlene served two different terms on the WPRA Board of Directors, first as a Circuit Director and then the director of the Futurity and Derby program.

In 1995, she was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. In 2018, she was honored with the Calgary Pioneer Award and was the first American female to receive this honor.

World Championships: 1 world title – 1983 Barrel Racing

Born January 15, 1957, in Rocky Ford, Colorado

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