Barnes PRCA Rodeo - Peterson, Iowa

Bob Barnes became a member of the Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1950 and held his first RCA rodeo. He went on to the marines to serve his country. He is pictured here in 1951. He has continued to serve whenever a need arises. In the early 60's, he helped start a children's home in Peterson, Iowa, and he still serves on the board of directors today. He has served on the PRCA Board of Directors, the National Finals Rodeo Committee and numerous other boards and committees in his lifetime.

Bob and sister Marjorie started training and breaking horses together in the 40's. When the rodeo started traveling in the early 50's, they would dismantle these permanent chutes and reset them at the rodeo town. In the mid 50's when a flash flood came to a rodeo and the water went over the bucking chutes, Marjorie decided dry land farming wasn't so bad. Still today she keeps a watchful eye on the young horses while they are growing up into competition.

In the 1950's, this was the transportation fleet. The farthest rodeo away was 350 miles from the ranch. In the 60's, the fleet grew and so did the distance to about 600 miles. Now the fleet has grown to four tractors, 12 trailers, and numerous pickups. It will travel through 32 states and over 100,000 miles a year, with the furthest rodeo being over 1500 miles away.

This trailer was home and away from home in the 50's. In 1958, Bob married Donita and they started their family. In 1959 daughter Mitzi arrived on the scene. 1960 their present home was purchased. Marty was born in 1961. John rounded out the family in 1962.

Bob's brother, Kenneth, ran a service station in Cherokee, Iowa in the 50's. One day a gentleman was hauling Christmas trees and stopped for gas. He noticed a red Wrangler jacket Kenneth was wearing and they started to talk Rodeo. That started the first venture a long way from home. Kenneth used to help flank and keep the trucks running. He helped whenever needed until he passed away in December of 2004. He is greatly missed by the Barnes family.

In the early years computers were unavailable. The lines of communication were limited. World champion saddle bronc rider Casey Tibbs sent this telegram in the 50's. Donita used to take all the entries, draw positions, and draw the livestock they were going to compete on by hand with help from the judges. She had to be at the rodeo one day in advance in order to accomplish this. Today contestants call a central entry system called PROCOM to enter a rodeo. By a computer system, PROCOM takes care of the entries, turnouts, stock draws and other areas of the rodeo business.

When you win an award, you get a plaque for the wall. If you attain an unmatchable achievement, you get the cover story. Bob Barnes was featured on the cover of PSN (Prorodeo Sports News), August 2003.

Click here to view the article.

Mitzi, Marty and John Barnes
in the mid 60's

In the late 70s, Barnes rodeo was overcome with the opportunities to have high school and college rodeos. At that time, the Barnes family formed a second rodeo company to accommodate this opportunity. It only seemed fitting to name the company after the next generation in the Barnes family. The brand stands for the first initial of each of the three Barnes children.

After developing a solid foundation in the rodeo business, MJM Rodeo Company joined the PRCA in 1980.

Every great accomplishment…

If there is not a portable arena, one semi is able to haul enough chutes and panels for a complete rodeo arena which includes holding pens. It takes a crew of eight men approximately two hours to unload the truck and set up the arena.

Barnes and MJM rodeos excel in the ability to stage a rodeo in various situations. A few examples of where we have set up at are: an indoor, climate controlled facility, state and county fairgrounds, or even places
with scenic backgrounds.

Is at first impossible.

Barnes PRCA Rodeo has hauled stock all over the United States and Canada for over 55 years. We have celebrated fifty years of PRCA rodeo with Buffalo, MN and Spooner, WI.

You are never too old to enjoy the world of rodeo.
Bucking horse mares take their colts everywhere they go.

The ultimate goal in rodeo is to be a part of
the National Finals Rodeo. Every animal selected from Barnes and MJM carried their contestants to the pay window at the 2004 Wrangler NFR. Saddle Bronc Cat Power and contestant Rusty Allen won the fourth go round with 88 points.

The reason we have such success is because of our foundation.

The headline of the newspaper could not have said it any better...

"A Great One, XI Boy Ballou Laid to Rest at Barnes Ranch".

Friday morning, May 11, 2001, the feed crew at the Barnes Ranch grained Boy Ballou and his mares. That afternoon, when putting out hay, Boy Ballou was found lying down as if he was sunning himself. Without signs of struggle or injury, it was a huge surprise to find out the 22 year old herd sire had peacefully passed away.

Click here to view the entire article...

Because of standards set by Boy Ballou and the breeding program at Barnes PRCA Rodeo, we were able to achieve great things in 2005!

Barnes and MJM PRCA Rodeo 2007 Awards

Great Lakes Circuit Year End Awards

D8 - Cat Power

Bareback Riding

Bow Tie - 340 - Barnes - 2nd Place Bareback Horse of the Year

Saddle Bronc Riding

Cat Power - D8 - Barnes - 1st Place Saddle Bronc of the Year

Cherokee Wild - 1Z0 -MJM - 2nd Place Saddle Bronc of the Year

Bull Riding

Red Horse - 173 - Barnes - 1st Place Bull of the Year

Red Rabbit- 402 - Barnes - 2nd Place Bull of the Year

Best New Rodeo of the Great Lakes Circuit