Lynne Gray Oral History Interview

In this interview, Lynne Gray discusses her participation in rodeo throughout her life. She begins by discussing other rodeo competitors of the 1980s. She notes that as someone who participates in rodeo herself, she is close with many of the other rodeo participants, and enjoys watching them at shows. Gray then recounts her early interest in rodeo. She recalls that her parents were passionate about rodeo, and often took her along to shows. During those journeys to different rodeos, she remembers sleeping in the horse trailer while on the road. She notes that there were many other families who did this as well, and that it provided her with an opportunity to meet new people and make friends. Gray explains that her parents both competed in rodeo themselves, and that she began taking part in equestrian sports when she was a young girl, but that she didn’t compete in rodeo until college. She notes the differences between men’s and women’s rodeos and recounts the many different rodeo events she participated in during her undergraduate years.

The interview then turns to the topic of equestrianism and its role in rodeo. Gray describes how she raised her horse since it was a colt, and talks about the training process for rodeo horses. Gray notes that many rodeo competitions require lengthy travel, which can be difficult with horses. Gray then gives her view on stereotypes about rodeo. She feels that many people perceive cowboys as being rednecks, which she says is untrue. Gray also comments on what it is like to be a woman in the world of rodeo and notes that she has generally been treated as an equal by her male peers. Gray also discusses what it’s like to participate in competitions, stating that it involves a great deal of strenuous labor, can be exhausting, and requires preparation both in terms of training and with regard to preparing costumes and routines. Gray describes some of the social aspects of rodeos, and notes that it’s important to be on good terms with competitors, clerks, and judges. The interview concludes with Gray’s reflections on popular rodeo events and current champion competitors.

Lynne Gray was born in Oregon in 1962. Her parents were rodeo competitors, and she began participating in equestrian sports at a young age. After graduating high school in 1979, she attended Linn-Benton Community College, where she competed on the school’s rodeo team. She later transferred to Oregon State University, where she continued to participate in collegiate-level rodeo. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at OSU in 1989.