Tom Reeves - Inducted 2025
1981 Cheyenne-Eagle Butte High School graduate who studied Rodeo Business at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Member of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. The 2001 World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider and 18-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier (consecutive from 1985-2002). The year Reeves won in 2001 he was one of five South Dakotans (Billy Etbauer of Ree Heights; Red Lemmel of Faith; Jesse Bail of Camp Crook; and Bud Longbrake of Dupree) of 15 bronc riders in the world to qualify for the 10-day national finals in Las Vegas. Reeves finished in the top four in the world six times and was the National Finals Rodeo Average Champion in Saddle Bronc in 1993. Known and respected for his classic spurring style, an encyclopedic knowledge of saddle bronc horses that he learned from his father Dean, and a level of consistency almost unmatched in the history of saddle bronc riding. When he retired in 2005 after a 23-year pro career, Reeves was the world leader for most NFR qualifications in saddle bronc and had earned almost $1.8 million (20th at the time on the all-time list of career earnings). Reeves also earned a silver medallion for finishing second at the 2002 Olympic Command Performance Rodeo in Farmington, Utah, while serving as captain for the gold medal-winning United States team. He received the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Mentoring Award in 2007 after guiding Ranger (Texas) College to the College National Finals Rodeo men’s title in his second season as coach where he brought a rodeo program back to life. He always has made excellent and consistent efforts to pass on his passion for rodeo, to provide opportunities and to teach free lessons of the Western lifestyle for youth on reservations in South Dakota and across the nation. Taught rodeo schools and owner in rodeo company that provided rough stock to every level of rodeos across the nation. He was a two-time high school national champion saddle bronc rider, his first at 15 years old. Grew up on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation and started rodeoing at age 8, learning his craft from older fellow Native Americans, many who were legendary in the rodeo world.
