Rodeo legend and Eureka resident Joel Edmondson will be honored this fall with induction into the prestigious National Rodeo Hall of Fame, housed within the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Okla.. The official induction ceremony will take place during the Champions’ Dinner on Saturday, Nov. 8, part of the Hall of Fame Weekend, scheduled for Nov. 7–8.
Edmondson’s rodeo career spans decades of competition, mentorship, and advocacy. Born into a rodeo family in southeast Kansas, he moved to Eureka in 1984 when he “married into” the community. Both his parents competed in rodeo so it was only natural that he would begin to compete at an early age. He competed at every level of rodeo—from youth events to the professional arena. Although he began competing in many events and worked both ends of the arena (roughstock and timed events), he had his greatest success as a steer wrestler.
By the time he was a teen, he was competing in bareback riding and calf roping at the high school and amateur level. He was also a standout athlete in football and wrestling at the high school level, which led to a college scholarship to play football for Coffeyville Community College and then Emporia State University. While in college, Edmondson was able to continue his rodeo career and began steer wrestling at that time. Upon completion of his bachelor’s degree, he was drafted by the Kansas City Trailblazers to ride bareback horses and bulldog as a part of the major league rodeo team concept that lasted only a few years. After the Trailblazers, he joined the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) and was a competing member for over 25 years. He is currently a PRCA “Gold Card” member.
His influence extends beyond the arena. For over 25 years, he ran steer wrestling schools across the country, training both beginners and professionals, helping improve techniques and mental game to stay competitive. He also played a vital role in rodeo governance and production, serving on the Kansas High School Rodeo Association board and the Eureka Professional Rodeo committee, which he has been a vital part of for all 14 years of production.
Joel Edmondson’s 2nd Go In 1988 At NFR Championship
Joel Edmondson Assisting With 2025 Annual Eureka Pro Rodeo
After traveling millions of miles and seeing much of the United States and Canada through his windshield, he retired and started a small construction company that primarily designed and installed custom conversions in horse trailers, and also built custom cabinets and western furniture. In addition, he operated a custom grazing program and trained/sold a few performance horses.
Rodeo has been and continues to be a major part of Edmondson’s life and he is truly an ambassador of the sport. He actively promotes all levels of rodeo competition to anyone who will listen. Edmondson’s induction into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame places him among the legends of the sport—many of whom were his idols. This annual event celebrates individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the sport of rodeo. With only six honorees selected each year, induction into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame is considered the highest honor in the sport.
Edmondson resides in Eureka with his wife, Sharyl. He has three daughters, Tonya Moreland of Kansas City, Mo., Holly Edmondson of Eureka and the late Paige Edmondson; and three grandsons, River, Wacey and Hazen.
- A Good Augusta Citizen, 1930’s
