Two Rodeo Icons Headline WPRA 2026 Hall of Fame Class

Women’s History Month came to a close on March 31, and with that also came the announcement of two incredible women who will be inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame

On July 18, 2026, the WPRA will welcome two more World Champions to its growing lineup of history-setting ladies.

Two Incredible Ladies, Four World Titles

Winning one world title in rodeo is a history-making event; winning two ten years apart is monumental. Mary Burger did just that. She is the 2006 and 2016 WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer.

Sliding it back a little bit in history, Loretta Manuel also earned two world titles. In 1963 and then again in 1967, Manuel took top honors.

Now, these accomplished women will be honored for their accomplishments in the arena with their induction into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

Mary Burger

According to the press release from the WPRA, Burger talked about her induction, “I am flabbergasted and a little in awe of this news,” stated Burger upon learning of her induction from WPRA President Heidi Schmidt. “When Heidi told me, I wasn’t sure I heard her correctly. This is just such an honor. I am at a loss for words.”

Ten might be Burger’s lucky number. It was ten years between her world titles and now ten years later, she is being inducted into the hall of fame.

Burger has had a decorated career in horses for most of her life. She first earned world titles in the AQHA in the junior barrel racing and the pole bending in 1974 aboard a horse named High Bars Wimpy. The cowgirl who now calls Pauls Valley, Okla., home would go on to add seven more AQHA World Titles to her resume (1985-86, 1995, 2001-03, 2005), all in barrel racing.

While Burger found great success in the barrel racing arena, her life didn’t start out easy. She was born on August 18, 1948 in Decatur, Indiana where the family often used horses on the farm, but viewed them as a tool. Mary was one of six children.

At a young age, she was diagnosed with Perthes disease in both hips. This causes inflammation and arthritis-like symptoms. The severity of the disease rendered her unable to walk, and she had to use crutches. As a result of her diagnosis and struggles, her father bought her a pony to serve as her transportation - something that would shape the rest of her life.

Over time and with treatment, Burger was able to recover from the disease, and some of that recovery was attributed to the horseback riding. It was believed that riding helped her hips spread, which allowed her to heal.

Burger never let anything hold her down, even her age. She joined the WPRA in 1985 but never got too serious about it until 2006. That year, a horse named Rare Fred carried her to her first world title. She also etched her name into the record books as being the oldest world champion in the WPRA at age 58.

She would go on to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo two more times in 2008 and 2009 before her horse was sold, but the cowgirl wasn’t done impressing the world.

Fast forward to a horse she called “Mo,” registered as Sadiefamouslastwords. Burger ended up with Mo after a trade with a gentleman she had done business with before.

"Once I saw the photo there was just something about him and I knew I wanted him, so we made the trade," beamed Burger, who traded an open horse for Mo. "It was the best trade I have ever made in my entire life."

Mo was just made for rodeo. During the 2016 campaign, the duo would win RodeoHouston and the Calgary Stampede. Burger went on to set the regular season earnings record that year with $190,977 while also getting to wear the treasured No. 1 back number at the WNFR. This was a feat that had only been done by two other women in history - Charmayne James and Sherry Cervi.

When the curtain fell on the 2016 season, Burger had earned her second world title and once again raised the bar in rodeo. She set the new record for the oldest World Champion at 68 years and 4 months. This record still stands today and is true for both men and women.

Loretta Manuel

This talented cowgirl rode a black horse with a registered name of Full of Pep that she lovingly called Spade to the 1963 and 1967 barrel racing world titles.

“I never expected to get a call like that,” stated Manuel when asked her thoughts upon learning about her induction. “I remember when the ladies started being inducted for barrel racing. I have loved rodeo my whole life. I just have no words to describe this feeling right now.”

Manuel was a force to be reckoned with inside the arena. She qualified for the National Finals Rodeo a total of nine times (1962-67, 1969-1971). Along with the two world titles, Manuel was also named the reserve world champion in 1965.

As a teen, Manuel was a daredevil. She participated in Wild West shows where sh performed trick riding and Roman riding to the crowd’s delight.

After acquiring a fast and agile black horse, she transitioned from her daredevil antics to barrel racing. Spade and Manuel set about training for the cloverleaf competition, and the rest is history.

Due to her accolades in the arena, Manuel was afforded the opportunity to meet two different presidents, something that she considers a highlight of her career.

"Harry Truman, who was a former president at the time, presented me with my first championship belt buckle, and I later met president-yet-to-be John F. Kennedy," she said.

Manuel left the rodeo arena in the 1970s but has continued to be a part of the western industry and to give back to the community. She has been honored several times for her outstanding achievements, including:

November 2021 - Inducted into All Cowboy & Arena Champions Hall of Fame
June 2022 - Community mounted permanent sign on Hwy 69 honoring her achievements
July 2026 - At age 86, inducted into ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

Congratulations to these two well-deserving cowgirls as they join 16 other members of the HOF.

2026 ProRodeo Hall of Fame lineup | WPRA