Neal Gay
“I wouldn’t be in this business if I didn’t love it; this is all I ever wanted to do. I’ve never gotten up a day in my life dreading to go to work." -NEAL GAY, Founder Rafter G Rodeo
Neal Gay’s professional rodeo career began as a contestant in Atoka, Okla., in 1945. Gay rode bulls, saddle broncs, bareback broncs and wrestled steers.
At more than 90 years old, he regularly rides in the Stock Show Rodeo’s colorful grand entry.
In addition to his important work in rodeo production at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, Neal founded the Mesquite Championship Rodeo (a weekly spring and summer Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association show) in 1958. He and his family managed Mesquite Rodeo for a half century, from the late 1950s through the late 2000s.