Rodeo Champion, Rodeo Producer
Bernis Johnson’s life story has been “Rodeo.” Bernis joined the RCA in 1947 and developed into a three event contestant.
Some of his accomplishments are: * NATIONAL FINALS QUALIFICATIONS * NFR 1959 Bareback, NFR 1961 Bullriding, NFR 1962 Bareback and Bullriding, NFR 1961 * NFR Bull riding
* Champion (only man to ride 7 head) * PRCA YEAR STANDINGS * 1959,15th All Around - 9th Bareback, 1961, 11th Bullriding, 1962, 9th All Around - 8th Bareback, 13th Bullridng, * 1963, 3rd All Around - 6th Bareback, * 1964, 8th Bullriding, * 1966, 13th Bareback
In the late 60s Bernis Johnson left the arena as a contestant, put together the B-J bucking stock and became involved in the restoration of bringing the sport of rodeo back to the Ft. Worth Stockyards.
In 1977, Johnson purchased Hoss Inmans’s Flying I bucking stock and combined them with B-J’s to produce PRCA Rodeos.
For twenty years, the B-J brand has been on many outstanding bucking stock and are recognized for their awards at the Texas Circuit Finals and National Finals. Most recognized is B-J’s “Slippin Velvet,” 5 times Champion Bareback Horse of the Year and 6 times NFR Top Bareback of NFR and Texas Circuit.
Other memorable B-J stock were in bareback; Lucky Seven, Determined, Barretta, Short Fuse, Super Star and Eldorado. Saddle bronc; Chief Crazy Horse, Big Buck, Favorite Sin, Cherokee, Eureka River and Misfit. Bulls; Snoopy “Wild Fellin Velvet”, True Grit, Flying High, Supreme Velvet, Poco Toro and Two Steppin Velvet.
During the past 50 years, Johnson has received Stock Awards and has been Event and All Around Champion at many PRCA Rodeos. Some of his most treasured awards are 1948 Buck Steiner Buckle (1st Buckle), 1961 NFR Bullriding Champion Buckle, 1962 Spencer Primrose, Colorado Springs All Around Buckle, 1978 “Sippin Velvet” Horse of the Year Buckle.
Today, looking back over the years, Bernis Johnson might have changed some things. But the competing, owning good livestock, remembering all the friends he has made, the love and support of his family...he still would choose the life of a “Cowboy”.