top of page
Search

Stanley & Wanda Bush - 2005

Writer: TCHOF
TCHOF
Nov 19, 2004
4 min read

Updated: Jul 13


Stanley Smith Bush

Induction Year: 2005

Birth – Death:

  • Born February 28, 1930Denton County, Texas

  • Died February 26, 2012Brady, Texas

Primary Discipline: Equine Industry

Profession / Role: Champion horse trainer and competitor

Primary Skills: Cutting horse training, competitive horsemanship

Known For: One-half of one of the most accomplished husband-and-wife teams in Western performance horse history, contributing to more than 32 world championships and shaping cutting horse competition for generations.


Early Life and Background

Stanley Smith Bush was born on February 28, 1930, in Denton County, Texas, and developed an early affinity for horses that would define his life. He began his professional career in the Thoroughbred racing industry, riding as a jockey at major racetracks across the United States. His transition into the cutting horse world came through the influence of his brother-in-law, Matlock Rose, who introduced him to the discipline that would become his lifelong specialty.


Professional Career and Rise

Stanley Bush became one of the leading cutting horse riders and trainers of his era. Joining the National Cutting Horse Association in 1950, he finished in the association’s Top Ten standings more than a dozen times over a career spanning five decades. Known for his quiet style and technical precision, he trained and rode elite cutting horses and earned induction into multiple halls of fame recognizing his contributions to the discipline.


Legacy and Impact

Stanley Bush left a lasting imprint on Western performance horsemanship through competitive excellence, ethical training practices, and a commitment to education. His influence in cutting horse competition helped establish performance standards that continue to guide the discipline.


Later Years and Death

Stanley Bush remained closely connected to the horse industry throughout his life and passed away on February 26, 2012, in Brady, Texas, following a lengthy illness.


Wanda Mae Harper Bush

Induction Year: 2005

Birth – Death:

  • Born October 6, 1931Mason, Texas

  • Died December 29, 2015Brady, Texas

Primary Discipline: Equine Industry

Profession / Role: Champion horse trainer and competitor

Primary Skills: Barrel horse training, cutting, competitive rodeo events, horsemanship

Known For: One-half of one of the most accomplished husband-and-wife teams in Western performance horse history, earning 32 world championships and shaping barrel racing and women’s rodeo for generations.


Early Life and Background

Wanda Mae Harper was born on October 6, 1931, in Mason, Texas, and was raised on her family’s ranch, where she learned to ride and rope at a young age. Her father, Alvin Harper, was a skilled horseman who instilled in her both technical precision and a strong work ethic. As a child, she rode daily and took on ranch responsibilities that fostered her natural talent and competitive drive. Wanda entered organized rodeo as women’s competition was just beginning to formalize and quickly distinguished herself through consistent success across multiple events.


Professional Career and Rise

Wanda Harper Bush emerged as one of the most dominant competitors in the history of women’s rodeo. As an original member of the Girls Rodeo Association, she held card number 14 and won her first world championships in 1951. Over an eighteen-year span, she amassed an unprecedented 32 world championships across events including barrel racing, cutting, tie-down roping, ribbon roping, flag racing, and the all-around. She captured nine All-Around World titles and became the most decorated cowgirl in the history of the GRA, later known as the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.


In addition to competition, Wanda was a gifted teacher. Beginning in the late 1960s, she conducted barrel racing clinics across the United States and internationally, personally riding horses to better instruct their riders. Her ability to communicate fundamentals and build confidence made her a sought-after mentor, and many of her students went on to championship careers.


Legacy and Impact

Wanda Harper Bush reshaped the visibility and credibility of women’s rodeo, setting benchmarks that remain unequaled. Beyond titles, her leadership within the GRA and WPRA helped advance organizational structure, governance, and prize equity, particularly in Texas. Her quiet professionalism earned respect across both women’s and men’s rodeo arenas.


Later Years and Death

Wanda Harper Bush continued to teach and mentor riders well into her later years and died on December 29, 2015, in Brady, Texas. Both are buried in the Harper–Bush Family Cemetery near Mason.

 

Shared Life and Partnership

Stanley and Wanda married on March 31, 1957, forming a partnership rooted in shared values, discipline, and a mutual commitment to excellence in horsemanship.


Together, they operated a respected training and breeding program based in Mason, Texas. Their ranch produced and developed elite performance horses, including Hall of Fame inductees, and became a center for learning and mentorship within the Western horse industry.


Their daughter, Shanna Bush, continued the family legacy, qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo and reinforcing the generational impact of their horsemanship.


Honors and Recognition

Stanley Smith Bush

  • Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, inducted 2005

  • National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame

Wanda Mae Harper Bush

  • Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, inducted 2005

  • National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, 1978

  • National Rodeo Hall of Fame, 2001

  • ProRodeo Hall of Fame, inducted 2017

  • Most decorated competitor in the history of the GRA/WPRA with 32 world championships


Links and References

 

bottom of page