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Mattie Goff Newcombe

(1906-2005)

Year Inducted: 1994

Home State: SD

Mattie was a pioneer in the sport of rodeo, raising the status of performers through her own rodeo contracts. She was a daring trick rider known for her speed and for never losing her hat. Mattie was a bronc rider that was never thrown and a relay rider who was never outrun. She was one of the first inductees into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. After marrying, Mattie turned her attentions to her ranch in South Dakota.

BORN TO RIDE

"I was born to ride," this cowgirl said, (She started when she was
three!) Horses have carried her through the years, Brought her fame,
and sights to see.

It began on her parents' homestead
on the wide Dakota plains,
but she has seen a lot of the world
since she first picked up the reins.

Melvin Tivis (her cousin, you know),
started her riding broncs.
This Meade County girl, not quite fifteen, Found rodeo quite a romp!

Once in the saddle, she knew no fear, But she wanted glamour, too -
determined to learn trick riding skills, Many stunts she learned to do.

Seeking nothing less than perfection
she studied with Leonard Stroud;
colorful, daring and fearless, she
never failed to thrill the crowd!

Oklahoma Curly Roberts said,
"Speed up and do tricks faster."
Mattie took this advice to heart
and soon no one surpassed her.

They called her "The fastest trick rider On the fastest horse around!"
with Frazier saddle and leather skirt She thrilled fans in many towns.

Towns in Illinois, Indiana,
Kentucky and Iowa, too;
in Minnesota and Wisconsin,
she toured with Gardner's troupe.

Mattie rode quadrille, and Roman raced, And the relays she could win
- sometimes leaping from horse to horse, a Feat that would make your
head spin!

She was stranded in Kentucky
when the show went belly-up;
but with cowgirl ingenuity
she got home - and thanked her luck!

Mattie rode for President Coolidge
at the Black Hills Round-Up show.
Called to the stands to visit with him, She found him quiet - nice to
know.

Mattie's horses - Bob, Pal and Buster -
were the pride of her young life.
She knew if you wanted a good horse
you must feed and "treat him right."

In the winter of 'Twenty-seven
Mattie became a wife.
She married rancher Maynard Newcombe
an' left the rodeo life.

For some sixty years they worked the ranch building it with hard
labor.
Through Depression, drought and good times, too, the Newcombe's were
good neighbors.

Mattie was injured by angry bulls,
but cowgirl grit pulled her through.
She lay, unconscious, eleven days,
yet came out near good as new.

Mattie and Sissy were left alone -
Maynard crossed the Great Divide -
she's carried on as she knew he'd want, Relyin' on cowgirl pride.

She's South Dakota's "Cowgirl Sweetheart,"
named to many Hall's of Fame;
She always loved glamour an' cowboy clothes - Born To Ride - Mattie
Goff was her name!!

(Written in honor of National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Honoree,
Mattie Goff Newcombe by Honoree Rhonda Stearns)