I have 25 years of experience in the Biker Rodeo field, starting with Rod Newman, promoter of the Freedom Rally in Evanston, Wyoming. In 2002, I was introduced to Leo Wilson, the owner of the Beartooth Rally in Red Lodge, Montana. We became friends and started helping him and his crew with his Rodeo. In 2005 Leo permitted me to become the live version of Bone Daddy. I then became the mascot of the rally for the last 20 years. Over the years I watched riders become professionals at this sport without gaining any recognition or financial gain. I thought it would be great if someone organized a Professional Biker Rodeo Association just like the National Finals Rodeo Association. For years Rodeo contestants have never made any significant financial gains as entrance fees compared to purse pay-out are off balance.
In 1970, during my junior year of High School in Rock Springs Wy., I bought my first motorcycle (a Honda 450) purchased from the Moses Honda dealership. My neighbor ( Tommy Thomas) had a 500 Kawasaki that he always bragged about outrunning the law. We were riding one day and decided to run them. We took off on Dewar Drive and noticed a Highway patrolman coming toward us. He abruptly turned in pursuit and to my surprise, Tommy pulled over and I kept going. In my endeavor to elude him, I came to close a brick wall in an alleyway and had to lay it down. I knew the patrolman ( Tom Harper) as he was a fan of our football team. I was arrested for speeding and resisting arrest which was a jailing offense. He took me to the police station where my uncle (John William) a policeman on duty and also lived straight across the street from us was on duty. My parents were out of town for the weekend and my uncle took it upon himself not to throw me in jail as he knew my father would take care of the punishment!
When my father returned, he and my uncle took me to the police station where the jail was in the basement and had me walk inside a cell. My father said, “You keep this up and you are going to spend a lot of time behind these bars.” At the time, I didn’t realize the significance of those words until after I bought my first Harley in 1998.
Since then I have been sentenced to a term of Life Behind Bars!
Ben C. Barto – Bone Daddy
President and founder of the Professional Biker Rodeo Association