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Cody Lambert
View on WikipediaCody Lance Lambert (born December 2, 1961)[1] is an American former professional rodeo cowboy. He specialized in saddle bronc riding and bull riding.[2] He was also a co-founder and vice president of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR).[3] He created the protective vest that professional bull riders have been required to wear for many years after witnessing the death of his friend Lane Frost at the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on July 30, 1989.[4] Since 2022, Lambert has been the head coach of the Texas Rattlers in the PBR Team Series. In 2023, the Rattlers won the PBR Team Series Championship title.
Key Information
In 2023, Lambert was ranked No. 19 on the list of the top 30 bull riders in PBR history.[5]
Early and personal life
[edit]Cody Lambert is the son of racehorse trainer Cliff Lambert, who was the first jockey to win the All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs aboard Galobar in 1959.[6] Cody has three siblings, brothers Chuck and Casey Lambert, the latter a successful racehorse jockey, and sister Cheyann.[7] Cody lives in Bowie, Texas, on a ranch with his wife, Leanne, and their horses and dogs.[8]
Contestant career
[edit]Lambert competed in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). He, Lane Frost, Tuff Hedeman, Jim Sharp, and Ty Murray frequently rode the rodeo circuit together and were known as the "Wolfpack" during that time.[9]
Lambert qualified for the PRCA's championship event, the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), 10 times - seven in bull riding (1985-86, 1988-89, 1991-93) and three in saddle bronc (1981, 1990-91), and also qualified for the PBR World Finals three times (1994-96). 1991 was the only year in which he qualified for the NFR in two events simultaneously.
Lambert also competed in the Bull Riders Only (BRO) circuit.
In April 1992, he was one of the 21 co-founders of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR).
Lambert won the PBR's inaugural event, the Tuff Hedeman Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, in April 1993. He officially retired from bull riding at the end of the 1996 PBR World Finals. While an active rider and also when retired, he served as the PBR's vice president. When retired as a contestant, he also served as a PBR bull riding judge, and as the PBR's livestock director.[10]
Coaching career
[edit]In 2022, after retiring as the PBR's Director of Livestock at the conclusion of that year's PBR World Finals in May, Lambert became the head coach of the Texas Rattlers; one of eight bull riding teams in the PBR Teams Series, which debuted that year. The Team Series season runs in the summer and autumn and concludes with the Team Series Championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.[11] In late September 2022, the Texas Rattlers won the event at Thunder Days in Ridgedale, Missouri; the hometown event of rival team, the Missouri Thunder.[12] Two weeks later, the Rattlers won their own hometown event at Rattler Days in Fort Worth, Texas.[13] The very next weekend, the Rattlers won their third event in a row at Ridge Rider Days in Glendale, Arizona; the hometown event of rival team, the Arizona Ridge Riders.[14] The Rattlers ended up in second place during the regular season. As a result, them and regular-season champions, the Austin Gamblers, received first-round byes and did not compete during the first day of the Team Series Championship. The Rattlers ended up finishing in third place at the conclusion of the inaugural PBR Teams Series Championship.[15]
In September 2023, the Rattlers won Thunder Days for the second year in a row.[16] Later in early October of that year, the Rattlers won their own hometown event at Rattler Days for the second year in a row as well.[17] In late October of that year, after making it through the first two days of the Team Series Championship, the Rattlers succeeded in making it to the final round against the Austin Gamblers. The Rattlers ended up defeating the Gamblers to win the PBR Team Series Championship title.[18]
In 2024, the Texas Rattlers were eliminated after the second day of the Team Series Championship.[19]
In January 2025, the Texas Rattlers defeated the Austin Gamblers to win the PBR Monster Energy Team Challenge presented by Camping World at the Unleash the Beast Series (UTB) event in Houston, Texas.[20] In April of the same year, the Rattlers again defeated the Gamblers to win the Monster Energy Team Challenge at the UTB event in Nampa, Idaho.[21]
The Texas Rattlers finished third in the 2025 PBR Team Series regular season. As a result, they, as well as regular-season champions Florida Freedom and second-place Austin Gamblers received a first-round bye and automatically qualified for the second day of the Team Series Championship. The Freedom and Gamblers were eliminated after the second day, while the Rattlers moved on to the third and final day of the event.[22] The Rattlers ended up finishing in third place at the conclusion of the Team Series Championship.[23]
In January 2026, the Texas Rattlers defeated the Florida Freedom to win the Monster Energy Team Challenge at the UTB event in Tampa, Florida.[24]
Honors
[edit]- In 1996, Lambert was one of the inaugural inductees into the PBR Ring of Honor.[25]
- In 2002, he was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.[26] Inducted for his rodeo accomplishments, the museum features many of Lambert's personal items used during his rodeo career.
- In 2012, he was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame.[27]
- In 2020, he was inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum's Rodeo Hall of Fame.[28]
- In 2023, he was inducted into the Bull Riding Hall of Fame.[29] That same year, he was ranked No. 19 on the list of the top 30 bull riders in PBR history.[5] He was also honored as Coach of the Year for the PBR Team Series in 2023.[30]
In media
[edit]Lambert's name ended up being used as the character name for Sasha Mitchell's character on the television show Step By Step.[31]
In the Lane Frost biographical drama, 8 Seconds (1994), Lambert was portrayed by Red Mitchell.[32]
References
[edit]- ^ "Cody Lambert". National Western Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
- ^ "Heroes & Legends: Cody Lambert". Professional Bull Riders. www.pbr.com. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
- ^ "Ring of Honor: Cody Lambert". Professional Bull Riders. www.pbr.com. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
- ^ "Cheyenne 1989". Lanefrost.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ^ a b "PBR Top 30". Professional Bull Riders. Archived from the original on August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ Herrera, Peter. "Cliff Lambert: Life On The Lead" (PDF). New Mexico Horse Breeder. files.speedhorse.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 16, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
- ^ Herrera, Peter. "The Brotherhood: Casey, Cody and Chuck Lambert" (PDF). New Mexico Horse Breeder. files.speedhorse.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 16, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
- ^ "Cody Lambert". Horses, Cows, and a Little Bull. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ "Ted Kimzey – the Original "Wolfpack" Knew How to Have Fun |". Wrangler Network. July 26, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ "Lambert to Retire Following 2022 PBR Canada National Finals - News". Wrangler Network. November 11, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cody Lambert to Head Coach the Texas Rattlers". Professional Bull Riders. January 7, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ "Texas Rattlers win 2022 Thunder Days". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- ^ "Texas Rattlers win hometown event". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ "Texas Rattlers win 2022 Ridge Rider Days". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ "#InCaseYouMissedIt: Nashville Stampede stun to win PBR Team Series Championship". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
- ^ "Texas Rattlers win Thunder Days for second year in a row". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ^ "Texas Rattlers win Rattler Days for second year in a row". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ "Texas Rattlers win 2023 PBR Teams Series championship". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ "2024 PBR Teams MVP John Crimber propels No. 3 Florida Freedom to second straight walk-off win as Freedom join No. 5 Austin Gamblers, No. 1 Kansas City Outlaws as Round 2 victors". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ "With new assistant coach Oleson, Texas Rattlers down Austin Gamblers in Monster Energy Team Challenge". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
- ^ "Callum Miller wins Round 1 of Progressive PBR Nampa". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ "Upsets rock PBR Teams Championship quarterfinals as Arizona Ridge Riders, Carolina Cowboys and Missouri Thunder pull off trio of stunners". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
- ^ "Carolina Cowboys prevail in overtime, then down Missouri Thunder in championship game to win first PBR Teams League title". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ "Two-time PBR world champion Jess Lockwood wins Round 1 of PBR Unleash The Beast event in Tampa, Dalton Kasel tops standings". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
- ^ "PBR Ring of Honor". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "Cody Lambert". Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. November 20, 2000. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
- ^ "Inductees: L". Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cody Lambert - National Rodeo Hall of Fame". National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
- ^ "Cody Lambert". The Bull Riding Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
- ^ "Texas Rattlers leaders named Coach and Executive of the Year for 2023 PBR Teams season". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
- ^ "Step By Step Cast: Where They Are Now and Who Passed Away". MovieWeb. April 26, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
- ^ Avildsen, John G. (February 25, 1994). "8 Seconds". IMDb. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
Cody Lambert
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Upbringing in New Mexico
Cody Lambert was born on December 2, 1961, in Artesia, New Mexico, a small rural town in the southeastern part of the state known for its ranching and oil industries.[6][2] He was the son of Cliff Lambert, a prominent racehorse jockey and trainer who achieved notable success, including winning the inaugural All American Futurity in 1959 aboard Galobar at Ruidoso Downs, and his wife Glenna Lambert.[6][7] The family's equestrian heritage extended to both grandfathers: Cody's paternal grandfather was a bronc rider and pickup man in Kansas rodeos, while his maternal grandfather worked as a horse trainer in Arizona.[6] Cody grew up alongside siblings, including brothers Casey and Chuck, and sister Cheyann, in a household deeply connected to the horse racing and ranching world.[7] The Lambert family resided on a ranch in El Paso, Texas, providing Cody with an upbringing steeped in the traditions of rural life, where daily routines revolved around livestock care, horse handling, and the vast open landscapes of the region.[7][6] Summers were often spent in Ruidoso, a mountainous area famous for its racetracks and cowboy culture, further embedding him in New Mexico's ranching heritage that emphasized self-reliance and outdoor labor.[7] This environment, though not affluent, fostered a strong sense of family and community ties typical of small-town New Mexico ranch families during the mid-20th century.[7] From a young age, Cody engaged in typical childhood pursuits on the family ranch, such as exploring the countryside and assisting with everyday farm tasks, which built his early familiarity with animals and the land.[6] These experiences in the close-knit rural community near the New Mexico-Texas border, surrounded by the influences of local agriculture and equestrian activities, shaped his foundational years before his interests turned toward organized rodeo.[6]Introduction to rodeo
Cody Lambert's introduction to rodeo began in his youth in the El Paso area, Texas, where he first encountered the sport around age 12 through local opportunities to ride junior bulls.[8] Growing up in a rural environment that fostered an early interest in horsemanship, Lambert seized every chance to participate in these initial events, building a foundation in roughstock riding before formal competitions.[2] At age 13 in the fall of 1974, Lambert attended renowned bull riding instructor Jerome Robinson's school in Fort Collins, Colorado, becoming the youngest participant despite the minimum age of 14; his mother secured special permission based on his prior experience riding junior bulls.[8] Under Robinson's guidance, Lambert honed his technique, applying systematic approaches to mimic professional bull riding while riding practice stock, which significantly influenced his early development in the event.[8] This mentorship from Robinson, a respected figure in bull riding education, marked a pivotal step in Lambert's training, emphasizing discipline and skill refinement during his formative teenage years.[8] Throughout his teenage years in high school, Lambert expanded his roughstock expertise to include bareback riding and saddle bronc riding, alongside continued bull riding, through consistent practice and family-supported involvement in the sport.[2] He joined the American Junior Rodeo Association (AJRA), competing in New Mexico junior rodeos that provided structured platforms for skill-building in these events.[1] He qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo five times, three times in saddle bronc riding, once in bull riding, and once in steer wrestling.[2] These experiences extended to local and regional amateur rodeos across the state, where Lambert participated regularly leading up to 1980.[2][1]Personal life
Marriage and family
Cody Lambert met Leanne, a barrel racer, on the rodeo circuit; they married in May 1982.[9] Leanne was inducted into the PBR Hall of Fame in 2011.[10] The couple welcomed their son, Riley, on October 22, 1986.[11] Riley later transferred from the University of Texas at El Paso to Abilene Christian University, where he competed in basketball.[12] Throughout Lambert's rodeo career, which involved frequent travel for competitions across the United States in the 1980s and 1990s, Leanne managed the family home and provided unwavering support, allowing Cody to focus on his professional pursuits.[13] The family remained closely tied to rodeo, with Riley participating in youth events from a young age, inspired by his father's achievements and the sport's prominence in their household.[14] This integration helped balance the challenges of Lambert's absences, fostering a shared passion for the rodeo lifestyle.[9] As of 2025, Lambert and Leanne remain married and reside on a ranch in Bowie, Texas, surrounded by horses and dogs.[4] Their son Riley, now 39, continues to engage with the rodeo community as the host of the PBR Bullsh*t podcast.[15]Residences and interests
Following the progression of his professional career and involvement with the Professional Bull Riders, Lambert relocated to Texas.[16] He currently resides on a ranch on the outskirts of Bowie, Texas, a property he purchased in late 2010 with financing from Capital Farm Credit.[4][17] Lambert's primary personal interests revolve around ranching and livestock management, including raising cattle and horses on his land.[4][1] He has also built a private arena on the ranch, which local cowboys frequently use for training and rehabilitation sessions.[1] In addition to these pursuits, Lambert embraces a rural lifestyle, often spending time customizing his home and enjoying the countryside as a self-described "country person."[4] Lambert engages in community and philanthropic activities, particularly in rodeo safety advocacy, by serving on the board of the Rider Relief Fund, which provides financial assistance to injured riders at all levels during recovery from potentially career-ending injuries.[4]Rodeo contestant career
Professional debut and early competitions
Cody Lambert joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 1980 at the age of 18, marking his entry into professional rodeo as a saddle bronc and bull rider.[2][16] In his debut professional year, Lambert quickly established himself in regional circuits, earning the Southwest Region All-Around Championship and the Southwest Region Saddle Bronc Riding Championship.[2] He continued this momentum through 1981–1983, securing consecutive Southwest Region Saddle Bronc Riding Championships each year and adding the Southwest Region Bull Riding Championship in 1983, along with additional All-Around titles in 1982 and 1983.[2] These regional successes highlighted his versatility across events and positioned him among top young contenders in smaller and circuit rodeos, where he qualified for events like the Texas ProRodeo Circuit Finals, winning the average championship in 1981.[18] Lambert's early rankings reflected his rapid rise, with consistent top placements in PRCA regional standings that allowed him to compete in a growing number of professional outings, often limited to under 30 rodeos per season initially.[16] During this period, he traveled extensively with fellow up-and-coming cowboys, including Bobby Brown in 1982, and formed key connections with figures like Lane Frost and Tuff Hedeman as his career progressed into the mid-1980s.[16][19]Saddle bronc and bull riding achievements
Cody Lambert specialized in saddle bronc riding and bull riding during his professional career with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), establishing himself as a formidable competitor in roughstock events throughout the 1980s and 1990s.[16] His versatility allowed him to occasionally enter bareback riding competitions, though his primary focus remained on the demanding disciplines of saddle bronc and bull riding.[1] Lambert achieved significant success at the circuit level, capturing the Texas Circuit Finals saddle bronc riding championship twice and the bull riding championship twice, while also earning three all-around titles in the circuit during his peak years.[1] These victories highlighted his consistency and skill across events, as he frequently placed among the leaders in regional standings and major PRCA-sanctioned rodeos. In 1982, he won the saddle bronc riding title at the St. Paul Rodeo in Oregon, a prestigious event known for its challenging stock.[16] One of Lambert's standout performances came at the Pecos Rodeo in Texas during the 1990s, where he took first place in saddle bronc riding aboard the renowned horse Sensation, noted for its powerful bucking action, and finished second in bull riding on the explosive bull Cadillac.[16] These results underscored his ability to excel against elite competition, often traveling and competing alongside rodeo's top talents, which positioned him as a regular contender in the national world standings for both events.[16] Lambert's rides, such as those on Sensation and Cadillac, became emblematic of his technical prowess and fearless style, contributing to his reputation for handling some of the toughest livestock in professional rodeo.[16]National Finals Rodeo qualifications
Cody Lambert qualified for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) nine times between 1981 and 1993, establishing himself as a consistent contender in both saddle bronc riding and bull riding. His debut qualification occurred in 1981 in saddle bronc riding, achieved after just 29 rodeos in his second professional year with the PRCA. Over his NFR career, he earned approximately $70,985 in bull riding alone, reflecting his endurance in one of rodeo's most demanding events.[1][20][2] Lambert's saddle bronc riding qualifications came in 1981, 1990, and 1991, demonstrating his foundational skills in the event from an early age. The 1991 NFR marked his sole dual qualification, where he competed in both saddle bronc and bull riding, underscoring his versatility across disciplines. While detailed round scores for his saddle bronc performances remain sparsely documented, these appearances contributed to his overall PRCA earnings and reputation for balanced expertise.[1] In bull riding, Lambert qualified seven times: 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, and 1993. His NFR bull riding results highlighted resilience, with multiple full-go performances despite the event's high injury risk. For instance, in 1986, he rode all seven rounds, though earnings were modest at $4,200; by contrast, 1985 and 1993 each yielded over $16,000, establishing key financial benchmarks in his career. A challenging 1991 saw six rides but no earnings, illustrating the variability of NFR outcomes.[1][20] The following table summarizes Lambert's bull riding NFR statistics:| Year | Rounds Ridden | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 5 | $17,170 |
| 1986 | 7 | $4,200 |
| 1988 | 6 | $11,475 |
| 1989 | 5 | $15,749 |
| 1991 | 6 | $0 |
| 1992 | 3 | $5,888 |
| 1993 | 5 | $16,503 |
