Sammy Andrews
Born into the stock contracting business, Sammy Andrews grew up on his Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Famer father’s ranch in northeast Texas breaking horses, working cattle, and harvesting soybeans, wheat and cotton. After riding bareback horses and steer wrestling in college, Andrews began putting on open rodeos with friends and went to work for Jerald Smith with Wing Rodeo. While he did anything and everything necessary, he really loved picking up. In 1987, Andrews bought his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association card and saw instant success with Outlaw Willie winning Bucking Bull of the Year in 1990 and the legendary Bodacious entering the scene in 1992. A visionary for the sport, Andrews started Buckers Inc., now known as American Bucking Bull Incorporated, with Bob Tallman and was one of the first contractors to supply bulls to Professional Bull Riders and Bull Riders Only. His most memorable experience, however, was the first time he stepped on the back of the bucking chutes at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Today, Andrews’ legacy stands forever in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, and he works alongside his son, James, wife, Jacel, and grandkids to run their 1,600-acre ranch and haul bucking bulls and horses across the country.
Raising generations to love and appreciate livestock and the land, Sammy Andrews works cattle with his family. Photo courtesy of Sammy and Jacel Andrews.
Now working with his son James, the two are pictured with the 2021 Texas ProRodeo Circuit Remuda Award. Photo courtesy of Sammy and Jacel Andrews.
Cowboy Traits
Honest. Gritty. Hardworking. Loyal.
Sammy Andrews stands proudly with their legendary Hall of Fame bull Bodacious’ grave. Photo courtesy of Sammy and Jacel Andrews.
Sammy Andrews and his wife Jacel stand with 2023 Texas ProRodeo Circuit Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year award for one of Andrews Rodeo Co.’s bucking horses, 113 All Or Nothin. Photo courtesy of Sammy and Jacel Andrews.
Definition of ‘Cowboy’
“I think my definition of cowboy is somebody that knows something about livestock for sure, but to me, a cowboy is more than somebody who knows something about livestock,” Andrews says. “He’s a man of his word. His handshake is his bond. He’s a good caretaker of the land. He rides for the brand. For me, being raised on a ranch made it easier to savvy the rodeo world and understand how to handle livestock because that is the main part of it. Unfortunately, a lot of young kids these days come up playing with their phones and don’t understand much about the importance of our lifestyle. They don’t know what they’re missing by not getting out, having a good work ethic and bonding with the land.”
Sammy Andrews sits horseback with stock contractor Harry Vold as a pickup man. Photo courtesy of Sammy and Jacel Andrews. The post Sammy Andrews appeared first on Western Horseman.