About
OUR STORY - 6th Generation Ranching Family
The history of Sutton Rodeo Company parallels the growth and development of rodeo for nearly the entire 20th century and beyond.
In 1926, the Edwin Sutton family began producing their own rodeos on the home ranch in Sully County. Originally the rodeo was just a pleasant pastime when a group of people got together on a Sunday. However, Edwin saw a possibility for profit and joined with George Fairbank to begin a touring rodeo. The Depression shut down the productions and they did not begin again until the mid-40s.
James H. Sutton, Sr. took Sutton rodeo to the next stage in the 1950s when he entered into a partnership with Erv Korkow. As one of the first members of the RCA, Sutton/Korkow stock performed at the first National Finals Rodeo at Dallas, Texas in 1959. The Company won Bull of the Year with “Baldy” in 1961 and had Reserve Champion horses “Snake River” in 1962 and “Yellow Jacket” in 1964. James was the first Stock Contractor to be inducted in the PRCA Hall of Champions in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1982.
In 1968, James Sutton, Jr. became a partner with his dad forming Sutton Rodeo Company and the tradition continued. Sutton Rodeo had three PRCA Horse of the Year awards, “Deep Water” in 1979 and “Big Bud” in 1985 and “Chuckulator” in 2012, Top Saddle Bronc of the World and WNFR. Sutton Rodeo stock has been selected to perform at 55 of the 57 National Finals Rodeos. Jim, along with wife Julie, took the company to the next level with a focus on production and innovation. Jim & Julie began Rodeo Rapid City formally known as the Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo in 1978, a rodeo nominated nineteen times for PRCA “Indoor Rodeo of the Year” winning this award in 2002, 2003 & 2020. Jim originated the Wrangler Bullfights and the Bailey Bail-Off. He is famous for his pageantry and colorful rodeo openings, including the openings at the NFR in 1995-96. Jim has been nominated four times as “Stock Contractor of the Year”. Jim’s wife Julie, an experienced rodeo secretary and NFR timer, is in charge of publicity and advance promotion.
Jim’s son, Steve, is co-owner of Sutton Rodeo and NFR pickup man in three decades (1978, 1981, 1986, 1993 & 1995). As the fourth generation of Sutton Rodeo Company, Steve has been a PRCA member since 1976, and became a Stock Contractor in 1982. He takes great pride in the history of Sutton Rodeo, striving to breed top quality bucking stock and produce top notch rodeos. Steve particularly enjoys producing college, high school and 4-H rodeos. In 2010, Steve was inducted into the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center as “Present Cowboy Great”. Wife Kim, a 7X WNFR timer, assists the rodeo company in the areas of timing, publicity and marketing.
Steve and Kim’s children, the fifth generation of Sutton Rodeo, while reaping the benefit of over 80 years of experience are hard at work, looking at ways to continue the legacy and add their own improvements to the company. Their daughter, Amy, also a 3X WNFR timer, started timing PRCA rodeos in 2006 and is the office manager for Sutton Rodeos Inc. Her husband, Steven Muller helps with the livestock management and rodeo production. Son, Brent, 2020 NFR pickupman started his career as a pickup man in 2004 and became a PRCA contestant in 2007. He also has been the NFR assistant chute boss for 7 years. Son, Brice is the company flank man, working with the livestock management and rodeo production, joining the PRCA ranks in 2010. All have pursued college degrees in Animal Science and/or Business and intend to use these degrees to continue the tradition of raising 90% of their breeding stock. The future looks strong with the start of the sixth generation. Grandson Shaden James (8) and granddaughter Shally Rayne (3) children of Amy & Steven, and granddaughters Ruby Belle (4) and Stella Joy (1) daughters of Brice & Alyssa.
