The rodeo world has lost two of its most accomplished cowboys in a matter of weeks.
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Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Dusty LaValley died Aug. 2 following a battle with ALS. He was 45.
Then on Aug. 14, five-time world champion Phil Lyne, widely regarded as one of the greatest all-around cowboys in rodeo history, died at 79.
LaValley was a four-time Canadian bareback champion, winning titles in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011. The Alberta native was named the PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year in bareback riding in 2004 and qualified for 13 Canadian Finals Rodeos.
He also reached the National Finals Rodeo twice, highlighted by a standout performance in 2008 when he placed in six of 10 rounds and finished third in the average.
LaValley was inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2022.
Lyne's résumé was even more remarkable. Nicknamed by some the "Greatest Cowboy of All Time," the Texas native won five professional rodeo world championships across a career in which he competed in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down roping and steer wrestling.
Lyne captured consecutive all-around world championships in 1971 and 1972 while also winning the calf roping world title both years. He even won the bull riding aggregate at the 1972 National Finals Rodeo.
He later added a world championship in steer roping in 1990.
Lyne was inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1971 and the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979.
