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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Seven people and one special achievement event are now officially in the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame following the induction ceremony in Medora on June 24th.

Brenda Lee Bonogofsky Pickett a native of Carson and Denver Jorgenson who was born in Williston were both inducted into the Modern-era Rodeo.

The White Earth Valley Saddle Club was inducted in the Special Achievement category.

And five men were inducted posthumously into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 24th. Below are the biographies of all this year inductees, just click on the icon with their names listed below to find out more about these great people.

Brenda Lee Bonogofsky Pickett.
Brenda Lee Bonogofsky Pickett inducted into Modern Era Rodeo.

 

Courtesy of Marie Odermann will work perfect. Thank you!
L to R Cassidy Rasmusson, Miss Rodeo North Dakota and Brenda Lee Bonogofsky Pickett. Photo courtesy of Marie Oderman.

 

L to R Kelly Knoll Miss ND High School Rodeo Queen, Cassidy Rassmusson, Miss Rodeo North Dakota, Brenda Lee Bonogofsky Pickett inducted into Modern Era Rodeo division and Jim Chamley, President of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame board of directors. Photos by Steve Urness.
L to R Kelly Knoll Miss ND High School Rodeo Queen, Cassidy Rassmusson, Miss Rodeo North Dakota, Brenda Lee Bonogofsky Pickett inducted into Modern Era Rodeo division and Jim Chamley, President of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame board of directors. Photos by Steve Urness.

 

Brenda Lee Bonogofsky Pickett

Denver Jorgenson accepts his award.
Center: Denver Jorgenson accepts his honor into Modern Era Rodeo for the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Denver Jorgenson

Center: Three members of the White Earth Valley Saddle Club accept their award.
Center: Three members of the White Earth Valley Saddle Club accept their honor for Special Achievement.

White Earth Valley Saddle Club

Center member of the Y's Men's Rodeo accept their award.
Center: Members of the Y’s Men’s Rodeo in Minot accept the honor for Paul Christensen in the Cowboy Long Rider division.

Paul Christensen

Center: Members of the Clarence Parker family accept the award.
Center: Members of the Clarence Parker family accept the honor for Clarence Parker at the Great Westerner.

Clarence H. Parker

Center: Three member of the Herbert Birdsall family accept the award.
Center: Three members of the Herbert Birdsall family accept the honor for Herb Birdsall in the Pre-1940’s Ranching division.

Herb Birdsall

Center: Leo Sorensen family member accepts the award.
Center: Leo Sorensen family member accepts the honor for Leo being inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Pre-1940’s Rodeo division on June 24th.

Leo Sorensen

Center: James L. Connolly family members accept the award.
Center: James L. Connolly family members accept the honor for James L. Connolly in the Modern Era Ranching division.

James L. Connolly

Eight time World Champion Larry Mahan was the keynote speaker during the induction ceremony.
Eight time World Champion Larry Mahan was the keynote speaker during the induction ceremony.

The 6-time All-Around World Champion and 2-time Bull Riding World Champion Larry Mahan was the keynote speaker during this year’s North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Mahan’s achievements include inductions into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Oklahoma City National Cowboy & Western Heritage Hall of Fame. He remains the NFR’s all-time leading qualifier in rough stock events and the first person in rodeo history to qualify for all three riding events: bulls, saddle broncs and bareback. 

Mahan said the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame facility in Medora is second to none compared to other facilities like it across the country.

 L to R World Champion Larry Mahan and KOVC Radio announcer Steve Urness in Medora during the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Ceremony.

L to R World Champion Larry Mahan and KOVC Radio announcer Steve Urness in Medora during the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Ceremony.
Dee Pickett, had the opportunity to try-out for two professional football teams after his career as a star quarterback for Boise State University. But, Pickett followed his true love and went on to win two world titles in Pro Rodeo. He won both the all-around and team roping back in 1984. Pickett set an NFR record of winning $30,677 in one rodeo in 1984 and a season earnings high for him of more than $122,000.
L to R Dee Pickett and Larry Mahan. Pickett had the opportunity to try-out for two professional football teams after his career as a star quarterback for Boise State University. But, Pickett followed his true love and went on to win two world titles in Pro Rodeo. He won both the all-around and team roping back in 1984. Pickett set an NFR record of winning $30,677 in one rodeo in 1984 and a season earnings high for him of more than $122,000. His wife Brenda Lee Bonogofsky Pickett was inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. Dee Picket is in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Photos by Steve Urness.

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L to R Eight time world champion Larry Mahan shares a laugh for Dick Nelson of rural Valley City during the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Honorees Induction Banquet on June 23rd in Medora.
L to R Eight time world rodeo champion Larry Mahan shares a laugh with Hall of Fame board member Dick Nelson of rural Valley City during the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Honorees Induction Banquet on June 23rd on the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame patio in Medora.

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Far left ND Cowboy Hall of Fame board of director Ross Rolshoven interviews those participating in the fun pony ride auction during the evening banquet. Far right Miss Rodeo Minot Y's Men's Queen Hope Ebel. Photos by Steve Urness.
Far left ND Cowboy Hall of Fame board of director Ross Rolshoven interviews those participating in the fun pony ride auction during the evening banquet. Far right Miss Rodeo Minot Y’s Men’s Queen Hope Ebel. Photos by Steve Urness.

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Thanks so much to our great sponsors Dick Nelson Sales and Leasing and Valley Meat Supply all of Valley City for making the broadcast and this story possible from Medora, North Dakota.