Story originally posted by Horsecity.com Staff

Wanda Bush and Martha Josey are both legendary barrel racers, that have won more than their share of titles, and both were recently honored with legendary honors.

It is no accident that two prestigious honors recently came Bush's way. On Oct. 21, 2001, she was inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame/National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Okla. Then on Feb. 9, 2002, the contributions of Bush were once again recognized when she was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Belton, Texas.



Then on March 3, barrel racing icon and World Champion barrel racer Martha Josey, Karnack, Texas, was officially named rodeo legend as the inaugural recipient of the RodeoHouston Lone Star Legend Award. And Josey was in the best of rodeo company when she received her award. Recognized for her barrel racing accomplishments, Josey was joined by other rodeo legends Donnie Gay, Shawn Davis, Larry Mahan, Dean Oliver, Mike Cervi as well as famous rodeo clowns Wilbur Plaugher, Quail Dobbs and The Cajun Kid.

Wanda Bush
Although she's a two-time World Champion barrel racer, it's always more accurate to refer to Wanda as a cowgirl, an all-around cowgirl. No one in the history of the sport has been able to run barrels, rope calves and ride cutting horses better than Bush. After winning championships in each, Bush has devoted more than half of her life training horses and their riders to do the same thing.

Today Wanda, 70, finds it hard to believe that she won her first World Barrel Racing Championship 50 years ago. But the 1952 and 1953 World Champion Barrel Racer rode a great mare named Dee Gee.

"We have a great granddaughter of ole' Dee Gee that is one of the best-looking colts I've ever seen," said Wanda. "We are fortunate to still have colts that are related to her."

A member of the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) since she was 16, and the association, then known as the Girl's Rodeo Association (GRA) that was only two years old, Wanda earned a record 29 World Championships before leaving the competition arena.

The list is long - 29 to be exact: All-Around World Champion eight times, Calf Roping World Champion nine times, Ribbon Roping World Champion seven times, Cutting Horse World Champion two times, Flag Racing World Champion once and Barrel Racing World Champion twice.

As late as 1969, Bush was still setting world records. She won the Houston Astrodome Rodeo in March 1969, riding a dun gelding, Mr. Eddy, that took her to four NFRs. Her win of $1,428 was the most money ever won by a barrel racer at a regular season rodeo at the time.

Wanda has had her GRA/WPRA card for 53 years.

"From the time I got my card, I've never competed in an amateur rodeo. It meant that much to me to be a professional," said Wanda.

Wanda and her husband, Stanley, a World Champion in the National Cutting Horse Association, have one daughter, Shanna. A chip off the old block, Shanna qualified for the 1984 National Finals Rodeo riding one of her great horses named Bartender.

Although a broken leg four years ago slowed Wanda somewhat, she continues to conduct clinics around the country. A broken foot, sustained recently when attempting to upright a broodmare feeder, has curtailed her activities for the next six weeks. It seems when one thing happens, they all happen, as Stanley is also in the hospital, suffering from pneumonia.

An early inductee into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and the first recipient of the Coca Cola WPRA Woman of the Year, Wanda remains a favorite of all who know her. Despite 29 World titles, none have gone to her head. She remains as humble as ever and above all a lady, a role model many have followed.

Martha Josey
Josey received her award during the final day at the Houston Stock Show Rodeo and later was introduced in the Reliant Astrodome where country music great George Strait performed before a sell-out audience of over 70,000. After being held for 39 years in the Astrodome, RodeoHouston will move into new facilities, the Reliant Stadium, in 2003.
Dan Gattis, General Manager of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, personally notified Josey on Jan. 30 of her selection for the special award.

"You have been selected as a RodeoHouston Lone Star Legend Award recipient based on your record-setting performances and career achievements in Houston," said Gattis. "You were indeed an important part of our past and a reason for our exciting future. We are proud to offer our recognition and celebration of your many memorable performances for RodeoHouston fans over the years. Your appearances here will forever be a part of Texas lore, and we look forward to sharing with our audience how your personal contributions have helped forge a lasting legacy of excellence."

Josey was introduced by RodeoHouston color commentator Sharon Camarillo, Lockeford, Calif., to a packed audience inside the Reliant Hall before being recognized before the George Strait concert in the Reliant Astrodome.

"Martha Josey is the only individual, male or female, to have competed in the Astrodome over a period of time that spanned five decades," said Camarillo. "Her first appearance at RodeoHouston came in 1968. Since that time she has competed in 34 years of Astrodome competition that included the '60s, the '70s, the '80s, the '90s and the 2000s.

"Martha and her husband R.E. have become icons in the barrel racing industry and have introduced thousands upon thousands to the sport of barrel racing. Martha is the only barrel racer to ever win the World Championship in both the Women's Professional Rodeo Association and the American Quarter Horse Association in the same year. She was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1985."