Story originally posted by Horsecity.com Staff

2003 marks the ProRodeo Hall of Fame¹s 25th year of celebrating the history and colorful legends of professional rodeo.

This week¹s Hall of Famer is team roper and all-around cowboy Leo Camarillo, a part of the Hall of Fame¹s inaugural class of 1979.





The son of a working cowboy and ranch foreman, this California team roper, born Jan. 23, 1946, in Santa Ana, Calif., underwent strict discipline and training in his youth. This youthful training greatly helped him in becoming a five-time world champion.

Camarillo won team roping world titles in 1972, 1973, 1975 and 1983.

In 1975, he tied Tom Ferguson for the world all-around title.

Although he excelled in calf roping and steer wrestling, Camarillo¹s specialty was team roping. He qualified for 18 National Finals Rodeos in the event, just one off the all-time record.

Always thinking, he created and polished a style of heeling steers (catching both hind legs) in a way that had never been achieved previously.