Mahan, Larry E.

▪ American cowboy

born Nov. 21, 1943, Brooks, Ore., U.S.

      professional American rodeo wrangler, the first to win five consecutive Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA; later Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, PRCA) all-around cowboy championships, from 1966 through 1970. His record was later surpassed by Tom R. Ferguson (Ferguson, Tom R.).

      In 1962 Mahan won the all-around Oregon championship and also won the bareback bronc and bulldogging events. He joined the RCA in 1963 and soon became a consistent winner in bull riding, saddle bronc, and bareback riding. In 1965 he was the top money winner in bull riding, and in 1966 he won his first all-around title and was also the first cowboy to compete in three national finals rodeo events.

      In 1967 Mahan became the first cowboy to win more than $50,000 in a single year. By the end of 1970 his career earnings were more than $280,000. Injuries early in the 1970s led to fewer appearances on the circuit, but Mahan continued to win, including another all-around title in 1973. He also ran several rodeo schools for young riders and developed a line of Western clothing. He retired from rodeo competition and owned a ranch near Phoenix, Ariz.

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