Butch Knowles found his love for rodeo and west while spending summers on his family’s ranch in Oregon.
The fire was lit from an early age and his accomplishments started young. He competed in all events while junior rodeoing and that landed him the 1972 and 1973 Oregon High School All-Around titles. He went on to attend Walla Walla Community College, competing in all three riding events and he was the runner-up all-Around Champion at the College National Finals in 1975 and 1977.
Knowles professional career began in 1994 and the saddle bronc riding is where he would find himself succeeding most. Calgary, Ponoka, Salinas, Pendleton, St. Paul, and Red Bluff are just a few of the places that Knowles won championships at. He qualified for four National Finals Rodeos in Las Vegas in the 80’s, it was 1987 that he won the Average title there. His accomplishments continue with him being on the Gold medal winning US Olympic team in 1988.
In 1991, Knowles won his second ever Pendleton Roundup title when he decided to retire. Little did Knowles know, he would continue to be around the sport of rodeo, just in a newer way. Television broadcasting was not on his radar yet he found himself in the broadcasting booth at the 1988, before he retired, at the College National Finals in Montana. Since then, Knowles has been a part of hundreds of shows, been featured on 12 networks and is a household name when it comes to NFR commentators.
Knowles life has been dedicated to rodeo and the western way of life. From competing inside rodeo’s most iconic arenas to then commentating outside of them, Knowles’ career has been Hall of Fame worthy in every way.