Born: 1951 (Toppenish, Washington)
Biography:
Vicki Adams (born May 13, 1951) is a ProRodeo Hall of Fame cowgirl. Born Vicki Herrera on May 13, 1951, on the Yakima Indian Reservation in Toppenish, Washington, she hails from a mixed Native American heritage. Her mother was enrolled Yakama, while her ethnicity included Yakama, Snohomish, Puyllap, Cowlitz, Cayuse, and Umatilla. However, Adams chose to be enrolled as Cowlitz, honoring her great-great grandmother’s mother who was full-blooded Cowlitz. Her given Indian name is Le Yi Ah, which signifies women who sews fast.
Growing up, Adams was introduced to the world of rodeo by her father, a rodeo champion himself. Under his guidance, she developed a passion for barrel racing and became an accomplished barrel racer in the Indian association. Her skills also extended to trick riding. In 1969, Adams even served as an alternate Miss Indian America. At the age of 18, she met and married Leon Adams.
For five decades, Leon and Vicki Adams formed a remarkable team that entertained rodeo audiences across the United States and beyond. They captivated spectators with their roman riding, trick riding, dancing horses, and trained bulls. The couple’s performances took them to various countries, but they primarily resided in Stuart, Oklahoma. To support their ventures, they operated a 2,500 acre ranch in Stuart.
Both Vicki and Leon Adams also competed on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), the top rodeo circuit in the United States. In 1982, Leon was honored with the PRCA Specialty Act of the Year award, while Vicki received the same recognition in 1984. Remarkably, they both won the award again in 1987 and 1997. Their talent and dedication were acknowledged for 19 consecutive years through nominations for the prestigious accolade.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the rodeo world, Vicki Adams was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Additionally, in 2005, she was honored with induction into the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame. In 2012, she received the Tad Lucas Award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, solidifying her status as a true icon in the rodeo community.
Following Leon’s retirement from competition in 2005, Vicki Adams decided to retire in 2006. Leon was posthumously inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2008, and sadly passed away on October 30, 2017, in Stuart, Oklahoma.
Vicki Adams’ remarkable achievements and lasting impact in the world of rodeo make her a true trailblazer and a significant figure in women’s history. Her dedication to her craft, her captivating performances, and her contributions to the industry have left an indelible mark on the rodeo community and continue to inspire aspiring cowgirls across generations.