FERGUSON, TOM R.

born Dec. 20, 1950, Tahlequah, Okla., U.S. American cowboy who six times consecutively (197479) won the all-around cowboy title of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (before 1975, the Rodeo Cowboys Association), breaking Larry Mahan's record of five consecutive titles (196670). When Ferguson and his older brother Larry were growing up in California, their father provided them with horses and cattle to practice rodeo events. Tom competed in rodeo at California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo) and joined the professional circuit in 1972. In 1978 he became the first rodeo star to win more than $100,000 in the arena in a single year. In addition to his all-around titles, he won the title in steer wrestling in 197678. In the early 1980s Ferguson was a leading all-time money winner.