Tad Lucas

Tad Lucas (September 1, 1902 – February 23, 1990) was an American trick rider and rodeo performer.

Life Tad Lucas was born Barbara Inez Barnes on September 1, 1902. She was born the youngest of 24 children on a pioneer ranch in Cody, Nebraska in the sandhills country. Lucas starting riding at an early age. By the age of 20, she was a professional cowgirl. She soon met cowboy James Edward "Buck" Lucas and married him. She started competing in trick riding, soon reaching the top. When World War II arrived, many women's events were ended. In 1948, the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA) (now the Women's Professional Rodeo Association) was created and stepped in to restore women's roles. Lucas's charter membership and fame assisted. and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) by serving on their Board of Directors. The Rodeo Historical Society had the assistance of having her on their board.

Honors 1968 National Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1978 National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame 1997 Texas Trail of Fame Tad Lucas Award - The Rodeo Historical Society and National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum created an award named after her in her honor. 2002 Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame 2007 Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame