Cody Snyder
Rodeo Athlete - Inducted 2002
Born and raised in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Cody Snyder has had a love affair with rodeos and bull riding since he learned to walk. When his parents weren't looking, Cody used to ride the calves and anything that had four legs on the family farm. His first rodeo experience occurred at the age of five when Cody rode a calf in competition. The calf promptly ran past a barrel and knocked Cody off. He got up, dusted himself off, and never looked back.
Cody started riding junior steers in rodeo competitions when he was eight years old, and at twelve, he finally rode his first bull. By the age of fifteen, Cody was the Canadian Amateur Bull Riding Champion. Through 1980 and 1981, Cody gained the experience he needed to lead the Canadian Professional Rodeo Bull Riding standings in 1982. He was nineteen years old.
In 1983, at the age of twenty, and a virtual unknown on the world circuit, Cody beat the odds to capture World Bull Riding Championship in Oklahoma, the first Canadian ever to win this award. He returned home to Alberta to a hero's welcome. Cody also won the Canadian Bull Riding Championship in 1986. He was named "Cowboy of the Year" by his peers, in 1994.
Cody retired due to a career-ending wrist injury as one of Canada's top rodeo competitors. He holds the record for the most Canadian Finals Rodeo Qualifications in bull riding (nine times), as well as for the highest scored ride in Canadian Rodeo History (ninety-five points) in 1983. He was a four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier.
Cody remains involved in the sport as the owner and operator of Cody Snyder’s Bullbustin’ which produces world-class bull riding events across Western Canada. You can also catch Cody on Rogers Sportsnet, OLN US, TSN, ESPN, or CBC as the voice of experience bringing you coverage of the world’s best rodeo and bull riding events.
After Induction
2005 - Inducted to the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame
2006 - Recipient of the prestigious Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Ring of Honor
2007,08,09 - Selected as team Canada's coach for the PBR World Cup
