Lonnie Hale
Class of 2020 (posthumously)
1935-1972
Lonnie was born in Melville, Utah and moved with his family to Manns Creek, Idaho as a small child. After getting his first pony, and his cowboy hat, he was hooked on the western life style.
Rodeo was his passion. He started riding Bareback horses, Broncs and Bulls. He traveled in Idaho winning many rodeos. Later he joined the PRCA and extended his travel and competition. He was an auctioneering graduate from Billings, Montana, and was a sculptor and artist as well.
He and his brother, Lou Hale, traveled together and worked together for McGregor Triangle construction company during the week. Then on the weekends they would hit the rodeo trail.
Lonnie was also a master bull rope braider and sold bull ropes to many a champion. He could do any size plait the bull rider needed.
Some of his rodeo wins included Weiser, Id. Cambridge, Id. Lakeview, Ore. Red Bluff, Ca. Edmonton, Alberta. And many more. He was a mentor to many young cowboys and admired for his numerous talents.
Lonnie Hale
Class of 2020 (posthumously)
1935-1972
Lonnie was born in Melville, Utah and moved with his family to Manns Creek, Idaho as a small child. After getting his first pony, and his cowboy hat, he was hooked on the western life style.
Rodeo was his passion. He started riding Bareback horses, Broncs and Bulls. He traveled in Idaho winning many rodeos. Later he joined the PRCA and extended his travel and competition. He was an auctioneering graduate from Billings, Montana, and was a sculptor and artist as well.
He and his brother, Lou Hale, traveled together and worked together for McGregor Triangle construction company during the week. Then on the weekends they would hit the rodeo trail.
Lonnie was also a master bull rope braider and sold bull ropes to many a champion. He could do any size plait the bull rider needed.
Some of his rodeo wins included Weiser, Id. Cambridge, Id. Lakeview, Ore. Red Bluff, Ca. Edmonton, Alberta. And many more. He was a mentor to many young cowboys and admired for his numerous talents.
Lonnie Hale
Class of 2020 (posthumously)
1935-1972
Lonnie was born in Melville, Utah and moved with his family to Manns Creek, Idaho as a small child. After getting his first pony, and his cowboy hat, he was hooked on the western life style.
Rodeo was his passion. He started riding Bareback horses, Broncs and Bulls. He traveled in Idaho winning many rodeos. Later he joined the PRCA and extended his travel and competition. He was an auctioneering graduate from Billings, Montana, and was a sculptor and artist as well.
He and his brother, Lou Hale, traveled together and worked together for McGregor Triangle construction company during the week. Then on the weekends they would hit the rodeo trail.
Lonnie was also a master bull rope braider and sold bull ropes to many a champion. He could do any size plait the bull rider needed.
Some of his rodeo wins included Weiser, Id. Cambridge, Id. Lakeview, Ore. Red Bluff, Ca. Edmonton, Alberta. And many more. He was a mentor to many young cowboys and admired for his numerous talents.
Lonnie Hale
Class of 2020 (posthumously)
1935-1972
Lonnie was born in Melville, Utah and moved with his family to Manns Creek, Idaho as a small child. After getting his first pony, and his cowboy hat, he was hooked on the western life style.
Rodeo was his passion. He started riding Bareback horses, Broncs and Bulls. He traveled in Idaho winning many rodeos. Later he joined the PRCA and extended his travel and competition. He was an auctioneering graduate from Billings, Montana, and was a sculptor and artist as well.
He and his brother, Lou Hale, traveled together and worked together for McGregor Triangle construction company during the week. Then on the weekends they would hit the rodeo trail.
Lonnie was also a master bull rope braider and sold bull ropes to many a champion. He could do any size plait the bull rider needed.
Some of his rodeo wins included Weiser, Id. Cambridge, Id. Lakeview, Ore. Red Bluff, Ca. Edmonton, Alberta. And many more. He was a mentor to many young cowboys and admired for his numerous talents.
Lonnie Hale
Class of 2020 (posthumously)
1935-1972
Lonnie was born in Melville, Utah and moved with his family to Manns Creek, Idaho as a small child. After getting his first pony, and his cowboy hat, he was hooked on the western life style.
Rodeo was his passion. He started riding Bareback horses, Broncs and Bulls. He traveled in Idaho winning many rodeos. Later he joined the PRCA and extended his travel and competition. He was an auctioneering graduate from Billings, Montana, and was a sculptor and artist as well.
He and his brother, Lou Hale, traveled together and worked together for McGregor Triangle construction company during the week. Then on the weekends they would hit the rodeo trail.
Lonnie was also a master bull rope braider and sold bull ropes to many a champion. He could do any size plait the bull rider needed.
Some of his rodeo wins included Weiser, Id. Cambridge, Id. Lakeview, Ore. Red Bluff, Ca. Edmonton, Alberta. And many more. He was a mentor to many young cowboys and admired for his numerous talents.
O'Connor, Craig
Class of 2025
From the moment he stepped into the arena in 1980 to free his brother from a hung-up bull, Craig O’Connor knew the cowboy life was his calling. Known as “Taz” for his quick feet and fearless fighting, Craig made his mark across the West—but his heart always stayed close to Idaho.
He got his start with the Growney Brothers and quickly rose through the ranks, fighting bulls for rodeo legends like Cotton Rosser. But it was his 13-year run with the Stephens Brothers Rodeo Company out of Middleton, Idaho—2015 Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductees—that rooted him deeply in the Gem State’s rodeo tradition. He later returned to Middleton after a stint in California and continued working for Cotton until 2007.
Even after stepping out from between the horns, Craig never strayed far from the arena. He turned his focus to raising rank bucking bulls—including White Out, the 2016 PBR Maturity Bull of the Year—and built a herd of over 70 head near his home. Today, he still supports the Springville Rodeo—The Best Little Rodeo—and remains a proud voice encouraging folks to join the sport he loves.
Craig O’Connor is more than a bullfighter—he’s a mentor, a stockman, and a lifelong ambassador for Idaho rodeo. We're proud to honor him as part of the 2025 Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Craig! Your legacy rides strong. 🤠🇺🇸🐂
"Flying high and fearless—Craig O’Connor put it all on the line to protect the cowboy. Pictured here mid-action in true bullfighter form, Craig made a name for himself with heart, hustle, and a whole lot of grit. Now riding into the history books as a 2025 Idaho Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee." 🐂🔥🇺🇸