George Chournos
George Chournos is no stranger to the sport of rodeo. He won the World Saddle Bronc Championship in 1957 and was the President of the New Zealand Rodeo Association in the early 1960s where he competed in saddle bronc, bareback, and calf roping. He was responsible for organizing the New Zealand rodeo into following the US rules.
In addition to these accomplishments, he was also General Chairman of the Utah State rodeo team and involved with BYU’s rodeo team. Needless to say, George was pretty experienced in the sport of rodeo before he and his wife moved to Cokeville, Wyoming.
George became involved with the Cokeville Rodeo during the early years of the Cokeville Stock & Saddle Club. George is a highly accomplished saddle maker, and donated two saddles (on separate years) for the club to raffle off to raise money. There were little funds in the beginning, and George’s saddles gave the club enough cushion for them to have the ability to put on a good show in the following years.
George and his wife, Kumeroa, also sponsored one of the original chutes and donated several bronc buckles over the years. He also judged the Cokeville rodeo (as well as countless others in Utah and New Zealand).
He was always making small odds and ends for the rodeo club. He crafted the first CSSC flag, which is still used to this day. (You can see his granddaughter carrying in the pictures below.) He was involved in the queen pageant, and made at least a dozen flag boots for the royalty, and was known to fix many pieces of tack and equipment for the contestants. George also fashioned many uniquely beautiful saddles, breast collars, headstalls, and outfits for his daughter while she represented Cokeville in the Miss Rodeo Wyoming contest.
George spent nearly 75 summers of his life herding sheep for Chournos Land & Livestock and cows for Thompson Land & Livestock (and several other ranches in between).
Many people came together to help create this story about George. Thank you so much to all those who helped me write this. There are many things that he has forgotten, but We Remember.
Thank you George, for sharing your talents in many different capacities to help a newly-formed Cokeville Stock & Saddle Club. We thank you for your service rendered, and are proud to include you in our Rodeo Honorees.
