RECIPIENT

For nearly eight decades, Wes O’Neal has cowboyed on three of the best-known ranches in Texas. O’Neal’s cowboying career began when he was 13 years old, breaking broncs with his brother, Boots O’Neal, on small spreads, eventually leading him to the JA Ranch. He went on to work for the W.T. Waggoner Estate for 58 years, serving as Wagon Boss and later as horse foreman directing the breeding of broodmares and stallions. O’Neal’s insight into breeding horses laid the groundwork for the W.T. Waggoner Estate being recognized as having the best ranch horses in the country.