Vegas NFR Icons - Rich Skelton

2024

Rich Skelton

Speed Williams and Rich Skelton put on a team roping performance as partners from 1997 until 2004 that may never be matched again in Las Vegas. During that time, the duo racked up eight straight World Championships and also won the average in 2001. In 1999, the pair won six go-rounds at the NFR. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Fla., Skelton, from Electra, Texas, made his first NFR appearance in 1990 heeling with Tee Woolman. When Woolman decided to cut back his schedule in late 1997, he joined with Williams. The duo would go on to take 64 victory laps between them at the Thomas & Mack Center. Williams won 28 go-rounds in Las Vegas in his career and Skelton won 36.