Mention the name, Clarence Peterson, and Rodeo Fans across this great nation will either know him or of his famous “Horse of the Year”, Blackie, with his perfect white diamond on his forehead. The story always was, Clarence Peterson is the toughest competitive cowboy hero of his time.

Clarence Begay was born in the month of the “Great Wind” on December 20, 1937 and blessed to Rose Myers-Peterson and Bigboy Begay of Steamboat, Ariz.  In time, he changed his namesake to Clarence Peterson, is a rodeo performance name.

Clarence was always a wrangler. He broke and tamed wild horses and roped cattle in his adolescence years near the coal mine where his father had mined coal within the canyons beneath that majestic anchored ship known as the Steamboat.

Clarence held rodeo circuit memberships to the All Indian Rodeo Cowboy Association, Navajo Nation Rodeo Cowboy Association, and the Navajo Old Timer Rodeo Cowboy Association.  He won numerous All Around Cowboy standings and cash winnings for calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling, bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding and wild horse races during the 1960’s and late 1970’s.

At the Navajo Nation fair in 1964, Peterson won three saddles for calf roping, steer wrestling and All Around, all in a day’s work. At the height of his rodeo career his photo was featured in the July 1968 issue of Western Horseman Magazine and in 1964 he played a role as an Indian in “A Distant Trumpet” starring Troy Donahue, Suzanne Pleshette and Diane McBain.

At the age of 65 he was recognized and presented with a trophy buckle honoring him for the “Legendary Cowboy” title. Humbled, he wore the buckle with honor and pride.

He never forgot his true beginnings and always remembered his fellow rodeo competitors. Cowboys Mark Begay, Dee Etsitty, Paul Arviso, Sr., Julian Martinez, Nelson Loretto, Dean C. Jackson, Wilson Stewart, Sr., Eddy “Ox” Anderson, Sonny Jim, Bucky Salaway, Lucky Salaway and Paul Begay who have paid their dues at the gates of the Great Creator.  He ran with the best of them and is remembered today by many rodeo competitors and their rodeo families on the Navajo Nation and abroad.

There are many Clarence Peterson stories. He was a man with a great sense of humor. Once, he rode his horse into the American Bar on Coal Street to have a “cold one” while participating in the Gallup Ceremonial parade.

He was not a perfect man. He faced many trials in his time. As a cowboy, he made sure his horse was fed and watered before his next meal. To the end, he always gave modest words of advice to young cowboys who wanted to hear the secret to throwing and catching that next steer. He always ended the advice with that notable boyish laugh and the famous, handsome, Clarence Peterson stance.

In remembrance, the community of Steamboat, family and relatives are pursuing a memorial in honor of Clarence Peterson. The memorial will read “Home of the Legendary Cowboy Clarence Peterson”. It will be displayed for all to see when they travel through the eminent community of Steamboat, Ariz. This is and always will be his home. His philosophy was always, “No Guts, No Glory.” Rest in Peace, Dad. Our cowboy forever!