Ferguson, Tom R.

Tom R. Ferguson, (born December 20, 1950, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, U.S.), American cowboy who was the first to win the all-around cowboy title of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (before 1975, the Rodeo Cowboys Association) six consecutive times (1974–79), breaking Larry Mahan’s record of five consecutive titles (1966–70).

When Ferguson and his elder brother Larry were growing up in California, their father provided them with horses and cattle to practice rodeo events. Tom competed in rodeo at California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo) and joined the professional circuit in 1972. In 1978 he became the first rodeo star to win more than $100,000 in the arena in a single year. In addition to his all-around titles, he won the title in steer wrestling in 1976–78. In the early 1980s Ferguson was a leading all-time money winner. He retired later in the decade. Ferguson was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2012 his record for most consecutive all-around titles (which after 1994 he shared with Ty Murray) was surpassed by Trevor Brazile.