A Rodeo Pioneer: Celebrating Jonnie Jonckowski’s National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Induction
At Angel Horses, we’re proud to celebrate our founder’s place in rodeo history. Lynn “Jonnie” Jonckowski was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame in 1991, recognizing a groundbreaking career that helped open doors for women in professional bull riding.
A Champion Who Opened Doors
A lifelong athlete, Jonnie first tried bull riding for fun. She soon discovered a challenge that matched her competitive spirit and began pursuing the sport professionally.
Her determination carried her to two world bull riding championships, in 1986 and 1988, through the Professional Women’s Rodeo Association (PWRA). But her influence extended beyond championship titles. By challenging barriers to women’s participation, Jonnie helped create opportunities for the riders who followed her.
The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame credits her pioneering career with helping bring women back into rough-stock competition at many arenas for the first time since the 1930s.
Jonnie’s career also took her into competition against men at the Justin World Bull Riding Championships in 1992 and 1993—another milestone in a remarkable journey.
A Legacy Worth Celebrating
Her 1991 induction became an enduring recognition of her contributions to rodeo. More honors followed, including induction into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2024 and the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 2025.
In 2025, Jonnie also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame, further recognizing her extraordinary career and lasting contributions to the sport.
Her story continues to reach new audiences through the Montana PBS documentary JONNIE.
For our Angel Horses family, celebrating these achievements means honoring the courage and determination behind them. Each recognition offers another opportunity to share Jonnie’s story and remember how one woman’s persistence can expand what is possible for others.
Congratulations, Jonnie, on a lasting legacy in the arena and a well-deserved place among the women who shaped the West.
Read Jonnie’s official profile at the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame.