Roughstock legend and ProRodeo Hall of Famer Dave Appleton, known as the Lone Roo, competed in both bareback riding and saddle bronc riding on the ProRodeo Circuit from 1980 to 1994. He qualified for the NFR in bareback eight times (1982-88, 1990) and in saddle bronc three times (1984-86).
In 1989, Appleton won the All-Around gold buckle, becoming the first Australian cowboy to win a PRCA world championship.
Before coming over to the States, he rodeoed in Australia for two years. He talks about his childhood in Clermont, Queensland, getting his start in rodeo after first wanting to be a jockey, convincing his mom to let him pursue it professionally, coming to the States, meeting his Aussie traveling partners, and the first American rodeo he went to in Mesquite, Texas.
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