Horses are a big part of rodeo, and RTR Willy (aka: Willy), a decorated Steer Wrestling horse is definitely one of these elite animals. Owned by Greg Cassidy, his decorated life spans 2 decades.

Greg purchased the registered quarter horse gelding RTR Little Willy (known as Willy), when he was just three. A “running bred horse, he’s the grandson of Easy Jet”. An appendix gelding (half quarter horse/half thoroughbred) Willy has taken three men to World Steer Wrestling titles over the years, helping cowboys win over $2.5 million in earnings. This brown gelding has been named the Canadian Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year five times and has been among the top three in the American Quarter Horse Association world poll three times, winning the American Quarter Horse Association’s World Championship crown in 2008.

In 2008, Seven of the ten men in Pool A of the Calgary Stampede rode a Cassidy Horse in the Steer Wrestling event. Three more competitors in Pool B were mounted on Willy. “Of the $60,000 paid out in Steer Wrestling in Pool A that year, nearly $50,000 of it was won on Cassidy Horses – one of which was Willy, who was nineteen years old at the time.

To name a few of Willy’s other accolades’: Canadian SW Champion in 2000/2003/2005/2008, CPRA SW Horse of the Year 2002/2003/2005/2006. 2004 PRCA Season Leader, and the 2008 NFR Fan Favorite. Willy attended the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002, and has won many season rodeo championships throughout the years.

There’s no wonder RTR Little Willy has earned a place in the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, having carried two generations of Cassidy Cowboys, making a visit to the pay window a common occurrence. Greg competed on the gelding in his CPRA career, as have both his sons, Curtis and Cody. This four legged wonder horse holds a special place in the Cassidy family’s hearts, and we proudly welcome RTR Little Willy into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.