Photo courtesy of Bud's obituary
DUPREE, S.D. – The South Dakota rodeo family said goodbye to one of its favorite sons Saturday following the passing of former saddle bronc champion Bud Longbrake, who passed away as the result of an auto accident near his Dupree-area ranch on Friday, Dec. 20. Longbrake was a five-time qualifier for the National Finals Rodeo and the overall average champion in his first trip to Las Vegas in 1990 when he also finished a career best sixth in the world standings. Numerous other career highlights include the 1999 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, when he became the first bronc rider ever to win all three performances of the “Daddy of ‘em All.” Longbrake was also a qualifier for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, when rodeo was featured as an exhibition event. He had a smile and demeanor that made him a favorite of fans wherever he went, but an even smaller accessory will also be remembered as his trademark. Longbrake was almost always seen with a toothpick protruding from the side of his mouth, especially while in competition. In all his rides, try as they may, there never was a bronc that was able to force him to lose the toothpick. Longbrake and his late father Pete were successful stock contractors, well known for raising bucking horses. Some were fit for high-profile rodeos, but most were raised for use in 4-H and other youth rodeos, as the development of young competitors became the real passion for Bud and Pete. Longbrake leaves behind a son and daughter, plus six young’ens who called him Papa. The “Toothpick Cowboy” was 62.
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