Rosser has built a legacy in the rodeo industry in which Folsom plays a large role

His competition days are long behind him and he doesn't make it to each and every rodeo these days, but the legendary Cotton Rosser is still very much involved in the annual Folsom Pro Rodeo and other events that contract the services of his Flying U Rodeo company. Rosser was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1995 and has previously served as Grand Marshal of the Folsom event. He and his son, Reno, have operated the Flying U Rodeo and Rosser Rodeo stock contracting companies for decades. So the action you see this weekend in Folsom is from the hard work and dedication that the Rosser family has put into the business to entertain generation after generation. In a normal year, the Rossers produce about 50 events. Rosser, who has been in the business for more that six decades now, has often been labeled as the P.T. Barnum of professional rodeo. Through the years, he has searched out ideas from sources as remote from the sport as ice shows and circuses, looking for that special something he can add to the company's productions. Rosser has done it well and he has laid down a legacy for his family to carry the tradition on for decades to come. "Rodeo is the only thing I know," Rosser told the Folsom Telegraph in an earlier interview. "I have done every rodeo event, except barrel racing because that's a ladies event." For Rosser, one of his favorite aspects of the rodeo is a combination of patriotism and family participation. "My favorite things at the rodeo are the American flag, the National Anthem, of course, the fireworks and the kids' mutton busting," he shared "It doesn't get better than that when you ride into the arena and they play the National Anthem and there is a full house." Rosser's early beginnings in rodeo was that of a cowboy who quickly became a headliner on the circuit. He started competing in all of the rodeo's standard events as a teenager and later as a member of his college rodeo team at Cal Poly University-San Luis Obispo. As a professional, Rosser won buckles, saddles and trophies. Among his many titles, one of Rosser's highlights was winning the all-around title at the 1951 Grand National Rodeo in San Francisco. Rosser purchased the Flying U Rodeo Ranch in 1956, which is now the oldest continuing rodeo livestock company in the United States and brings excitement to the city of Folsom each year. "I have raised a good family and I really tried to help rodeo. Some people say if you've seen one rodeo, you have seen them all, and I have always said I don't think that's quite true. Rodeo is the greatest sport in the world and I'm glad to have been a part of it for the last 70 years." The Folsom Pro Rodeo rides into Folsom starting Friday and continues through Sunday, July 4. Learn about all the event has to offer inside the Folsom Telegraph's official rodeo guide supplement in today's Folsom Telegraph.