Phil Lyne is often referred to as “the cowboy’s cowboy.” Born Jan. 18, 1947, in San Antonio, Texas, Lyne made his mark in virtually every event that rodeo had to offer. Following an amateur career that saw him win five championships and 42 saddles, Lyne broke into the professional ranks in 1969. He quickly made a name for himself when he was named PRCA Rookie of the Year and competed in five events – bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. Lyne won a combined five PRCA world titles in three different events: the all-around title in 1971-72; tie-down roping, 1971-72 and steer roping, 1990 (he came out of retirement to claim the steer roping championship). He owns the distinction of being the only man in professional rodeo to win the National Finals Rodeo average in three different events — the bull riding, calf roping and steer roping.

Of being inducted into the Ring of Honor, Lyne humbly stated, “Very truthfully I was surprised to be recognized but greatly honored. Knowing some of the other Ring of Honor recipients makes it very special to join them. The PBR has brought so much recognition to the event. I’m happy for the guys riding in the PBR and I’m glad to see the bulls getting the recognition and respect they deserve too. I’m just honored that they thought of me.”

Born in Plainview, Texas, in 1941, Carl Nafzger was fascinated early in life by the bulls that his father raised on their family farm. It was this fascination that led him to the rodeo arena where he experienced great success as a three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier (1963-65). In 1963, Nafzger finished the season ranked third overall in the PRCA bull riding standings — the best finish of his bull riding career. Upon leaving the world of the rodeo, Nafzger embarked on a journey that would lead him to the winner’s circle at virtually every major venue that the sport of Thoroughbred Racing has to offer. He married Wanda in 1968, the same year he received his first Thoroughbred Trainer’s license.

Nafzger is best known for his handling of the champion Unbridled that won the 1990 Kentucky Derby. Nafzger’s Street Sense also won Thoroughbred Racing’s top crown in 2007, making Nafzger a two-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer.

“To be inducted into the PBR Ring of Honor by your peers for something you did as a young man that was your life’s love and dream is the greatest thing that can happen to you,” stated Carl Nafzger in reaction to his induction. “I’m proud that the PBR has been able to take the sport of bull riding to a level we only dreamed of when I was riding. Because of the PBR, bull riders today are being recognized as the fine athletes they are, competing for prize money and endorsements we could have never imagined in the 1960’s. ‘Course it is a good thing the PBR wasn’t around then or I might still be trying to get on.”

Born and raised in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Cody Snyder immersed himself in the world of professional bull riding from the time he learned to walk. Snyder rode a calf in competition at age five and got on his first bull at age 12. By 15 Snyder had earned the Canadian Amateur Bull Riding title, and at 19 led the 1982 Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) Bull Riding standings. In 1983, at the age of 20 and virtually unknown, Snyder became the first Canadian to earn the title of PRCAWorld Champion Bull Rider. Snyder's string of wins includes the 1986 CPRA Bull Riding Championship. He was named Cowboy of the Year by his peers in 1994, and was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 and the CPRA Hall of Fame in 2005. He qualified for a record-setting nine Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) events in bull riding, and recorded the highest marked ride (95 points) in CPRA history in 1983. He is also a four-time NFR qualifier.

In 1993 Snyder retired from the competitive arena, but has never left the bull riding business. He and wife Rhonda Schlenker-Snyder together incorporated Cody Snyder's BullBustin', a company that has produced hundreds of professional bull-riding events in North America. The Snyders have been instrumental in bringing Canadian bull riding fans the excitement of live PBR events, as well as producing charity bull riding events that have generated in excess of $2 million dollars. He has worked as a color commentator on networks like VERSUS, ESPN, Rogers Sportsnet, TSN, and has served as the voice of the Calgary Stampede television broadcasts since 1997.

“Being included into the PBR's Ring of Honor is definitely a career highlight for me. It means so much to me because you are voted in by your peers, who are all great bull riders. I was fortunate enough to travel and rodeo with many of the other inductees and I am proud to call them my friends. That makes this award all the more gratifying,” said Snyder.