The trustees of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Center of Western Heritage and Cultures: Native American, Ranching and Rodeo have selected inductees for 2006.

They will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame at ceremonies in Medora on Aug. 5 and in Sentinel Butte on Aug. 6.

The nine inductees brings to 90 the number who have been inducted since 1998.

This year's inductees are:

Pre-1940 rodeo

Robert "Bob" McLeod, of Medora, grew up on horseback.

He not only furnished stock for the 1924 Killdeer Mountain Roundup Rodeo, but he also won the wild horse race and rough stock-riding events.

Bob and his bride, Lenore, joined the George Gardner Rodeo Troop in 1925 and toured all over the upper Midwest.

Modern era rodeo

Jack Chase, of Grant County and Bismarck, started work as a cowboy for hire and ultimately served as brand inspector for the state Stockmen's Association for 39 years.

He was a four-time state champion steer wrestler, earning his RCA card in 1964.

Pre-1940 ranching

Andrew "Squeaky" Johnston, of Dickinson and McKenzie County, is the individual credited as being most responsible for the formation of the state Stockmen's Association.

He homesteaded near Watford City and ran the Townsend and VVV ranches for many years.

Modern era ranching

Leonard Davis, of Belfield and Killdeer, established the Killdeer Mountain Ranch in 1936, continuing to add parcels as they became available, including the historic Killdeer Mountain Roundup Rodeo site in 1959.

Davis promoted the establishment of a fully funded animal disease research center in North Dakota.

Ranches

VVV Ranch in Golden Valley County was established as the JXL in 1883 by Gregor Lang.

Theodore Roosevelt was a frequent guest during his buffalo hunts. The Yule Post Office was established and operated in conjunction with a general store on the ranch, as it was along the Fort Keogh Stage Coach Line.

Andrew Johnston and Nelson Langdon purchased the JXL in 1937, renaming it the VVV. The Weinreis family purchased the ranch in 1975.

Leaders of ranching and rodeo

James Jefferies of Grassy Butte and Fargo began working as a ranch hand at age 12.

His rodeo career spanned five decades, from participation within the arena to judging in the late '70s and '80s.

Rodeo livestock

Little Yellow Jacket from the Berger Ranch in Morton County was named the World Champion Bucking Bull in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

He is not only the most famous bull in North Dakota, but the most famous bull in the world. He was recently retired and moved back to the ranch near Mandan.

Special achievement

Mandan Rodeo in Morton County is legendary, beginning as a Fourth of July event in 1882 and coming into its own in 1923, when Max Thiel organized a roundup and brought in stock from miles around for a really big show.

Cowboy long rider

Don Hart, of Fargo, was a genuine horseman who practiced his principles of training and horsemanship all his life.

He enjoyed riding in any weather. His love of horses extended to all disciplines and breeds.