Born in Houston, TX with a rope in his hand, Ricky Canton is no newcomer to the timed event end of the arena.  He loves to rope and all that comes with it; training young horses, fixing older ones and watching the youth in the industry thrive on competition. 

    He currently holds the World Tiedown Roping record of 6.3 seconds, which he broke in Strathmore, Alberta Canada in 2005. When he called to tell Christy, his wife, she thought he was joking because underneath that shyness is a total practical joker.  His traveling partner Houston Hutto had to get on the phone and tell her that it was true.  When asking Houston what he thought about it, he jokingly likes to say "I thought they missed his time!" Then Houston goes on to praise the fact that the horse Ricky was riding was his. "Rowdy" (aka Jughead as known by some) was the horse, and he has been the trusted winning mount for many of the major PRCA ropers throughout the years. He currently has passed on but will be remembered by the best cowboys of this generation. Along with Rowdy some other great horses Ricky has ridden throughout the years are; BlueBell, Crawfish, PrimeTime, Mama, Hemi, Levi and the one he is currently riding now that he broke and trained himself, Concho. Ricky also has been fortunate that other competitors have allowed him to ride their horses as well. He believes that they helped with his achievements throughout his career.  

     Ricky's Dad Jimmy, taught him and his brothers Johnny and Casey to rope and ride. Growing up that is all they did. They would work all week just to have the money to go and compete on the weekends. As a kid in the summer he would go spend time with Stephen Perry who helped and taught Ricky as well. He named his son Cole after Stephen and his father in-law Steve Coleman. When asked who his idol in the tie-down roping arena is, Ricky’s quick and first response is Roy Cooper. "The king of the cowboys, a true dominating champion who changed the whole style of roping calves.  A great roper and friend.” When Ricky was 16 years old he won the Roy Cooper Jr. Roping in 1982.

     Ricky became a member of the PRCA at the age of 22-years old in 1987.  He went on to win the PRCA Rookie of The Year title that year and also won the "Daddy of 'Em All- Cheyenne" which led to his first NFR. He is a member of the Million Dollar Club with current career earnings of $1,428,770.00. He has been a member of the PRCA the last 22-years and has competed at 15 National Finals Rodeos in Las Vegas.  Ricky is also a true family man. He chose to stay close to home after his baby girl Madison was born in 1992 and also when his son Coleman Stephen was born in 2007. Family and roping, that is his life. He also started producing his own ropings in 2006. They started out as just a Saturday fun night of roping and now have turned into some of the biggest and best ropings in Texas. He held his First Annual Jr. Roping this past spring break and it was a huge success. He enjoys seeing the determination, dedication and willingness to have fun, in the younger talented generation. Last year he and his family produced 38 ropings. This year he will produce around 27 ropings and also travel entering 70+ rodeos vying for a hopeful 16th NFR. He also gives private lessons and instructs schools. Ricky has had numerous wins throughout his career. He has won and/or placed at most of the major PRCA Rodeos. His most memorable win, or course, would have to be when he broke the world record in 2005 and then the very next week went on to win Cheyenne for the second time, 18 years after his first win there. Also winning the $50,000 round at the Calgary Stampede in 2003 was memorable and the biggest single run paycheck in his career. Ricky’s moto is "To live for today, because you don't know what could happen tomorrow."

     He knows he would not have been able to travel and compete if it wasn't for his sponsors who truly know how to support you through the good times and the bad. "They all are Just like Family" according to Ricky.

·        Mr. Bill Fick who has been there for him both as a great friend and sponsor for the last 7 years;

·        Henson Family Dealerships, Madisonville, TX- Mr. Fred and Ms. Liz Henson; and

·        Team Equine Saddle Pads, Molalla Oregon- Ms. Lis and Mr. Steve Oedell.

Ricky feels that his good friends and travelling partners throughout the years have also contributed to his successful career; Houston Hutto, Clint Cooper, Rusty Sewalt, Frank Cranek, JD Tadlock, Marty Wells, Johnny Emmons, Fred Whitfield, Shay Good, Joe Beaver, Jerry Jetton, and many others. Joe Beaver and Jerry Jetton, who were travelling partners with Ricky his Rookie year gave him the nickname "Monk" or "Monkey" due to his shorter frame and long arms. This nickname will stay with him forever. The practical jokes have been endless between all of them. Yet the friendship is priceless. 

    "Life is short, Live it and hold on for a Great Ride!" Ricky feels he has had a rewarding career due to hard work, the support of his family, friends and sponsors.  A quote from the humble guy that he tells his wife: "I'm gonna go to my 70 rodeos and go for first every time and whatever happens, happens." He has lived by this his entire career through the good times and the bad. A true champion both in the arena and out.

Hometown: Navasota, Texas
Birthdate: September 5, 1965
Hieght: 5'10"
Weight: 175lbs

Wife: Christy Coleman Canton
Children: Madison & Coleman
Parents:
Jimmy Canton
Jana & Harold Young
Brothers: Johnny & Casey
Sister: Dana Young
Father/Mother-in-law:
Steve & Cathy Coleman

Joined PRCA: 1987
PRCA Career Earnings:
$1,428,770.00
National Finals Rodeo
Qualifications: 15
Tour Final Titles: 1 Winter 2004
Tour Qualifications: 7