2005 Hall of Fame Inductee
Vicki Herrera Adams

2006 Hall of Fame Inductee

Vicki Herrera Adams

Vicki Herrera Adams was born and raised in Toppenish, Washington, on the Yakama Indian Reservation. Her mother was enrolled Yakama. Although of mixed Indian blood (Yakama, Snohomish, Puyllap, Cowlitz, Cayuse, Umatilla), Vicki chose to be enrolled Cowlitz, as was her great-great grandmothers mother who was full blood Cowlitz. Vicki’s given Indian name is Le Yi Ah, which means “women who sews fast”.

From a very young age she was involved in rodeo. Her father, Bill Herrera, was an All Around Rodeo Champion of Navajo, Apache and Spanish decent. During her rodeo career as a youngster, she was the Champion Barrel Racer in the Northwest Indian Rodeo Association (NWIRA) for several years. She was also a trick rider, training with the famous and daring Dick and Connie Griffith. Having accomplished many goals as a barrel racer, trick rider and being an alternate Miss Indian America, Vicki wanted to expend her entertaining career. When she was 18, Vicki Herrera met Leon Adams at the PRCA Contract Acts Convention. They married shortly thereafter and embarked together on a lifelong journey of professional rodeo entertainment that presented her trick riding and roman riding skills as well as her horse training abilities. Leon and Vicki Adams have performed all over the world, such as Mexico, Canada, France, Finland and even Japan. As a professional rodeo trick and roman rider performing at some of the biggest rodeo in the PRCA Adams acts have been nominated twenty times (20) for the PRCA

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Contract Act of the year (1982 thru 2001) and has won the honor of Specialty Acts of the Year four times.

Vicki Adams is also a professional horse trainer. Her trained horses have shown for special events like movies, Wild West shows, and horse shows such as the World Cup in Las Vegas. Her trained horse Cherokee Smoke made a movie known as Horse Crazy and was nominated for Specialty Act of the year in 2001. Vicki has presented the American Flag at the National Finals Rodeo while riding her trained horses: Silverado, Cherokee Smoke, Butterfly, Rudy and Indian Two and Indian Three (Skipper) 1991 thru 2002 and 2004. Vicki’s Silverado, has also been featured on the cover of America’s Horse magazine. Vicki Adams and horse Butterfly are still performing. At the beginning of her script for the show Vicki begins by stating “There was an Indian maiden who had a dream. Well, I am that Indian maiden and I have lived and I am living my dream.”

Vicki and her husband Leon Adams live and operate a 2500 acre ranch, which won the Conservation Rancher of the Year in 1993, in Stuart, Oklahoma.

Career Accomplishments:

1973- Vicki trick rode for the documentary of a famous trick riding saddle maker, Monroe Veach.

1980 – Performed and stunt rode for the movie Buffalo Girls.

1982 – Performed at the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, and again in 1997.

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Career Accomplishments:

1982 thru 2001 – Nominated nineteen times for PRCA Contract Act of the Year. Won PRCA Contract Act of the year 1984-1987-1997.

Her trained horse, Cherokee Smoke made a movie known as Horse Crazy and was nominated for Specialty Act of the year in 2001.

1991 thru 2002 and 2004 – Vicki has presented the American Flag at the National Finals Rodeo while riding her trained horses: Silverado, Cherokee Smoke, Butterfly, Rudy and Indian Two and Indian Three (Skipper).

1998-Vicki’s Silverado, received Versatility award at the AQHA Champion Show. He was also featured on the cover of America’s Horse magazine.

Vicki has performed her famous dancing horses at the 1985-1992-1993-1995-1997-1999 National Finals Rodeo.

Today Vicki and Leon live and operate a 2500 acre cattle ranch, which won the Conservation Rancher of the year in 1993, in Stuart, Oklahoma

Personal Information:

Born: May 13, 1951 in Toppenish, Washington

Family: Husband – Leon Adams

Children – Kerri Lynn Adams Hall

Parents: Gladys Marie and Bill Herrera

Other Occupation: Horse Trainer

Specialty: Trick Rider, Roman Rider,

Rodeo Event: Champion Barrel Racer – Northwest Indian Rodeo Association as youth

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