Edwin Arnold Hall

Modern-era Rodeo

Inducted 2025

Edwin “Eddie” Arnold Hall (Man That’s All Around – Macee Xagaheetar) was born January 19, 1947, in Elbowoods, North Dakota, to James, Sr. and Sarah (Fredericks) Hall. As an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, he belonged to the Low Cap “Aphu’hgawigaa” Clan and was a child of the Dripping Dirt Clan “Awaxe’.” Growing up on the family ranch along Moccasin Creek, Ed immersed himself in cowboy culture, gathering cattle, riding the “Big Lease,” and participating in Hidatsa traditions through pow-wows across the Great Plains.

After the Garrison Dam flooded their ranch, the family relocated, and Ed’s passion for rodeo grew. He was inspired by his brother Mervel, his cousins Joe and Manual Chase, Pete and Buzz Fredericks, and his nephew Dale Little Soldier, all of whom were bareback and saddle bronc riders, steer wrestlers, and calf ropers. His sister, Audrey, was a trick rider and barrel racer. Ed began competing at an early age, and in 1965, he won the calf roping title and finished second in bareback riding at the Killdeer FFA high school rodeo. Yet, his true aspiration lay in saddle bronc riding, a discipline he excelled in after winning his first bronc event at just 13 at Blaisdell in 1960. Joining the North Dakota Rodeo Association (NDRA) in 1966, Ed quickly made a name for himself, placing consistently in saddle bronc events. Ed joined the Indian Activities Association (IAA) in 1970, which transitioned into the Great Plains Indian Rodeo Association (GPIRA) in 1974.

His rodeo achievements are noteworthy: he was the 1969 NDRA Saddle Bronc Reserve Champion, the 1971 NDRA Saddle Bronc Champion, and 1974 NDRA Saddle Bronc Champion. He qualified for the inaugural Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) in Salt Lake City in 1976 and continued to do so multiple times. His accolades within the GPIRA include being the 1974 GPIRA Saddle Bronc Reserve Champion, 1975 GPIRA Saddle Bronc Champion, and 1976 GPIRA Saddle Bronc Champion, along with the 1977 and 1980 GPIRA All Around Reserve Champion, 1980 GPIRA Steer Wrestling Reserve Champion, and 1982 and 1983 GPIRA Steer Wrestling Champion. Ed was inducted into the Indian National Finals Rodeo Hall Of Fame in 2018.

Ed married Jean Primeaux on August 24, 1968, in Fort Yates, North Dakota, and they enjoyed 50 years together with their four children.

He was dedicated to fostering youth talent, which led him to build a rodeo arena on his ranch and organize rodeo and roping events. In 1973, he co-hosted a free youth rodeo clinic at United Tribes Technical College to spark interest in the sport. When the GPIRA faced disbandment in 1985, Ed stepped up as president, organizing year-end finals at his ranch and revitalizing the association.

Beyond rodeo and ranching, Ed served as an assistant county supervisor for the Farmers Home Administration and later represented Four Bears on the Tribal Business Council for two terms, also serving as Vice Chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes. A skilled horse trainer, he took pride in raising horses and managing his longhorn cattle. Ed’s legacy is an unwavering dedication to family, community, and the rodeo tradition.