UPRA 2021 Hall of Fame – Press Release
Congratulations to UPRA Judging Director, Ed Colston, who has become the first person named to the UPRA Hall of Fame, “Class of 2021”.
Ed began his judging career in 1978 judging youth, junior high, high school & college rodeos, but he’s most renowned for his judging in the professional rodeo arena. Ed has been a Wrangler judge since 1998 and has served as Judging Director for the UPRA since the merger of the Texas Professional Rodeo Association and the Central Rodeo Association, in 1996. Ed has judged the Texas Rodeo Association finals (4) times, the Louisiana Rodeo Cowboys Association finals (12) times, the Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association finals (10) times, and the United Professional Rodeo Association finals (10) times.
Ed has worked for many stock contractors over the years, most recently for the Champion Rodeo Company, as well as Lancaster Pro Rodeo Company, Stace Smith Pro Rodeos, Wild Horse Rodeo Company, Smokey Davis Rodeo Company, Double R Rodeo Company, Gene Smith Rodeo Company, Bergeron Rodeo Company, Hat Brand Rodeo Company, Wing Rodeo Company, Vernon Guidry Rodeo Company, J&J Rodeo Company and SYJ Rodeo Company.
Ed and his wife Sheri have been married for 50 years and have two children, Kyle and Trace. They have four grandchildren, Bailey, Taylor, Johnny and Kayla, as well as one great grandchild, Collin. Ed and Sheri reside in Kaufman, Texas after spending forty-one years in Carthage, Texas.
UPRA President Jerry Hill stated, “We are extremely thankful and grateful for Ed. He’s worked hard to make the judging division better, and while his knowledge and skills have made the sport of rodeo better, they’ve also had a positive impact on many other judges over the years. Ed makes everyone want to do better and be better. I know he has made the UPRA a better association and I cannot think of a more deserving person to be in the Hall of Fame. On behalf of the board of directors and myself, congratulations Ed. Thank you for your friendship, dedication, hard work, and service, to the sport of rodeo, it means the world to us!”