In the heart of the Stockyards, where the scent of leather and the echo of spurs still linger, Bobby Norris is about to receive one of the highest honors in Western heritage. The rancher, horseman, philanthropist, and real estate leader has been named a 2025 inductee into the Texas Trail of Fame, a recognition reserved for those who carry the West in their bones. 

Raised on Colorado’s iconic Tee Cross Ranch before staking deep roots in Texas, Norris has spent decades mastering the traditions he now helps preserve. He trained cutting and rope horses professionally for 16 years, capturing multiple world titles along the way, while shaping the next generation of Western leaders. His influence stretches from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, where he has chaired the Rodeo Committee for 15 years, to the Texas Cowboys Hall of Fame, where he serves on the board as an inductee himself. 

For more than three decades, Norris has been involved in organizations like the National Cutting Horse Association, American Junior Quarter Horse Association, Cowboy Artists of America, and the Tejas Vaqueros. He hasn’t just competed — he’s led. And through Bobby Norris Farm and Ranch Realty, he continues to serve Texas ranching communities, blending business acumen with a deep love for the Western way of life. 

Philanthropy is central to Norris’s story. In 1988, he launched the Roundup for Autism, which has raised millions for Autism Treatment Centers across the state. Together with his wife, JJ, and their sons, Gates and Rhett, Norris continues to champion causes that preserve Western heritage while improving the lives of those around him. 

The Texas Trail of Fame, founded in 1997, honors individuals, organizations, and even animals that embody the spirit and values of the West. Inductees are celebrated with ceremonies in the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, leaving a permanent mark in a place steeped in history and culture. This year, Norris will be formally honored at an Induction Ceremony and Dinner on Thursday, Oct. 23, at Billy Bob’s Texas, with an Unveiling Ceremony on the steps of the historic Livestock Exchange Building two days later.  

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by the Texas Trail of Fame,” Norris said in a statement. “I’ve been blessed to live and work the Western way of life, and to be counted among those who have preserved its traditions is truly humbling.” 

Tickets are available at www.texastrailoffame.org/induction.