April 22, 1949
Lawrence William Tierney was born April 22, 1949, to his parents C.A. and Evelyn Tierney. Actually born on his father’s birthday, and in those days, also known as Arbor Day. Grand school was a one-room schoolhouse, District #212, then graduating from Broken Bow High School. Larry was active all 4 yours of high school in FFA and 4-H activities. The FFA participation included range judging, FFA officer and speech competition. 4-H projects include showing halter horses, western pleasure, showmanship and calf roping with numerous trophies and ribbons.
During high school Larry worked and saved to buy his first one-horse trailer, rope horse and all the tack. Larry funded his rodeo activity from day one. Max Doggett and Rolly Glause were some of his first roping instructors. Larry’s achievements in the rodeo arena were largely due to Clark and Dorothy Brown’s mentoring. Larry is always interested in learning newer and faster roping techniques and rarely misses a rodeo whether in competition, watching, flagging or on television.
Larry attended Morningside College at Sioux City, Iowa for two years; however, his dad’s failing health required returning home. While managing the home place, Larry leased land from Walter E. Gibbon’s ranch south of Broken Bow, and additional ground at Comstock. He ran yearling steers on the leased property for over 30 years and his own cows on the home place.
During this time, Larry was competing in both the Nebraska State Rodeo Association (NSRA), and Mid-States Rodeo Association (MSRA) in both calf roping and team roping. In 1975, winning bother the NSRA calf roping title and the All-Around title for MSRA, on his favorite buckskin horse, Festus. Winning the Mid-States team roping title in 1976.
At age of 31, Larry married and had two children: son, Cole and daughter Lori (Clint) Lambrecht and grandson, Cade. Larry has instructed, mentored, encouraged and supported his children and many youth in the arena and in life. Both of his children excelling in calf roping, team roping, breakaway roping, horsemanship and competitions and becoming the third generation to ranch.
Larry filled his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association permit in 1977 and went Pro in 1978. Since 1990, Larry has also competed in Steer Tripping. Adding his lasts belt buckle for tripping in 2018 at age 69, on his favorite horses Cocoa, Nobody Smokey and Tex.
Larry has also attained his Nebraska Real Estate license. J.C. Barr, of Barr Real Estate states, “Larry has managed yearling grazing cattle and cow/calf operations for decades and has invaluable experience in stocking rates and pasture and water management”.
Larry still lives and works the cowboy life, many days riding horses from dawn to dark, no four wheelers around. As the Cowboy’s Prayer says “and give me work that’s open to the sky; make me a pardner of the wind and sun”. Many times saying he feels blessed by his chosen lifestyle and all the good friends and people he has met along the country trails.
1975-Nebraska State Rodeo Association-Calf Roping Champion
1975-Mid-State Rodeo Association-All-Around Champion
1976-Mid-State Rodeo Association-Team Roping Champion
1977-NSRA Runner-up, All-Around
1982-Burwell Rodeo Club-Open Heeler
1998-SHSRA Steer Roping Champion
1999-SHSRA Haythorn Ranch
2018-Steer Tripping Champion
2018-Senior Pro Rodeo-Ribbon Roping
Knights of Columbus-Knight of the Year