A man and woman are posing for a picture in front of a stone wall . the man is wearing a cowboy hat.

Karen & Preston C. Fowlkes, Jr.

Matriarch & Innovator

As the heart of the family legacy, Preston Jr. and Karen have carried on Preston Sr.'s dream, bringing new energy and innovation to the rodeo. For over 40 years, Preston Jr. transformed the rodeo experience, adding crowd-pleasing elements like clowns and dress acts to elevate the entertainment alongside the rodeo competition. In 2003, they moved the family to Crofton, Kentucky, establishing the 660-acre Lone Star Ranch as the rodeo’s home.