The Bankes Barrel Racing at the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo in Abilene has been a tradition since 1995. The pro rodeo features amateur barrel racers competing, one during each rodeo performance. He was involved with the Abilene rodeo, working to grow it and get more people involved, said his son, Scott, who was on the rodeo committee at the time. And if a Bankes barrel racer would have a time that would have won money in the professional barrel racing, Bankes would pay the barrel racer what she would have won, as a pro. The five fastest barrel racers from the qualifier go on to compete at the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, one per show.