In 1971 Jim Paul had a vision. This vision was to create a place where people could go to experience the true old west. His vision became a reality when he opened the gates to Rawhide western town.

Within the first 10 years of its existence Rawhide became the 2nd largest tourist attraction in Arizona right behind the Grand Canyon.

One of the main reasons for this was the Cowboy stunt shows that were performed on Main Street every day. Well these Cowboys were known as Guns for Hire, a small group of men who were contracted by Jim Paul to be the part of the entertainment. One of the men was Von Schaffer a true Hollywood stuntman from the 70’s.

In 1982 Jim Paul ask Von if he would be interested in becoming part of the Rawhide family directly, and instead of being an outside contractor they would be directly employed by Rawhide. Von agreed and put together his own handpicked team of men to become Arizona’s only full time professional stunt team. He called them The Roughriders!

From 1982 to 1986 The Roughriders performed several shows per day on Main Street. Then in 1986 The Roughriders got their new home, The Six Gun Theater! There they would perform 1200 stunt shows per year.

Over the years The Roughriders became The Rawhide Roughriders a stunt team that was exclusive to Rawhide. In early 2009 The Rawhide Roughriders became The Arizona Roughriders.

The Arizona Roughriders now continue on the history of The Roughriders from past generations and have also moved into the film & media industry as well as their live theater shows.

In May 2010 The Arizona Roughriders expanded to Donley’s Wild West Town in Union, Illinois. The Illinois chapter of The Arizona Roughriders brought a piece of the west with them including “The Six Gun Theater”, and will be performing there until the end of the 2010 season.

Coming very soon The Arizona Roughriders will be expanding to The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

The Arizona Roughriders, LLC also work in association with Brad Feffer.

Many Roughriders have come and gone since 1982, but still to this day, those who get the chance and make it on to the team will always be proud to call themselves a ROUGHRIDER!