Although born in North Dakota, United States, he has lived most of his life in Alberta, Canada.
Virgil is a three-time Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) Bareback Horse of the Year, as well as a two-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Bareback Horse of the Year.
He is also the horse that was ridden for the highest-scored bareback ride in PRCA history, which occurred in 2022.
[2] Virgil was born and raised on the Dale Kling ranch in Grassy Butte, North Dakota.
Kling gave the owner of the breeding stud Big John to John McNeely as payment for breeding fees, but later sold him as a two-year-old to Maury Tate at the 2010 Dale Kling's Breeders Classic bucking horse sale in Cody, Wyoming.
Maury sold him to Vern McDonald in Lac La Biche, Alberta.
[2] In 2018, multi-time PRCA world champion bareback bronc rider Kaycee Feild rode Virgil at the American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas.
[3] Richie Champion made a winning ride on Virgil at the Ponoka Stampede.
[4] At one NFR, in the 3rd round, Tim O'Connell was waiting a bit anxiously for his turn to ride Virgil.
"[5] In July, Jake Vold rode Virgil for 90.75 points in Ponoka, Alberta.
[6] In August, at Lynden, Washington, Austin Foss rode Virgil for 88 points to win.
"[6] In January 2020, Will Lowe, a 3-time bareback riding world champion had an accident on Virgil.
At the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, he spurred the horse four times, but then stopped and appeared to be trying to hang on.
[7] At the 2021 NFR, during Round 8, Layton Green scored 91 points riding Virgil.
[9][10] On June 5, 2022, history was made when Virgil was ridden by Rocker Steiner (grandson of 1973 PRCA World Champion bull rider Bobby Steiner and son of 2002 PRCA World Champion steer wrestler Sid Steiner) in the championship round of that year's PRCA Xtreme Broncs Riggin' Rally in Darby, Montana.
There might not ever be another one like him but it took me 15 years to draw him and today, I get to walk up here and pick him, you know, I'd never miss out on that opportunity so it worked out the way I thought," Landingham said.
After cinching a win earlier that year on Virgil, Landingham knew what was in store with the big gray.