Cootamundra man Bob Holder won the buckle as a prize in the saddle bronc event at a rodeo in Sidney, Iowa, in 1959.

It’s believed to be the first time an Australian cowboy won a major award on the US rodeo circuit.

The buckle is believed to have been stolen from a rural property near Cootamundra in 2023.

Holder did not report the theft for 14 months, hoping the award would be returned.

The belt buckle is described as being made of solid silver and gold, with gold inlets.

The top of the belt buckle reads “Sidney Iowa” and “1959” is inscribed on each side, with Holder’s name at the bottom, and an image of a saddle bronc horse in the centre.

Police are investigating, and Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Whiteside said he was hopeful the buckle might still be returned.

“We are not ruling out that someone has innocently received the belt buckle and belt after it was stolen, unaware of its value and the historic significance and sentimental value to Mr Holder and it’s place in the wider rodeo community,” he said.

“We are hopeful and – indeed encourage – rodeo enthusiasts and industry to spread the word in a concerted effort to get Mr Holder’s prized possession back.”

Holder, reportedly the world’s oldest rodeo competitor, earned the nickname “the Cootamundra Cat” during his 78-year career, and has competed all over the world.

He was inducted into the Australia Rodeo Heritage Centre Hall of Fame in October 2018.