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The Legendary Gills Bay Boy, aka "Scamper" Passes
Gills Bay Boy, known the world over as "Scamper," passed away peacefully to greener pastures on the morning of July 4, 2012. Perhaps appropriately, he chose the date of a joyous holiday to leave this earth—a day of celebration fit for the life of a horse that was, in and of himself, a gift. Foaled in 1977, Scamper was one of the most iconic figures in the equine industry, dominating the barrel racing ranks from the early 1980s until his retirement in 1993. The gelded son of Gills Sonny Boy out of the mare Drapers Jay was in good health to the end, immaculately cared for by his constant companion Charmayne James.
"What a gift he was," says James. "It's sad that he is gone but what life he had. It's something to be celebrated."
Words fail to adequately describe Scamper's iconic career but amazing, incredible and stoic all come to mind. Scamper is easily defined by his performance record, which was perfect. Achieving 10 world championships in the Women's Professional Rodeo Association, he teamed with James to earn National Finals Rodeo average titles in 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1993. The duo won an incredible 10 RodeoHouston titles and countless circuit and major rodeo championships on their way to earnings of well over $1 million.
Together Scamper and Charmayne defined an era in rodeo and their famous round-winning bridle less ride perhaps best epitomizes the relationship between horse and rider; a one-in-a-million partnership that was loyal and true to the end. Defying all odds, the unassuming bay raced his way into the hearts of millions, taking a shy ranch girl from Clayton, N.M. with him. From feedlot pony to equine legend, Scamper's conformation, attitude and mental and physical toughness endeared him to the public. His smooth-as-glass style coupled with great speed made him a formidable horse for the competition to face.
Scamper was 35 when he was laid to rest at the ranch in Boerne, Texas.
Scamper and Charmayne's Achievements
1984 - $53,499
Rodeo Houston champion
WPRA Rookie of the Year
Wrangler Series champion
Dodge Series champion
NFR champion
WPRA World Champion
1985 - $93,847
Rodeo Houston champion
Coors Chute Out champion
Winston Pro Tour champion
Wrangler Series champion
Dodge Series champion
WPRA World Champion
1986 - $151,969
Rodeo Houston champion
Turquoise Circuit champion
Leading Money Earner in Professional Rodeo
Coors Chute Out champion
Winston Series champion
Winston Pro Tour champion
Wrangler Series champion
Dodge Series champion
NFR champion
WPRA World Champion
1987 - $120,002
Rodeo Houston champion
James became the first woman to wear back No. 1 into the NFR
Coors Barrel Racing champion
Coors Chute Out champion
Wrangler Series champion
NFR champion
WPRA World Champion
1988 - $130,540
Rodeo Houston champion
1988 Calgary Olympics, Gold Medal Team
Coors Chute Out champion
Dodge Series champion
WPRA World Champion
1989 - $96,651
Rodeo Houston champion
Coors Chute Out champion
Dodge Series champion
AQHA Horse of the Year
Sierra Circuit champion
NFR champion
WPRA World Champion
1990 - $130,328
Charmayne crosses the million-dollar milestone
Coors Chute Out champion
Dodge Series champion
AQHA Horse of the Year
Wrangler Series champion
Copenhagen/Skoal Series champion
NFR champion
WPRA World Champion
1991 - $92,403
Rodeo Houston champion
Coors Chute Out champion
Dodge Series champion
Crown Royal season winner
Wrangler World of Rodeo champion
Sierra Circuit champion
AQHA Horse of the Year
WPRA World Champion
1992 - $110,867
Rodeo Houston champion
Charmayne inducted to National Cowgirl Hall of Fame
Calgary Stampede champion
Crown Royal season winner
WPRA World Champion
1993 - $103,609
Rodeo Houston champion
Crown Royal season winner
Dodge Series champion
NFR champion
WPRA World Champion
Read more: http://www.barrelhorsenews.com/articles/industry-news/3746-the-legendary-gills-bay-boy-aka-scamper-passes#ixzz1znvowynJ
Gills Bay Boy, known the world over as "Scamper," passed away peacefully to greener pastures on the morning of July 4, 2012. Perhaps appropriately, he chose the date of a joyous holiday to leave this earth—a day of celebration fit for the life of a horse that was, in and of himself, a gift. Foaled in 1977, Scamper was one of the most iconic figures in the equine industry, dominating the barrel racing ranks from the early 1980s until his retirement in 1993. The gelded son of Gills Sonny Boy out of the mare Drapers Jay was in good health to the end, immaculately cared for by his constant companion Charmayne James.
"What a gift he was," says James. "It's sad that he is gone but what life he had. It's something to be celebrated."
Words fail to adequately describe Scamper's iconic career but amazing, incredible and stoic all come to mind. Scamper is easily defined by his performance record, which was perfect. Achieving 10 world championships in the Women's Professional Rodeo Association, he teamed with James to earn National Finals Rodeo average titles in 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1993. The duo won an incredible 10 RodeoHouston titles and countless circuit and major rodeo championships on their way to earnings of well over $1 million.
Together Scamper and Charmayne defined an era in rodeo and their famous round-winning bridle less ride perhaps best epitomizes the relationship between horse and rider; a one-in-a-million partnership that was loyal and true to the end. Defying all odds, the unassuming bay raced his way into the hearts of millions, taking a shy ranch girl from Clayton, N.M. with him. From feedlot pony to equine legend, Scamper's conformation, attitude and mental and physical toughness endeared him to the public. His smooth-as-glass style coupled with great speed made him a formidable horse for the competition to face.
Scamper was 35 when he was laid to rest at the ranch in Boerne, Texas.
Scamper and Charmayne's Achievements
1984 - $53,499
Rodeo Houston champion
WPRA Rookie of the Year
Wrangler Series champion
Dodge Series champion
NFR champion
WPRA World Champion
1985 - $93,847
Rodeo Houston champion
Coors Chute Out champion
Winston Pro Tour champion
Wrangler Series champion
Dodge Series champion
WPRA World Champion
1986 - $151,969
Rodeo Houston champion
Turquoise Circuit champion
Leading Money Earner in Professional Rodeo
Coors Chute Out champion
Winston Series champion
Winston Pro Tour champion
Wrangler Series champion
Dodge Series champion
NFR champion
WPRA World Champion
1987 - $120,002
Rodeo Houston champion
James became the first woman to wear back No. 1 into the NFR
Coors Barrel Racing champion
Coors Chute Out champion
Wrangler Series champion
NFR champion
WPRA World Champion
1988 - $130,540
Rodeo Houston champion
1988 Calgary Olympics, Gold Medal Team
Coors Chute Out champion
Dodge Series champion
WPRA World Champion
1989 - $96,651
Rodeo Houston champion
Coors Chute Out champion
Dodge Series champion
AQHA Horse of the Year
Sierra Circuit champion
NFR champion
WPRA World Champion
1990 - $130,328
Charmayne crosses the million-dollar milestone
Coors Chute Out champion
Dodge Series champion
AQHA Horse of the Year
Wrangler Series champion
Copenhagen/Skoal Series champion
NFR champion
WPRA World Champion
1991 - $92,403
Rodeo Houston champion
Coors Chute Out champion
Dodge Series champion
Crown Royal season winner
Wrangler World of Rodeo champion
Sierra Circuit champion
AQHA Horse of the Year
WPRA World Champion
1992 - $110,867
Rodeo Houston champion
Charmayne inducted to National Cowgirl Hall of Fame
Calgary Stampede champion
Crown Royal season winner
WPRA World Champion
1993 - $103,609
Rodeo Houston champion
Crown Royal season winner
Dodge Series champion
NFR champion
WPRA World Champion
Read more: http://www.barrelhorsenews.com/articles/industry-news/3746-the-legendary-gills-bay-boy-aka-scamper-passes#ixzz1znvowynJ