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Scamper Galloping in Greener Pastures

Published on Friday, July 6, 2012 in General

The website of top barrel racer, Charmayne James, has reported the passing of her legendary barrel racing Quarter Horse, Gills Bay Boy, known the world over as 'Scamper'.

The 1977 gelding went to greener pastures on 4 July, very appropriate for a horse that earned 10 World Championships in WPRA Barrel Racing, one of the USA's most popular horse sports. He was 35 years old.

"What a gift he was,” says James. “It’s sad that he is gone but what a life he had. It’s something to be celebrated.”

Adjectives fall short to describe Scamper’s iconic career but amazing, incredible and stoic all come to mind. In addition to the World Championship titles, Scamper teamed with James to earn National Finals Rodeo average titles in 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1993. The duo won an incredible ten Rodeo Houston 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 bridleless ride perhaps best epitomizes the relationship between horse and rider; a one-in-a-million partnership that was loyal and true to the end. Watch video below.

After Scamper's retirement in 1993, James elected to clone the gelding to allow his genes to be passed on to future generations. The clone, Clayton, was born on 6 August 2006. Clayton currently stands at stud at Buffalo Ranch in Weatherford, Texas.

 


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