Remembering Scamper, the Barrel Racing Legend

People who love horses and want to compete at the top of their sport, often pay extraordinary amounts of money for the ability to rise to the top.  However, on some occasions, an uncut, unpolished diamond can be found in the most unlikely place.

When Charmayne James was 12 years old, her father took her to a feedlot where she was able to pick out a barrel racing prospect.  Little did she know that this horse, that could easily have been purchased by the kill buyers, would launch her into the barrel racing spotlight and leave a legacy that few would be able to surpass. 

His barn name became Scamper while she waited for his AQHA papers to arrive.  Later, Charmayne discovered that his registered name was Gills Bay Boy once the papers were acquired.  But the journey had begun, and around the world people would always know him as Scamper.

The early days for the two were a little rough as Scamper had a tendency to buck when he was cantering, and it was easy to understand how he ended up at the feedlot in the first place.  However, Charmayne took her time with him, and after they got the kinks worked out, the pair were unstoppable. At the tender age of 14, Charmayne  qualified for the National Finals Rodeo, which they won even though the Scamper’s bridle broke during one of the runs.

Charmayne rode in the National Finals Rodeo for an astounding ten years from 1984-1993, and won the WPRA (Women’s Pro Rodeo Association) World Championship each year.  Because of their huge success, Charmayne was given the nickname, “The Million Dollar Cowgirl.”  After those ten years of Championships, Scamper was semi-retired, and finally a few years later, completely retired from competition.  He passed away at the age of 35 on July 4, 2012 on Charmayne’s ranch in Texas.

Although the bay horse was a gelding when he competed as a barrel racer, he has since been cloned.  The clone is a stallion named Clayton who was born in 2006.  He stands at stud on the ranch, but because the American Quarter Horse Association does not register cloned animals, his offspring cannot acquire papers.  Fortunately, however, it is not necessary to have a papered horse in order to run and compete in barrel racing or any other rodeo event.

When Scamper was discovered he was but a dusty gem, but with the help of his partner and friend Charmayne James, he was able to shine like a brilliant diamond, and his legacy lives on.