Wimberley has a richhistory of rodeo. Rooted in the Indigenous cultures of the Americas, both Native Americans and the vaqueros of Mexico rounded up wild herds of mustangs and trained them for cattle herding and ranch work. Their skills heavily influenced the development of cowboy culture in Texas and states in southwestern U.S.
Rodeo competitions developed as a way for cowboys to demonstrate riding, roping and animal handling to others and as a way to socialize, have fun and develop camaraderie.
According to Wimberley historian Lewis Smith, from research by Linda Allen from her 1986 book, “Wimberley – a Way of Life,” the “first organized rodeos were run by the Wimberley Rodeo Association. These were held on the grounds of Camp Wimberley, now the site of Rio Bonito resort on Ranch Road 12 at the Blanco River bridge.” The Rio Bonito property has since become The Waters Point.
