Another buckle for Wimberley’s Cowboy

Wimberley’s rodeo star will be roping in one more belt buckle this weekend.

The South Central Texas Rodeo Cowboy Reunion will be holding its Ring of Honor Induction ceremony this Saturday, October 27 at Drippin g Springs Ranch Park. Of big local interest is the induction of 76-yearold Glenn Keith, of Wimberley. Keith is already a member of the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Keith was raised here and remembers the first rodeos here were “in the field of Rio Bonito and cars would form a big circle with their headlights on.” His father was one of the rodeo contestants. Dad met mom here as he was from Gonzales. He moved here when they were married. He was born where the Shamrock is now located.

His grandmother lived on the Square. “I got a thrashing if I left the sidewalk. She’d strip a peach tree limb (in one motion). She would warm me up.”

Following in his dad’s rodeo footsteps wasn’t his first job though. He was working construction and was run over by a truck. “The doctor said it was good having dual tires, one would have cut me in half.” He took a long time recuperating. But after a few years he hit the rodeo trail.

He has appeared in many of the major rodeos including in Monterrey Mexico, Madison Square Garden and up into Canada. He’s hit the highs and lows throughout his career. One of the highs was his biggest paying win in Las Vegas. He previously learned the hard way and didn’t blow it on the slots and cards.

Keith came in second overall in 1972 in the Texas Rodeo Year End Finals where he won the Bull Riding competition. “I won a saddle, buckle and money. It was a good win.” But there were times that it wasn’t so good. In fact, coming home broke was one of the lows.

“I caught a ride with as guy from Oklahoma who ran into a boy from Round Mountain. I had no money…it was good to eat again.” As for his adversaries, they were to be feared, especially the bulls.

“If you’re down, they’ll hook you bad. Once in Pasadena one almost hooked my clothes off. If they are very mean they’ll want to stay (on you) and kill you.” The renowned rodeo bullfighter, who also happens to be from the area, Leon Coffee “saved my life a number of times.”

Glenn Keith, cowboy and an actual piece of Wimberley’s history, will be inducted into the Ring of Honor and be able to brag about his new, big, shiny belt buckle.

“It’s my biggest thrill to be in the Ring of Honor. It is nice to be connected to that,” Keith said.