Clayman Rodeo celebrates three decades of riding

  • Gabri Alvarez, 15, front, riding her horse named Chuck, is joined by 14-year-old Reagan Roppolo, astride her horse called Cash, as they get ready to take part in the Grand Entry at the 30th Clayman Rodeo on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The rodeo, held at Windsong Farm, is hosted by Jim Bob and Kelly Clayman, who've taught rodeo and equestrian skills here for many years. Photo by Andy Sharp.
    Gabri Alvarez, 15, front, riding her horse named Chuck, is joined by 14-year-old Reagan Roppolo, astride her horse called Cash, as they get ready to take part in the Grand Entry at the 30th Clayman Rodeo on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The rodeo, held at Windsong Farm, is hosted by Jim Bob and Kelly Clayman, who've taught rodeo and equestrian skills here for many years. Photo by Andy Sharp.
  • 3-year-old Caden Fawver, wearing his big hat, jeans and boots, is all decked out at the 20th Annual Clayman Rodeo at Windsong Farm on Saturday, October 5, 2013.
    3-year-old Caden Fawver, wearing his big hat, jeans and boots, is all decked out at the 20th Annual Clayman Rodeo at Windsong Farm on Saturday, October 5, 2013.

    Kelly and Jim Bob Clayman are celebrating three decades of putting on the Clayman Rodeo in Georgetown. 

    The event allows Windsong Farm horseback riding students of all ages the chance to compete in a professional rodeo that includes barrel racing, pole bending, team roping and breakaway roping. This year, there are 40 participants. The Clayman Rodeo will be held on Saturday, October 5, at 5 p.m. in the Windsong Farm Arena, 2401 Southwestern Boulevard. 

    “We have a big crowd every year,” Ms. Clayman said. 

    Past years have drawn 500-600 spectators— who watch from the bleachers or from the back of their truck just outside the arena. The rodeo is sponsored by Georgetown businesses and winning riders in each category receive $1,000. 

    “We truly want our students to be successful,” Ms. Clayman said. “Winning is great, but it’s about the whole journey of being a better rider and making your horse better.”

    Students participating in the rodeo have been taking lessons at Windsong Farm for at least a year. Getting to participate in a rodeo is not something most people get to do without going pro. 

    “We realized that the majority of our students would never even enter a rodeo,” she said. “I mean, you have to have a horse, a trailer, you have to travel. It’s expensive. And if your parents live in a subdivision— how are you going to get to experience a rodeo?” 

    Kelly’s Kids

    Ms. Clayman has been giving lessons on Windsong Farm, where she grew up, since she was a teenager. 

    “When I was a senior [in highschool] a little girl asked me if she could learn to ride a horse,” Ms. Clayman said. “I honestly did not know, until she asked me, that people had to learn to ride a horse. It’s all I never knew.” 

    When word got around that she was giving lessons, more kids from town were interested. She then started her business, Kelly’s Kids. 

    Ms. Clayman continued her business throughout college. She initially went to Baylor, where she had a scholarship to play basketball, driving back on the weekends to give lessons. After a year and a half, she convinced the basketball coach at Southwestern to give her a scholarship so she could finish out her degree in Georgetown. 

    “I could do the lessons and go to college and play basketball because it was all just right here,” Ms. Clayman said. “When I graduated from Southwestern, it was already getting to be a big business. So it was something I could do full time.” 

    She graduated from Southwestern with a degree in English and business in 1990. In 1992, she traveled around to rodeos competing in barrel races. This is when she met her husband, Jim Bob. 

    “We met on June 6th. We got engaged on August 6th. And then we got married on November 6,” Ms. Clayman said, adding that her kids always give her a hard time, saying that she would never let them do that. 

    “But [I tell them] hey, we’ve been married for 30 years so it worked. We’re still together. I don’t recommend that, but we just pretty much knew,” she said.  

    Dedication to the sport

    When she and Jim Bob moved back to Windsong Farm, they continued to grow Kelly’s Kids and added team roping lessons. 

    They also started The Clayman Rodeo, which turned out to be a huge hit. Over the years, thousands of kids attended their summer camp and hundreds have regularly taken private lessons. At its height, they had 25 school horses. Now, they teach private lessons to people of all ages who board their horses at the farm. 

    “These parents really do support their kids to have this,” Ms. Clayman said. “[The students] they’re out here riding and exercising their horses— keeping them in shape.”

    Rick Davis takes his two daughters to the farm almost everyday to see their horses. 

    “We just love it here. I mean, this is truly our home away from home,” Mr. Davis said. “It’s a great place and it’s super convenient because my daughters go to school nearby and then we spend the rest of our life here.”

    Ms. Clayman said they have been able to create long-lasting relationships with residents and businesses in Georgetown. 

    “It is truly like a family out here,” Ms. Clayman said. “It’s a tight knit community.” 

    Each year, when she and Mr. Clayman lead the rodeo grand opening ceremony, they are greeted by the faces of previous students. 

    “I will be going around the arena on my horse, looking at the spectators and there will be people like, ‘Ms. Kelly! Remember me?’ And I’ll think ‘Oh my gosh! Summer camp, 10 years ago.’ It’s really cool.” 

    Rodeo tickets are on sale at the farm office and are cash only, $12 per person at the gate ($10 pre-sale). Admission is $5 for kids 7 and younger.  For more information, call 512-863-7649. 

    Clayman's Rodeo