Clyde was born on March 27, 1937, in Center, Texas. Riding calves and working horses on his grandfather’s ranch came at an early age. Competition in both the bull riding and calf roping during his high school days found him with many All-Around titles. Soon after high school, he joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) with much success as an All-Around competitor.
In the early 1960s, Clyde continued as a 2 event man through 1962 with many winnings at major rodeos across Texas and the United States until he was called to serve with the United States Army. During this time, due to his horsemanship skills, he worked with horses often and was invited to participate in the United States Modern Pentathlon, riding jumping horses. After the United States Army, he trained polo horses and traveled to South America and Australia in competition.
One of Clyde’s favorite venues was the San Antonio PRCA rodeo. In 1961, 1964, 1965, and the last time at the age of 37 in 1974, he came away as the big money winner in the bull riding event. In 1976, after 20 years of competitive rodeo events, Clyde made the difficult decision to retire.
After a 6 year absence from the rodeo trail, Clyde pulled out his rope and rigging bag and joined the Old Timers Rodeo Cowboys Association in Texas as well as the National Old Timers Rodeo Cowboys Association. With travels across the United States once again, with the same enthusiasm and sportsmanship as he showed as a youngster, he was back to his winning ways.
With several years’ absence, the rodeo itch caught Clyde again when in 1993 he entered his hometown Open Rodeo at Bandera and won the bull riding event. Later that same year, at 56 years old, he won the bull riding at the Laredo, Texas rodeo and then hung up his bull riding gear for the last time.
Clyde has trained cutting horses and colts for the race track. He has been involved with the production of some rodeo events across central Texas with his 2 sons, Mel and Jim, and also has worked in the western and cowboy movie business. He and his wife, Carolyn, have been married for over 40 years and live in Bandera, Texas, not too far from his beginnings.
