Amye Gablin was born in Lanham, Texas on December 11, 1911, the son of a horse trader and trainer, and was horseback before he could walk. He was given a piece of rope to cut his teeth on, and his schooling was one of trial and error and hard knocks. His name is synonymous with rodeos, roping, cutting, and “horses,” and his talent with a rope in his hands led him into a career for life.
Rodeoing was such a big part of Amye Gamblin’s life that it is hard to remember when he first started, although it was probably in 1929 when he first won money at Abilene in the goat roping. He became a member of the Cowboy Turles Association in 1937. His biggest rodeoing years were in 1943-44, and his wins in calf roping are too numerous to list in this limited space, but among them were: Burwell, Neb.; Lawton, Okla.; Phillipsburg, Kans.; Calgary, Canada with a purse of at least $1000 plus a trophy; Cheyenne, Wyo.; Guthrie, Okla. including a silver trophy. In 1946, he won first money in Kissimmee, Fla. and with his partner won a 10-steer average in team roping. In 1953, he stopped professional rodeoing and dedicated his time to the cutting horse circuit. He went to California making the NCHA circuit with “Holly-Wood Cat,” winning or placing wherever he went. Later, some of the horses he trained and showed were Poco Rip; Poco Rip Jr.; Alice Star; Mr. Harmon; Colonel Frost; Bow Ties; and Ann’s Holly-Wood.
In 1960, he began a training operation of his own once more, training and showing cutting and roping horses. He also began team roping again. With his son, aged 14, he was winning consistently in such places as Victoria, George West, Pleasanton, and Laredo. He competed in the Old Timers’ Team Roping, winning in Bandera in 1970 and 1975; in 1977 won first at Llano and Killeen; and June, 1978, with his partner, won first at Manor Downs, Asutin.
It was virtually impossible to travel far in the United States without meeting someone who either knew Amye Gamblin or knew of him. His expertise in horsemanship was well respected by everyone and his friendship was valued by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Amye Gamblin passed away in 1989 and was inducted in to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1992.
