Bob Hinds was a pioneer, so to speak, to the sport of rodeo and the art of roping. He was born in Medina county November 7, 1911 and died July 9, 1986. He was a true competitor from the “ole school”. He taught himself through trial and error and hard knocks, but after mastering his own style to perfection, he inspired and was admired by many who watched him, especially those who roped against him.
It was people like Bob Hinds that helped make the sport of rodeo what it is today. He was a true “professional” in every sense of the word. He knew well the pressure of competition, but never let it show. He was aware of his abilities and had confidence in himself as a roper.
He enjoyed helping newcomers to the sport. Hinds was a man of few words, usually blunt and to the point. He didn’t always tell you what you might want to hear, but it was always his honest opinion. He was willing to help anyone that was interested enough to come to him for advice. He wasn’t a man to criticize another person. To one showing interest in roping, he was always able to point out your weak spots, as well as your horse’s, and tell you how “you” could correct them.
Bob dedicated most of his life to roping, making it more than just a hobby. It was his way of life. He was a member of The Cowboy’s Turtle Association, Rodeo Cowboys Association, and the Southwestern Rodeo Association. He either won or placed at many of the biggest rodeos across the country. He trained his own horses, many of which were ridden by the the likes of Dean Oliver, Phil Lyne, Dee Pickett, Roy Cooper, just to name a few. He also trained Geesey Rythem, the first horse to win the “Best Rope Horse of the NFR” award, under the saddle of Raymond Hollabaugh.
Hinds married Celeste Hahn on April 1, 1934. They had three sons and two daughters, all of whom had something to do with rodeo. Watching him make his final run on his last calf, seeing him spit in his hand as he shook out a loop, he rode into the box with that same determined and self-confident look. As he made his run and signaled for time, we all knew that we’d seen a WINNER.