Lawrence Carey was better known as “Short Legs” to all of his friends. He was an “Original” in every sense of the word.
Growing up in Mineral wells, Texas with his parents Andrew and Ethel Carey and his sister Juanita. Lawrence and Juanita began riding as soon as they were able to sit in a saddle.
Working on the ranch, breaking and training was right up his alley. While he was still in High School he was approached by Dick Griffin to join the Cowboy Turtle Association and the rest is history.
Lawrence’s legs might have been short, but he could still the hair off the bareback horse he drew. He made the saddle broncs look like rocking horses, while covering some of the rankest bulls in the herd. But when all was said and done, this all-around cowboy’s favorite event might have been steer wrestling. His dogging horse Trixie was one of the most popular mounts on the Rodeo Circuit. Lawrence always had a smile on his face when talking about her.
Lawrence traveled with another rodeo great Cotton Proctor. Cotton and Lawrence met best friends Charlene Davis and Louise Beckette at the Belton Rodeo It wasn’t long until they were Louise Carey and Charlene Proctor. The guys figured if they pooled their money and all lived together there would be more money to rodeo on, and rodeo they did, all over the state. Lawrence was the only cowboy to place on all his stock at the biggest one day rodeo in Texas.
Lawrence and Louise had a daughter Debbie, Son Andy and three grandchildren, Ashley, Cody and Shawn.
Lawrence joined the X-S Rodeo Company. It was there along with old friend Bill Ussery, he became known as one of the best pick up man a bronc rider could ask for.
But even cowboys with Lawrence’s talent and spirit have to call it quits and hang up the bull rope and spurs at some point.
Lawrence was asked to manage the X-S Rodeo ranch in Austin, Texas, for the Steiners. This was something he really enjoyed for years.
Lawrence felt very lucky to have traveled and done rodeo with the caliber of cowboys he called his friends. Johnny Boren, Muscles Boyd, Bernis Johnson, Cullen Robinson, Buck and Tommy Steiner, Bill Ussery, Cotton Proctor and so many more.
Lawrence influenced the lives of so many in and out of the rodeo arena. Maybe his legs were short, but he made up for it in spirit and heart. He was an Original!!
