Lance Winter
WIMBERLEY— Over Labor Day weekend, the Wimberley community came together for the annual Gunner Thames Memorial Rodeo, an event that celebrates Texas rodeo traditions, while carrying forward the legacy of a young cowboy whose life continues to make an impact.
Held at the Wimberley VFW, the rodeo honors Gunner Thames, a 15-year-old cowboy who passed away following a rodeo accident in 2011. What began in remembrance has grown into an annual tradition centered on community, youth and service.
Proceeds from the rodeo benefit the Gunner Thames Memorial Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting and strengthening communities throughout Texas. The Foundation provides educational scholarships and financial assistance to students, while also supporting youth rodeo athletes, Texas 4-H members and Future Farmers of America projects in Hays County.
Its work extends beyond agriculture and rodeo. The foundation also provides financial assistance and resources to families facing crisis situations, offering support during some of their most difficult moments.
The annual Labor Day rodeo brings together competitors, families, volunteers and spectators around the traditions that were an important part of Gunner’s life. But its impact reaches well beyond the arena.
Through scholarships, youth programs and assistance to families in need, the event has helped transform the memory of one young cowboy into an enduring commitment to helping others.
For the Wimberley community, the Gunner Thames Memorial Rodeo is more than an annual gathering. It is a reminder of the strength of a community that continues to honor one of its own by investing in the next generation and lending a hand to neighbors when they need it most.
