CLAREMORE (OK)— Longtime trick roper Darrell Hawkins knew he was looking at a winner when he witnessed Wisconsin roper Charlie Keyes step into the arena at the Will Rogers Wild West International Expo biggest loop contest in Claremore last April.
Sure enough.
Keyes used all the strength he could muster to spin a loop that Hawkins measured an historic 107 feet, two inches. It was strength he gained in more a year’s training at his hometown wellness center in Burlington, Wisc.
It’s official now.
Keyes has been certified for the Guinness World Records.
He expects to return to Claremore April 19-21, 2007 to protect his record in Wild West Arts Club competition.
It’s not unusual for WWAC western arena arts experts to be listed in Guinness World Records. Keyes moved ahead of Vince Bruce of England and Wisconsin and Kalvin Cook of Oklahoma who earned “big loop” listings. Kim Minks of Idaho is certified as holding the women’s “big loop” record and Andy Rotz from Maryland still holds the world’s record of most “Texas Skips.”
Keyes, who is a master gun spinner and “handy” with a bull whip, has spent the months since his record win appearing in Wild West Shows across the nation, performing at cowboy shows and entertaining at schools and senior centers.
Hawkins, 77, hails from Deming, N.M., and with his wife, Delores, present Wild West Shows around the country. When he says it “takes a lot of strength” to twirl a big loop he knows what he’s talking about. “I used to do a 60-foot rope twice a day, but had to quit. I was pooped,” he said laughing.
“He (Keyes) told me he had been practicing. I figured he could do it,” said Hawkins, who witnessed Cook and Bruce make their mark. “ He’s got the height,” he said to describe the more than six foot Wisconsin farm boy turned entertainer with the same medium Will Rogers used to spin his way into the hearts of millions on stage and screen.
“His (Keyes) big loop record was inspiring,” said Mark Allen, Wild West Arts Club international director. “In fact, he has inspired many ropers to come to Claremore in 2007 to compete and try to top his big loop record. Not many will be able to, but it should be a great show.”
WWAC moved the annual convention-competition from Las Vegas to Claremore in 2005. It is a cooperative effort of WWAC, the Will Rogers Museums and Will Rogers Heritage Trust and the city of Claremore.
A member of WWAC seven years, Keyes said coming to Claremore has allowed him to know more about Will Rogers as “someone to live up to, not only in his trick roping skills, but his philosophy.”
Rogers and fellow Oklahoman, pilot Wiley Post, were killed Aug. 15, 1935 in an Alaskan plane crash.
WWAC participants come from most of the United States, Canada, and Mexico and about a half dozen other foreign countries to watch and compete in trick roping and riding, gun spinning, whip cracking, knife and tomahawk throwing and mounted gun slinging.
(The Will Rogers Museum in Claremore and birthplace ranch in Oologah (OK) are open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 918-341-0719.)