'Happy trails' to Hub Hubbell

Cowboy legend Hub Hubbell, in many ways, was larger than life.

A rodeo icon who rubbed shoulders with Western stars such as Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and Clayton Moore during his career, Hubbell made his mark as sharpshooter, rodeo announcer and horse trainer who lived and breathed life as a cowboy.

Hubbell, 93, died March 3 on the back porch of his home on the Flying H. Ranch, off University Parkway. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice, who died in 2009 of cancer.

Up until the day before his death, Hubbell was out promoting the upcoming Arcadia Rodeo.

“He was an absolute cowboy gentlemen,” said longtime friend Ellian Rosaire, who had known Hubbell for more than 25 years. “He was awesome.”

Friend Kandi Cooke agreed.

“I think he was the greatest man in the universe,” she said. “He was my hero.”

Hubbell, who moved to Sarasota in the early 1960s, was known in the community for his passion for rodeo and his love of promoting it, his quick laugh and gentle smile, the twinkle in his eye and his caring for people.

“Whenever you spent any amount of time with Hub Hubbell, your day was always a whole lot better,” said Ray Harkness, who met Hubbell in 1965 when he started his 10-year career as a rodeo clown. “You could never out-humor him.

“The man was a true legend, but yet very humble,” he said. “He wanted me to be successful and was there to help.”

“He never had a negative word to say about anyone,” Rosaire said. “He would never say anything bad. In fact, when he’d come across people during the day, he’d always say something to make them feel good. He was complimentary.”

Friends said they also will remember Hubbell for the laughs they shared and the stories he told.
“He could find an audience wherever he went,” Rosaire said. “He loved to tell stories. He had a pretty fascinating life.”

Hubbell, born Aug. 3, 1918, worked on a farm as a teenager before painting houses for a living. He entered his first rodeo in 1932 — agreeing to collect no pay if he won — just to try it.

And from then on, Hubbell’s passion for the rodeo was unshakable.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Cavalry Corps. during World War II to avoid the draft, and while in Georgia, convinced his supervisors to let him work the cattle and care for the horses. There, he learned to make belts and do trick roping, as well.

After four years of military service, Hubbell again headed back to the rodeo, drawn by the travel, the girls and the excitement. An avid rodeo promoter, Hubbell roped his wife, Eunice, on their first meeting and took her out for a piece of pie. The couple was married on horseback in 1952 and developed a unique set of rodeo acts, including one in which Hubbell would shoot an apple off Eunice’s head, earning them a name as “The Shooting Hubbells.”

Hubbell also became a well-known bronc rider and horse trainer, training his horse Oakie, who appeared in two movies, to play “Mary had a Little Lamb” on a set of sleigh bells in the 1980s. At 89 years old, while recovering from a broken neck, he taught his pony, Silver, to paint.

“He lived a long and very interesting exciting life,” Rosaire said. “I wasn’t quite done with him. (His death) is a real blow. He will definitely be missed by the entire community.”

One of Hubbell’s last public performances occurred last fall, when he visited Braden River High School to share his tales with students who had been studying “A Land Remembered,” a book about Florida Crackers.

“Hub’s life stories and memories gave students needed background knowledge to illustrate the book’s events,” said teacher Dr. Mary Thompson. “My students were impressed at his energy and were involved with the stories he shared. My students were interested and gracious when he was here, were engaged with his stories and asked good questions. … When the camera was focused on Hub or when the microphone was in his hand, he glowed with energy and enthusiasm.”

Former Braden River Elementary School media specialist Judith Leipold began writing a book on Hubbell’s life in February 2011, after completing a children’s story based on him. Leipold said she is 95% complete with Hubbell’s biography.

“I know when I finish this book, it’s because Hub is still with me, and we’re doing this together,” Leipold. “I miss him, but I know I’m only one of so many thousands of thousands of people who are missing him. I have heard from people from almost every state.”

Leipold said she has been contacted by Hubbell’s friends and fans, including a California resident named Michael Shapiro, who has watched Hubbell perform every year since he was 4 years old.

Leipold, Rosaire and other friends are working together to finalize details of Hubbell’s funeral services. A Western-inspired viewing will be held from 2-4 p.m. March 11, at Toale Brothers Colonial Chapel, 40 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota. A visitation will be held from 5-6 p.m. March 12, at the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary, 7101 Palmer Blvd., Sarasota. A service will follow at 6 p.m.

“He’s there guiding us, giving us great ideas. It’s going to be a heck of a send-off, for a heck of a guy.”
Rosaire said she plans to build a viewing area at her business, Rosaire’s Riding Academy, for Hubbell’s 1800s chuck wagon, which he brought to the Sarasota County Fair and other venues, and other memorabilia.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].