serg 54e gr

Kolby Wanchuk Riding Blind

New Pro Sport!

Breakaway Roping

Trailblazer Hughie Long Tragedy to Triumph

Leisure Guide Away & Back Again!

Serene & Stress-Free Adventures

PM# 40070720

JUNE/JULY 2021 • $5.95

Chuckwagon Thoroughbreds Behind the Backstretch Trinity Ranch Great Grass & Bred Heifers Outlaw Trail Stagecoach Bandit Pearl Hart

In This Issue

JUNE/JULY 2021 | VOLUME 25, NO. 1

48 AWAY & BACK AGAIN Our new Leisure Guide highlights many of the treasures we found in our home provinces

Features 18

SUMMER LIVING!

Tips and recipes from the multi-award-winning Canadian BBQ Association

22

FIRE IT UP!

PRCI: PRO BREAKAWAY ROPING

Celebrating the addition of women’s breakaway roping to the pro ranks

A QUARTER CENTURY OF COWBOY

It’s been a helluva ride since the first issue of Canadian Cowboy and we’re still going strong

20

40

45

BEHIND THE BACKSTRETCH

Great care goes into the support of some of the most revered horses on earth

Departments

Traeger Grills

On the Cover Two RCMP officers in Red Serge stop to water their mounts at the Bow River near Bow Falls in Banff National Park Photo courtesy Banff/Lake Louise Tourism

An enthusiastic review on Traeger’s new smoker grill

25

WHAT WORKS FOR US

Pasture Management The folks on Trinity Ranch on careful pasture management

28

TRAILBLAZERS

Hughie Long This cowboy went from tragedy to the Halls of Fame

30

OUTLAW TRAIL

Pearl Hart, an Ontario woman who was the Most Wanted in Arizona

@cowboycountrymag

@CowboyCntryMag

4 My Point of View 9 In the Corral 14 Spirit of the West 15 Wheel to Wheel 16 Reflections 33 Cowboy Way 37 Pro Rodeo Canada Insider 43 Road to the CFR 44 Clownin’ Around 58 Cowboy Poetry @CanadianCowboyCountry

3

June/July 2021 Vol. 25, No. 1 Editor Terri Mason terri@cowboycountrymagazine.com Copy Editor Tamara Aschenbrenner tamara@cowboycountrymagazine.com Art Director: Shannon Swanson shannon@cowboycountrymagazine.com Publisher Rob Tanner rob@cowboycountrymagazine.com Sales Manager Kristine Wickheim kristine@cowboycountrymagazine.com Subscription/Circulation Marie Tanner circ @cowboycountrymagazine.com Accounting/Administrator Marie Tanner admin@cowboycountrymagazine Columnists Tim Ellis, Hugh McLennan, Billy Melville, Greg Shannon, Bryn Thiessen Contributors Dylan Biggs, CrAsh Cooper, Brad & Tammy Corbiell, Daryl Drew, Billie-Jean Duff, Joe Duffy, Paul & Carol Easton, Tim Ellis, Alicia Erickson, Kay Miller, Tom Reardon, Roseanna Sales Tanner Young Publishing Group Box 13, 22106 South Cooking Lake Road Cooking Lake, AB T8E 1J1 Tel: 780-465-3362 | Toll Free: 1-800-943-7336 Website: cowboycountrymagazine.com E-mail: askus @cowboycountrymagazine.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Call Marie at 1-800-943-7336 1 Year: $25.00 incl. tax | 2 Years: $39.00 incl. tax 3 Years: $49.00 incl. tax | Single Copy: $5.95 + tax Canadian Cowboy Country magazine is published six times per year by Tanner Young Publishing Group PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40070720 ISSN 1701-1132 Please return undeliverable addresses to: Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine c/o Tanner Young Publishing Group Administration Office Box 13, 22106 South Cooking Lake Road Cooking Lake, AB T8E 1J1 FREELANCE POLICY Canadian Cowboy Country welcomes freelance contributions but will not be held responsible for unsolicited text or photographs.

Direct all freelance enquiries to: freelance@cowboycountrymagazine.com PRIVACY POLICY At Tanner Young Publishing Group, we value your privacy.

For our complete privacy policy go to tanneryoung.com/ privacy.html or call us at 1-800-943-7336 Canadian Cowboy Country makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.

This magazine is a proud member of the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association, and Magazines Canada, abiding by the standards of the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors. Visit albertamagazines.com

“This project is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada.”

«Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada.»

4

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

MY POINT OF VIEW When the going gets tough, the tough get quilting.

Me and Rob the Cat in my kitchen with a One Block Wonder quilt that I made over the winter.

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PHOTO BY MY SISTER AND COHORT, DEB MASON

Far Be It From Me… Remember the lyrics to Willie Nelson’s song, Me & Paul? (“It’s been rough and rocky travelling, but I’m finally standing upright on the ground…”) It’s a good analogy of what we’ve been going through and continue to go through, as we are halfway through the second year of a worldwide pandemic.

Well, almost worldwide.

Thousands of Canadians (me included) enjoy watching mask-free rodeo (and mask-free crowds) on Cowboy Channel and Wrangler Network as we watch our highriding Canadian cowboys winning down south on the PRCA circuit. Life appears to be back to normal in many American states, but here in Canada — nope. Everywhere else, it seems, can implement rapid testing, but not here. So at this point, Canadian rodeos are pushed as far out as possible, so fingers crossed that they’ll happen.

Here in the West, we found more places to explore in our province. We’ve sleuthed out some great places in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to either be able to visit in person, or vicariously, or to put on your Must-See list. Thanks to the travel sites for great photography.

In What Works For Us, I spoke with Brad Corbeill at Trinity Ranch. He was so interesting and a good example of life after getting thrown a few curveballs — you’ll enjoy it. cowboycountrymagazine.com

The fastest shutters in the West are back with a fantastic look at the behind the scenes of chuckwagon racing, and I love this series! Our longest-serving Miss Rodeo Canada Alicia Erickson has written a terrific article on the fastest sport in rodeo — breakaway roping (which, by the way, was won by a woman so pregnant she cut the horn off of her saddle.)

Our fave doc, Dr Daryl Drew, is back with another instalment on the Outlaw Trail, and our Trailblazer is the great Hughie Long. My boss and the ranahan of this outfit, Rob, has chipped in editorially about his personal experience with a Traeger grill.

I hope you enjoy this issue. From my point of view, we need a breather from this doom-and-gloom — especially kids, because no other generation in the entire history of human experience has sacrificed more in peacetime than our kids. So when you can, give them a break — here in Canadian Cowboy Country.

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— Terri Mason, Editor

5

CONTRIBUTORS

Tom Reardon Trailblazers: Hughie Long, page 28 Tom Reardon of Maple Creek, Sask., is a retired pasture manager who day rides on some Cypress Hills ranches.

Dr Daryl Drew Outlaw Trail: Bandit Pearl Hart, page 30 Daryl has been writing about the histories and mysteries of the West since the 1970s and for Cowboy since the ’90s. He is a graduate of the University of Victoria and Meredith Manor Equestrian School.

Dylan Biggs Cowboy Way: Old Yeller, page 33 For over 20 years Dylan has travelled extensively, sharing his knowledge of lowstress cattle handling with producers through livestock handling demonstrations. Dylan, his wife Colleen and their children, run TK Ranch near Hanna, Alta.

Miss Rodeo Canada, Alicia Erickson PRCI: Pro Breakaway Roping, page 40 Alicia Erickson from Trochu, Alta., represents our western heritage as the current Miss Rodeo Canada. Alicia has already obtained her Youth Justice Diploma and is now working towards her Bachelors in Social Work.

Carol and Paul Easton Behind the Backstretch, page 45 Away from the WPCA chuckwagon circuit, Alberta-based photographer Paul is a medical doctor specialising in research and sleep medicine, and shooter Carol is a health care administrator.

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Missing Link It has been pointed out to me a few times that I did not include a photo of Lane Link in my article, Have Rope, Will Travel (Special Edition, Apr/May ’21).

Mea culpa.

I intended to include his photo; I even photographed Lane last fall on the West Block roundup, but it wasn’t a great shot.

So here is a Spring/2021 photo of Lane Link riding his buckskin mare, Darling.

Alongside is his young Texas heeler dog, Diccy.

The single-strand pretzel knot around Darling’s neck is multifunctional; it serves as a tie string/piggin string (or if you’re a flat top buckaroo, you’ll know it as a short line).

Plus, it dressed her up for the photo.

Lane, Darling and Diccy

— Editor

You Can’t Rebuild a Mountain

PHOTOS COURTESY LANE LINK; WIRESTOCK/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Formidable Escape Your magazine is a formidable escape from a period of constraint, even on the other side of the Atlantic. (translation) Cordially, Catherine Mery, Toulon-sur-Arroux, France Dear Catherine, Je vous en prie! Envoyez-nous une photo de France! — Editor (Google translation: You are welcome! Send us photos from France!) cowboycountrymagazine.com

Thank you, Cowboy Country, for the timely and informative article “You Can’t Rebuild a Mountain” by Sid Marty in your April/May 2021 issue. I, too, have been disgusted and saddened that Kenney’s cowardly act of trying to sneak rescinding the Alberta Coal Policy on the Friday of the 2020 May long weekend.

And his drooling over the fact that he has basically given Australia all of Alberta’s Coal because they waved a bunch of money in his face. Plus, he is allowing exploratory drilling to proceed because “they are already there”. Sounds like the decision has been made, doesn’t it? All that money is going to Australia.

It doesn’t matter where you burn the coal; it is still polluting the earth’s atmosphere. There are alternatives to using coal to make steel! Sid is bang-on in his factual article, and I am delighted that a magazine of your calibre is brave enough to let him speak the truth. I think Sid was too kind, my letters to Kenney and his greedy cohorts are a little more blunt, but no matter how you say it, the facts are the same.

Now that your readership has been educated on the truth of Kenney’s coal fantasy, maybe they too will let our corrupt provincial government know how they feel about our long-term sustainable activities such as non-motorized recreation, major river headwaters protection, ranchlands and farmlands being destroyed in favour of his friends in the short term, environmentally destructive ATV and resource extraction industries.

They are taking something irreplaceable away from us peons who love and respect our wilderness. You can’t rebuild a mountain or several mountains if all the coal permits are fulfilled. NOW it makes sense why Kenney tried to close all those parks last year. The truth will always surface.

Thank you, CCC, for printing this article. Thank you, Sid Marty, for being you. Alberta and beyond need to know what is really happening in our treasured eastern slopes.

Lorri Andrews, Beaver County, Alta.

7

IN THE CORRAL NEWS, VIEWS & HAPPENINGS FROM ACROSS THE CANADIAN WEST

Millions Dedicated to Grasslands younger generation of ranchers to continue

(SSGF) received $3.4M from the Weston

caring for the prairie.”

Family Foundation (WFF) Prairie Grasslands

The Weston Family Prairie Grasslands

The Initiative aims to improve species-atrisk habitat, enable wildlife movement, expand the amount of land protection in the prairies,

Initiative to collaborate on one of the

Initiative is a five-year collaboration to

and ultimately increase long-term ecological

largest prairie grasslands conservation

celebrate, steward and protect one of

and economic stability. This will affect nearly

efforts in Canadian history.

Canada’s most ecologically valuable and

four million acres of priority native grasslands

threatened ecosystems. Nearly $25M

in one of the largest prairie grasslands

threatened terrestrial ecosystems in

has been committed by the Weston

conservation efforts in Canadian history.

Canada. They are the last refuge for 31

Family Foundation to five organizations

species at risk and an important forage

to accelerate sustainable practices and

conservation agreements or term easements

resource for Saskatchewan’s cow-calf

achieve landscape-level impact: Nature

with livestock producers who own or

sector,” explained Ray McDougald, SSGF

Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited

manage native grasslands, including critical

Chair. “We are building on the success

Canada, Saskatchewan Stock Growers

habitat for species at risk in southwestern

of Species at Risk Partnerships on

Foundation, Grasslands National Park (Parks

Saskatchewan. The goal is to have 350,000

Agricultural Lands’ first five years to

Canada), and Meewasin Valley Authority.

acres of native grasslands and critical

“Native grasslands are the most

achieve real environmental outcomes;

“We have an opportunity now to

The SSGF’s primary focus is to sign

habitat for species at risk under robust,

projects that enhance the grasslands and

protect the Canadian prairie grasslands

long-term conservation agreements or term

species at risk habitat, and also increase

for future generations,” said WFF Director

conservation easements within five years.

the viability of ranching, enabling a

Eliza Mitchell.

For more, visit westonfoundation.ca.

8

PHOTO COURTESY SSGA/JOY OSTRANDER

Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

RAM Circuit Finals Canadians were riding high in Florida as the Maple Leaf elite competed in the 2021 RAM Circuit Finals in early April in Kissimmee, Florida.

The Circuit Finals is considered the second-largest event in the United States. The rodeo stars vie for more than $1 million in cash and prizes in addition to $20,000 vouchers for a brand new RAM truck and a Polaris ATV, among other prizes.

Over 200 Circuit champions from across the US, Mexico, and Canada competed, and for the first time, the monies won at the National Circuit Finals will count in the 2021 PRCA standings.

Congratulations to Scott Guenthner who won the steer wrestling at the 2021 RAM Circuit Finals.

reshol

–

20

–

20

is Canadian Cowboy?

Alberta

Where in the World

m,

Cl a

Vicksburg National Military Park

PHOTOS COURTESY ALICIA ERICKSON; TAMMY CORBEILL

Canadians and Miss Rodeo Canada Alicia Erickson in Kissimmee Florida for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo. From left: Kyle Lucas, Carstairs, AB, Josh Eirikson, Bandera, TX, Jake Watson, Hudson's Hope, BC, Clay Ullery, Valleyview, AB, 2020 & 2021 Miss Rodeo Canada Alicia Erickson, Tyce McLeod, Waldeck, SK, Ryan Shuckburgh, Innisfail, AB, Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, AB, Scott Guenthner, Provost, AB, Kody Lamb, Sherwood Park, AB. Missing from the photo is Jake Burwash, Nanton, AB.

Brad and Tammy Corbeill of Cluny, Alta., by one of the 144 emplaced cannons at the Vicksburg National Military Park

Vicksburg National Military Park preserves the site of the American Civil War Battle of Vicksburg, waged from March 29 to July 4, 1863.

The park, located in Vicksburg, Mississippi (flanking the Mississippi River), also commemorates the greater Vicksburg Campaign, which led up to the battle. Reconstructed forts and trenches evoke memories of the 47-day siege that ended in the surrender of the city. Victory here and at Port Hudson, farther south in Louisiana, gave the Union control of the Mississippi River.

The park includes 1,325 historic monuments and markers, miles of historic trenches and earthworks, a 16-mile tour road, a 12-mile walking trail, two antebellum homes and 144 emplaced cannons.

There is also the restored gunboat USS Cairo (sunk on Dec 12, 1862, on the Yazoo River), and Grant’s Canal site, where the Union Army attempted to build a canal to alter the course of the Mississippi to let their ships bypass Confederate artillery fire.

The 116-acre Vicksburg National Cemetery is within the park. It has 18,244 interments, of which 12,954 souls are unidentified.

Over half a million visitors visit the park every year, including Brad and Tammy Corbeill of Cluny, Alta.

cowboycountrymagazine.com

9

IN THE CORRAL

Through a variety of conservation programs, Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation works with cattle producers and conservation organizations to conserve wildlife habitat

10

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and their partners are the recipients of a $600,000 investment by the Conservation Trust, administered by the charitable organization, Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC).

These monies allow DUC and partners to team up with the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association and Manitoba Association of Watersheds to restore habitat by restoring wetlands, perennial grasses and permanent cover.

“The cow is one of the most important conservation tools in the Canadian prairie landscape,” says Tim Sopuck, CEO of MHHC. “Cattle and cattle producers can live with and make a living from the things on the land that are important to wildlife. Cattle producers can accommodate wetlands and they like

grasslands and forage — all things we call wildlife habitat.”

Since 2008, MHHC has been working with landowners to restore previously drained wetlands throughout Manitoba.

“If you considered the cow/calf producers in Manitoba as one group, they would be the single largest conservation group in the province,” he said. “They manage more habitat than anyone else.”

Variously funded through mitigation, climate change, waterfowl and water quality programming, MHHC continues to offer wetland restoration opportunities to all Manitobans.

Restoration contracts are offered under 10-year term agreements or in association with conservation agreements that conserve the newly restored habitat in perpetuity. For more information, visit mhhc.mb.ca.

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

PHOTO COURTESY MHHC

The Importance of Cattle

Virtual Cowboy Gathering We have some good news for those of us who miss making the annual trek to the Kamloops Cowboy Festival each March!

Musician Tom Cole organized, sponsored and ramrodded a virtual Cowboy Concert that originally aired on March 21, and thanks to technology, you can still tune in to enjoy your old friends on the two-hour show!

Living Legend Hugh McLennan MC’s the show. A wealth of terrific entertainers, including Eli Barsi, John Cunningham, Ryan Fritz, Brian Salmond, Ed Wahl, Butch Falk, Tom Cole, Clint Giesbrecht, Jim McLennan, Mike Dygert, Beau Hughes, Neale Skauge, Gary Oker, and David Longworth, grace the screen from their homes. Tom Cole’s production is a technical marvel!

Find the concert on YouTube (Virtual Cowboy Concert) or Tom’s website at TomCole.net.

… and the Winner is…

PHOTOS COURTESY PAT BREWER; BILL BORGWARDT

Congratulations to all of the winners at the 10th Annual Country Music Alberta Awards!

The award show was live-streamed and hosted by George Canyon and Mariya Stokes. They did a terrific job considering the bizarre situation caused by social distancing and no music fans in attendance.

The show highlighted performances by nominees and winners, including live performances piped in from Nashville, plus many in the studio. Tune in to the show and enjoy the music by Lindsay Ell, Gord Bamford, Nice Horse, Ryan Lindsay, Brandon Lorenzo, Michela Sheedy, and Clayton Bellamy.

Ryan Lindsay, winner of the Horizon Male Artist of the Year, announced at 10th Annual Country Music Alberta Awards

Congratulations to the winners!

Horizon Female Artist of the Year — Mariya Stokes Horizon Male Artist of the Year — Ryan Lindsay Horizon Group or Duo of the Year — Nice Horse Horizon Youth — Hannah Gazso Male Artist of the Year — Aaron Goodvin Female Artist of the Year — Tenille Townes Group or Duo of the Year — High Valley Roots Artist of the Year — Clayton Bellamy Rising Star — Krissy Feniak Fans’ Choice — Donny Lee Interactive Artist of the Year — Nice Horse The show is still available on YouTube, and it’s well worth watching.

Search for the 10th Annual Country Music Alberta Awards.

cowboycountrymagazine.com

11

IN THE CORRAL EMPTY SADDLES

Cue the Horses!

Niki Flundra and her Liberty horses, Ace and Stetson, performing at the 2019 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, NV

12

Patsy Rodgers, the 2008 Parade Marshall

Patricia “Patsy” Henderson (nee Rodgers) July 25, 1925 – Nov 18, 2020 Raised on the Virginia Ranch northwest of Calgary, Patsy Rodgers was a consummate horsewoman whose skills and beauty earned her the title of the Calgary Stampede’s first rodeo Queen. Her title took her first to Fort Worth, then New York to the month-long Madison Square Gardens Rodeo and finally, Boston. She turned down an offer to go to Hollywood and came home to Alberta, where she focused the rest of her life on promoting her community and the Calgary Stampede.

Flundra’s Heart of the Horse To watch a professional trainer start a colt is an entertaining experience, but to see the young horse progress from untouched to moving smoothly under saddle before your eyes captures your imagination and your heart.

This summer, Niki Flundra’s colt starting extravaganza, Heart of the Horse, is taking place at the Pincher Creek Rodeo Grounds Aug 2–8.

Flundra, a multi-award-winning trainer, and equestrienne is also a master at telling a story through horses. This year will be no different as Flundra, plus some top trainers, including many equine performers will work together to create an informative week-long experience for all with an amazing night show.

Riding is a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, skills and training, and Aug 2–5, there are four full-day clinics with this year’s trainers — Dustin Sippola, Glenn Stewart and Jill Barron. Then Aug 6–8, the colt starting competition begins as each of these trainers chooses a young horse from a herd and works with their chosen colt over the next three days. The trainer and their colt will attempt several challenges, including an obstacle course before the winner is declared on the final day.

The Heart of the Horse will be live-streamed this year, so those who can’t make the trip will be able to enjoy the show from home.

For more information, visit TheHeartoftheHorse.ca.

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

PHOTOS BY CALGARY STAMPEDE; TOM DONAHUE

Alberta is once again Cowboy Central for the silver screen.

After a bit of a dry spell, TV and movie stars will be swinging into era-appropriate saddles for movies and television, including the series we’ve long been waiting for — Joe Pickett.

There’s no word yet what the series will be named, but rest assured that the internationally bestselling series featuring our favourite good guy, Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett, is finally becoming a series.

Because writer C.J. Box has the good sense to maintain control over character development, this wonderful novel personality will be true to the original character as written by the multi-award-winning writer.

A few rare television series understand the draw of a good guy, but unfortunately, networks don’t seem to catch on to public demand as quick.

The demise of the long-admired Longmire is a classic example.

Other spur-jinglers set to film north of the Medicine Line will be Skulls (Predator 5) featuring a First Nations tracker, plus a film about Billy the Kid’s early life.

GIDDY UP WITH GREG SHANNON Reining Supreme If you’re not a fan of Yellowstone — the saga of the Dutton family and their Montana ranch, honestly what are you doing with your Pandemic time? The show’s writer/director Taylor Sheridan competes in Cutting and Reining competitions and loves to feature the horses and their athletic pilots on the show.

Enter non-pro, two-million-dollar-earner, Mandy McCutcheon!

Mandy, tell us what it was like to be featured in the hit show Yellowstone?

“It was fun! Everybody was just so nice on the set, and so fun to be around and so accommodating. We really had a great time.

I didn’t meet Kevin Costner but my Dad did. Pretty sure Cade (my son), did while he was getting ready for season four.”

Was there a Craft Services?

“Yes, it was amazing. It was actually my birthday. My husband, Tom, asked, ‘Hey, is there some way I can get a birthday cake?’ They said ‘We’ll take care of it.’ At lunchtime, we had two birthday cakes that were the size of kitchen tables to feed an army. So yeah, Craft Services were pretty amazing.”

After your long, hard, meticulous day of filming were you able to kick back and have a beer with the cast and crew?

“Oh, yeah, everybody had a good time. I think there was maybe some UFC fights that night or something my husband, Tom, wanted to watch. So we went to one of the houses and it was just like hanging out with your group of friends. It was super fun.”

PHOTO BY JEN RUSH

A Saddle Tramp Soliloquy Writer BJ Smith has penned his life story in verse, with (very) short stories in-between to add some interesting background to each poem. Some poems are sweet (writing about his mom), while others are tremendously funny or, at the very least — entertaining.

From his childhood through his career as one of the Queen’s cowboys, with plenty of side trips into the lives of some of Alberta’s legendary men of the saddle such as Chuck Hayward and Geoff Hardy (the poem featured in this issue happened to Geoff), BJ has created an enjoyable read, with poetry spurred on by his lifestyle.

The poetry and stories will take you to the Arctic, the city, and the mountains, with plenty of tales to entertain you. You’ll enjoy this book at home or at the end of the day after a long day on the trail. Like all good cowboy poetry, it’s at its best when performed, but if you’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing BJ on stage, you’ll add his voice to the rhythm of the poetry and enjoy it all the more.

BJ Smith’s new book is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads or Austin Macauley. bjsmithproductions.com.

A Saddle Tramp Soliloquy by BJ Smith. Softcover, 197 pages.

Published by Austin Macauley.

cowboycountrymagazine.com

Did any of the actors ask you for horsemanship tips?

“A couple of them, but you know, they’ve all been riding a lot now. And Taylor provides really good horses and that helps a lot too. It was all just great. I’m just so appreciative. Having to run for a million I really liked it the first year because Cade tied to win, so I couldn’t be happier. It was some good luck for sure.

That goes along with what we do, not only get to be good at, you’ve got to have a little bit of luck on your side as well.”

If you want to further explore the great sport of reining here in Alberta visit http://www.reiningalberta.net/

— Greg Shannon, 840 CFCW Morning Show Co-Host Hear Greg Shannon & Co-Host Stella Stevens weekday mornings on 840 CFCW! Email Greg with column suggestions: greg@cfcw.com 13

SPIRIT OF THE WEST | HUGH MCLENNAN

The Chilcotin Suspension Bridge Mystery left that old bridge just hanging. Nobody could get cattle across until it finally got repaired.”

Hmm, a mystery.

Gerry’s story reminded me of an interview I had recorded for the 75th anniversary of the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association with long-time cowboy, rancher and cattle

Hugh McLennan taking a break in the studio during one of his many interviews with author and historian, Ken Mather

“I

f you have a herd of a few hundred head, you’ve gotta make a lot of trips back and forth.”

That’s the way author and historian Ken Mather described trailing cattle across the notorious Chimney Creek suspension bridge. The bridge, which opened in 1904, was demolished in 1962. But for many years, this precarious span was the only way to get cattle from ranches of the Chilcotin to the Williams Lake stockyards.

The ranchers had built a stout set of holding corrals at each end of the bridge.

But because of the way the bridge bounced 14

and swayed, there was a maximum of 16 animals allowed on it at one time.

After Ken had shared some of the bridge’s history on the Spirit of the West, it had me wondering about the rest of the story. I came across an interview recorded with B.C. Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee Gerry Brace. The well-known cowgirl, outfitter and writer described her memory of driving cattle across the bridge.

“We’d get about to the middle, and the cattle were staggering, your horse was staggering, and you had to have a rider in front to keep them under control, or you could really damage the bridge.

One time a big ranch took a big bunch of steers across all at once. Well! The pins all got pulled out of the cable, and they

buyer Tony Bellos. I had some great visits with Tony, and like so many Chilcotin legends, his story would make a great book or movie. He left home to become a cowboy in the Chilcotin at the age of 15.

He was a war hero, pilot, and a legend in his own right.

I remembered that he had described crossing that bridge. After a lot of digging, I found the tape, and this was Tony’s version: “We had close to 1,000 steers to deliver, and we got them trotting down to the bridge. Well, we trotted them all across in one steady stream. A rider would cut in every now and then to make sure they kept going. Boy, that old bridge was bouncin’ quite a bit, but we got our steers across with no hitches. If there’d been a jam up, we’d have really been in trouble. But we got ‘em all across; otherwise, it would have taken us ages to get them all across.” c I solved the Great Chilcotin Suspension Bridge Mystery with Tony’s great interview, but I guess that’s all water under the bridge.

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

PHOTO BY BILLIE MCLENNAN

“Nobody could get cattle across until it finally got repaired.”

— Gerry Brace

WHEEL TO WHEEL | BILLY MELVILLE

Our Greatest Fan Prince Philip

T

he photographer couldn’t hear what Prince Philip said as chuckwagons roared down the stretch at Stampede Park Thursday night, but you can judge for yourself from his expression.

We’re guessing something like, “Wowie!

Look at them drive!”

And Queen Elizabeth was obviously just as interested, although perhaps a little more reserved, as Stampede president George Crawford explained some of the rules and techniques of wagon driving in Calgary’s famous Rangeland Derby.

Despite the caption under the photo, It’s highly unlikely that George Crawford needed to explain the rules, as it wasn’t Prince Philip’s first exposure to the chuckwagon races. Twenty years earlier, on Oct 18, 1951, Prince Phillip saw his first chuckwagon race when the Calgary Stampede staged an authentic Stampede program for visiting Princess Elizabeth and Prince

Philip, who were touring Calgary before she was Queen. The race featured champion chuckwagon drivers Ronnie Glass, Hank Willard, Marvin Flett and Johnny Hamilton.

As is often the case, when people see the chuckwagon races for the first time, it leaves an impression on them, and Prince Philip was no exception.

In 1959, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh returned to Calgary, this time in July when the Calgary Stampede was going on and made a point to watch an evening of chuckwagon racing at the Calgary Stampede. As former CBC broadcaster Tom Reynolds had described their visit, “Prince Phillip seems to be very keen about this (the chuckwagon races), of course, he was a very interested spectator at Calgary’s wagon race during his visit in 1951.”

Prince Philip was known for his “love of equestrian sports that are visually entertaining and develop teamwork,” and chuckwagon racing was among them. He was a polo player up until around 1971 and then became a lover of carriage driving after he was asked to help develop the rules of the sport. He even wrote a book about carriage driving called 30 Years On and Off The

Box Seat and always referred to the chuckwagon outfits as driving “four in hand.”

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited the Calgary Stampede for the third time in 1973. Prince Philip was an honoured guest as he accompanied his wife, Queen Elizabeth II, who officially opened the 1973 Calgary Stampede.

This would be the last time Prince Phillip would attend the chuckwagon races live, but he still kept an interest in the sport over the years.

In 2011, an exchange of sorts occurred between the chuckwagon drivers and the carriage drivers. Although Prince Philip was unable to attend, his close friend George Bowman and his sons came to the Calgary Stampede in 2011 to try their hand at driving chuckwagons in an exhibition event and in return, Kelly and Mark Sutherland — of one of chuckwagon racing’s foremost families — travelled to the United Kingdom to try their hand at driving carriages. It was a rewarding experience for all. c Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, passed away on April 9, 2021, at the age of 99. With his passing, chuckwagon racing lost its highest-profile fans.

Stampede president George Crawford, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at Calgary’s famous Rangeland Derby, 1959 Calgary Stampede

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PHOTO: CPDPRINTS/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

REFLECTIONS | BRYN THIESSEN

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Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

Your Journey /// Because memories are the rhymes That bring back the times And the places a cowboy has rode They might hang in the wind But they’ll come back again And warm him, when he grows cold These words are the first chorus of Sunlight On Silver. Vern Ballantyne and I wrote it. It chronicles some of the events from our memories of a couple of days on the Waldron in 1990.

A bunch of us had come together to gather and sort some cattle in preparation for fall work.

Vern came up with the first six lines inspired by pictures that his eyes, ears and nose painted in his mind. Then I took the canvas, drawing paint from the vats of inner workings of the soul and the heart, shading with emotions and physical touch.

But if memories are rhymes, then what of the times, When upwards his soul will roam He’ll stand there amazed where the star herds now graze As he stares ’round his heavenly home.

As the second chorus is trotted out, it brings in our spiritual dimension. The song ends with the first four lines and the statement, “… will meet him when he’s riding up there.” This line serves to remind us of the time/space we live in holds some of the treasures we’ll find in the place created for us to inhabit forever.

Whenever I hear or read these words, my mind can see, hear, smell, and feel when they happened and were painted in my mind.

If we trot out of the corral of introspection and into the pastures containing the theme of this edition’s articles, we find ourselves speaking of journeys. Whether across the yard to Grandma’s or a trip around the world, every journey is a canvas to paint your memories on and recall later to enjoy all over again.

Many folks have been hunkered down, staying away from the usual gathering spots and opportunities to socialize. Even brandings, a staple of Western hospitality and camaraderie, have been scaled back. As we’re “restricted” where we should travel, travel closer to home. Get to know the history and stories of how things came to be. Find an old codger, or if you’re an old codger, share your recollections and your windys (good practice if you end up in politics.) Store those memories in the corners of your mind’s attic and dust them off from time to time and relive the warmth and laughter.

As I drift these thoughts home, they bunch up like this; we often think a journey has to be a distance from home; a memory has to be a momentous event, and what has become familiar is easily forgotten.

So as you journey this summer, keep those thoughts saddled and ready to ride. Those memories of familiar things close to home may be the ones that warm you as evenings grow cold. As you journey towards your final home, consider the words of Ecclesiastes 12:1.

Consider/store up the memories/knowledge of your Creator so that when you’re old, you’ll have not just the memories — you’ll also know where the gate is that opens to your eternal home. (My words.) Journey well. c

Bryn Thiessen is a rancher, poet, cowboy and preacher at Cowboy Trail Church in Cochrane. Bryn and his wife Bonny market grass-fattened beef from their Helmer Creek Ranch southwest of Sundre, Alta.

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A Quarter-Century of

COWBOY Twenty-five years ago, the premiere issue of Canadian Cowboy Country magazine was launched to a nation hungry for news and features about Westerners.

To celebrate this quarter-century milestone, over the upcoming year we will revisit some of the many lives that have graced these pages.

Where Are They Now? Jason Davidson

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Grizz – graphite – Henri deGroot

The Art of Henri de Groot Henri DeGroot was the first artist featured in Cowboy.

The renowned western artist and his wife Lori still live near Entwhistle, near Jasper, Alta. They still raise warmblood horses.

“We raise some jumpers, but mainly our horses are found in dressage,” said Henri in a recent interview.

In the ’90s, Henri attended up to 14 major western art shows a year, but now, art shows are rare — especially in Canada.

Henri’s graphite portraits are stunning in their detail, and he’s expanded with the addition of colourful oil paintings. His artwork has immortalized poets, players and plenty of cowboys, and you can see many on his website. Visit degrootwesternart.com.

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

PHOTO COURTESY HENRI DEGROOT

Sherril Siebert wrote an article on Jason’s bullfighting, and his first column, Rodeo Rawhide, was published in that same issue.

Jason attended Kevin West/Ryan Byrne’s bullfighting school.

When he retired, he had four appearances (1997, ’99, 2000 & 2001) at the Canadian Finals Rodeo and was the alternate bullfighter at the 2001 NFR. Jason was offered a sales position with Wrangler, and it turned out that sales and negotiation are his forte.

Today, his resume includes producing music concerts (Alabama, Janet Jackson.) He reps NHL & AHL hockey players and rodeo contestants, including the Wright clan, and he is the GM of PBR Canada. Then Covid hit. With Jason at the helm, PBR Canada was the first pro sport to bring their event to a live audience.

“It was a drive-in,” said Jason. “We were doing the event inside at Lethbridge, and SuperVision fed the event to a big outdoor screen.

We could hear the vehicles honk after a ride,” he said. “It wasn’t easy, and I credit our entire PBR family for coming together to deliver these events.”

For the 2021 season, PBR Canada has pushed its events to the third and fourth quarters. PBRCanada.com.

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1. Jason Davidson 2. Sherril Siebert and Bella 3. Jason Davidson fighting bulls 4. The first issue hit newsstands in 1997, and the first cover of CCC featured John Siebert, the father of editor Sherril Siebert. 5. Hugh in 1997 6. Hunting Party at Rat Creek, 33”x37” Oil, Henri deGroot 7. Hugh with same coat; 2021

PHOTOS COURTESY COVY MOORE; HUGH AND BILLIE MCLENNAN; SHERRIL SIEBERT; HENRI DEGROOT

Hugh McLennan Living Legend and tougher than leather saddle pal Hugh McLennan of Pinantan Lake, B.C., has the distinction of being published in every issue of Cowboy since its inception. No matter what was going on in his life, from cattle drives to broadcasting his radio show, The Spirit of the West, to ocean cruising to a kidney transplant, Hugh has never missed a deadline.

To date, here are the awards heaped upon this deserving broadcaster, writer and musician: •1999 Red Sash Award from the Charles Russell Historical Society •1999 Best of CAMA award for Best Agricultural program in Canadian Radio or Television • 2001 Will Rogers Award as Broadcaster of The Year • 2002 Founders Award for outstanding contributions to the values of the North American West • 2008 The Joe Marten Memorial Award for the Preservation of Cowboy Heritage in BC • 2008 American Cowboy of the Year to commemorate the National Day of the American Cowboy, July 26, 2008; presented

by West Quest.

• 2012 Living Legend, Canadian Cowboy Country magazine hugh-mclennan.com

Sherril Siebert, editor Carla Dornan, publisher In 1997, ranch-raised cowgirls Sherril Siebert and Carla Dornan founded Canadian Cowboy Country. In 2001, Tanner Young took it over.

I caught up with Sherril at her home, near Sundre, Alta.

“Let’s see, since then, I was exercising cutting horses for about five years around Okotoks; then I moved to Cochrane. I was involved with Extreme Cowboy Alberta, which is still going. Cochrane is also where I discovered my new interest, working with developmentally challenged adults.

And I’m still collecting horses; I have six, no seven. (laughs.)

Now I live close to the Ya Ha Tinda, so I plan to ride up there this summer. Meanwhile, I spend most of my time with my daughter and grandkids on the farm.

I’m considering going back to writing. I’m interested in the history of the Chilcotin; that’s where my great-grandfather started with his homestead. He wrote a book about coming from England with his brothers. He settled in the Millarville country first, and then he lost two brothers in a river. He learned how to break horses from John Ware, for heaven’s sakes.

So yeah, life is good, but please mention Carla Dornan; she was instrumental in Cowboy. She was quite a hand, and I still miss her.” c

1997 Featured Music 1. Paul Brandt Calm Before the Storm 2. KC Jones Hearts Were Bound 3. The Sons of the San Joaquin From Whence Came the Cowboy 4. The Bard & the Balladeer Waddie Mitchell & Don Edwards 5. Gary Fjellgaard Under Western Skies

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Smoked Skirt Steak

Skirt Steak

Everyone enjoys summer BBQ in our backyards, while camping, or at a park. Here are a few tips to ensure a delicious experience: ▸ Ensure BBQ is clean from the previous cook; ▸ Wipe away dust and cobwebs; ▸ Check to ensure no furry animals are making a home in your BBQ; ▸ Use a brush or ball of aluminum foil to scrape off any remnants of a previous cook on the grill; This is best done as the BBQ is warming up, as remnants will slide off easily.

Food safety is just as important when BBQing. Alberta Health Services advises: ▸ To keep food cold — at 4°C (40°F) or colder. ▸ Keep food hot at 60°C (140°F) or hotter. ▸ Have a small fire extinguisher available and ready. If you were to have a fire, it would likely be the grease that catches fire. ▸ An instant-read or digital thermometer is a priceless tool to ensure you cook chicken thoroughly and steaks to everyone’s preferred doneness.

Join the Canadian BBQ Society for great discounts with partners! CBBQS.ca For recipes, ideas, questions, or to brag about your latest BBQ creation, share with your fellow Canadians at Facebook.com/Groups/CBBQS

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EQUIPMENT: Grill/ BBQ/ Smoker, sharp knife INGREDIENTS: ▸ Skirt Steak ▸ Your favourite spice rub or salt & pepper 1. Remove membrane by fileting with a sharp knife or pulling off with a paper towel.

2. Season 30 minutes to 1 hour before with salt and pepper or your favourite spice rub, low in sugar content. (Sugar burns.)

3. Meanwhile, warm up grill/ BBQ/ smoker to high searing heat 450–500°F 4. Sear one side for 5–8 minutes when caramelized; 5. Flip and sear on the other side for 5–8 minutes when caramelized.

6. Remove from grill/ BBQ/ smoker to assess internal temperature. Ideally, 120-125°F for medium-rare or 125-130°F for medium.

7. Rest at least 15 minutes.

Serving Preparation: Cut into 3-4 inch sections parallel to the grain. Cut each section ACROSS the grain into thin slices.

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

PHOTOS COURTESY DARREL SESKIN, CBBQS MEMBER

Summer Living!

Prized for its flavour, Skirt steak is a thin, long cut with visible grain that comes from just under the rib.

Braai-Q’s BBQ Pork Ribwich

PHOTO COURTESY DARREL SESKIN, CBBQS MEMBER

This recipe courtesy of Darrel Seskin of the Braai-Q - BBQ competition team.

MAKE THIS IN YOUR OVEN, YOUR SMOKER OR ON YOUR BBQ. 1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).

2. Lay the ribs on a long sheet of aluminum foil. Mix well all the ingredients for the dry rub in a small bowl, eliminating any lumps.

Remove the membrane from the ribs. Coat the ribs evenly on both sides. Completely seal the ribs in foil. (The juices of the ribs must stay inside the foil to keep the ribs moist during cooking.) Bake the ribs for 3–3 1/2 hours until tender.

3. Unwrap the ribs carefully, then wiggle the bones out slowly. If you’re having trouble removing the bones, use a knife to make small cuts in the meat to aid their removal.

4. Preheat the broiler on your oven.

5. Combine the barbecue sauce and honey in a small bowl and generously brush both sides of the deboned slab of ribs, carefully handling the ribs since the meat will be super tender and hot. Broil the ribs for about 5 minutes until the glaze is bubbling and starting to brown.

6. Slice the bread loaf in half lengthwise, then butter both sides of the bread and toast under the broiler for a few minutes.

Keep a careful eye on it as it will burn extremely quickly.

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7. With two long spatulas or knives, carefully transfer the glazed ribs to the bottom bread half, then top with the fried onions, parsley, and the top half of bread. Cut into sandwiches if you want to share or hunker down yourself.

Says Darrel: “I prefer to make this in the smoker as it adds more smoky flavours from woods like apple, cherry and maple.”

YOU NEED: ▸ 1 rack of pork ribs (side or back) ▸ 1 loaf bread, like sourdough ▸ 2 large onions DRY RUB: ▸ 2 Tbsp brown sugar ▸ 2 Tbsp paprika ▸ 2 tsp salt ▸ 1 Tbsp pepper ▸ 1 tsp garlic powder ▸ 1 tsp onion powder ▸ 1 tsp cumin ▸ 1 tsp chili powder TOPPINGS: ▸ 1 cup barbecue sauce (290 g) ▸ 1/4 cup honey (85 g)

▸ 1/4 cup butter, melted (55 g) ▸ Fried Onions ▸ 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley FRIED ONIONS: ▸ 2 large onions, thinly sliced into half-moons and small rings ▸ 1 cup buttermilk ▸ 1 cup all-purpose flour ▸ Kosher salt ▸ Freshly ground black pepper ▸ Vegetable oil, for frying 1. In a medium bowl, soak onions in buttermilk for 10 minutes.

2. Add flour to a separate medium bowl.

Season with salt and pepper and whisk to combine.

3. Working in batches, grab a handful of onions with tongs. Shake off excess buttermilk then toss onions in flour mixture until fully coated. Set aside and repeat with remaining onions.

4. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat about 1” oil. When oil is shimmering, add onions, working in batches, and fry until golden, about 2 minutes.

5. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate and season with more salt.

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74-pound Steamship.

(A "steamship" round is a beef roast that consists of a whole round with a rump and a heel.)

By ROB TANNER

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As I sit down to write this, the snow is receding, the grass is greening up, and calving is in full swing. I cannot tell you how happy I am, as spring always brings with it renewed optimism and hope for better times ahead. Particularly this year as we start to come out of our on-again-off-again lockdowns. With more home time this past year, I finally got around to reading more, putzing around the farm more, and, thanks to Terri, was introduced to the Joe Pickett series. Above all else, I was introduced to wood-fired grilling and was hooked. → Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

PHOTO COURTESY DARREL SESKIN, CBBQS MEMBER

SMOKIN’ SUMMER!

PHOTO COURTESY DARREL SESKIN, CBBQS MEMBER; LOST_IN_THE_MIDWEST/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Every spring, I look forward to re-honing my BBQ skills and amazing everyone with a new season of taste sensations — at least in my mind. After close to 40 years of mastering a gas BBQ, I was surprised to find wood-fired grills are not only gaining ground but are highly-touted as the “ultimate grilling experience.” What intrigued me most was that wonderful quest for the perfect smoke ring and fall-apart tenderness.

There are many choices in wood-fired grills today, but after looking them over, I decided that this summer, cooking would be done with the Traeger Ironwood 650.

Why? They are the original; I like the construction details, the close-it-and-forget-it method and the Wi-Fire™ technology.

This app allows me to check and adjust temperatures from my office or in the field, knowing I would have a perfect meal when I returned home — or at least that is the promise.

Once the grill was delivered, we tore into the box and started assembly. Instructions were clear, and in no time flat, we had it assembled and ready to fire up. Best yet, we downloaded the Traeger app and found it was comprehensive and so easy to follow.

The app included clear video instructions on grill assembly and detailed recipes that allow even a novice to serve up great results.

Gearing up for a full season of grilling, we decided to go to town and buy a few different types of pellets, Traeger spices and sauce. (see sidebar for pellet chart).

We planned for short ribs and chicken wings but decided to go to our own grassfed, hormone-free beef for our first smoker session. We could easily compare the process and taste as we have years of BBQ experience.

After we seasoned the grill as per instructions, we were ready. We filled the hopper with pellets, prepped the roast with Traeger seasoning, and we were underway.

The Wi-Fire technology is awesome! Once the lid was closed, we could completely monitor progress through my smartphone.

Grill temperature, internal meat temperature, countdown timer, pellets remaining status, turn on “super smoke,” keep warm or manually adjust the temperature (or leave it on automatic), and finally, shut down at the end.

We were thrilled when we cut into the roast and first saw the smoke ring. My quest was over — there it was! The meal was wonderful; the beef was super tender and a hit at the family dinner.

Wish me luck on my quest for the perfect smoke ring and wood-fired grilling experience this summer. While I will focus on beef — chicken, pork, bison, salmon and wild game will also play a role. I will be keeping notes, and this fall will return with my favourite recipes, plus a comprehensive review of what worked best for us and what did not.

If you have some favourite smoker recipes or tips, please share them with me at rob@cowboycountrymagazine.com. c

Wood Pellets Explained

Alder Wood ▸ mild flavour and aroma ▸ large amount of smoke ▸ best with chicken, fish, or baked goods Apple Wood ▸ light, fruity smoke ▸ best with poultry and pork, and apple pie Cherry Wood ▸ hearty smoke flavour ▸ best with beef Hickory ▸ strong flavour ▸ often mixed with a milder pellet, like oak or apple ▸ best with pork Maple ▸ mild with a hint of sweetness ▸ best with pork, and especially turkey Mesquite ▸ hearty smoke flavour ▸ best with Texas BBQ recipes Oak ▸ middle range smoke intensity ▸ best with fish and veggies, and shish kabob

Pork Butts. (Ironically, pork butts are not from the back end, but rather are from the shoulder.

Why? Around the time of the Revolutionary War, the barrels that pork used to be stored in were called butts, and the name stuck.)

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Pecan ▸ nutty and a little spicy ▸ best with beef, pork, or poultry ▸ adds great depth to baked goods

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3-2-1 BBQ Baby Back Ribs

By DANIELLE “DIVA Q” BENNETT

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 6 hours Pellets: Hickory

Our famously easy 3-2-1 ribs recipe will make your rib game the envy of the neighbourhood. This super simple recipe takes all the confusion out of making ribs without sacrificing any flavour. Start by smoking your ribs for 3 hours, then cook inside foil for 2 hours, and finish by removing from foil and brushing on the sauce for up to an hour.

Serves 6 2 RACK BABY BACK PORK RIBS Part 1: ▸ 1/3 cup yellow mustard ▸ 1/4 cup apple juice ▸ 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ▸ Traeger Pork & Poultry Rub

Part 2: ▸ 1/2 cup dark brown sugar ▸ 1/4 cup apple juice ▸ 1/3 cup honey, warmed ▸ 1 cup Traeger ‘Que BBQ Sauce

Remove the thin silverskin membrane from the bone-side of the ribs by working the tip of a butter knife or a screwdriver underneath the membrane over a middle bone.

Use paper towels to get a firm grip, then tear the membrane off.

In a small bowl, combine Part 1 (mustard, 1/4 cup of apple juice (reserve the rest) and the Worcestershire sauce.) Spread the mixture thinly on both sides of the ribs and season with Traeger Pork & Poultry Rub. When ready to cook, set Traeger temperature to 180° and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes. Smoke the ribs, meat-side up for 3 hours. After the ribs have smoked for 3 hours, transfer them to a rimmed

baking sheet and increase the grill temperature to 225°.

Tear off four long sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Top with a rack of ribs and pull up the sides to keep the liquid enclosed. Sprinkle half the brown sugar on the rack, then top with half the honey and half the remaining apple juice (Part 2). Use a bit more apple juice if you want more tender ribs. Lay another piece of foil on top and tightly crimp the edges so there is no leakage. Repeat with the remaining rack of ribs.

Return the foiled ribs to the 225 ˚F grill and cook for an additional 2 hours.

Carefully remove the foil from the ribs and brush the ribs on both sides with Traeger ‘Que Sauce. Arrange the ribs directly on the grill grate and continue to grill until the sauce tightens, 30 to 60 minutes more.

Let the ribs rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Smoked Midnight Brisket Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 12 hours Pellets: Maple

This particular recipe for brisket is our foolproof, go-to method for cooking the perfect brisket. A combination of low and slow cooking, plus a long braise in its own beefy juices, makes this brisket a ribbon winner.

Serves 6 Part 1 sauce: ▸ 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ▸ 1 tablespoon Traeger Beef Rub ▸ 1 teaspoon Traeger Chicken Rub

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▸ 1 teaspoon Traeger Blackened Saskatchewan Rub ▸ 1 (4-6 lb) flat cut brisket Part 2: ▸ 1 cup beef broth Directions:

For the Sauce: Whisk Worcestershire sauce and Traeger rubs together in a bowl. Rub the mixture into the meat.

Set Traeger temperature to 180° and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes. For optimal flavour, use Super Smoke if available.

Place brisket on the grill until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 160°, about 5 to 7 hours.

Remove from the grill and double wrap tightly with foil, add 1/2 cup to 1 cup beef broth, and return to grill.

Increase grill temperature to 225° and place brisket back on grill 4 to 5 hours until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 204°.

Remove from the grill and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing against the grain. Serve with your favourite Traeger BBQ sauce. Enjoy!

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

PHOTOS COURTESY WWW.TRAEGERGRILLS.COM

By TRAEGER KITCHEN

WHAT WORKS FOR US Trinity Ranch gelding, photographed through the hoar frost, 2021

Rotating Bred Heifers

By BRAD CORBIELL

"W PHOTO BY TAMMY CORBEILL

e call our place Trinity Ranch. When my father retired, we purchased a portion of the family farm. We used the land that he’d already paid for once as collateral. Then 2002, ’03 the drought hit; then BSE, and we spent 25 years trying to pay for a place that was already paid for once by my family. So Trinity means “three” – Tammy and I, and the good Lord enabled us to buy this place. If it weren’t for family and faith, we probably wouldn’t be here.

My Dad was in purebred Herefords and then following that, I was in the purebred Horned Hereford business my whole life, and we raised and sold bulls. I’ve got some eye problems; I can function just fine, but I haven’t had a driver’s license for four years. So to simplify things, we dispersed our purebred cows. Four years ago, on the day of my cow dispersal sale in Lethbridge, they presented me with my 50-year Hereford pin.

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WHAT WORKS FOR US Trinity Ranch bred heifers on pasture near Cluny

Trinity Ranch Owners: Brad & Tammy Corbiell Nearest town: Cluny, Alta.

Now we run a bred heifer program. We breed Red Angus, red baldy, red brockle heifers and Hereford heifers. We breed our Hereford heifers to Red Angus bulls, and we breed our Red Angus heifers to Hereford bulls. This is the first year we’ve bought red Angus bulls. We’ve been breeding everything Hereford, but everything born here now will be red/white-faced. Because of my Hereford background, I got that red/white face drilled into me. I honestly believe that this cross is one of the better cows out there — a red baldy.

2021 will be our fourth year selling bred heifers instead of purebred bulls. I’ve still got the tail end of my home raised bulls left; they’re five-year-olds now. I’m using a few of them up, but now we’ve started purchasing easy calving red Angus bulls.

I source from heifers from past bull sale customers that used to buy Hereford bulls 26

from me. I buy my unbranded Hereford heifers from one outfit all the time. My red Baldy heifers come from two specific outfits, so we’re trying to build a reputation just like we did with our Horned Hereford bulls — selling a quality product and standing behind them.

We run 200–300 head; it depends on the rain and the grass. Last year, we sold some bred heifers, and we sold a couple hundred grassers. [A “grasser” is a lighter weight heifer that we don’t think is good enough to breed. We’ll sell them in August or September instead of November or December. They weigh 900 to 1050 pounds, and they will go straight to the feedlot off of grass.] They’re open. [Not bred.]

When we had our purebred operation, we had divided much of our grazing pastures into smaller parcels so I could run 30

or 40 purebred cows in one field. We continue to run these heifers the same way; we do a lot of rotational grazing.

I’ve got some grass, crested wheat, a little bit of Timothy and some of that early maturing grass that’s done by the end of August, so we try and run grassers on there. Then we go to the native ground [approx 700 acres of native grass] later in the fall with our bred heifers. If we don’t get a big snow, we can graze them right up till sale time at the end of November. We sell our heifers annually at Balog Auction in Lethbridge and Bow Slow Auction in Brooks.

When checking the heifers, we use horses a lot. My wife and our son, Ty [DVM.], ride a lot. I don’t ride as much anymore, but I do ride a side-by-side.

A nice part of my day is just going out and checking and browsing through the Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

PHOTOS COURTESY TRINITY RANCH

The Corbiell family at their dispersal sale, from left; Brad Corbeill, Dustin and Jodi-lea Aebly and their children, Hadley and Callie, Melissa and Dr Ty Corbiell and their boys, Dane, Ryle, and Barron (in Melissa’s arms) and Tammy Corbiell

Established: 1992 Elevation: 877 m (2,877 ft) Average Precipitation: 336 mm (13.2 in) Herd: 200-300 head Size: 2,500 acres Breed: Hereford/Red Angus Brand: Bar T Lazy left R (RR)

cattle, just spending time. Like today — I spent two hours feeding some that normally would take 10 minutes because I’m wandering through looking at them and thinking, ‘Oh, man, they are a pretty good group of heifers.’ I don’t baby them or pail feed them, but I spend a lot of time out there on foot and my wife with the horse

-HOG HI

Est. 1974

to keep them quietened down. I don’t like wild cattle.

When we dispersed our purebred cows, we didn’t want to retire, so this bred heifer business lets us slow down a little in the winter months as well. We sell these heifers in late fall, so from that first week in December until the first of April, I don’t

have any heifers on the place, just a pen of herd bulls.

The best part for us is working together as a family. Tammy and I operate the commercial heifer program on our ranch. Our son, Dr Ty Corbiell and his wife Melissa, and their boys, Dane, Ryle, and Barron, also have their ranch near us at Cluny.

They run a cow/calf operation, commercial heifer program, and own and operate Cor-Vet Services, a performance Equine Vet practice. Our daughter Jodi-lea and her husband Dustin Aebly and their children, Hadley and Callie, also ranch and run a big commercial herd out of Jenner, Alta. We all help each other out when we can.

We are all big rodeo fans. Before COVID, Tammy and I hadn’t missed the National Finals Rodeo in 20 years, and we haven’t missed the CFR in probably 30 years. So operating Trinity Ranch this way allows us to enjoy what we like to do. This bred heifer program lets us stay in the beef business, lets us utilize our grass, and lets us hang onto our place for the future generations — and that’s what works for us.” c

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TRAILBLAZERS

PEOPLE WHO SHAPED THE WEST

Hughie Long From Homeless to Halls of Fame

By TOM REARDON

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He was born in Battleford, Saskatchewan, in 1907. His family had a farm west of Battleford near Prongua. (Pronounced Prong-y) His father, Joe Long, was a Mountie for 12 years. He went to Africa for the Boer War portion of WWI and left his wife, Sarah, and nine kids to keep the place operating.

Hughie’s mother, Sarah Long, died when he was 11. Out of necessity, he and his siblings ran the farm and household.

When his father returned from the war, he promptly gave away the entire family. Hughie was sent to live with a homesteader several miles away. He said, “The work was hard, although it didn’t hurt me a bit.” His wife Helen added, “but Hughie was doing all the work, and he didn’t like that.” Before he left, he and a neighbour kid had “our own little bronc bustings” when the farmer was gone to town. At 14, he finished the third grade; that was his last formal education.

In an interview many years later, Helen summed it up best. “What was sad was that he’d been gone, out in the middle of nowhere, for two years, and there’d been nobody to wonder where he was, to wish he’d come home, to care about how he was doing.”

In 1924 he worked on the Sweetgrass Reserve Ranch, riding fences and checking cows. That ranch was just west of Prongua. He entered his first rodeo that summer and two years later, at 19 years of age, won the Saskatchewan Bronc Riding Championship.

His prowess on a bucking horse caught the attention of Leon Lamar, who owned two ‘Wild West’ shows. After a short stay with Lamar, Hughie signed on with a show owned by Shakey Davis. Evidently, the meals served by Davis’ cook left a lot to be desired. Hughie once told a friend, “As much as possible, we ate out. We slept out too — out in the open.”

Hughie was billed as “The Prongy Kid”. It was misspelt, but it was easy to pass him off as a kid because of his slight stature. Years later, Helen said, “He was jockey-size almost, a little bigger.”

After Davis, Hughie was free to enter wherever he wanted, and in 1931 he won the bareback riding and placed in the bull riding at Chicago, New York and Boston, the three biggest shows in the nation.

At an invitational 21-day rodeo held in conjunction with the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, he finished second in the bareback and third in the bull riding.

There were few records kept in those days, but Hughie was regularly in the prize money. He was in Boston in 1936 when the Cowboy Turtle Association was formed. Despite his lack of education, Hughie was responsible for writing the basic rules of bareback riding and bull riding, many of which are still used in today’s Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

About this time, Hughie’s life changed course. He was hanging around a saddle shop in Cresson when a couple of ranchers

“What was sad was that he’d been gone, out in the middle of nowhere, for two years, and there’d been nobody to wonder where he was…”

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Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

PHOTOS: HUGHIE LONG COLLECTION, DICKINSON RESEARCH CENTER, NATIONAL COWBOY & WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM. 1985.053.12 & 1985.053.11 (X3)

onsidering Hughie Long’s traumatic childhood, he could have been a sour, bitter person. Instead, he took a path that led to three Hall of Fame inductions, and there’s a road in Cresson, Texas, named in his honour.

Hughie Long on Blizzard, 1930 Calgary Stampede

offered to pay his entry fees in a rodeo at the Stock Show in Fort Worth. They bargained for the percentage he’d pay them if he cashed, which he did. When he returned to square up with them, one of the ranchers asked him if he’d break five colts for him. He did, and when he delivered the steeds, they all had a good handle and worked a rope. Word spread, and suddenly, a lot of people wanted him to train a horse. He still rodeoed, but he had outside horses to ride, so he bought a house and built a barn between the Baptist and Methodist churches in Cresson. For the first time in a long while, “The Prongy Kid” had a place called home.

In 1943, he worked as a mounted guard at the Bluebonnet Bomb Plant and in 1944 when Uncle Sam called, Hughie, 37, joined the Army. He was stationed at a nearby base which (with a weekend pass) enabled him to return to Cresson to work with numerous reining horses he owned. Shortly after he received orders for overseas duty, the war ended, and Private Long was discharged. In the years that followed, he owned, co-owned or trained numerous Quarter Horses that won Registers of Merit.

Helen Long came into the picture in 1950, and as Hughie aged, he eased into giving riding lessons, worked with 4-H kids, and became an American Quarter Horse Association certified judge. He judged competitions and horse shows around Texas for 20 years.

Hughie was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1978, the Rodeo Hall of Fame in the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City in 1984 and the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1987.

“The Prongy Kid” passed away in late 1987. He is buried in Cresson Cemetery, not far from Hughie Long Road. c cowboycountrymagazine.com

Hughie Long at Chicago Worlds Fair, 1933. This was before trophy buckles were popular, and watch fobs were still in vogue.

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OUTLAW TRAIL

Pearl Hart Lady Bandit

By DR DARYL DREW

C

anadian Pearl Hart was an unsuccessful rarity as a stagecoach robber. Few women tried that crime, and she seems to have been lured into the real Wild West by the myths of Wild West shows.

Born Pearl Taylor in Lindsay, Ontario, around 1871, her family was both religious and affluent. Educated at a boarding school, she demonstrated an adventurous spirit.

At 17, she met a self-proclaimed gambler named Fred Hart, and they eloped. Fred was an abusive drunk, a lousy card player, and financially they faired poorly. Their raucous marriage did produce a boy and a girl —Joe and Emma, raised mostly by Pearl’s mother.

In 1893 the Harts moved to Chicago, and Pearl became intrigued with the shooting skills of Annie Oakley. She left Fred and headed for Trinidad, Colorado.

Moving from town to town, working at jobs sometimes within the law and sometimes outside it, the real West proved a much harsher reality than its mythical counterpart.

Mammoth, Arizona, 1898 — Pearl was reportedly cooking in a boarding house, and her mother, now in Ohio, was seriously ill and needed Pearl to return to her two 30

children. Short on travelling funds, Pearl hatched a plot with miner Joe Boot to rob the Globe to Florence stage near Cane Springs (sometimes spelled Kane ) on the edge of the Superstition Mountains. Pearl disguised herself with short hair, men’s clothes, and like Boot, she had a revolver.

They robbed the stage on May 30, 1899.

Pearl relieved the passengers of $431.20 and acquired three more guns but gave each passenger a dollar to not be penniless when they reached a town. The two robbers then mounted up and headed into the Superstitions.

Sheriff Truman of Pinal County caught up to the pair and arrested them June 5, close to the site of the robbery. He was puzzled they had not effected an escape, and I was puzzled also.

The authorities held Boot in Florence, and they shipped Hart to Tucson, where they had more suitable facilities for a female prisoner. The media heard a female stagecoach robber was in jail, and they

swarmed, looking for interviews and photos, knowing the story would sell papers back east. Truman said in an interview that she was wild and dangerous to arrest, knowing he had an election coming.

Waiting for trial, Hart was incarcerated in a locked plaster and wood room, not a cell, and managed to dig a hole through the wall, escaping on October 12, 1899, but the law recaptured her near Deming, New Mexico.

The pair came to trial, and Pearl gave an impassioned plea to the jury, who miraculously let her off. Joe Boot, on the other hand, got 30 years. The judge was furious with the jury and ordered the sheriff to rearrest Hart for tampering with the U.S. mail and stealing the stagecoach driver’s gun.

This time Pearl was sentenced to five years.

Both were incarcerated in Yuma prison, but Boot escaped in less than two years — never to be heard from again.

Hart had privileges in prison. She had an 8’x10’ cell to herself and a small yard Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

LEFT: Pearl Hart, as she appeared in Cosmopolitan magazine CENTER: Pearl Hart, Yuma Prison, posing with unloaded firearms

PHOTOS COURTESY WIKIPEDIA

BOTTOM: Pearl Hart mug shot; Joe Boot mug shot

where she could conduct interviews and pose for photographs — sometimes with unloaded firearms. Pearl was adept at playing off the guards and trustees to better her conditions. A story began to circulate that she was pregnant, and to avoid a prison scandal since she had limited unsupervised visitations, she was pardoned by Governor Brodie in 1902.

After reuniting with her two children, she had a small theatrical show re-enacting the robbery and was rumoured to have appeared briefly in a Wild West show under an alias. What happened to her, in the end, is not known for sure. Some say she stayed in Arizona, and others say that she returned to Ontario until passing away in the 1950s.

A few years back, I horse packed into the Superstitions with Tim Karl, who cowboyed there. It is a place of legends about the Lost Dutchman mine, disappearances and treasure seekers. We camped on the front porch at the JF Ranch, founded in 1891 by John Fraser. I noticed that there were numbers cowboycountrymagazine.com

and lines marked on the front door frame of the JF house, and Tim explained they were measurements from a police investigation.

On April 21, 1978, a cowboy named Manuel Valdez was shot down on the JF porch purportedly over the theft of a horse.

One day Tim and I got a little disoriented as the afternoon shadows changed the shape of the land, and it became clear why Hart and Boot did not escape. They were lost and needed to stay close to a water source such as Cane Springs so they could not get away.

Pearl Hart made very little money from her adventures, considering she was the subject of pulp fiction, a film, a book or two and a couple of plays. The media made her into a legend in a mythical West that never really existed, and it was the same media that eventually dropped her from public awareness.

Pearl Hart lived her last few years in obscurity, and to date, her final resting place is unknown. c 31

Naikoon Provincial Park, Haida Gwaii

Canadian Cowboy Country 2021 Leisure Guide on page 48 Wekusko Falls Provincial Park

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Kakwa Falls, Grande Prairie

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

PHOTOS: DESTINATION BC/GRANT HARDER; TOURISM SASKATCHEWAN/GREG HUSZAR PHOTOGRAPHY; TRAVEL MANITOBA; KRISTEN @BLINDARCADE

See Wild Rippling Waters

South Saskatchewan River

COWBOY WAY

Old Yeller

By DYLAN BIGGS

I

PHOTO: NICKALBI/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

t was the summer of 1990 when Bud and Eunice Williams came to the ranch. I won’t forget the first evening visiting around the dinner table after finishing supper. Bud asked what problems we had working cattle. I hadn’t given it much thought in terms of specifics, my mind went blank, and I made the mistake of saying, “I don’t know.” He bolted up out of his chair, slammed his clenched fist down on the table and yelled, “What the hell am I here for then?” That gave me something to think about overnight, and by the morning, I had a number of specifics. As it turned out, we needed help with pretty much everything.

cowboycountrymagazine.com

33

COWBOY WAY

pinching in behind the heifers or even riding too tight to the hip was hooking the heifers out. He would yell every time he saw me pinching. He didn’t mind yelling at people when he was coaching them, and because of that, he got the name Old Yeller. One thing he never did was yell at cattle.

The most noise I ever heard Bud make around cattle was a quiet, repetitive hissing sound to alert them to his position so they wouldn’t spook and he wouldn’t get kicked as a result. Virtually everything Bud did when asking cattle to do anything was communicated through his body language and position with the intent of keeping the cattle as calm as possible. His approach was very effective.

I was born in 1960, and I grew up on the ranch with a Dad that yelled at cattle and at me. I got used to getting yelled at,

not that I really liked it, but I learned to tolerate it. I am not sure the cattle really got used to it, though. When we went to my Grandpa's or to the neighbours to work cattle, everyone made noise in the process as well. The assumption was that noise helped get the job done. As a kid, if I wasn’t making noise, I quite often got that look that said, “Come on, kid, help,” so I learned to yell with the best of them.

Knowing what I know now after 50 years of working cattle is that yelling isn’t helpful in the least, and the majority of the time, it is a liability causing cattle to be more nervous and harder to work. If I ever had to resort to yelling, it would be the case that I was at the end of my skillset and entirely out of options. Desperation had set in. Over the years, I have observed a strong correlation between folks that do a lot of yelling when they are

PHOTO: CARRIE/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

One job I worked on with Bud was trailing home three yearling replacement heifers that were showing symptoms of foot rot. We were horseback and sorted them from the herd and trailed them home three miles to be treated. He wasn’t a fan of roping stock, and if they needed more than one treatment, they wouldn’t be rope shy and could easily be treated a second time. I recall driving these heifers east along a fence line. As is quite often the case when one is trailing animals down a fence, I would drift in a little too much to the right and in behind them, and in response, the heifer would veer off the fence to the left, which I hadn’t intended.

When Bud would see the heifers start to veer off the fence to the left, he would yell at me, “You’re pinching in!’ It took me a number of times to realize my

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Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

working cattle and the cattle themselves being appropriately nervous as a result.

I mean, really, who likes being yelled at all the time?

Now don’t interpret this as you can never make any noise around cattle.

Cattle can be easily trained to come when called, and some folks like to talk to their cattle when working them. It may be the case that a soothing voice will calm the cattle, especially if it reflects calm, confident movement by the handler.

Some may even like to sing to their cattle. Historically in the late 1800s, when cattle were being trailed long distances, it was routine once the cattle were bedded down for the night for guards to sing as they circled slowly around the sleeping herd. “To ride around the big steers at night, all lying down full as ticks, chewing their cuds and blowing,

cowboycountrymagazine.com

with the moon shining on their big horns was a sight to make a man’s eyes pop,” recalled James Benton. As he rode, the cowboy often hummed or crooned to soothe the cattle and keep them quiet.

Even if he “couldn’t carry a tune in a

"Every step of every steer should be taken voluntarily..." corked jug,” the Longhorns seemed to like the assurance that a man on horseback was close at hand for their protection.

The tunes the men sang might be from the church or the dance hall. Sometimes

some ballads told of the unusual experiences on the range or the trail. 1 Once day broke, and the herd was back out on the trail, “The expert trail boss didn’t push his Longhorns too hard. The trick was to keep the cattle from knowing that they were under restraint.

Every step of every steer should be taken voluntarily — but guided in the direction in which the drover wanted the herd to go. The apparent freedom allowed the cattle made them easier to manage and less likely to become troublesome.” 2 Since we have quit yelling at our cattle here the last 31 years, our cattle have certainly become easier to manage and much less likely to become troublesome. c 1

Wayne Gard “The Chisholm Trail” 1954 pg 115-116 2 Wayne Gard “The Chisholm Trail” pg 109

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British Columbia

Alberta

Manitoba

PHOTO BY: INDIGENOUS TOURISM BC / SEA WOLF ADVENTURES; TRAVEL ALBERTA; DENNIS FAST/TRAVEL MANITOBA; TOURISM SASKATCHEWAN

The Wild West Canadian Cowboy Country 2021 Leisure Guide on page 48

Saskatchewan

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Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

Pro Rodeo

CANADA

INSIDER

Congratulations to Scott Guenthner of Provost, Alta., winner of the 2021 RAM Circuit Finals Steer Wrestling Championship held in Kissimmee, Florida in early April. Guenthner, who rodeoed under the Montana circuit, rode Curtis Cassidy’s stone-cold champion horse, Tyson. The twotime Canadian SW Champion brought home a $20,000 voucher for a new RAM vehicle, a Polaris RANGER UTV, a pair of exotic boots from Justin Boots, a trophy saddle from Cactus Saddlery, and a Montana Silversmith buckle, plus, he earned about $18,000 USD. PRCA photo by Roseanna Sales.

RODEOCANADA.COM cowboycountrymagazine.com

CANADIAN COWBOY COUNTRY JUNE/JULY 2021 37

Pro Rodeo Canada Insider

Here’s HOPING!

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Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

C.P.R.A.

2021 CPRA Schedule JUNE

Keep It Going Greetings everyone!

Well, here we are approaching summer — a time when we are usually heading down highways, crisscrossing provinces (and the 49th parallel) en route to rodeos. Despite a slow start to our 2021 Pro Rodeo Canada season, we’re hopeful that we will enjoy a partial rodeo schedule.

If you are looking for a way to sharpen your skills (or learn more about various rodeo events), check out some of the clinics and schools offered by CPRA members (A Rodeo School Directory is posted at rodeocanada.com).

At the time of this writing, messaging from the Alberta provincial government is becoming a little more optimistic as we move into the summer. We’re all thinking about our rodeo committees — those who were unable to hold their rodeo this year and those still hoping to move ahead with their event. A CPRA ‘Shout Out’ to that dedicated and hard-working group of folks (including Dustin Duffy, Randa Nugent, Glen Nash and Shane Crouch) who have worked really hard at maintaining a dialogue with the provincial government over the last several months to get rodeos back up and running.

We’re also excited about the debate taking place in the Alberta legislature that may see the rodeo designated as the Official Sport of Alberta. Stay tuned.

And a huge thank you to all those who virtually attended our AGM back at the end of March and contributed to positive and thoughtful discussions on several topics. Thank you as well, and welcome to the returning Board members. We look forward to continuing to serve our membership moving forward.

Congratulations to those CPRA athletes and stock contractors making their presence felt south of the border at PRCA events and in the World standings.

Keep it going guys and gals!

Keep in mind as well, the Canadian Cowboy Classic Golf Tournament, normally held in June. For the second year, the event (with proceeds going to the Canadian Pro Rodeo Sport Medicine Team) has been moved to early fall and will run on Sept 15 at Valley Ridge Golf Course in Calgary.

Hope to have an in-person visit with you at a rodeo soon.

Brooks, AB ............................................. postponed to 2022 Rocky Mountain House, AB ............ postponed to 2022 Innisfail, AB ............................................ postponed to 2022 Bonnyville, AB ...............................Jun 18–19 — New Dates Wildwood, AB (SB)............................... postponed to 2022 Wainwright, AB–ProTour **.............. postponed to 2022 High River, AB ........................ postponed to later in 2021 Ponoka, AB–ProTour **.................................... Jun 28–Jul 4 Williams Lake, BC–ProTour **......... postponed to 2022 Airdrie, AB .............................................. postponed to 2022

JULY Calgary, AB *(BR) ...................................Jul 6–8 postponed Benalto, AB ..............................postponed to later in 2021 Teepee Creek, AB–Pro Tour **.................................Jul 9–11 Quesnel, BC *(SB) ..................................................... Jul 16–18 Bowden, AB................................................................July 17-18 Morris, MB–ProTour **....................... postponed to 2022 Lea Park, AB............................................................. July 23-25 Kennedy, SK...............................................................Jul 24–25 Lacombe, AB *(BR) .................................................... pending Bowden, AB *(BB) ...................................................... pending Medicine Hat, AB–ProTour **................................Jul 29–31 Pollockville, AB *(SB) ......................................................Jul 31 Strathmore, AB–ProTour **............................Jul 30–Aug 2

AUGUST Bruce, AB ............................................................................Aug 1 High Prairie, AB .................................... postponed to 2022 Sundre, AB ................................................................... Aug 6–8 Regina, SK–Pro Tour **............................................. pending Grimshaw, AB ..............................................................Aug 7–8 La Crete, AB .............................................................. Aug 10–11 Jasper, AB ............................................... postponed to 2022 Stavely, AB ....................................Aug 12–14 — New Dates Sundre (LBR).............................................................Aug 14–15 Dawson Creek, BC–ProTour **...........................Aug 12–15 Smithers, BC *(BB) ....................................................... Aug 19 Pincher Creek, AB ................................ postponed to 2022 Cranbrook, BC .........................................................Aug 20–22 Okotoks, AB .............................................................Aug 27–29 Drayton Valley, AB.....................Aug 27–29 — New Dates Falkland, BC .................................Aug 27–29 — New Dates

SEPTEMBER Coronation, AB ......................................................Sep 10 – 12 ** - Livestreamed on FloRodeo All dates are subject to change. Please visit RodeoCanada.com for up-to-date information.

Terry Cooke President, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association

cowboycountrymagazine.com

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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider

PRO BREAKAWAY SWINGING INTO THE BIG TIME

By ALICIA ERICKSON

Shelby Boisjoli roping her calf in 2.1 seconds, earning her second place in Round 3.

Photo by Joe Duty.

2

020 — a gruelling year for most professional rodeo athletes, but it was a year of remarkable growth for the ladies Breakaway.

40

Canadian Professional Women’s Breakaway roper, Shelby Boisjoli, has been nodding her head in this event since Grade 7 Junior High Rodeo. Now, nine years later, her dream came true when at age 22, she backed behind the yellow chute to swing her rope for a $200,000 purse.

For years, breakaway roping has been an event at 4H, Junior/High school rodeo, amateur rodeo, and at an intercollegiate level, but only recently has it been taken to a professional level. Last spring, the Canadian Professional Rodeo Assoc., (CPRA) announced that Ladies Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

C.P.R.A.

Shelby Boisjoli and Miss Rodeo Canada Alicia Erickson (wearing her clear mask) in the massive Globe Life Field stadium.

Photo courtesy Alicia Erickson.

cowboycountrymagazine.com

41

Pro Rodeo Canada Insider From left: Miss Rodeo Texas Jordan Maldonado, 2020 Miss Rodeo Canada Alicia Erickson, Miss Rodeo America Jordan Tierney, WPRA President Doreen Wintermute and 2020 Champion Jackie Crawford.

The Stephenville, Texas, resident was six months pregnant during the competition, so she sawed the horn off her saddle and just kept swinging.

Photo by Kay Miller.

Breakaway was added as an optional event at their sanctioned rodeos, giving women cardholders another event to compete in, alongside the fan favourite of barrel racing.

Shelby has always been a competitive cowgirl by nature, travelling to wherever she has the best chance at a successful rodeo career. Currently, she is residing in Stephenville, Texas, but calls Langdon, Alta., home. With Canada calling their rodeo season, Boisjoli focused on buying her Professional Rodeo Cowboys Assoc., (PRCA) card and entering stateside.

Many rodeos were affected because of COVID-19, but the PRCA season held strong, making the Finals a sure thing.

“We knew that we were going to be roping for something, but we were completely shocked when they announced in early July that the Breakaway was going to be a part of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo,” explained Boisojli. “I remember vividly driving to Killdeer, N.D., when the news broke, our phones were blowing up, and we were all so pumped.”

Well-placed in the standings, Shelby quickly realized that she would be making 42

history as one of the top 15 women in the world to compete at the inaugural WNFR Breakaway Dec 8–11. Walking on the same arena dirt as some of the most sought-after athletes was that original dream come true.

Fast-forward to Dec 8 in Arlington, Texas, and Shelby was walking through the tunnel that surrounds the enormous arena floor. The first perf was taking place under the bright lights of Globe Life Field Stadium.

Due to COVID, the attendance was less than spectacular. “It was a special moment that didn’t matter if there was a huge crowd or not,” said Boisjoli. “We realized how far we had come, and that we were making history.”

The grand entry was planned to have the highest money earner from each state carry their flag, which meant that Shelby would follow behind the Texas flag. But this patriotic cowgirl had other plans and made sure that she flew the maple leaf flag across that arena.

“I almost forgot how tight-knit Canada is and how all of the rodeo families are literally like family,” Boisjoli said, adding, “I felt like I had a whole country behind me.”

A strategy is a big part of being successful in competition, but so is the horse that you ride in on. We saw many talented equine athletes over the Finals, and they carry a lot of responsibility. A breakaway horse is so much more than run and stop.

“You could have a horse that could run a hole through the wind, but if they don’t run straight to the calf, then they’re slow, “ said Boisjoli.

A breakaway horse’s job is pretty repetitive, and it becomes easy for them to get tight and want to take your throw away from you. Shelby’s Canadian-raised horse, Root Beer, has proved that she is special.

“She never gets tired and takes away my throw,” said Boisjoli. “She gives me a chance to win every single time.”

The bar was set high for Breakaway in 2020. Not only does it give women another pro event to compete in, but it brings more fans, competitors and sponsors to our sport of rodeo.

I witnessed first-hand the camaraderie displayed amongst all 15 women, and it was inspiring. It didn’t seem to matter how they placed — win, lose, or draw — they were happy to be there.

It is the groundbreaking women like Shelby and the rodeo committees that add the event that will ensure the growth of this super-fast sport — and that Breakaway will add another exciting element to professional rodeo.

As for pro rodeo in Canada, the 2021 season is tentative, but Shelby has made one thing very clear.

“If we don’t go and support it, who will?

If they have Breakaway at 2021 Canadian rodeos, I’m going to go and support it. I’m going to be there,” she said. “We do it for the love of our sport, and trust to see greatness come in the future.” c Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

C.P.R.A.

ROAD TO THE CFR

KOLBY WANCHUK WE’RE RIDING BLIND

By TIM ELLIS

R

ODEO ATHLETES ARE USED TO LONG DRIVES IN LIMITED AMOUNTS

OF TIME. THE TRAVEL FROM ONE RODEO TO THE NEXT CAN EVEN BE PART OF THE ALLURE OF BEING A COWBOY. BUT FOR COMPETITORS LIKE KOLBY WANCHUK, COVID TOOK THE CONCEPT TO A WHOLE NEW

Kolby Wanchuk scoring 85.5 pts and winning Round Two on Outlaw Buckers W42 Comeback Red at 2019 CFR. Photo by Billie-Jean Duff.

LEVEL IN 2020.

“I’ve heard it best described like this,” begins the Sherwood Park, Alta., saddle bronc rider. “We were rodeoing twice as hard, going to half as many rodeos for a chance to win a lot less money.”

He continued. “There was way more competition because the top 50 guys were at every rodeo we went to; it was a tough season. We did have a bit more time off between rodeos to do some fishing and other things, so it was fun that way, but it was tough.”

The 24-year-old Wanchuk was one of seven Canadian bronc riders to finish the rugged Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) campaign inside the top 35 of the World standings. He ended the season in 19th spot and concluded the year with pair of rides in the high-90’s at the final stop on the PRCA’s regular season in Stoneham, Colorado. cowboycountrymagazine.com

“There’s always those rides where you could have got another lick in or things could’ve gone a bit better,” suggests Wanchuk, who missed the cut for qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo by about $15,000.

“There was one that definitely hurt a bit. At the Xtreme Broncs Finals, the noseband of the halter came off of my horse. I rode him just about to the whistle with no halter. It happened real quick, and the judges didn’t see it. I wasn’t even sure what happened.

Every jump, I kept losing more rein until my hand was way over my head. I was floating for a bit. That one definitely could have gotten me closer.”

Wanchuk is determined one misstep won’t derail his goals for the 2021 season.

“I have a mentality that it’s never enough,” says the 2016 Canadian Novice Saddle Bronc Champion and 2018 PRCA Rookie of the Year runner-up. “I believe there’s always

something I can do to win more. That’s the only way to keep up in this sport. You have to find ways to do things better.”

To ensure he has the best opportunity for a more successful 2021 season, Wanchuk headed south of the border in late January to compete at PRCA rodeos.

“It was tough to make any plans, but we wanted to make sure we crossed before there were any changes,” says Wanchuk of the continuing COVID-19 restrictions to begin the season. “We’re doing our best to be ready when any opportunities are available.”

“We just have to roll with the punches and try to get to the rodeos that will help us the most. The goals are still to qualify for both the Canadian Finals and the National Finals. Hopefully, it will be somewhat back to normal in Canada this summer. But for now, we’re riding blind.” c 43

CLOWNIN’ AROUND | CRASH COOPER

Ash Cooper Art and Ranch Gallery

“All I’m saying is that the difference between humans & animals is that animals would never allow the dumbest of the herd to lead them.”

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Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

C.P.R.A.

BEHIND THE BACKSTRETCH 1

CHUCKWAGON THOROUGHBREDS ALL PHOTOS BY PAUL AND CAROL EASTON

C

HUCKWAGON FANS AND DRIVERS WILL TELL YOU, “IT’S ALL ABOUT THE HORSES,” AND THAT MEANS

THESE REMARKABLE EQUINE ATHLETES MUST HAVE EXEMPLARY CARE.

2

Like any high-performance athlete, human or horse, successful competition requires complete health promotion, attention, and injury prevention. For Thoroughbreds, this is multi-faceted, labour-intensive — and expensive.

Enthusiastic chuckwagon fans in the grandstand, cheering on the galloping Thoroughbreds, often don’t think of what goes into a championship outfit before and after every race. The care and safety of equipment, harness and wagons, is also vital. Formal Standards of Care are detailed and clearly stated by both chuckwagon racing organizations and Stampede event organizers. The focus is always on the horses: care and protection of their health, plus safeguarding the integrity of the competition.

Here is an unprecedented view of the life of the elite chuckwagon Thoroughbreds. c cowboycountrymagazine.com

1. Care of the Thoroughbreds is paramount.

At 6:30 a.m., veteran chuckwagon driver Gary Gorst is already in the saddle exercising his horses. For the horses and the chuckwagon families, this private, inner court among the barns is a classic part of the Calgary Stampede.

2. As his teammates look on, Gambie’s stall cleaning is nearly complete in Troy Dorchester’s barn. Calgary Stampede.

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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider 3. Driver Cody Ridsdale helps with vibration therapy. Also used on humans, it is believed to help prevent injuries, promote bone and joint health, and increase bone density. Calgary Stampede.

4. Any competitive athlete understands the importance of skilful physiotherapy. Here Angela Motowylo is working on one of their Thoroughbreds. High River Races.

5. Before a race, a licensed veterinarian examines each horse. Scanning an implanted microchip reveals health inspections/ consultations, rest days, veterinary care and drug testing; driver Roger Moore. Calgary Stampede.

6. After a race, the horses are walked to cool down and then receive a shower to rinse off the sweat. Here Dustin Gorst, fresh from driving the race, provides this care. Calgary Stampede.

3

7. A final, inviolate defence for the horses and chuckwagon racing — there is no doping — ever. As illustrated here, random blood samples guarantee that there are no exceptions.

Calgary Stampede.

4

8. Like any professional athlete, these equine racers travel in style. Here Codey McCurrach is loading his liner. Each stall has sturdy dividers to support the horses in case of sudden braking or other emergencies. Strathmore Stampede.

9. While on the road, standards of care remain high. Troy Flad’s luxury liner, set up here at Strathmore Stampede, extends into a doublesided, roomy barn, sheltering horses from the elements and distractions.

10. Inside a liner barn; roomy shelter, and no-contest access to feed and water.

Strathmore Stampede.

5

7 46

11. It all leads to this: healthy, well-trained Thoroughbreds coming off the barrels and heading to the track; driver Mitch Sutherland.

Calgary Stampede.

6

8 Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

Proud to be part of the CPRA and the PRCA

9

HOME OF CFR AND NFR BUCKING HORSES AND BULLS For your Professional Rodeo needs Contact Travis Jordan P: 403.795.1247 E: travis@legendrodeostock.com

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47

LEISURE GUIDE

Away & Back Again

Whitton Lake

By TERRI MASON

Bison, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon

Riding Mountain National Park

World’s largest teepee, Medicine Hat

48

So in this time of upheaval and uncertainty, this is all we can do; make plans for the future and hope for the best.

The far-flung trips might not be happening anytime soon, but we can finally explore our own province without apology. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a bunch of sites that work hard to give you and your family a safe and peaceful vacation.

Life is fleeting; life is uncertain, so the best we can do is wash our hands, roll the dice — and get busy living.

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

PHOTO COURTESY TRAVEL ALBERTA; TRAVEL MANITOBA

I was standing in line outside of the post office the other day, waiting to go in and check for mail. I overheard a friend telling his buddy that “if it weren’t for this lockdown, I’d have wintered in Mexico, then driven home via the West Coast, stopping in the Okanagan Valley along the way. I can’t do it this year,” he continued. “But I’m damn sure doing it next year.”

LEISURE GUIDE

Alberta Where Prairie Meets the Mountains When it comes to natural sites, Alberta has it all. On the far West are the foothills and the famed Rocky Mountains. To the North are the boreal forests and the last herd of truly wild bison; the East features the vast open sky over the undulating prairie and thousands of dinosaur remains; the South hosts a bit of it all.

Alberta is called Wild Rose Country, named after the perennial rose bush whose delicate pink blooms grace the province each spring. It’s this hardiness that so aptly defines the province and her people. This place is also home to the most UNESCO sites known the world over and treasured spots known to only a few.

Take a trip off of the main highways and seek the roads less travelled. Find your treasured spot high in the mountains or somewhere under the immense Western sky. Welcome to Alberta, where the prairie meets the mountains.

Ram Falls, YaHa Tinda

Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park

Interesting!

The museum dedicated to the landslide that wiped out the town of Frank

→ Wood Buffalo National Park,

northern Alberta The world’s largest dark sky preserve; protected wild Wood Bison herd

→ The Hoodoos, Drumheller

Hoodoos naturally eroded land formations, stand 20 feet tall in the badlands

→ Red Rock Coulee, Orion

Huge spherical rocks in the middle of the prairie

→ Columbia Icefield, Icefield Parkway A surviving remnant of the thick ice mass that once mantled most of Western Canada

→ Medicine Lake, Jasper area Every fall, this alpine lake mysteriously drains

→ Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, Aden Blackfoot petroglyphs date back as far as 7,000 B.C.

→ Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Granum Historic First Nations bison drive kill site

→ Last Chance Saloon, Wayne

Cross a multitude of bridges to get to this ghost town saloon

PHOTOS COURTESY TRAVEL ALBERTA

→ Frank Slide, Bellevue

→ Nose Hill Siksikaitsitapi Medicine Wheel, Calgary First Nations medicine wheel

→ Alberta Railway Museum, Edmonton Featuring a centuries-year-old steam engine

→ Reynolds-Alberta Museum, Wetaskiwin Automotive, farming machinery, and aviation museum

→ Iniskim Umaapi (Majorville Medicine Wheel), Vulcan County A remote medicine wheel dating back 4,500 years

→ Donalda Lamp Museum, Donalda

The museum is home to thousands of classic coal and kerosene lanterns

→ Remington Carriage Museum, Cardston One of the largest collections of horse-drawn conveyances in the world

→ Northern Rockies Museum of Culture and Heritage, Hinton The history of the Northern Rockies

→ Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village,

Lamont County Living museum, costumed interpreters, demonstrations

→ Metis Crossing, Smoky Lake

Immersive experiences, cultural education, exhibits and art

→ Elk Island National Park,

Fort Saskatchewan Bison, elk, and other wild animals in this national park

For Leisure Guide websites, visit CowboyCountryMagazine.com

cowboycountrymagazine.com

49

LEISURE GUIDE Interesting! → Haida Gwaii, west of Prince Rupert,

Pacific Ocean Remote and rugged archipelago is home to the Haida First Nation

→ Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and

Haida Heritage Site, Graham Island Extraordinary natural scenery and cultural treasures, including ancient totems

→ Khutzeymateen Inlet West Conservancy, near Prince Rupert Grizzly bear sanctuary; accessible only by boat with a guide

→ Great Bear Rainforest, Kitimat-Stikine Home to the rare, white Kermode or Spirit bear

British Columbia Ocean Sands to Mountain Peaks Accurately billed as Beautiful British Columbia, visitors can travel from the shores of the Pacific Ocean to the highest mountain peak in this province and enjoy a million sites along the way.

This province is where Orca whales rise in the Pacific, wild salmon make their run to ancient breeding grounds, white Kermode spirit bears fish in the streams, an estuary is set aside just for grizzlies, and a mosaic of people ranging from the ancient First Nations cultures to old families of miners, loggers, and ranchers call this wild country home.

B.C. is high plains country filled with hidden lakes and glaciers and temperate to arid landscapes of an ecosystem that defies the imagination. This land is a traditional gathering place and one of great beauty.

Welcome to British Columbia.

50

→ Fan Tan Alley, Victoria

The narrowest street in Canada

→ UNESCO Global Geopark, Tumbler Ridge Landscapes of geological significance

→ Fort Langley National Historic Site,

Fort Langley one of the BC’s original Hudson’s Bay Company fur trading outposts

→ Capilano Suspension Bridge, North Vancouver An expansive bridge in the Canadian wilderness

→ Bridal Veil Falls, Chilliwack

Cascading waterfall creates the appearance of a flowing veil

→ Othello Tunnels, Hope

Former railway tunnels now open to hikers

An exhilarating ride over the raging Fraser River

→ The Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin, Williams Lake First Nations and early settlers; BC Cowboy Hall of Fame

→ Barkerville Historic Town & Park,

Barkerville Rebuilt gold rush town; costumed interpreters, gold panning

→ Historic Hat Creek Ranch, Hat Creek

Heritage site; era-specific experiences and activities

→ The Spotted Lake (Kliluk), Osoyoos A sacred lake composed of over 300 separate pools of highly concentrated minerals

→ Adams River Salmon Run,

Thompson-Nicola region Every four years, millions of salmon fill a river so densely that its waters turn red

→ Okanagan Lake, Kelowna

Believed to be the home of “Ogopogo,” a giant sea serpent

→ Skookumchuck Narrows, Edmont The water swaps direction twice a day, whipping into a frenzy of whirlpools and rapids

→ Nk’Mip Cellars, Osoyoos

Indigenous-owned winery located within Canada’s only desertlike ecosystem

→ Yoho National Park, Field

Fossils, trails, and waterfalls

For Leisure Guide websites, visit CowboyCountryMagazine.com

PHOTOS COURTESY DESTINATION BC

Haida Gwaii

→ Hell’s Gate Airtram, Boston Bar

Barkerville

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

LEISURE GUIDE Grasslands National Park, Val Marie

Saskatchewan Pure Prairie League

For those that don’t travel much, this will shock you; Saskatchewan is called the “province of 100,000 lakes.”

This place is a treat for anyone with a love of canoeing, angling, and swimming, which can all be enjoyed on the numerous lakes — especially as the province is also Canada’s sunniest.

If you never leave the Trans Canada highway, the province looks flat, but head north, or head south, and that’s where the landscape swiftly changes to boreal forests or native grasses. Besides the stunning scenery, you will also find hills higher than Banff with unique flora and fauna surviving from before the last Ice Age. This is the Land of the Living Skies, and beneath this endless canvas, you will be treated to northern lights in summer, rainbows in winter and a horizon as wide as your best friend’s grin. And with that, here’s a list of must-sees and oddities that are pure prairie league.

Welcome to Saskatchewan.

Interesting! → Prince Albert National Park, Prince Albert Wildlife, bison, lakes with beaches made of crushed jewels & the cabin of Grey Owl

→ Fort Walsh National Historic Site,

Maple Creek Seasonal museum, fort, buildings, costumed interpreters, RCMP cemetery

→ RCMP Heritage Centre, Regina

Training centre for Canada’s RCMP. Museum, guided tours, recruits on parade

→ Batoche National Historic Site, Batoche Batoche was the headquarters of the famous Métis, Louis Riel. Museum, guides, canoe tours

→ Cypress Hills, Maple Creek

The highest point in Saskatchewan; outdoor pursuits, including camping, riding, interpretive sites

→ Grasslands National Park, Val Marie Bison, camping, museum

→ T.Rex Discovery Centre, Eastend

Museum featuring one of the world’s most complete T Rex skeletons

→ Twisted Trees, Speers

A boardwalk through the unnerving grove of Quaking Aspen

→ Great Sand Hills, Prelate

PHOTOS COURTESY TOURISM SASKATCHEWAN

These little-known sands dunes are massive and a geological anomaly

→ Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon Museum, displays, events, interpreters of the Great Plains indigenous people

→ Little Manitou Lake, Manitou Beach Twisted Trees, Speers

cowboycountrymagazine.com

The famed buoyant mineral lake known for its healing powers

→ St. Victor Petroglyphs, Saint Victor

Outcropping with the largest collection of pre-contact petroglyphs in Saskatchewan

→ Fuchs Wildlife Exhibit, Lloydminster

This Canadian exhibit holds claim as the largest one-man taxidermy collection in North America

→ Motherwell Homestead National

Historic Site, Abernethy Museum, live animals, agricultural tours

→ Castle Butte, Bengough

Big Muddy badlands natural attraction

→ Big Muddy/Outlaw Cave Tours, Coronach Natural attraction, historic tour

→ Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl

Interpretive Centre, Moose Jaw Burrowing Owl viewing sites, information

→ Prairie Wind & Silver Sage, Val Marie Museum, Western Trail Heritage site (cattle drives from Texas to Canada)

→ Cannington Manor Provincial Historic

Park, Moose Mountain Provincial Park Provincial Historic Park, museum, Heritage site

→ Western Development Museum, Moose Jaw Museum, rail tour

→ Great Sandhills Museum & Interpretive Centre, Sceptre Museum

→ Fort Battleford National Historic Site, The Battlefords National Historic Site, museum, interpreters, tours

→ Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife

Area, NWA Headquarters, Simpson Bird / wildlife viewing sites, public trails, oldest bird sanctuary in North America

For Leisure Guide websites, visit CowboyCountryMagazine.com

51

LEISURE GUIDE Interesting!

→ Polar Bears of Churchill

Churchill is known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World.”

→ Churchill River Beluga Whales, Churchill Wild and gentle beluga whales.

→ Winnipeg the Bear Statue, Winnipeg This statue commemorates the WWI origins of the beloved character, Winnie-the-Pooh.

→ Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg The world’s first museum dedicated to exploring human rights.

→ Longitudinal Centre of Canada, Lorette This specific landmark is the geographic centre of Canada.

Manitoba Where the West Begins Manitoba is the only province whose motto, “Glorious and Free”, is in the Canadian national anthem, and it’s no wonder. This is a land of proud rebels with a cause, from savvy indigenous traders to hardy voyageurs to the famed and tragic Louis Riel, the leader of the Red River Rebellion.

The southern part of this storied province has been a meeting ground for centuries, and perhaps the most famous meeting site is The Forks, a historic place in Winnipeg where the rivers meet.

The northern area of Manitoba is a world unto itself. Here is where the northern lights live, glancing off the gleaming white fur of the polar bear and the slick hides of beluga whales.

This land is rich in geography, with more than 80 provincial parks and two national parks protecting its landscape of lakes and rivers, mountains, forests and prairies, and this is home to people who know what they’ve got.

Welcome to Manitoba.

52

→ Prairie Dog Central Railway, Rosser The oldest operating steam locomotive and heritage railway.

→ International Peace Garden, Boissevain Park straddling the United StatesCanadian border has been a symbol of peace since 1932.

→ Fort Gibraltar, Winnipeg

The intense competition of the 19thcentury fur trading industry played out at this fort.

→ Glass Bottle Houses, Treherne

Buildings all made entirely of recycled glass bottles.

→ Upper Fort Garry Provincial Park, Winnipeg Fort Garry was a pivotal post for the Hudson’s Bay Company.

→ The Forks, Winnipeg

Meeting, shopping, strolling area home to Manitoba Children’s Museum.

Huge stretch of soft sand beach on the shores of Lake Winnipeg.

→ Riding Mountain National Park

Recreation area and nature reserve.

Home of naturalist, Grey Owl.

→ Gimli & the Icelandic Festival of

Manitoba A small resort town on the shores of Lake Winnipeg.

→ Whiteshell Provincial Park

A popular summer destination for Winnipeggers.

→ Lower Fort Gary National Historic Site,

Andrews The only stone fort from the fur trading era to survive intact in North America.

→ Narcisse Snake Dens, Narcisse

In spring, tens of thousands of redsided garter snakes emerge from hibernation.

→ Canadian Fossil Discovery Center,

Morden Canada’s largest collection of marine reptile fossils.

→ Mennonite Village, Steinbach

Recreation of Mennonite life from the 16th century on.

→ Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg

Natural history and science museum.

→ Royal Canadian Mint, Winnipeg

Tour where coins are made for Canada and a number of other countries.

For Leisure Guide websites, visit CowboyCountryMagazine.com

Riding Mountain National Park PHOTOS COURTESY COPILOT COLLECTION; ENVIRO FOTO

Churchill summer

→ Grand Beach, Grand Beach Provincial Park

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

Disposition - Conformation Versatility - Athletic Ability Offspring That Satisfy for the Arena, Pleasure, Show, Ranch and 4H

SELLING BROODMARES WITH FOALS AT SIDE, YEARLINGS, 2 YEAR OLDS & 30 HEAD RIDING HORSES

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 PREVIEW 9AM • SALE STARTS 1PM

John Bear’s Horses – 1971 – Allen Sapp

REFERENCE SIRES ARE: SKIPSACE OF DIAMONDS NORTHWIND SKIPSKANE SKIP ON BADLANDS SIX SCOTTISH MIGHTY LARK COUNSELS REWARD

—Auctioneer—

For Further Information & Catalogues, Contact

HAYES BROTHERS Box 687, Hanna, Alberta T0J 1P0 403-854-2550 email: hayesranch@netago.ca

ONLINE BIDDING THROUGH DLMS

Explore an authentic Cowboy Way of life at

La Reata Ranch is an authentic working cattle guest ranch located on Lake Diefenbaker.

Experience the cowboy way of life at La Reata Ranch, it will fill your heart and draw you back to this special place.

LAKE LOUISE & KANANASKIS

Century Old Outfitters

www.brewsteradventures.com 403.762.5454 cowboycountrymagazine.com

45 minutes North of Swift Current 306-500-2109 | lareata.com LaReataRanch

@lareataranch 53

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Canada's Greatest Western Town

Maple Creek, Saskatchewan

www.maplecreek.ca

Tel: 306 662 4005

Maple Creek Visitor Centres

Email: tourism@maplecreek.ca

@maplecreeksask

POOP PULVERIZER Â Best pasture harrow for the break down of horse & cow manure

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 Custom sizes also available 6727 68 Ave, Edmonton, AB P: 780-463-3931 TF: 866-999-3931

54

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

LISTINGS Team roping practice

Contents Art Gallery ............................ 55 Guest Ranches.................... 55 Camping ................................56 Tourism Info ........................56 Conservation .......................56

ART GALLERY

GUEST RANCHES

Historic Reesor Ranch

La Reata Ranch

Maple Creek, SK

Kyle, SK

Allen Sapp Gallery

Brewster Adventures

306-662-3498

306-500-2109

North Battleford, SK

Lake Louise, AB

reesorranch.com

lareataranch.com

306-445-1760

403-762-5454

allensapp.com

brewsteradventures.com

Welcome to Saskatchewan’s

Experience the cowboy way of life

first provincially designated

under the endless sky of the

Brewster Mountain Pack Trains,

heritage ranch! Since 1904 the

Canadian Prairies. Ride where the

Welcome to Canada’s only

the oldest outfitting company in

Historic Reesor Ranch has been

Blackfoot and Crow once camped

‘public’ gallery named in honor

Alberta, caters to groups and

a monument to the Reesor

as they hunted Bison across the

of an Indigenous artist. The

individuals taking pride in

family, reflecting the heritage

vast plains.

purpose of the Allen Sapp Gallery

providing a backcountry

of ranch life in the Cypress

is to serve the citizens of North

adventure of a lifetime. Ride the

Hills.

Battleford and the province of

Historic Horse drive trail to the

Horseback Adventures,

fifty cows and new born calves.

Saskatchewan by exhibiting,

famed Brewster Company Ranch

Guided ATV Tours, Historic

Work together with your horse,

collecting, preserving and

or experience the splendor that is

Walking Tours, Ranchstyle Meals

and come to trust him like a real

interpreting original works of

Lake Louise on horseback or

and even Cowboy Poetry all await

cowboy. Make new friends and

art by Allen Sapp for the

aboard a horse drawn sleigh.

you. Stay with us in our homey

memories that will last a lifetime.

virtualmuseum.ca

enrichment of the quality of

Our Two and Four day horseback

ranch house, lodge in one of our

Help our friendly crew look after our herd of two to two hundred

La Reata is a working cattle-

life and for the establishment

trips are riding tours through the

cozy rental cabins, or book the

guest ranch owned and operated

and maintenance of an artistic

awe-inspiring magnificence of the

Old Log Barn for your special

by George Gaber. Located on Lake

and cultural heritage in

Ghost River area, bordering Banff

function — truly a getaway you

Diefenbaker in Southwest

Saskatchewan.

National Park.

don’t want to miss!

Saskatchewan, La Reata has nine

cowboycountrymagazine.com

55

LISTINGS Who likes Grass-Fed DryAged Beef, Soy-Free Chicken, Heritage Pasture-Raised Pork & Lamb, and Free-Range Eggs & Turkey? WE DO!

miles of water frontage and more

camper or big rig — we're

than 5,000 acres of rolling pasture.

happy to accommodate every traveler.

Spring Lake Ranch

• Each campsite has its own

100 Mile House, BC

barbecue and picnic table, with

1-250-791-5776

landscaping designed to create a

springlakeranch.com

sense of privacy.

Come and experience a peaceful

SHOP ONLINE TK Ranch, Hanna, AB 403.854.8532 hello@tkranch.com tkranch.com

get-away as the guests of the

TOURISM INFO

Barkowsky family. Tucked in the heart of British Columbia’s Cariboo

Destination BC

Country, Spring Lake Guest Ranch is

destinationbc.ca

a natural paradise, near 100 Mile

hellobc.com

House. The newly finished golden coloured log cabins are nestled by

Travel Alberta

your very own lake. Spring Lake is

travelalberta.com

surrounded by 10,000 acres of

Tourism Saskatchewan

rolling forests and trails.

Gather your herd at the

Historic Reesor Ranch

This is a perfect place for a

tourismsaskatchewan.com

tranquil adventure. You are guaranteed an option of privacy or

Travel Manitoba

family interaction. Spring Lake Guest

travelmanitoba.com

Ranch offers an experience that everyone can afford and enjoy, a romantic retreat for honeymooners

CONSERVATION

of all ages, a reconnection for the whole family, a sanctuary for the

Birds Canada National HQ

business professionals. Enjoy

Box 160, 115 Front Road

horseback riding, hiking, canoeing,

Port Rowan, ON

or fishing. There is something for

1-888-448-BIRD (2473)

everyone year round. Perhaps you’d

birdscanada.org

like a wilderness cabin off-site with your own canoe to fish Fly Lake.

BOOK ONLINE

ReesorRanch.com 306-662-3498

• Year-round Ranch Vacations • Group Retreats • Horse Adventure Tours • ATV Tours • Cherished Memories • Ranch Hall Grill & Bar

Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association Cedric MacLeod

CAMPING

466 Queen St., Wilmot Alley Fredericton, N.B.

Gordon Howe Campground

CanadianFGA.ca

Saskatoon, SK

Cows and Fish

306-975-3328

Alberta Riparian Habitat Camp in the heart of the city! Gordon

Management Society

Howe Campground is a mature

2nd Floor, Avail Building,

campground with 135 serviced sites,

530–8 St. S, Lethbridge, Alta.,

located at 1640 Avenue P South.

403-381-5538, 403-381-5723

Whether you've been on the

CowsandFish.org

road a few hours or a few days, Gordon Howe Campground in

Ducks Unlimited Canada, Alberta

Saskatoon is like coming home.

17504-111 Ave. NW,

driving through the gates of

• Clean and green — that's what you'll see. Well-lit streets lead the

Edmonton, Alta., 866-479-3825 Ducks.ca

way to 135 serviced sites. A green flower beds and planters

Ducks Unlimited Canada, Saskatchewan

splashing the grounds with colour.

1030 Winnipeg St., Regina, Sask.,

canopy of trees, with shrubs,

• Motorhome, trailer, folding camper, fifth wheel, truck

56

866-252-3825 Ducks.ca

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

LISTINGS

COWBOY CHURCHES Open Valley Cowboy Church Every Sun., 6:30 p.m.

Head of the Lake Hall, past the O’Keefe Ranch on Hwy 97, Vernon, B.C., 250-503-0707 Boomtown Trail Cowboy Church 2nd and last Wed. of every month, 7 p.m.

Elnora Drop-In Centre, Elnora, Alta., 403-749-2047 Clearwater Cowboy Church Every Thur., 7 p.m.

Dovercourt Hall, Hwy 22, south of Rocky Mtn House, Alta., 403-845-5351

Grasslands Conservation Incentives Guide Alberta

Nature Conservancy Canada, Manitoba

BirdsCanada.org

200, 611 Corydon Ave., Winnipeg, Man., 1-877-231-3552

Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development

NatureConservancy.ca

CAP-Ag Action Manitoba

Nature Saskatchewan

1-844-769-6224

Rm. 206, 1860 Lorne St., Regina, Sask., 306-780–9273

Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation

NatureSask.ca

204-784-4350

Northstar Seed (Native Grass seed)

MHHC.mb.ca

Manitoba

Monarch Butterflies (Endangered)

Box 2220, 83003 Highway 16 E, Neepawa, Man., 1–800–430–5955

Canadian Wildlife Federation

Alberta

350 Michael Cowpland Dr.,

64053-393 Ave. E, Okotoks, Alta.,

Kanata, Ont., 1–800–563–9453

1–800–805–0765

CWF-FCF.org

NorthstarSeed.ca

Nature Canada Ottawa, Ont., 1–800–267–4088

Saskatchewan Species At Risk Farm Program Coordinator

NatureCanada.ca

Unit B, 3322 Fairlight Dr.,

300, 240 Bank St.,

Saskatoon, Sask.,

Nature Conservancy Canada, Saskatchewan

306-955-5477, ext 204 SimplyAg.ca

2230A-6 Ave., Regina, Sask., 1-877-231-3552, ext. 9001

The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute

NatureConservancy.ca

ABMI.ca

Nature Conservancy Canada, Alberta

Viresco Solutions

Edmonton Office

Calgary, Alta., 403-397-6506

106 Compass Pl., 10050-112 St. NW,

VirescoSolutions.com

306-347-0447,

Edmonton, Alta., 877-262-1253 Calgary Office 890, 105-12 Ave. SE,

1930, 401-9 Ave. SW,

Community Cowboy Church Every Tue., 7-8 p.m.

Niton Community Hall, Main St., Niton Junction, Alta., 780-728-9088 Cowboy Trail Church Every Tue., 7 p.m.

Cochrane Ranche House, 101 Ranchehouse Rd., Cochrane, Alta., 403-638-4254 Heartland Cowboy Church 1st and 3rd Tue. of every month, 7 p.m.

Stettler Agriplex, 4516-52 St., Stettler, Alta., 780-877-2331 James River Cowboy Church Every Wed., 7 p.m.

James River Community Hall, 2.5 km S of James River store or 11.5 km N of Sundre on RR 53, Alta., 403-638-6439 Pipestone Cowboy — Cowgirl Church 2nd Mon. of every month, 7 p.m.

Pipestone Café, Hwy 795, 11 km north from junction Hwy 13 and 795, Pipestone, Alta., 780-312-8653 St. Albert Cowboy Church Every Fri., 7:30 p.m.

60 Liberton Dr., St. Albert, Alta., 780-459-2222 The Cowboy Church Every Fri., 7:30 p.m.

Sherwood Park Presbyterian Church, 265 Fir St., Sherwood Park, Alta., 780-918-5530 Viking Cowboy Church Last Fri. of every month, 7:30 p.m.

Viking Auction Market, junction of Hwy 26 and 36, Viking, Alta.

Willow Valley Cowboy Church 2nd Sun. of every month 10:00 a.m.

26016 Hwy 595, 15 km east of Red Deer, Red Deer County, Alta., 403-347-0206 Battlefords Cowboy Church 1st and 3rd Thur. of every month, 7 p.m.

Legion Hall, 22 St., Battleford, Sask., Diamond C Cowboy Church Every Tue., 7:30 p.m.

208 Sidney St., Maple Creek, Sask., 306-662-0911 Cowboy Valley Church 4054 PR 432 Morden, Man., 204-822-9909

Calgary, Alta., 403-262-1253 NatureConservancy.ca

cowboycountrymagazine.com

57

Roll a Smoke The colt just stood and trembled, as sweat began to soak, Then wisely said the cowboy, “It’s time to roll a smoke.”

I puzzled at his meaning and of the works he said, I never knew tobacco rings to curl about his head.

But as the calm invaded the pen that we were in, That colt eased up and joined us, not spooky like he’d been.

For action without thinking is embers you can’t stoke, Wisdom’s often just the time it takes to roll a smoke.

Was back in 1936, the eastern slopes were fire, The cowboy, a young buckaroo range ridin’ out for hire.

The castle valley filled with smoke, the kid thought he would choke, But with him, wise ole Callie Jenkins paused to roll a smoke.

Then planned to bet the reaper’s tally filled with souls to seek, They snuck right past the bowels of hell and rode to Pincher Creek.

For action without thinking is embers you can’t stoke, Wisdom’s often just the time it takes to roll a smoke.

Well, now that colt is gentle and with me, blazing trails, The wisdom of that cowboy is wind upon my sails.

For whether workin’ horses or findin’ way to cope, When I am short on savvy, those words provide me hope.

For they’re not ‘bout tobacco, there more to do with time, Intention never pondered is never worth a dime.

For action without thinking is embers you can’t stoke, Wisdom’s often just the time it takes to roll a smoke.

PHOTO SUBIN PUMSOM | DREAMSTIME.COM

Roll a Smoke was excerpted from A Saddle Tramp Soliloquy by BJ Smith.

58

Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2021

Upcoming Highlight: C.M. Russell, Piegans, 1908, oil on canvas, 17 1/2 x 14 1/4 inches

AUGUST 20-21, 2021 TM

The Russell is the premiere fundraising event for the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana, attracting artists, collectors, and patrons from around the country. The auction features important pieces by Charles M. Russell and other historic artists, as well as new work by both up-and-coming artists and nationally acclaimed contemporary western artists.

Remote bidding options available.

400 13 th Street North | Great Falls, Montana | (406) 727–8787 | cmrussell.org/the-russell