Cowboy Poetry: Cinda Wayment

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CINDA WAYMENT

Cinda and her horse Roy

The Gray

WRITTEN BY CINDA WAYMENT

My Roy was a horse you only dreamed about. There will never be another like him, I have no doubt. His heart was bigger then the world we know. Roy always did his best to put on a great show. We were honored and blessed with this presence here. And in our hearts, his memory we’ll always hold dear. We will never forget him, that big gray horse. He ran his races always holding his course. He made his passes, never missing a beat. With only one eye it was such a great feat. With his eyesight failing and his old arthritic knees, He still gave his all, only wanting to please. He put the Lone Ranger’s horse, Silver, to shame. Roy’s prancing and rearing brought him great fame. He carried Old Glory with such great pride. Racing round the arena without missing a stride. Life will be different with out that big gray. His playful antics always made my day. I may ride another horse but I’ll never forget. Roy, the big gray horse that was more than a pet.

One popular example of entertainers in the CVCR Outreach Program is Gary Allegretto’s “Learn to Play Cowboy Harmonica Instantly Workshop,” where students are taught 3 or 4 songs, and receive a personal harmonica to take home. Gary is the current International Western Music Association Male Performer of the Year and acclaimed performing and recording artist. Western Horseman Magazineraves; “Gary’s music transcends genres, generations and cultural barriers, yet is so professional, engaging and core to the cowboy that listeners can’t help but want to ride along a while longer and discover something new in a song.” The following are some of the comments from teachers and students that had the privilege of Gary coming to their school:

“ Gary, Thank you so much for sharing your talent with the students of Canyon Elementary. Your workshop has inspired the students at our school. Having a professional artist close up in a classroom with students is such a wonderful experience. Most students will only hear a professional in an auditorium or concert hall. Having you in these smaller groups, instructing them on how to play the harmonica was a once in a lifetime experience for them. Students have been playing their harmonicas ever since your workshop. We are currently teaching classes online because of the Covid 19 outbreak. I was in a video chat with several members of my class this past week and I heard a harmonica song being played in the background. There are students from this group that may very well continue in the field of music because of your presentation. Thank you again for providing this opportunity for young children.” Brad Hawkes, 5th Grade Teacher at Canyon Elementary

“You opened a new door in my life.” Mac, 5th grade. “Best assembly ever!” Cole, 5th grade. “I want him to come again.” Olivia, 5th grade

The Rendezvous also has an amazing Kids Poetry Contest and a Patriotic Poetry Contest that is sponsored by Smith and Edwards and Kathy Smith’s, Loving Liberty, Inc. There is a Kids Corral, where childrencan learn about and participate in all things western, an ‘Open Mic’ stage to give amateurs a chance to perform, dutch oven dinners and a ‘Cowboy Family Dance’ where everyone can practice the waltz or twostep. The Cache Valley community has supported the CVCR in many ways thro ugh advertising to housing performers over the last 10 years. They have also been awarded RAPZ funding and a Utah Arts and Museum Grant to help put on the event. The committee is very grateful to have such great community and business support.

The goal moving forward is to continue to bring quality entertainment to Northern Utah. Even during COVID-19, the show hopes to go on March 12-14, 2021. The CVCR has been awarded the Sorenson Legacy Foundation grant again and are hopeful to be able to go into the schools with professional musicians and poets. Dale says, “We’re still planning on doing something, at this point, what it will look like is still questionable.” Dale and Dawna hope, “that folks who have never experienced cowboy poetry and western music would come and give it a try. We’ve found that once we get someone here, they are excited and looking forward to coming back.”

If you have never experienced the Cache Valley Cowboy Rendezvous you are missing out! Put it on your calendar for 2021. You can keep up to date of the happenings of the Cache Valley Cowboy Rendezvous by following them on Facebook or at their website. www. cvcowboy.org.