Murder on the Plains True Tale of Cattle Kate
Feral Pig Invasion Canada’s War on Boar
IAL o er FIC de id OF Ro Ins ro a P ad n Ca
Starting Your Next Great Horse – Part 3
VACATION GUIDE
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S P E CIAL ADVE RTO RIAL
Experience the Valley in Spring! Need that quiet break to recharge and renew? Bike or walk through Eagle Point/Blue Rapids Provincial Park as Mother Nature reawakens from her winter slumber and explodes with life. Does your car club or motorcycle group need a new adventure? The picturesque drive from Edmonton on Highway 627 will open your eyes to the beautiful scenic wonders south of Lake Wabamun and onto the Brazeau Reservoir. Driving back stop in Drayton Valley for a quick bite or a night of rest in first tier accommodations. Need a place for a show or a meet? We can help, too! Looking for excitement? From April 27 to 29, Drayton Valley is proud to be hosting the First Annual Search and Rescue Training Days, SARQuest, which includes search-and-rescue demonstrations open to public viewing.
From May 4 to 6, the Drayton Valley Rodeo returns the cowboy heritage to the valley with an exciting family entertainment event. Getting ready for the summer running season? Register NOW for the Drayton Valley Triathlon on May 12! For both children and adults, it’s a weekend exercise adventure with spectacular views of the river valley. Drayton Valley, lost in the drive-by hustle to Jasper and the Rockies, is an inspiring getaway and only 90 minutes from downtown Edmonton. With much of the natural beauty of its bigger brothers to the West, as well as affordable accommodations and services, Drayton Valley/Brazeau County is ideal for a much needed break from the hustle and pressure of the city. Spring is the perfect time to make your first visit! For more to see and do, visit our website at dvhta.ca
22 RANCHER'S SPECIAL
WHAT WORKS FOR US — BRANDING Heeler Dave Elliott checking the calf as he brings it to the waiting irons at the Lawrence family branding Photo by Terri Mason
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Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
APRIL/MAY 2018 | VOLUME 21, NO. 6
On the Cover
FEATURES 20 TRAILBLAZERS
The Death of Cattle Kate A century after her murder, an innocent Canadian homesteader’s name is finally cleared
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George Gaber of La Reata Ranch. A rural vacation is still one of the best ways to get back to your roots and recharge. Photo courtesy La Reata Ranch / Tourism Saskatchewan / HansGerhard Pfaff
RANCHER’S SPECIAL
What Works For Us An interview with three ranchers who speak on their preparations for a smooth-running branding day
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COWBOY WAY
Starting Your Next Great Horse — Part 3 of 6 J.P. Forget, multi-award-winning horse trainer, with part three of his six-part series on starting a young horse
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RANCHING IN THE WEST
The War on Boar The U.S. is overrun with dangerous and destructive feral pigs — and now they are here
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Western in Bloom
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Western Vacation Travel Guide
The new styles and fresh looks of this spring’s latest casual wear in western fashion
Iconic, must-see heritage sites highlight the ingenuity and travails of living in the West cowboycountrymagazine.com
DEPARTMENTS 6 My Point of View 9 In the Corral 13 Western Art Review 14 Spirit of the West 16 Wheel to Wheel 18 Reflections 49 Pro Rodeo Canada Insider 63 Clownin’ Around 66 Cowboy Poetry 5
MY POINT OF VIEW
“F
Revealing Truth
ake News” is not the invention of the 22nd century. In fact, Egyptologists have examples of malicious gossip pressed into tablets and chiselled onto walls. Experts call it “controlling the narrative” and it does just that — swaying public opinion and, in the case of our bone-chilling Trailblazer, it can also allow some folks to literally get away with murder. Just over a century ago in Wyoming, rich cattle barons controlled the open range, the newspapers and, in fact, those who lived and who died on “their” range. The members of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association not only killed homesteaders but also pressured writers to create fake news, concocting wild stories and lies to justify their murders. A case in point is our Trailblazer, Ellen Watson of Ontario. Some 130 years ago, the gutsy homesteader took on the WSGA — and lost. Some other unsettling news in this issue includes an invasion that threatens wildlife, farming and ranching operations in equal measure, and that threat is feral pigs. Largely under-reported and somewhat ignored by the Canadian government, the whistle-blowing biologists in Saskatchewan have landed an unlikely ally — the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This story is guaranteed to get you checking out strange tracks on the home place…
Plus we’re heading into that time of year when friends and neighbours start making tracks and meeting up in branding pens across the West. In a continuation of our series, What Works for Us, I’ve interviewed three diverse ranchers, and this time the subject was branding — and what works for them. Vacations are another highly anticipated event, and not surprisingly, rural-living folks go for vacations to other rural places. Seems they enjoy the peace and quiet of the wild, high places of a pack trip too. Finally, thanks to my many friends and acquaintances who encouraged me in my now-successful quest to quit smoking. After decades I finally got it done. After messing around with gum, etc., what finally worked for me was sheer gutting it out — handson-my-hips, spit-in-yer-eye cold turkey. Not saying that’s the way to do it, but that’s what worked for me, here in Canadian Cowboy Country.
— Terri Mason, Editor
Subscriber Tip Your mailing label on the magazine will tell you when your subscription expires. Right above your name is an issue date, which is the final issue of your subscription.
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Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
April/May 2018 Vol. 21, No. 6 Editor Terri Mason terri@cowboycountrymagazine.com Copy Editor Carmen D. Hrynchuk carmen@cowboycountrymagazine.com Art Director Adam Still adam@cowboycountrymagazine.com Graphic Designers Zuzana Benesova, zuzana@cowboycountrymagazine.com Gina Tsang, ads@cowboycountrymagazine.com Publisher Rob Tanner rob@cowboycountrymagazine.com Sales Manager Kristine Wickheim kristine@cowboycountrymagazine.com Traffic Coordinator Cheryl Lindquist traffic@cowboycountrymagazine.com Subscription/Circulation Marie Tanner frontdesk@tanneryoung.com Accounting Administrator Catherine Staszkiewicz admin@tanneryoung.com Customer Relations Manager Marie Tanner marie@tanneryoung.com Columnists Tim Ellis, Hugh McLennan, Billy Melville, Bryn Thiessen Contributors Daryl Drew, PhD, John Gattey, J.P. Forget, Eric Lawrence, Jenna MacMillan, Jason McGillivray DVM, Bud McKague Contributing Artists/Photographers Mike Copeman, Carol Easton, Randy Lewis, Nicole Marie Photography, Tara McKenzie Tanner Young Publishing Group #1, 9301–50 Street, Edmonton AB T6B 2L5 Tel: 780-465-3362 Fax 780-448-0424 Toll Free: 1-800-943-7336 Website: cowboycountrymagazine.com E-mail: askus @ cowboycountrymagazine.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Call Marie at 1-800-943-7336 1 Year: $21.43 + tax | 2 Years: $35.71 + tax | 3 Years: $46.45 + 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 #1, 9301–50 Street, Edmonton AB T6B 2L5 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
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Editor's note: In the Feb/Mar issue we created and ran a full page rallying support for the Jasper Heritage Rodeo after a recent decision by a Parks Canada official to discontinue the nearly century-old rodeo.
Parks Canada & Jasper Heritage Rodeo Thank you all for continuing your support. We are very pleased. We are continuing to get support locally and also from people outside of Jasper. We are going to a meeting next week to get information about the impact of reconstruction of the Whistler campground and how it will affect our [rodeo grounds] site. Our superintendent will be away for a few weeks so we will endeavor to get some answers from the fellow who is filling in. We will keep you posted but we anticipate this fight to go on for months yet. Thanks again for all your help. You guys are awesome. — Gail and Don Lonsberry, and all of the Jasper Heritage Rodeo committee
For more information on how you can help save this iconic rodeo, please visit jasperheritagerodeo.com, or on Facebook at facebook.com/jasperheritagerodeo
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Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTO COURTESY JASPER YELLOWHEAD MUSEUM & ARCHIVES
An early bronc riding contest which led to the formation of the Jasper Heritage Rodeo, Jasper, Alta., 1924
IN THE CORRAL NEWS, VIEWS & HAPPENINGS FROM ACROSS THE CANADIAN WEST
Finstad Inducted Congratulations to agriculture and rodeo writer and broadcaster Dianne Finstad, who was one of twelve notables inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Red Deer, Alta. Finstad has covered rodeo, agriculture and the stories of countless farm families through her 30+ years, including with her award-winning TV program, The Business of Farming. She is a regular contributor to Canadian Cowboy Country.
“The one thing that hasn’t changed is the stories, and that is what I love the most. Cowboys are great storytellers,” she said. She added, “Nowhere in my wildest dreams did I think I would be in the (Alberta) Sports Hall of Fame.” Finstad is also looking forward to the CFR moving to Red Deer. “It is really exciting, and I think it will be great for the sport. We are really looking forward to showcasing Red Deer to the rodeo community,” she said. Finstad is the second woman to receive the Bell Memorial Award, and with that, she is joining the ranks of sports writer notables such as John Down, the late Dwayne Erickson, Terry Jones and Ron MacLean.
PHOTO COURTESY MIKE COPEMAN
For more, visit ashfm.ca.
Dianne Finstad sharing a laugh with JR Vezain behind the chutes at the Calgary Stampede
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IN THE CORRAL
Trainers Challenge The Mane Event, the original horse expo in Western Canada, is a horse lover’s paradise of shopping, learning and visiting! The signature show of the Mane Event is the Trainers Challenge, sponsored by Canadian Cowboy Country magazine. The format features three trainers, three horses supplied by Ace of Clubs Quarter Horses and three well-respected judges. These experts demonstrate a number of different ways that horses can be gentled, and at the end this is by no means a “broke” horse but it’s a good start for the trainer’s that will take over. The 2018 Mane Event Trainers Challenge will feature well-known trainers Alex Alves, Jason Irwin and Kade Mills. Judges this year are rancher and working cowboy Russell Clemitson of Westwold, B.C., movie man John Scott of Longview, Alta., and horse trainer, coach and judge Lyle Jackson of Cochrane, Alta. The Mane Event runs Apr 27–29 at Westerner Park in Red Deer, Alta. For more, visit red-deer.maneeventexpo.com
Mane Event Trainers Challenge
Gerry Walker and his 12-dog team on the 309-mile trail
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Congratulations to Gerry Walker on winning Canada’s most prestigious musher matchup, the Canadian Sled Dog Challenge in late February. The race for the Cameco Cup is a 12-dog, continuous mid-distance race held in Saskatchewan and follows a route similar to that of the old sled dog trail used for years by trappers, the North West Mounted Police and the First Nations community to travel between Prince Albert and La Ronge. The total distance of the race is approximately 600 kilometers. Walker, who has been mushing dogs for over 15 years, is no stranger to the winner’s circle for this Yukon Quest and Iditarodqualifier race. An annual competitor in the 12-dog event, Walker has won the prestigious contest three times. This year, Walker and his dogs crossed the finish line in 67.35 hours. For rodeo fans, Walker’s name will be ringing some bells, as he earned a back number for the Canadian Finals Rodeo three times in bull riding. These days, Walker and his wife, Brenda (they also have four grown daughters), run their Smokeyhill Kennel from their home at Pierceland, Sask. The Canadian Challenge is sponsored by the Gateway North Sled Dog Race Assoc., a non-profit organization formed in 1994 to promote traditional sled dog racing in Saskatchewan.
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTO COURTESY THE MANE EVENT; PHOTO BY ROD YOUNG
From Riding Bulls to Mushing Dogs
EMPTY SADDLES
Happy Centennial, Ya Ha Tinda
Doris Christine Bircham 1938-2018
PHOTO BY THE LATE GARY HOUSTON; PHOTO COURTESY KYLIE BERTRAM-MACKIE; PHOTO COURTESY J. BRADFORD WHITE
As Doris Bircham always said, she was “partnered with the same man, the same ranch and the same prairie wind forever.” A career nurse and home care specialist, she was also an award-winning writer who often contributed to Canadian Cowboy Country. Doris was known across the West as a fine poet and one of the original organizers of the Maple Creek Cowboy Poetry Gathering. A lifelong, award-winning rancher in the hills south of Piapot, Sask., Doris leaves behind her husband Ralph (whom she called Jake in her poems), her children, grandchildren and extended family.
The Ya Ha Tinda, Canada’s national park horse training facility, is celebrating 100 years of service supplying the men and women of the mountains with calm, sturdy, reliable horses. Situated west of Sundre, Alta., (about 150 km northwest of Calgary) the fate of the Ya Ha Tinda has often hung in the balance due to the threat of natural disaster, such as floods or forest fires or the even more treacherous government staff. Over the years there has also been great pressure to turn the ranch into everything from a private government retreat to offering it to the highest bidder. But so far, the questionable motives of government employees have lost, and the needs of the wardens and folks of the backcountry have won — and it ain’t often that
happens. The reason is because of the horse. No matter how advanced mankind becomes, no other form of transport is safer, quieter or more ecologically sound than the horse. Each year, the Ranch brings in about a dozen young horses to the mountain range. Steep trails, deadfall, crossing fast-flowing creeks and recognizing the smell of bears and cougars are incidental parts of the young horse’s training program. By the time they are five, they’ve got quite a few miles under saddle and are ready to start their careers in any of the national parks of Western Canada. In the summer, there are few horses here, but each winter, hundreds of equines return to rest and winter on the natural meadows under the watchful eye of ranch foreman Rick Smith, one of four fulltime residents at the site. So this summer as you ride past the Ya Ha Tinda from your campsite at the Big Horn equine campground, raise your canteen in centennial salute to some of most revered and embattled lands in the Rocky Mountains.
Ya Ha Tinda ranch manager Rick Smith turns some horses out at the ranch gate to winter pasture
STOCKING THE HERD
Rio John Mackie Congratulations to the very busy ranching household of Dean Mackie and Kylie BertramMackie on the birth of their son, Rio John Mackie on Aug 2, 2017. Rio is a little brother to Mia and Ava. The Mackie`s ranch on Battle Creek near Consul, Sask. Dean is a Maple Creek and Agribition Ranch Rodeo Champion and Kylie owns Ranch Girl Creations, a design company.
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IN THE CORRAL Skijordue racing at the Calgary Polo Club
Ride & Race! Combine skiing with fast horses and melted cheese in a fondue pot and you’ve got skijordue, one of the fastest fundraisers on the plains. The first skijordue of the season was launched at its birthplace, the Calgary Polo Club, and it was another wild day as horses pulled competitors on skis and snowboards in sprints and over jumps. The money raised went to help Prairie Skies Equine Assisted Therapy
Program and to create a venue for the sport where people can learn and do it in a safe and competitive way. This year, the sport spread to central Alberta as Wetaskiwin held a Skijor and to the Crowsnest Pass where they held their second Pole & Spur in Blairmore with dates for Grande Prairie and Red Deer TBA. The sport has also dipped south of the Medicine Line to the “horse” states.
– Nairobi
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is Canadian Cowboy?
Nairobi, Kenya
enya – ,K
Where in the World
The Honourable Charles Keyer, Nairobi, Kenya
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PHOTO BY JANICE STORCH PHOTOGRAPHY; PHOTO BY BILLY MELVILLE
The Republic of Kenya is a country in Africa. Its capital and largest city is Nairobi. Kenya’s territory lies on the equator, covers 581,309 km2 and has a population of approximately 48 million people. (In comparison, Alberta is 661,848 km2 and has a population of just over four million.) Famous for its modern safaris, world heritage sites and international athletes, Kenya is also respected on the world energy stage. Kenya is relatively new on the world oil stage, and it is estimated that Kenya’s oil reserves stand at 1 billion barrels, under the leadership of the Honorable Charles Keyer, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, shown here wearing a cowboy hat gifted to him by our columnist Billy Melville of NEWSCO International.
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
WESTERN ART REVIEW | TERRI MASON Cieran Starlight, 2018 Calgary Stampede Indian Princess
PHOTO COURTESY CALGARY STAMPEDE; PHOTOS COURTESY C.M. RUSSELL MUSEUM
Cieran Starlight, 2018 Calgary Stampede Indian Princess The Calgary Stampede is proud to introduce Cieran Starlight as the 2018 Indian Princess. Following two weeks of competition that included public speaking and performances of traditional dance, Starlight was selected from a group of five exceptionally talented, diverse and educated contestants. Cieran Starlight is a 21-year-old Jingle Dress dancer from Tsuut’ina First Nation. She is attending Alberta College of Art & Design where she is studying to obtain her Bachelor of Fine Arts with plans to complete her Masters of Fine Arts. An all-around artist, Starlight recently had paintings showcased in a local gallery in Calgary. She is also an avid bead worker with a special talent for beading, sewing and designing traditional regalia. The Calgary Stampede Indian Princess represents all five nations of Treaty 7 — Kainai, Tsuut’ina, Stoney Nakoda, Siksika and Piikani — as well as Indian Village and the Calgary Stampede. The 2018 Indian Princess will make hundreds of appearances locally, nationally and internationally throughout her reign.
cowboycountrymagazine.com
The Bison: American Icon, Heart of Plains Indian Culture Permanent Exhibition The bison is a critical part of the rich shared cultural heritage of Montana and the surrounding region. This exhibition examines the bison’s importance, not only to the lives of Plains Indians, but also to a growing 19th-century national economy, leading to the animal’s sudden decimation and eventual resurgence. The exhibition traces the bison’s transformation from everyday resource to iconic symbol, a shift that began to gain strength during the early reservation period in the late 19th century. The exhibition follows a period of intense consumption of bison as a natural resource by new and growing populations, the development of a conservation movement, and the emergence of the bison as a symbol of North America. C.M. Russell Museum 400 13th Street North Great Falls, Mont. cmrussell.org
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SPIRIT OF THE WEST | HUGH MCLENNAN
Unique Scholarship Braul of Irricana, Alta., is one of 52 students selected for this year’s American Quarter Horse Assoc. (AQHA) Ranching Heritage Young Horse Development Program, and she is the only Canadian to qualify. This program showcases the stock being bred and raised by AQHA Ranching Heritage members by matching donated weanlings with American Quarter Horse Youth Assoc. (AQHYA) members. Each of the applicants submitted detailed descriptions, videos, photos and documents to the judges. Participating breeders supply the weanlings and the applicants have until fall, 2018 to do as much as they can with their colt. Then they’ll submit a detailed description of the colt’s progress supported by videos, photos and press clippings. Sarah and her family travelled to Rapid City, SD in September for the Open Box Rafter Ranch sale. Sarah, along with five other hopeful young riders, got to pick from a group of weanlings offered to the program. 14
The next day, a pretty palomino stud colt, Can Am’s Playboy Drift was in their trailer and made the 14-hour trip to central Alberta. Sarah started at square one. The first step was halter breaking, then to picking up his feet, and from there she progressed quickly to round pen work. While the young horse has handled a lot of obstacles already, Sarah says the one that caused him the most concern was the wash rack. “But he’s comfortable with it now,” she said. The colt’s name, Can Am’s Playboy Drift, indicates the colt’s dual citizenship, says Sarah. He was born in the U.S., will grow up in Canada and she hopes that someday she’ll take him back across the border to show. Sarah is keen to see what disciplines the colt will really take to. She knows he has a cutting horse background in his pedigree, but she’d like to make him an all-around, versatile mount and looks forward to doing some roping with him.
“If I won the scholarship I definitely want to be a large-animal vet, working with horses and cattle,” said Sarah. “So I’d use it to attend a veterinary college somewhere. Working with neighbouring cow/calf operations has given me a real appreciation for livestock producers, and I’d love to work with folks like these.” Her nine-year-old paint gelding has carried her through the drills as part of the Calgary Stampede Show Riders for the last two years. “An awesome experience,” she says. The gelding and the youngster are now best buddies. Besides having a good shot at the scholarship, Sarah is hoping she can use her project to raise awareness for the program among young horse lovers in Canada and bring more recognition to Canadian breeders. For more information on the AQHA Young Horse Development Program, visit aqha.com. c Cattle rancher and horse trainer Hugh McLennan and his wife, Billie, run their cattle in the beautiful rangeland outside of Kamloops, B.C. Hugh is the host of the multi-award-winning weekly radio program, Spirit of the West, heard across Canada and the U.S.
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTO COURTESY SARAH BRAUL
S
arah Braul is a 16-year-old Alberta student working with a promising young horse these days, and she’s hoping the young horse will be her key to a scholarship.
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WHEEL TO WHEEL | BILLY MELVILLE
Dayton Sutherland No Turning Back
the amateur Western Chuckwagon Association (WCA), placing 13th out of 20 wagons; pretty good for a 17-year-old in his first real show as a chuckwagon driver. His focus for the rest of the season was on perfecting his skills as an outrider, but he would still practice driving in the morning and was buying the odd horse. He entered the run off again that fall to try and earn a spot for the 2016 Pro Tour, just Dayton Sutherland racing at missing out again. the 2017 Ponoka Stampede. He was named the 2017 However, midway WPCA Top Rookie Driver. through the 2016 season Racing behind Dayton is Rae Croteau Jr. decided Blade Flad who was also a rookie driver on the Pro Tour. to retire, and Dayton was invited to drive on the WPCA Pro Tour in nglish writer, poet, philologist, and university professor Dawson Creek and Rocky Mountain House. He accepted the invitation, and drove J.R.R. Tolkien once asked, “How do you move on? You his first shows as a professional chuckmove on when your heart finally understands that there wagon driver. “In some ways I was hoping that I could is no turning back.” just outride for a few years, get some more Chuckwagon driver and outrider Dayton drive these. They’re old and bullet proof.’ So experience, bank some money, and start Sutherland confronted himself with this I blew them out that morning. I thought I driving when I was a little better prepared,” a couple of years ago. Growing up as the might be too young and not quite ready, but says Dayton. “I thought it would be a more grandson of chuckwagon legend Kelly that’s when grandpa put it in my head that I gradual process, but I got so invested in it I Sutherland, Dayton always knew that a could drive,” says Dayton. know I can’t turn back now.” chuckwagon career was in his future. From that day on, Dayton saw his career Dayton knew that one day he would be As many past and current chuckwagon as a driver coming fast. Admittedly, Dayton a professional chuckwagon driver. Although drivers have done, many sharpen their acknowledges that he’s lucky that his family it came much sooner than anticipated, you teeth as an outrider first then move into the had the resources needed (horses, wagcan’t undo the past, you just move forward, wagon box as a driver when they are physions, harness, etc.) to help him get started. and there is no turning back. It’s somecally, mentally and financially ready. But when he entered the 2014 WPCA thing Dayton Sutherland’s heart finally Dayton started his career as an outrider Qualification Run Off trying to earn a spot understands. c in 2013 at the tender age of 15. Barely a on the 2015 WPCA Pro Tour, for a 16-yearyear into his outriding career, an unexold the anticipation of possibly being a Billy Melville is an author, noted historian and chuckwagon colour commentator on Rural pected event took place at the Bonnyville professional chuckwagon driver can be Radio (SiriusXM Ch 147) and CBC Sports. He is the Chuckwagon Championship in 2014 that frightening. grandson of Orville Strandquist. accelerated his career path. He narrowly missed qualifying for “Grandpa and I hooked a wagon one the 2015 Pro Tour, but he did enter the morning when he said, ‘You might as well Grande Prairie Stompede as a member of 16
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTO BY CAROL EASTON
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PHOTO COURTESY STOCKADOBE.COM/E. SPEK
REFLECTIONS | BRYN THIESSEN
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Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
I’m Still Here! I imagine you’re wondering, why this utterance? Have there been rumours of my demise or disappearance? (The second is true but that’s a story for another column.) Perhaps it’s the cry from deep within the Senate or someone left in a Sears store. These are possible, maybe even probable but I do know this utterance was heard often when I was riding this summer. Why? Ride with me down the trail of memories, and see. As I’ve mentioned often in my preamble to my sermons, I have in my string a couple of Appaloosas I got in trades. The first was a mare that I rode for a while then gave to a family in B.C. The last two seasons have been on a gelding. They both proved the famous Appaloosa quotes true: “The reason they rode Appaloosas to war was, it was the only horse they could catch on foot and they’d be good and mad when they got there.” And the second quote, not as well known: “The reason cowboys don’t like Appaloosas, is you have to be smarter than the horse to get anywhere.” This second quote is the reason for this utterance. El Guano (the name I gave the crappaloosa gelding) has what appears to be A.D.D. so bad I almost called him Sharkey. I’ve spent most of my time proclaiming “I’m still here” as El Guanos mind seemed to leave his body and take him on a trip. Some of this is from the appaloosa trait to be pushy, some of it from previous experiences and training, and some from the condition known as moon blindness or congenital stationery night blindness.
Essentially, something causes a problem transmitting information from the eye to the brain; much like the politicians disease, where there is trouble getting any information to the brain. As you can imagine folks ask, ‘Why are you still riding him if he’s so dense?’ There are a few reasons; the first is what he has going for him. No one will steal him or mistake him for a moose — based on his colour, not his head. He’s fairly smooth and travels the same speed as a cow and has enough “cow” to chew on one that’s trying to play bumper tag. Add to it you can leave him alone, and he won’t panic. (He’s used to rejection by his peers.) Add the fact that when I first rode him he was little more than a $400 canner but had the potential to be worth a lot more. In short I saw his value, and I was willing to invest the time to bring it out in him. If we ride back a couple of thousand years we have the greatest story of someone willing to invest enough to not only bring out the best in us, but to bring us back to who we were meant to be — even though we were pushy, rat tailed and moonblind. 1 Peter says, “Christ hung in and hung on. Even though he never missed the mark (sinned), he gave us his life, so that we might have life forever with Him” (my words.) He valued us enough that he never left us, but he left us these words, “I’m still here.” Matthew 28:20 (my words.) 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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TRAILBLAZERS
PEOPLE WHO SHAPED THE WEST
Inventing Rustlers The Death of Cattle Kate By DARYL DREW, PHD
T
///
he lynching of Canadian rancher Ellen “Ella” Liddy Watson and her husband James Averell in Wyoming in 1889 should have been an international incident. Instead, it precipitated one of the most overt cover-ups in the history of the West.
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Canadian woman turned Wyoming homesteader Ellen “Ella” Liddy Watson, was later lynched by Wyoming Stock Growers Association members. Says historian Daryl Drew; “This photo appears to me as a hurried joke shot. The throatlatch is undone, there’s no saddle and she’s barefoot and in a nightgown and nightcap.” This innocent image was used to discredit her as a legitimate rancher and to perpetuate a century of misinformation.
The couple soon married in secret, and Watson filed for squatter’s rights under the Homestead Act on a quarter section adjoining Averell’s. Serious trouble began almost immediately when Albert Bothwell, a prominent member of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, found out that Ellen had filed on the land. Although Bothwell had no legal claim to the quarter, he used it as his hay meadow, plus controlled water access on this and other rangeland with 60 miles of his illegal barbed wire. Angry
that he failed to get her to sell out, Bothwell tried intimidation by painting a skull and crossbones symbol on Watson’s cabin door. Unfortunately, neither Watson nor Averell took the threat seriously. On the morning of July 20, 1889, ranchers Bothwell, Ernest McLean, Robert Galbraith, John Durbin, Robert Conner and Tom Sun tore a hole in Watson’s new fencing and scattered her cattle before forcing the 28-year-old homesteader into the back of a tandem buggy. The lynch party then found 37-year-old Averell a mile away and
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTO COURTESY WIKIPEDIA
Ellen Watson (known also as Ella) was born on a farm in Bruce County, Ontario in 1861. Her friends described her as intelligent and gentle. A tall woman, she had an elegant presence and was an excellent cook, often employed in hotel restaurants. After divorcing an abusive husband, she met Jim Averell while cooking at the Rawlins House in Rawlins, Wyoming. Articulate and easy-going, James “Jim” Averell was born in Renfrew County, Ontario in 1851, about 150 miles from Ellen’s birthplace. When they met he was homesteading on the Sweetwater River about one mile (1.6 km) from the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails. There he opened a “road ranch” — a general store and restaurant catering to cowboys and to people travelling west. He hired Watson to cook at his restaurant.
PHOTO COURTESY WYOMING STATE ARCHIVES; GRAND ENCAMPMENT MUSEUM; PHOTO BY WILLIAM HENRY JACKSON
captured him at gunpoint. They headed down the shallow Sweetwater riverbed toward Independence Rock with their two captives. But there were witnesses to the abduction. Two boys told Averell’s young nephew, Ralph Cole, about the events just after they happened. A young ranch hand, Frank Buchanan, exchanged shots with the lynching party and alerted the sheriff, but it was too late for Watson and Averell — the couple was already dead at the end of a rope. But Bothwell and the others knew they now had a serious problem. Questions would be asked, investigations would be undertaken and Bothwell and his conspirators could be recognized from their horses’ brands. An urgent telegraph was sent to WSGA operative stock detective George Henderson regarding how to cover up the murders. The WSGA controlled the largest newspaper, the Cheyenne Daily Leader, and writer Ed Towse was given the job of distorting the facts to make the actions of the murderers appear justifiable. Towse mixed Ellen Watson’s identity with a known prostitute named Kate Maxwell, concocting the story that Ellen accepted stolen cattle as payment, using the alias Cattle Kate. From then on in numerous articles, the distorted facts continued to be reprinted. By the time the event was investigated, the misinformation was deeply planted in everyone’s mind. But the conspiracy deepened. The inquest was stalled as key witnesses began to disappear, die or fall silent under Henderson’s pressure. Ralph Cole died of symptoms consistent with strychnine poisoning. Frank Buchanan, after a relentless pursuit by George Henderson, vanished. A few years later a skeleton was found with objects that identified him as Buchanan.
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Time passed and none of the lynching party was ever brought to justice. Ernest McLean left the Sweetwater Valley and seems to have vanished. Robert Galbraith sold his ranch and became a wealthy banker in Arkansas, dying in 1939. John Durbin sold out and became a wealthy meat packer until he died in 1907. Robert Conner also became wealthy from the sale of his ranch and moved back east. He was later implicated in land stealing, cattle rustling and was suspected of organizing the poisoning of Ralph Cole. Tom Sun ranched until 1909 when he passed away. Bothwell kept ranching until 1916 when he sold out his holdings. He carefully and legally acquired the Averell and Watson homesteads and had Averell’s buildings skidded over to his property on Horse Creek. Ellen Watson’s cabin was used as a one-room school house. Bothwell died in 1928 in a care facility in Los Angeles, reportedly from complications related to mental illness. Ironically, George Henderson himself was assassinated either by a Watson-Averell supporter or by WSGA members. It is widely believed he was murdered because he could implicate his employer, John Clay, and the six WSGA members of the lynch party (as well as the Carbon County political hierarchy who had connections all the way to Washington) in the cover-up and conspiracy. In the end, the Averell’s possessions were sold off at auction, and their property claimed by members of the WSGA — one of many events that eventually sparked the Johnson County War (1889–1893) as well as the execution of stock detective Tom Horn in 1903. Ellen Watson and Jim Averell are buried in Natrona County, Wyoming.
LEFT: James Averell, 1880s MIDDLE: Ella Watson's cabin stood on land belonging to the Bothwell Ranch by the time this photo was taken in the winter of 1912 RIGHT: Looking northeast down the Sweetwater from the top of Independence Rock, 1870. This was the country of the Watson and Averell homesteads and the Bothwell Ranch.
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RANCHER’S SPECIAL
What Works For Us
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contacted a few select ranchers to speak to them about branding and to ask: What do you do at your places to make the branding go as smoothly as possible? Every ranch is different, and while no one can tell another person how to ranch, they can say what works for them. From wood fires to branding small bunches, this is a fascinating compilation of hard-earned experience, and I extend my thanks to the ranchers who shared their know-how of what works for them.
Ranchers on Branding
PHOTO BY HEATHER BEIERBACH
By TERRI MASON
Eric Lawrence bringing a calf to the fire at a branding on the Slippery Moon
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Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
BRINGING THE IRONS TO THE CATTLE ERIC LAWRENCE
We’ve changed branding locations a couple of times over the years. We used to brand in the corrals at home, but now we brand in two locations, and the pens are grass pens. Our mature cows are further away on the east side of the highway, and our young cows are closer to home. The other change I`ve observed in my lifespan is that branding crews have changed over the years. It used to be neighbours just worked with neighbours, and you rode to the brandings, but now trailers have changed that. You can invite people from further away who enjoy your type of branding. I’m a little traditional, so I like a wood fire and cattle handled quietly on horseback.
Organizing the branding day itself can be stressful. Have you got enough crew or too many crew? Do you have enough vaccine? Are your irons in order? ID tags? Enough Metacam [painkiller] and epinephrine — I’ve never had to use it, but you still need it on hand. [Epinephrine is injected if a calf has an allergic reaction to a vaccine.] You also need to be able to give a head count for the meal. Weather is also a big thing. You can cancel or move a branding to another day, but it’s tough on the people cooking because some of that food is hard to carry over. All of our cattle work is done on horseback, so our pens are designed for that. All of the cows are sorted off from the calves before we begin to brand. I use a wood fire because I generally have a bunch of wood we can use, so why not use it? It’s much quieter than a propane
Lawrence Family Ranch
branding pot and I’ve also had an ex-brand inspector friend of mine claim that he felt that irons heated with a wood fire make for a better brand. Last year I painted the branding iron handles — one letter blue and one letter red — an idea I picked up at another branding. It’s easier to keep the irons organized. Calves are tagged with ID tags on branding day, and the tags are put in the calf’s ear on the same side as the brand. With everything we do, it’s to have our cattle handled as humanely as possible and have a happy crew working well together. There is no one job more important than another — they are all important. That’s what works for us.”
Established: 1883
Eric and Ann Lawrence, daughter Christa and grandson Colt, daughter Joann and son-in-law Travis Haughian
Elevation: 2,522 ft / 769 m
Maple Creek, Sask.
Commercial herd
Average Annual Precipitation: 12 inches / 285 mm
BRANDING SMALL BUNCHES
PHOTO COURTESY CINDY GATTEY
JOHN GATTEY
The majority of the gathering that we do is done on horseback; sometimes we use quads, but generally we use our horses. We do whatever makes sense. For branding we put our calves through a calf tipping table — about 90 per cent of them. We have one small roping branding for the family, so the younger generation can be part of it, and the older generation can enjoy the social part of it. cowboycountrymagazine.com
Close up of the Cross Bar brand (right rib)
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RANCHER’S SPECIAL
We’ve been using a calf table almost forever for two reasons. One is if you heel your calves, then you invite all of your neighbours to come and help you and quite rightfully so they invite you back and expect you to show up. We found our whole summer was getting used up going to brandings. The other reason why we use a calf cradle is we’ll do a group of 80 or 100 or 150, and that way you’re getting them done and
getting them out of there. Otherwise you’re waiting, and even if you’re only going to have two brandings, you are overgrazing pastures close to the branding corral. So that’s why we do it that way. We also have a portable calf table that we can move as well. We can go and brand a couple hundred calves with three or four people, so that’s just what we do. It doesn’t mean it’s right or wrong, but that’s what works for us.”
Cross Bar Ranch Gattey Family, John and Cindy, Justin and Abbie, Jaxen and Kelby Neutral Hills near Consort, Alta. Established: 1910 Elevation: 607 m (1,990 ft) Average annual precipitation: 12 inches Commercial herd
COMBINING THE PROCESS
JASON MCGILLIVRAY, DVM We’re an in-between-sized ranch here in B.C. We’re also a little bit short on help over in this country, so we use our full cattle handling facility and do smaller bunches at a time, maybe 80–100. More than half of our herd is purebred, so we also tattoo the calf and do some intensive record keeping. It’s easier to manage when you have just one calf on the tipping table.
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The McGillivray family crew
McGillivray Land & Livestock / Jocko Creek Ranch
Established: 1903 Elevation: 2,900 feet / 884 metres
Dr. Jason McGillivray DVM, Dr. Susan McGillivray DVM, children Meghan, Matthew and Amanda Lac la Jeune, B.C.
With the purebred operation, we put only 25–35 cows in a field with one bull, so the smaller bunches work well. We do all of our gathering, sorting and cattle handling on horseback, and we trail
Annual average precipitation: 407 mm / 16 inches Purebred Black Angus / Commercial Angus
the cattle to summer range [4,800 feet elevation] as well. But the actual branding part is done on foot through the cattle handling facilities, and that’s what works for us.” c
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTO COURTESY SUSAN MCGILLIVRAY DVM
We process all the cows first, so we trail the bunch to our main cattle handling corrals. We do an annual pre-breeding vaccine on our cows, so we run all of our cows through the chute, vaccinate and then apply Sabre, a product which has about a 28–30 day residual activity for tick control because we go into some sagebrush/brush grass country, and tick paralysis is an issue for us. We then start branding the calves; we give Metacam (painkiller) to all of them, and it’s also when we make the final decision about which bull calves make it past the first cull. Herd health is very important, so we do a full vaccination program on the calves for prevention of respiratory diseases as well as blackleg. With doing the smaller bunches, we often also combine the branding with sorting the cows into different breeding fields.
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COWBOY WAY
PART 3 OF SIX
The filly is walking to the left, keeping the lead rope loose, with a bend in her body as I indicate left with my left arm
HORSE TRAINING
Starting Your Next Great Horse Part 3: Response and Respect The response and respect exercise is an essential part of the foundation to developing your horse’s full potential. This is because in the process of training your horse to respond to the halter and to respect your personal space and your body language, this exercise advances your horse’s ability to bend in the ribcage as he moves forward in a small circle. It will also improve the suppleness in his shoulders by having him cross his front legs over when changing direction. As a result of practicing the response and respect exercise, your horse will be better prepared for trailer loading, saddling, bridling, bitting, mounting, turning, stopping, backing up, and all other manoeuvres because he learned to trust, relax, move forward, bend, and give to pressure before he ever learned to be scared, worried, tight and resistant to pressure. This exercise consists of driving the horse around you at a walk or jog. As he travels around you, your horse must keep the lead rope loose and maintain a steady rhythm in his gait, whether it is at a walk or jog. At your request, indicated 26
by the direction of your leading arm, your horse needs to stop and change direction by crossing his front legs as he moves his shoulders laterally and prepares to travel the opposite way. To perform this exercise, lead your horse to an open space. Hold the lead rope approximately one and a half meters from the halter. Indicate to your colt which direction you want him to travel by extending one arm to the side and twirling the tag end of the rope with your other arm. For instance, if you want your colt to travel to the left, extend your left arm and twirl the tag end of the rope with your right arm.
As soon as your colt begins to move left, immediately stop twirling the rope as a way of rewarding the small change in behaviour, however small the movement was. Your colt may have moved rapidly to try and get away from the twirling rope, or he may have just moved a short step, uncertain of what he needs to do in response to the twirl. Either way, stop the twirl and reward the change. If your colt bolts, which is unlikely if you worked on the two previous drills correctly, simply tug on the lead rope before the colt gets a chance to pull on it. The timing is important here: you do not want the colt to learn to pull on the lead rope when he is Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTOS BY TARA MCKENZIE
By J.P. FORGET
scared of something. Therefore, you must tug or bump on the lead rope before he has a chance to pull on it. Your tug on the lead rope will remind him not to lean on the halter and to give to the lead rope by bending his body as he moves on a delineated circle around you. If your colt does not move from the twirl, increase the speed of the twirl and allow the tag end of the rope to slap him on the shoulder or ribcage. Again, stop the twirl immediately as he begins to move. If your colt takes a step and stops, twirl again until he takes another step. Repeat until he moves freely and comfortably around you, keeps the lead rope loose and maintains a steady rhythm. Most colts jog at first then as they relax and respond to the twirl they begin to walk around you, lowering the neck and bending in the ribcage. Once you have achieved this level of response, it is time to change the direction
“As soon as your colt begins to move left, immediately stop twirling the rope as a way of rewarding the small change in behaviour, however small the movement was.� of travel. To ask for the change of direction, change hands on the lead rope, give tugs to indicate a stop, and extend your new holding arm in the new direction while twirling with the opposite arm to stimulate turning and moving the other way. In order to respond to the twirling, your colt will anchor his hind feet and move his shoulders laterally towards the new direction. This movement of the shoulders can only take place if your colt crosses his front legs as he responds to the lead rope and halter and turns. The lateral stepping and crossing over of the front legs which your colt executes here is exactly the same movement which will be required of him later on when working cattle on the ranch or in the feedlot, spinning during a reining or cow horse pattern, or changing direction on the rail during a horse show class. cowboycountrymagazine.com
TOP: The filly is in the process of turning as a result of me changing hands on the lead rope and indicating a turn to the left, followed by circles to the right MIDDLE: After the turn, the filly circles right as indicated by my right arm BOTTOM: Notice the bend in the filly’s neck and ribcage as she travels to the right
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COWBOY WAY
Work your colt to the right until he has attained some measure of rhythm, then change hands on the lead rope and turn him by moving his shoulders laterally to the right and then circling to the left again. Continue working this way, circling to the left and turning to the left, then circling to the right and turning to the right, until he responds to the light indication of your arm for a stop and change of direction until he freely crosses his front legs while turning, and maintains a loose lead rope. While he learns to move forward and keep the lead rope loose, your colt also learns to not lean, cut the circle and enter your personal space. If he does, twirl the tag end of the rope and tap him on the ribcage. This will cause him to keep his distance between him and you and respect your space. The result will be a colt that does not lean his shoulder into your space, but rather jogs or walks around you with his body bent and on a loose lead rope, maintaining a consistent space between you and him. Now your colt is ready for saddling and bitting. c
TOP: Here the filly moves her shoulders to the right as she responds to my request for circles to the left. Notice how she crosses her front legs in order to move her shoulders laterally.
PHOTOS BY TARA MCKENZIE
BOTTOM: Circling to the left again
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Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
RANCHING IN THE WEST
a
The
WAR ON BOAR
Prairie Provinces Under Attack By SHERI MONK
D PHOTO COURTESY RYAN BROOK
r. Ryan Brook has been trying to incite a war against Saskatchewan’s wild boar for several years, and it appears as though his efforts may now be paying off. A University of Saskatchewan assistant professor, Brook has been studying the wild boar population in the province since 2011. At first, all he wanted to do was confirm what had been largely anecdotal accounts. “We started setting up trail cameras in a few places around Saskatchewan, and we started to see a lot,” he said. But proving the wild boar were present in the province was just the beginning of Brook’s battle because then people began doubting whether the wild boar could reproduce in the wild. Wild boar are native to Eurasia and North Africa, but they are not native to North America. Their introduction for sport hunting has created a management crisis in the United States, costing the
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ABOVE: Dr. Ryan Brook has documented successful reproduction by wild boar in Saskatchewan since 2011 as evidenced in this image
country’s agricultural industry more than $1.5 billion USD annually. The current U.S. population of wild boar is estimated at four million, and they are spreading northward at a rate of up to 12 kilometres every year. Brook, who specializes in wildlife ecology and wildlife-livestock interface, warns that Canada could end up in the same boat if swift action isn’t taken. 29
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RANCHING IN THE WEST
An Unexpected Ally Brook’s research stalled from the lack of funding and interest from Saskatchewan and the rest of Canada. That’s when Uncle Sam stepped in. “We developed a relationship four years ago with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and we went into phase two of our research, which was much more expansive,” Brook said. “There’s a very real concern of wild boar going into the United States from Canada,” Brook said.
A Wild Problem with Captive Roots Canada’s wild boar problem arose from an initiative in the 1980s and 90s to diversify agriculture. Exotic species fenced and farmed included reindeer (caribou), moose, elk, white-tailed deer and imported wild boar. Producers were encouraged to crossbreed domestic pigs with wild boar to increase litter size and frequency of the new imports. Brook says the resulting hybrids have much higher reproductive rates. “Those reproductive rates are really at the heart of the issue here, and the single biggest reason why it’s going to be such a challenge to try and manage this.”
Hunting “Farms” Wild boar are also raised for the penned hunting industry in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec. The concept is common in Texas, where people can hunt giraffes and kangaroos, but it should be no 30
surprise that the state has a huge problem with exotic species, such as warthogs and aoudad that have escaped fences and set up shop in sensitive eco-systems. The issue is controversial in Canada, with many hunters and non-hunters alike believing penned hunts are unethical. Regardless of where one stands on the issue, one thing is certain — escapes happen from these types of operations too.
Good Fences Make Responsible Neighbours As unbelievable as it sounds, a large part of the problem has been the intentional release of wild boar. “We’ve had massive numbers of escapes and quite a number of operations that have allegedly just cut the fence and let the wild boar go. So when we see those huge releases of 100-300 animals in one shot, they end up in the wild and they’ve done very well.” Many releases aren’t intentional. Fences are not foolproof, and animals consistently surprise people with their persistence and ingenuity. Fences and outdoor livestock also allow for interaction between wild and domestic animals. Brook has observed domestic pigs and wild boar on the same
Saskatchewan hunter Craig Ochitwa poses with his recent wild boar harvest. The sow was pregnant with seven young.
“These wild boar are incredibly well-adapted to cold. Some people assume they would never survive a Saskatchewan winter. That’s a bit naïve, given where they survive in Siberia.” – Dr. Ryan Brook
side of a fence, and sometimes they’re making more than small talk. “There’s one operation in the southeast where every single piglet that was born that spring had cream-coloured horizontal stripes that were very clearly sired by a wild boar.”
Ecosystems and Landscapes While wild boar can certainly cause tremendous damage to the agricultural industry, the effect on native wildlife, ecosystems and sensitive landscapes is potentially devastating. Saskatchewan is home to an array of unique areas, including much of what remains of Canada’s native grasslands. As versatile, opportunistic omnivores, wild boar are not limited by one food type or habitat, and groups (called sounders) of as many as 14 individuals have been documented. “They’ll eat literally just about anything, and they will kill and eat white-tailed deer. We have trillions of calories spread across the landscape,” Brook said. Saskatchewan may be the province with the biggest problem, but it’s not the only province with a pig problem. “All provinces except the Maritimes currently have at least some wild pigs,” said Brook. In response to the wild boar problem, the Saskatchewan government changed regulations to allow residents to hunt them all year. However, research consistently shows that sport hunting pressure actually makes the problem worse because it scatters the animals Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTO COURTESY ADAM MAKOSIEJ
“These wild boar are incredibly welladapted to cold,” he warned. “Some people assume they would never survive a Saskatchewan winter. That’s a bit naïve, given where they survive in Siberia.” Brook used remote wildlife cameras and was able to prove that the wild boar wasn’t just surviving in Saskatchewan — they were thriving. “We actually captured images showing females walking by the cameras in the wild with multiple litters, showing they were clearly reproducing,” he said. Despite that revelation, Brooks says the issue failed to gain much traction with the Saskatchewan government, until recently.
PHOTO COURTESY RYAN BROOK
and makes them more wary of human activity. Brook says the only method to eradicate the boar is to remove entire sounders at a A net gun is fired at the wild boar from time. He says every province has the helicopter been dealing with the issue difto capture them ferently, but that they all have a for Dr. Brook’s research before plan — all except Saskatchewan. being euthanized Darby Warner, executive director of insurance for the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) says they’re working on it. “In our history, there’s been about 50 claims for damage to crops from wild boar. In all of those claims, there’s been another wildlife animal included in that, so it’s really hard to tell how much damage is caused by the boar because boar is just one of the contributing factors,” he said. The SCIS responds to wild boar sightings and attempts to remove the animals from the landscape once reported. Warner says the program has been quite successful, and he doubts whether the wild boar are as prolific as Brook’s research province is still reluctant to terminate the demonstrates. industry,” said Scott, who is also a farmer. “They don’t seem to be as successful He says Nature Saskatchewan has passed as Dr. Brook is trying to portray,” Warner a resolution asking for an end to the wild commented. boar farming through government buySaskatchewan doesn’t have a manageouts of wild boar farmers at fair market ment plan yet, but they’re working with value. The organization has also passed a Alberta to develop one. resolution calling for meaningful funds for “We just want people to be aware that eradication efforts. Scott says Saskatchewan there are wild boar on our landscape, livhas delayed for too ing in a feral state, and the problems that it long and isn’t doing brings,” said Perry Abramenko of Alberta nearly enough to Agriculture and Forestry. ‘But given the address the issue. risks and the damage to the landscape, the “Other jurisdicrisk of disease, the damage to crops, the tions realize the damage to stored feeds… we don’t want significance of them on our landscapes.” this problem and Lorne Scott, Nature Saskatchewan’s Saskatchewan is just conservation director and Saskatchewan’s sitting with a blind environment minister from 1995 until eye and refusing to 1999, says the government must take deciintervene in any sive action. way, shape or form,” “Today there are 20 or so wild boar he said. farms remaining in the province, and Brook is hoping despite the fact that the wild boar are docuthe Saskatchewan mented in well over 100 municipalities, the government is cowboycountrymagazine.com
starting to take the wild boar problem more seriously. “There really isn’t anything in Saskatchewan that you would call bad habitat for wild pigs. The window to deal with this is closing very rapidly. Certainly, within my lifetime, we could have more wild pigs than people in Saskatchewan,” Brook said. c
LEFT: This image illustrates which rural municipalities in southern Saskatchewan have demonstrated wild boar presence.
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Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
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Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
WESTERN VACATION TRAVEL GUIDE
Power Down to Recharge Horseback Vacations By TERRI MASON
D
PHOTO COURTESY TRAVEL ALBERTA/ROTH & RAMBERG
o you remember the olden days when a vacation meant “leaving it all behind” — including your telephone (which was attached to the wall), by-the-minute Facebook updates and pressures from work? Not surprisingly, the fallout from this never-ending bombardment has created the latest buzzword in travel — a “black hole destination” — where people pay big bucks to hand over their phones and laptops to get away from it all.
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Rather than going to those expensive extremes, there is no more perfect solution than to go someplace where you are having so much fun it wouldn’t even cross your mind to check the latest update on social media — a place where you can unpack, saddle up, power down and recharge. This is where the great Canadian wilderness comes into play. Here guests are paired up with reliable and fit mountain horses, who will carry them through some of the most spectacular and unspoiled areas of the Rocky Mountains. They are led by professional, licenced guides into the wild backcountry, where the only way into their private camp is by horseback. Up here you will explore new trails on top of the world with an intimate group of guests that end up being lifelong friends after sharing such an epic adventure. Most outfitters have a “base camp” — with warm, canvas wall tents and a well-equipped kitchen. From the base camp, guests are often guided on trips and trails that the outfitters have carefully scouted, not only for safety but also for the greatest wow factor. This is the good stuff — the sights of secret mountain lakes, wildlife in its natural habitat and mountains towering over it all. Back at base camp the cook is rustling up some scrumptious grub because nothing whets the appetite more than mountain air! Other vacationers might choose a guest ranch, which is also a perfect western destination. Situated far from the madding crowds, these ranches are often family-run by folks that genuinely like people, are proud of their area and livestock and enjoy sharing it with like-minded folks that appreciate it too. Here too, guests are matched up with reliable horses for trips out from the ranch. A vacation like this is relaxing, but there is always something to do. By the end of the day you’ll be surprised to find that you didn’t miss the constant social media updates at all. Guest ranches are known for real luxuries; calm, peaceful surroundings, stunning scenery and endless trails to ride on nice horses. Along with hearty meals, guest ranches are the original, all-inclusive vacation destination where you can happily get away from it all — and you don’t have to break the bank to do it. And, yes, you don’t have to worry — “rustic” is a décor choice — they have all the amenities including Wi-Fi. If you love getting back in touch with the natural world and slowing down to the speed of a trail horse, then this type of vacation could be ideal for you. And don’t think you have to be an expert equestrian to enjoy these vacation ideas. The guest horses are specifically chosen for their quiet nature so that both experienced riders and the neophytes can enjoy the trip. To be sure, both guest ranch and outfitter vacations welcomes guests of all ages — from the very young to the very young at heart. So saddle up and power down, it’s the best way to relax and recharge. c
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Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTOS COURTESY BEAR CLAW LODGE; GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA; TRAVEL ALBERTA; DISCOVER BANFF TOURS
WESTERN VACATION TRAVEL GUIDE
Echo Valley Ranch & Spa ~ Lose Yourself in the Magic
evranch.com • info@evranch.com • 1.800.253.8831 Located in the heart of BC’s Cariboo Country, 5 hours from Vancouver. cowboycountrymagazine.com
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WESTERN VACATION TRAVEL GUIDE
Have the Time of Your Life! Living & Reliving the West By TERRI MASON
T
hese iconic sites are considered some of the most culturally important places in the West. This is where visitors can connect to those who made history, where you can drink in the now-rare silence, learn the ingenious ways of our ancestors and marvel at the world we share while we enjoy our precious vacation time.
REMINGTON CARRIAGE MUSEUM ALBERTA
The Remington Carriage Museum displays more than 240 carriages, wagons, buckboards, hansom cabs and other beautifully restored horse-drawn conveyances. The 64,000 sq. ft. (5,900 m2) museum features a working stable, seasonal carriage rides, video displays, wedding rooms, an 80-seat theatre, a Victorian gift shop and a restaurant. Y 623 Main St, Cardston, Alta., 403-653-5139,
BARKERVILLE HISTORIC TOWN BRITISH COLUMBIA
Founded in 1862, Barkerville was the epicentre of the Cariboo Gold Rush. Restoration commenced some 60 years ago and today, Barkerville boasts over 125+ heritage buildings, authentic displays, restaurants and shops. Barkerville is now the largest living-history museum in western North America. Y 14301 Hwy 26 E, Barkerville, B.C. Located 80 km East of Quesnel.
1-888-994-3332, barkerville.ca
HEAD-SMASHED-IN BUFFALO JUMP INTERPRETIVE CENTRE ALBERTA
For at least 5,500 years the buffalo jump was an ingenious hunting method. The interpretive centre features indoor and outdoor exhibits including an archaeology dig site, gift shop, cafe, regular immersive experiences in July and August plus many special events. Y Located 18 km (15 minutes) north and west of Fort
Macleod on paved secondary Highway #785, 403-553-2731, history.alberta.ca/headsmashedin
NK’MIP DESERT CULTURAL CENTRE BRITISH COLUMBIA Pronounced IN caw Meep, this cultural centre of the Okanagan people introduces visitors to the area’s desert ecology and Okanagan legends and history. The desert eco-system is showcased both inside and outside the centre. Visit two multi-sensory theatres plus experience a traditional pit house and sweat lodge.
Y 1000 Rancher Creek Road,
Osoyoos, B.C. Located at Nk’Mip Resort, 2 km east of Osoyoos off Hwy 3. 1-888495-8555, nkmipdesert.com 38
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTOS COURTESY REMINGTON CARRIAGE MUSEUM; HEAD SMASHED IN BUFFALO JUMP; HELLOBC; NK’MIP DESERT CULTURAL CENTRE
history.alberta.ca/remington
Explore an authentic Cowboy Way of life at
La Reata Ranch is an authentic working cattle guest ranch located on Lake Diefenbaker. Our guests experience the cowboy way of life including lots of horseback riding on our well trained quarter horses. It will fill your heart and draw you back to this special place.Â
45 minutes North of Swift Current | 306-375-2291 | 375-2225 | lareata.com cowboycountrymagazine.com
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WESTERN VACATION TRAVEL GUIDE
LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD MONTANA, USA
This area memorializes the U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry and the Sioux and Cheyenne in one of the Indian’s last armed efforts to preserve their way of life. In June 1876, 263 soldiers, including Lt. Col. George Custer died after attacking and being soundly defeated by an encampment of several thousand warriors. Sites to explore include a museum, cemetery, walking tour of the Deep Ravine Trail, driving tours of the battlefields, the 7th Cavalry Memorial and the Indian Memorial. Y Interstate 90 Frontage Rd, Crow Agency, MT, 406-638-2621,
nps.gov
GRASSLANDS NATIONAL PARK SASKATCHEWAN
If you have a yearning for wide-open, drone-free wild spaces then you must experience Grasslands National Park. For thousands of years, this area has remained largely undisturbed except for the hoof prints of a few billion buffalo. Now look up, Grasslands was named as one of the Top Ten places to Star Gaze in Canada. Peaceful hiking and camping areas and quality equestrian camping, Grasslands is an oasis for the purist, and for summer fun, nearby towns host annual events including music festivals. Y Val Marie, Sask., Free Admission for youth for 2018,
CM RUSSELL MUSEUM COMPLEX MONTANA, USA
The Charlie Russell Museum is a must-see. No other artist is more revered for capturing the last of the West with his brush than the late Charlie Russell. Great Falls, Montana, the home of this great artist is also home to a lasting legacy of Charlie’s works and works of his contemporaries. The Russell also hosts art classes for children and for adults, bringing in some of the West’s top artists to instruct in drawing, painting and sculpture. Y The Art and Soul of the American West, 400 13th St N, Great
Falls, MT, 406-727-8787, cmrussell.org
WANUSKEWIN HERITAGE PARK SASKATCHEWAN
Pronounced Whan us KAY win, the centre and archaeological sites, located within a 57-hectare (140-acre) conservation area on the South Saskatchewan River, are revealing the thriving culture of the Northern Plains peoples at sites dated older than the Egyptian pyramids. Wanuskewin is also a learning site featuring evolving exhibits and workshops in traditional arts such as arrowhead knapping. The gift shop features items made by fairly paid local First Nation artisans, ranging from moose hide beaded moccasins to First Nation artwork. Y RR #4, Penner Road, Saskatoon, SK, 306-931-6767,
wanuskewin.com 40
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTOS COURTESY TOURISM SASKATOON; TOURISM SASKATCHEWAN/GREG HUSZAR PHOTOGRAPHY; T. MASON; CM RUSSELL MUSEUM
1-888-773-8888, pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/sk/grasslands
Destination BC/Blake Jorgenson
It’s YOUr Backyard, Come Out and PLAY
Contact us for a travel guide www.goldrushtrail.ca
• Museum Of
Cariboo Chilcotin
Open Home of the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame Year Featured exhibits: Round First Nations • Settlement • Rodeo
Ranching • Mining • Forestry and many others Just off Hwy 97 at
1660B South Broadway Williams Lake BC
•
(250) 392-7404 mcc@wlake.com www.Cowboy-Museum.com
“The first time, it’s a vacation. After that, it’s coming home.” Just 10 minutes south of Ashcroft 1-800-553-3533 saddleup@sundanceguestranch.com
challenge.goldrushtrail.ca www.questupon.com/#download
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia and the New Pathways to Gold Society. cowboycountrymagazine.com
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Experience Bear Claw Lodge, in the Kispiox Valley, surrounded by the pristine wilderness of North Western B.C. Enjoy trail rides through river meadows, canyon trails and pack trips into the surrounding mountains. We offer river rafting, kayaking, fly fishing, snorkelling with salmon, Totem Pole tours and hiking. Relax in luxury at Bear Claw Lodge with your hosts, Gene & Joy Allen & Family.
kispioxriver.com
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Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
NATURE DEFINES US Photo by Kyle Marquardt
Our country is filled with some of the most amazing natural habitats in the world. It’s what makes Canada, Canada – and it’s why we’ve spent more than 50 years protecting our irreplaceable natural spaces and the wildlife that they sustain. For more information and to discover properties you can enjoy in Alberta visit www.natureconservancy.ca/ab or phone toll free 1-877-262-1253
CHARLIE RUSSELL is one of America's Greatest Artists Meet the women who made it happen... Charles M. Russell: The Women in His Life & Art Don't miss this exciting new exhibition that examines life and work of Charles M. Russell in the context of the women who encouraged his creativity and helped shape his career. The exhibition features 60 works in oil, watercolor, pen and ink and bronze by Charles Russell that span the length of his career from 1890 to 1926, and several additional works by notable artists who influenced his depictions of women. OPEN May–September, 2018 Nancy Russell sitting on a fallen tree, Collection of C.M. Russell Museum, Gift of Richard Flood II
Presented By:
400 13 th Street North | Great Falls, Montana | (406) 727-8787 | cmrussell.org cowboycountrymagazine.com
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WELCOME TO BAR DIAMOND
BAR DIAMOND IS THE HOME OF THE ONLY TWIN MEDICINE WHEELS SITE IN NORTH AMERICA, REPRESENTING AN IMPORTANT BLACKFOOT SPIRITUAL SITE.
Jim & Carol Hern 403.504.9743 • stay@bardiamondguestranch.ca bardiamondguestranch.ca
FOR THE BEST IN CANADIAN HORSEBACK ADVENTURES
44
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
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BOOK YOUR RANCH GETAWAY TODAY! cowboycountrymagazine.com
45
WESTERN VACATION TRAVEL GUIDE
Buckjump & Brumby Catch The Man From Snowy River Lives On By TERRI MASON
B
anjo Paterson’s famous poem, The Man From Snowy River, which tells the tale of a daring young Australian stockman whose horsemanship exploits were legendary, was first published nearly 130 years ago.
46
so unique is the pure Aussie-ness of the festival. Just to mention a few, there’s the Bushman’s Whipcrack Competition and Working Cattle Dog Championships. However, there is no doubt that The Man from Snowy River (MFSR) Challenge is the showcase event of the festival. When it comes to the test of good, all-round horsemanship, the MFSR Challenge is second to none. I have been contemplating writing about this festival for a while now, and in a twist that surprised no one (I’m always saying everything in the West is connected), last year I met Scott Bandy in a busy branding pen in the Cypress Hills of Saskatchewan. Who is Scott Bandy, you ask? Scott is the winningest competitor of all time in the MFSR Challenge. He is a household name; a five-time record-smashing champion (1996, 2000, ’11, ’13 and ’14) and Scott, his family and extended family were over here visiting even more family.
Scott is the manager of a cattle station (ranch) near Corryong, Victoria and in a typical “busman’s holiday” (a holiday in which you spend most of your time doing the same or something similar to your normal work), they all jumped in to help with the branding, proving that every Bandy is handy. Later I caught up with Scott and quizzed him about the multi-event, multi-day Challenge. “At the beginning it was local ranches competing and it wasn’t very big, but every year it got better and better,” says Bandy. “Adding $10,000 prize money helped too. You do the competition on the same horse and the same saddle.” What festival-goers see is outstanding horsemanship as each event ties back to Paterson’s exciting poem. For example, the rider shows off their stock skills in Snowy River Stock Handling when three head of cattle are drafted (sorted off ) and calmly Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTO COURTESY TOURISM AUSTRALIA
What many of us non-Aussie folks didn’t know was that the man who inspired this epic poem was real. His name was Jack Riley, and he came from a little place called Corryong, Victoria, close to the border of New South Wales. A hundred years after the poem was first published, the folks of Corryong held their first Man From Snowy River Bush Festival (MFSR). This event might have remained a minor local competition if not for a movie of the same name which one year later, saw major international success. Suddenly, the whole world knew about Aussie stockmen, and they wanted to see them in action. There are many events at the Bush Festival similar to what we see here in Canada, events such as a Trainer’s Challenge, parades, singing Idol competitions, a trade show, rodeo, poetry, local musicians and the like. What makes it
The Man From Snowy River bronze depicting local legend Jack Riley stands outside Corryong’s Attree Park, next to the Visitor Information Centre
Ram Rides-Ram River Tours Welcome to Alberta’s Highcountry Adventures. Experience the Ram River—your way—with us!
Outfitting since 1988, this family run operation continues in tradition & connection. We guide trailrides, packtrips, Kids n Horses Camps as well as hosting Flyfishing & Horsemanship clinics with world class clinicians. We have cabins, private campground & sound, safe riding facilities. The Ram valley & all its tributaries remains a jewel in Alberta’s high-country because of those who appreciate its peace & quiet. We encourage back-country enthusiasts to experience the Ram Rides unique challenges & opportunities. Located on the Forestry Trunk road (#734) 30 kms south of Highway #11 near Nordegg, AB. We host weddings & group activities for families & businesses. Lorne, Sharmane Hindbo & crew welcome you to part of this high country history where lifetime memories are made.
southram.com | ramrides@outlook.com Call or text 403-844-0408 | Summer 403-846-6563
WillowCreekGathering_AD.e$S_WC Gathering 2018-02-28 3:01 PM Page 18th Annual
Love That! We are seeking photos of your favourite feature in or around your Western home. Anything from gates to flower bed features, décor to darn near anything. You may be featured in an upcoming issue! Send us your shots at:
editor@cowboycountrymagazine.com cowboycountrymagazine.com
Concession On-Site
June 15, 16 & 17, 2018
OPEN 9 am to 8 pm
Stavely, Alberta,in the arena.
Live Western Music & Poetry FRIDAY & SATURDAY 10 AM TO 9 PM Followed by Campfire Jam Sessions
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR
bring the WHOLE FAMILY!
ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS - 16 & Under Free
SUNDAY 8 - 10 A.M.
8 a.m. Breakfast $8/person 10 a.m. Cowboy Church - No Charge
Free On-Site Dry Camping Trade Show All Weekend
A Western Festival of Music, Art, Crafts, Tall Tales & Poetry
• Weekend pass $60 • 1 Full Day $35 • 1 Evening $25
Funded in part by
Info: Audrey 403-549-2453 or Charlie 403-625-2157
www.wccowboygathering.com 47
WESTERN VACATION TRAVEL GUIDE who spent years in Canada on the rodeo trail. In their stock saddle, riders ride a bronc for eight seconds. Oh, and did I mention this? “You also have to crack the whip at least two or three times while they’re bucking,” says Bandy. Bandy was enthusiastic about the festival as well as his homeland. “It’s a nice part of the world and the festival is a lot of fun,” he says. “You are all welcome.” c Y The Man From Snowy River Bush Festival
goes Apr 4–7, 2019. Visit bushfestival.com.au
TOP: A. B. “Banjo” Paterson’s The Man From Snowy River poem is commemorated on the Australian 10-dollar note BOTTOM: Scott Bandy of Corryong competing in the Stocksaddle Buckjump competition. “That was my favourite event,” he said. Note the five-foot stock whip in his left hand.
PHOTO COURTESY MFSR BUSH FESTIVAL
moved through a course. “We do that all day at home, so it was no problem,” says Bandy. In Harrison’s Packhorse race, riders evenly pack their competition horse, lead it through a course, then unpack and unsaddle. “When they first started,” says Bandy, “you had two blocks of salt and two bags of oats and you had to get your weights right. But now they load you up with fencing gear, dingo traps, shoeing gear — that sort of stuff.” For Clancy’s Whip Crack, mounted riders do 30 seconds of freestyle whip cracking. Then at a high lope, competitors attempt to cut targets on a course. And yes, Aussie’s move stock with whips. “All the time,” says Bandy. “I always pack a whip.” There is also a bareback course riding competition, horseshoeing and crosscountry riding, covering 20 jumps on a 2-km course. For Paterson’s Brumby Catch, finalists — from horseback — halter a brumby (wild horse) within three minutes. “Ride close and drop the halter on it, that’s
it,” understates Bandy. Competitors then must work with the horse, patting it down, etc. “I was lucky, I had a good horse (Knights Top That) — a stallion who’d stay with them and circle them because you’re not going to dally — there’s nothing to dally to.” The Stocksaddle Buckjump was Scott’s favourite event — not surprising for a man
780•809•4804 www.drivingforce.ca 48
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
Pro Rodeo
CANADA
INSIDER
PHOTO BY COVY MOORE
GREEN SCORES BIG Garrett Green riding Wild Hogg’s 5 Smiling Bob to score 90 pts. Green won it all with 173.5 pts on two head at the Chad Besplug Invitational in Claresholm, Alta.
RODEOCANADA.COM cowboycountrymagazine.com
CANADIAN COWBOY COUNTRY APRIL/MAY 2018 49
C I N C H J E A N S . C O M
LEVI SIMPSON
2016 WORLD CHAMPION HEADER
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Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
C.P.R.A.
2018 Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Schedule APRIL
Welcome Back Well the 2018 rodeo season is on its way with the completion of Regina Agribition back in November and, more recently, two bull ridings — the Feb 17 Rebel Energy Services Xtreme Bulls event in Red Deer and the Chad Besplug Invitational in Claresholm Feb 24. Congratulations to Zane Lambert (Red Deer champion) and Garrett Green (Claresholm winner for the second year running). And I’m happy to say that plans for CFR45 are moving ahead. A Canadian Finals Rodeo committee has been set up and plans are underway for what will be an outstanding show. Former Six-Pack ticket holders (to be renamed ‘All-In’ ticket holders) will have an opportunity to purchase tickets in April. General on-sale will occur in late May. Ticket prices will range from $35–$72 (plus ticket fees) per performance. Six performances of professional rodeo action are planned from Oct 30 – Nov 4. In addition to the seating available in Westerner Park’s Enmax Centrium, the CFR will be simulcast into the Parkland Pavilion which is connected to the Centrium. Fans can also enjoy an on-site trade show in the Prairie Pavilion, a non-sanctioned Rising Stars youth matinee rodeo and a number of off-site Red Deer events. While the Sheraton Red Deer Hotel has been named the official hotel of the Canadian Finals Rodeo, there are upwards of 3,000 hotel rooms in the Red Deer and adjacent (30 km radius of the city) region. The Sheraton will also be the site of the Night of Champions gala, the official kick-off for contestants and sponsors. If your organization has an interest in partnering with the CPRA in a sponsorship capacity, please contact us. Thank you to all who attended the AGM in late March. The future of Canadian rodeo looks to be an exciting one with room for growth and new directions. I’d like to welcome Jeff Robson, who has returned to the CPRA in an official capacity, as the organization’s General Manager. Jeff brings a wealth of business and rodeo experience to the role and we’re happy to have him aboard. Hope to see you soon at one of our spring events.
Medicine Hat, AB.................................. Apr 6–8 Olds, AB *................................................. Apr 13 Tofield, AB *............................................ Apr 14 Camrose, AB........................................... Apr 27–29 Coleman, AB........................................... Apr 27–29
MAY Drayton Valley, AB............................... May 4–6 Stavely, AB.............................................. May 10–12 Falkland, BC............................................ May 19–21 Grande Prairie, AB................................ May 30–Jun 3 Leduc, AB................................................. May 31–Jun 3
JUNE Wildwood, AB *..................................... Jun 2–3 Hand Hills, AB........................................ Jun 2–3 Rocky Mountain House, AB............. Jun 7–10 Brooks, AB.............................................. Jun 8–9 Lea Park, AB........................................... Jun 8–10 Innisfail, AB............................................. Jun 15–17 Okotoks, AB * (team roping)............ Jun 16 Wainwright, AB ProTour................... Jun 21–24 High River, AB........................................ Jun 22–24 Sundre, AB.............................................. Jun 22–24 Ponoka, AB ProTour........................... Jun 26–Jul 2 Airdrie, AB............................................... Jun 27–Jul 1 Williams Lake, BC ProTour.............. Jun 28–Jul 1 * – Special Event ProTour – Tour Rodeo Dates are subject to change. Please visit rodeocanada.com for up-to-date information, up-to-the-minute rodeo results and draws.
— Terry Cooke, President, CPRA
cowboycountrymagazine.com
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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider
The Short Round
By CPRA & TERRI MASON
LOGAN BIRD SOARING I am happy to report that 2017 Canadian Tie-down Roping Champion Logan Bird of Nanton, Alta., has advanced to the semi-finals at Rodeo Houston. Bird came awfully close to dying early in December in a single-vehicle accident that saw him ejected from the car and then his vehicle roll over him, breaking his jaw in three places, breaking four ribs and puncturing a lung. —T.M.
STERLING SIDELINED
ROBSON BACK
Saddle bronc rider Sterling Crawley, a four-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, will likely be sidelined for six weeks while recovering from a broken right clavicle. Crawley suffered the injury following his 84-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Young Karma in the second round of the semifinals at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. “They put a plate and four screws in my collarbone,” said Crawley, 26. “They are thinking with the plate and the screws the collarbone will be stronger than just letting it come back on its own. I’m back at the house (in Weatherford, Texas) with ice on my collarbone and starting to recover.” Crawley qualified for the WNFR in 2012–13, 2016–17. A year ago, he finished a career-best sixth in the world standings with $215,530. Crawley finished 14th in the 2017 CPRA standings but has never attended enough rodeos to qualify for the CFR. —T.M.
The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association is pleased to announce that Jeff Robson is returning to the organization as General Manager. Robson, a businessman and former Canadian Finals Rodeo team roping qualifier, was instrumental in negotiating the recent Canadian Finals Rodeo contract. “Jeff is the right guy for the job,” asserts CPRA president Terry Cooke. “Rodeo is unique. Jeff knows the language and brings a skilled perspective to the position. He did a good job in the past for the Association. We’re glad to have him back.” Robson is already actively working in his new role. “Rodeo has been a huge part of my life. I’m happy to be part of the CPRA staff as we move forward. I hope to provide clarity for the Board and work on a number of initiatives — from both a CFR and general CPRA standpoint.” —CPRA
52
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTO COURTESY CPRA/MIKE COPEMAN
Logan Bird on his TDR Horse of the Year TJ (Hollywood Himself)
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53
Pro Rodeo Canada Insider Scott Guenthner in Sunday’s Final
THE SHORT ROUND
C5 Rodeo’s amazing grey, Virgil, carrying Kaycee Feild to a 90.75-pt score, the win and a chunk of the million bucks
the Canadian colours very well as he placed in both the long go and short go, finishing third overall, for $5,907. Luke Creasy won the long round to collect $3,868 and continue enjoying his best-ever early season results to remain solidly in the world standings. Unfortunately, Creasy incurred separated ribs and will be out for a few weeks. Michael Solberg finished up 8th in the average to take home $387. Steer wrestler Harley Cole placed in one round and the short go, finishing up fifth in the average for a sizable $3,781 payoff; Curtis Cassidy collected $1,661 by placing in the second round of the tie-down roping. Barrel racer Kirsty White caught a 7th place average cheque of $1,072 while bronc rider Jake Watson ($514) and team roper Clay Ullery ($118) also cashed cheques at Tucson.
SOUTH OF THE MEDICINE LINE ARLINGTON The world’s richest one-day rodeo, RFDTV’s non-sanctioned The American, presented by DISH paid out $2 million to the best rodeo athletes in PRCA, PBR and WPRA, and those who earned their spot as a qualifier, making the American dream come true for three athletes who advanced out of the semi-finals to split the milliondollar purse. Seven Canadians qualified for Sunday’s Final, including bronc riders Clay Elliott, Zeke Thurston and Layton Green; steer wrestlers Tanner Milan and Scott Guenthner; bareback rider Orin Larsen and barrel racer Carman Pozzobon. 54
Larsen, Guenthner and Elliott advanced to the Showdown Round of Four in each event where Larsen was the big winner — finishing second for $25,000. Neither Elliott nor Guenthner were able to cash in on Sunday. In the bareback riding, C5 Rodeo’s much-celebrated Virgil did it again! The great gray carried four-time world champion, Kaycee Feild, to 90.75 for the win and a share of the million-dollar side pot as a qualifier.
TUCSON At Tucson, Ariz., 93rd annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, (also known as Tucson Rodeo) bareback rider Clint Laye carried
The state of Texas certainly hosted some happy Canadians in February! At the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, 2016 World Champion Saddle Bronc rider, Zeke Thurston, led the Canadian charge to the pay window. His 3/4 split overall netted the Big Valley, Alta., cowboy $13,983. In the steer wrestling, Curtis Cassidy — holder of 12 Canadian championships — split fourth overall for a lucrative $9,616 payoff while in the bareback riding event, three-time NFR qualifier, Orin Larsen, topped the Canadian bareback riders with $6,354. Other Canadians to cash in at the rich Texas stop included bareback riders Clint Laye ($4,831) and Luke Creasy ($2,378); steer wrestlers Scott Guenthner ($3,270) and Tanner Milan ($595); saddle bronc rider Sam Kelts ($2,378); barrel racer Carman Pozzobon ($2,378) and tie-down roper Kyle Lucas ($1,784). The San Antonio Finals saw two Calgary Stampede horses in the spotlight. In the saddle bronc riding, 2015 World Champion Jacobs Crawley put together an 87-point ride on Tokyo Bubbles enroute to the overall championship and $25,767. In the bareback event, Mason Clements topped the Finals with a spectacular 90-point ride on 2012 Canadian saddle bronc, Special Delivery. —CPRA
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN
SAN ANTONIO
101 Benalto Pro Rodeo st
FAIR & STAMPEDE JULY 5 – 8 2018
WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS » Fire Works » Old Fashioned Parade » Wild Pony Races » Daily Pancake Breakfast » Cowboy Church » Jr Rodeo » Bench Fair » Beer Gardens & Entertainment » Stock Contractor: Bar C5 Rodeo
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ALL OF OUR FANS DURING OUR ACTION PACKED, ADRENALINE PUMPING, FOUR DAY RODEO. Benalto Pro Rodeo would like to extend a special invite to past champions & competitors: Please call John @ 403-588-4231, or Neal @ 403-588-5772 for details.
benaltoagsociety@yahoo.ca | benaltoagsociety.ca
Benalto Fair and Stampede, 1945
June 21-24th High River, AB
2018 WILD WEST RODEO
WPCA Chuckwagons Pro Rodeo Concerts & Cabaret Camping For more Information & Tickets visit HighRiverAg.com/GuyWeadickDays cowboycountrymagazine.com
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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider
CELEBRATING FALKLAND! A CENTURY OF RODEO By TERRI MASON
IS CELEBRATING ITS MUCHANTICIPATED CENTENNIAL RODEO THIS YEAR.
For those who haven’t been yet, Falkland is a small community (pop. 800) located on scenic Hwy # 97 between Vernon and Kamloops in the north Okanagan Valley of B.C. What began as a picnic celebrating the end of the Great War in 1919 has morphed into a full-on, communityengaged professional rodeo on Canada’s most revered weekend — the May Long. The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year in the small community, and it has grown to include three full days of parades, marching bands, no end of horses, the professional rodeo, a heavy horse pull and thousands and thousands of people from all over the world buzzing through the gates to the open air and covered grandstands. Approximately 150 volunteers help put on the stampede, and with this being the 100th, they are gearing up for big crowds. There are three afternoon rodeo performances and the main stock contractor is award-winning Northcott-Macza. The rodeo also features novice events and steer riding. A crowd favourite is the kids calf scramble (a fun way to burn off some energy!) and of course, the beauty and precision of the drill team. Falkland is also pulling out all the stops to attract an appreciative audience with one of the most amazing half-time shows around, 56
The One-Armed Bandit & Co. If you like dogs, horses, mules, bison, mustangs, dogs and Longhorn/Watusi cross steers, not to mention a talented cowboy, then you’ve got to see this show. John Payne is a one-armed cowboy who has performed overseas and at the biggest and most prestigious rodeos in the world. To say he can ride herd on darn near anything, and put them anywhere he wants is an understatement and has to be seen to be appreciated. How good is The One-Armed Bandit? Well, John Payne has single-handedly won the prestigious title of Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association “Specialty Act of the Year” 12 times. With first-come, first-served camping right across the street, the three-day rodeo and community celebration has also become Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTOS COURTESY FALKLAND STAMPEDE/PAUL WRIGHT; FALKLAND STAMPEDE
T
HE FALKLAND STAMPEDE
C.P.R.A.
Historic Rodeos Here are some more of the oldest professional rodeos in the Canadian West. Mark your calendar and plan the mother-of-all road trips! 61st Stavely Pro Rodeo May 10–12, Stavely, Alta. 100th Falkland Stampede May 19–21, Falkland, B.C. falklandstampede.ca 50th Leduc Black Gold Pro Rodeo May 31–Jun 3, Leduc, Alta. 102nd Hand Hills Stampede Jun 2–3, Hand Hills, Alta. 623rd Lea Park Pro Rodeo Jun 8–10, Marwayne, Alta. 58th Innisfail Pro Rodeo Jun 15–17, Daines Rodeo Ranch, Innisfail, Alta., innisfailprorodeo.com 65th Wainwright Pro Rodeo Jun 21–24, Wainwright, Alta.
OPPOSITE PAGE TOP: Cole Scott of Kamloops, B.C OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM: 1939 Falkland Stampede poster
PHOTOS COURTESY FALKLAND STAMPEDE
TOP: The legendary cowboy, Kenny McLean, (left) considered by many to be the greatest Canadian rodeo cowboy of all time, behind the chutes at Falkland Stampede
a traditional meeting ground for annual reunions of friends and families. Oh, plus there are two dances! This is the year to head for the Okanagan and join this little mountain town in celebrating 100 years of dedicated volunteers, loads of community spirit and an event well worth travelling to. Congratulations, Falkland — a century of rodeo is an amazing feat. c
cowboycountrymagazine.com
BOTTOM: 1939 Falkland Stampede poster
39th Sundre Pro Rodeo Jun 22–24, Sundre, Alta. sundrerodeo.com 72nd Ponoka Stampede Jun 26–Jul 2, Ponoka, Alta. ponokastampede.com 92nd Williams Lake Stampede Jun 29–Jul 2, Williams Lake, B.C. williamslakestampede.com 101st Benalto Pro Rodeo Jul 6–8, Benalto, Alta. benaltoagsociety.ca 105th Calgary Stampede Jul 6–15, Calgary, Alta. (Invitational) calgarystampede.com 102nd TeePee Creek Stampede Jul 13–15, TeePee Creek, Alta. tpstampede.ca 86th Kennedy Pro Rodeo Jul 21–22, Kennedy, Sask. 110th Medicine Hat Stampede July 26–28, Medicine Hat, Alta. 105th Bruce Stampede Jul 29, Bruce, Alta. 96th Dawson Creek Stampede Aug 10–12, Dawson Creek, B.C. 92nd Jasper Pro Rodeo Aug 8–11, Jasper, Alta.
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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider Back-to-Back Wins for Green Chad Besplug Invitational Courtesy CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL RODEO ASSOCIATION
T
he Chad Besplug Invitational has been known throughout its five-year history as a great place to kick-start your season. In fact, through its first four years, the winner of the event has gone on qualify for the CFR — Dakota Buttar in 2014, Devon Mezei in 2015, Brock Radford in 2016 and Garrett Green in 2017.
Zane Lambert riding Outlaw Buckers Red Pheasant for 88.5 points
Bull Riding Season Openers Lambert Wins Red Deer Courtesy CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL RODEO ASSOCIATION
The result was a solid tworide performance that enabled the Manitoba native to collect 172.5 points for the win and a tidy $3,756 payday at the Rebel Energy Services Xtreme Bulls event that kicked off the 2018 CPRA calendar season. “I had a young Lindsay Carlier (X-6 Ranch) bull called Midnight Rain and he hadn’t been ridden yet,” the 2013 PBR Canada Champion recounted. “I was happy to still be there at eight seconds.” In the short go, Lambert was part of a three-way split with Garrett Green and Jared 58
Garrett Green at Chad Besplug Invitational
Parsonage — all three with 88.5 rides. Then, the two-time CFR qualifier matched up with Outlaw Buckers’ Red Pheasant for his finals bull. “I just cocked my hammer and was able to get him rode.” The win, coupled with his second place finish at Regina’s Agribition Rodeo in November, provides a nice boost for Lambert who intends to make the CFR a major priority this year. The central Alberta resident is looking forward to having the event in Red Deer. “It’s so close to home for me,” Lambert enthused. “I love Red Deer and I’m really happy the CFR is staying in Alberta. The City and the Westerner really wanted it and I think they’ll do a great job putting it on.”
PHOTOS BY ROUGHSTOCK STUDIO/BILLIE JEAN DUFF
A
fter a winter break from bull riding to allow him time to heal up, Zane Lambert, the Ponoka, Alta., sensation was ready to get back at it.
Green, the Meeting Creek, Alta., bull rider, is hoping that statistic holds up in 2018 as he won a head-to-head confrontation with Radford at the Claresholm venue on Saturday night. “It’s pretty cool to be 90 points in the short round last
year and then to do the same thing this year,” Green smiled after his winning ride. This time around the 90-score came on the back of the Wild Hogs bull, Smiling Bob, and combined with his long-go score of 83.5, gave the 26-year-old 173.5 on two for a $3,712 payday and a beautiful custom-painted electric guitar. “Winning this event twice in a row means everything to me,” Green admitted. “Chad (and Alpha bull) do an amazing job putting on this bull riding and the crowd here is totally into it. It’s so much fun riding here.”
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
World’s First Bavarian Rodeo
September 14th and 15th
• Pro Rodeo • Concerts • Authentic Bavarian Biergarten
Check out Oldstoberfest.com for more Information and Tickets!
INNISFAIL PRO RODEO At The Daines Ranch
- JUNE 15th at 7pm - june 16th at 130pm and 7pm - and june 17th at 130pm 2018 - 50000 ADDED - BUCKLES IN ALL EVENTS - gates open at 0900 thursday for slack performance at 1100am - rodeo entries close may 29th at 2pm with rodeo canada c.r.e.s. - sheep riders and muttin’ busters start 30 minutes prior each performance - evening performance in beer gardens by lyndsey hoff friday and drew gregory saturday night - stock supplied by calgary calga stampede, kesler championship rodeo, outlaw buckers, maynerd bird, doug wilkenson, ron gayle www.innisfailprorodeo.com
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Kolby Wanchuk on C5 Rodeo’s AB1X Biff, one of two C5 horses that helped the young cowboy earn fourth place in the average at Agribition Pro Rodeo held in Regina in late November. Agribition Pro Rodeo is considered the first rodeo of the 2018 season.
ROAD TO THE CFR
KOLBY WANCHUK EYE ON THE PRIZE
S
IX METAL PLATES, 27 SCREWS AND LOTS OF GOLD MESH. A CARPENTER’S SHOPPING LIST? NOPE. MAYBE THE CONTENTS OF A TOOL BOX? UH-UH. WHAT SURGEONS USED TO PATCH KOLBY WANCHUK’S FRACTURED SKULL? BINGO!
“I’m extremely lucky to be alive,” affirms the 21-year-old saddle bronc rider. “The doctors were pretty amazed. No concussion, no brain damage. It was a very unlucky situation that ended about as lucky as it could have.” 60
Wanchuk was injured last July while competing at the Moose Mountain Pro Rodeo in Kennedy, Sask. “That horse has been around a while, and she’s a bit of a rough one some days,” begins the 2016 Canadian Novice Saddle
Bronc champion in describing his draw that day, Pelican Brief. “But she was really nice this time.” “I finished the ride and went to get off on the pickup man and got caught in a bad spot. As I came down, the horse turned and kicked me in the side of the head and fractured my skull — took a pretty big chunk out of it.” From there, it was a trip to a hospital in nearby Kipling where doctors, as Wanchuk explains, ‘sewed his head up’. Then it was another ride to Regina where he underwent surgery. Less than two months later, the Sherwood Park, Alta., cowboy was back in the rodeo arena competing at the Winston Bruce Memorial Match Bronc Riding. “I wasn’t nervous at all; it was just good to nod my head again,” offers Wanchuk. “I got by my first one, but it wasn’t great. My second one had a few moves and got me down, but I was just happy to be back.” “I was craving it since I got hurt. When I was going to Winston’s (Bronc Riding), the doctors said I was good to go. I haven’t been back since, so it’s healed up nice.” With that day in Kennedy now a distant memory and Wanchuk embarking on his first pro rodeo campaign, his goals remain as they always have. “I want to get to the CFR and NFR and hopefully win Rookie of the Year titles,” confirms Wanchuk, who qualified for six amateur and semi-pro finals in 2016 while capturing All-Around and saddle bronc championships in the Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. By the end of February, he was inside the top five of the world rookie saddle bronc standings and led the Pro Rodeo Canada rookie standings. “It’s been good. Nothing has bothered me since getting back,” says Wanchuk. “I’ve landed a couple of times on my head, and it’s been ok.” “I can still feel the plates and screws, so I know they haven’t fallen out. The original plan was to leave them in there unless they start bothering me.” And Wanchuk is confident his expected heavy travel schedule throughout North America on the rodeo trail won’t be affected. “Yeah, I’ve been through airport security, and I guess there’s not enough in there yet to set off the detectors.” c Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
PHOTO COURTESY AGRIBITION/LEWISIMAGES
Pro Rodeo Canada Insider
TPSTAMPEDE.CA
JUNE 22, 23, 24, 2018
39TH ANNUAL
SUNDRE PRO RODEO DATES & TIMES
• Friday, June 22, 9:00 AM Contestant Overflow Slack Performance
• Friday, June 22, 6:30 PM • Saturday, June 23, 12:30 PM • Saturday, June 23, 7:00 PM • Cowboy Cabaret with Entertainer Jamie Woodfin • Sunday, June 24, 12:30 PM
GO WILD, GO WEST WITH THE ANNUAL SUNDRE PRO RODEO, THREE THRILLING DAYS OF RODEO!!!!
o Franklin Rode y ar Stock & Calg k oc Stampede St
Warm Up BBQ • BS Bingo Fireworks Display Pancake Breakfast Parade • Trick Riding Beer Gardens Free RV Camping
ING MUTTON BUST Rodeo Clown AD TE DENNIS HALS
HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO RIDE AT THE 2018 CALGARY STAMPEDE? The Calgary Stampede is accepting entries for Novice Events on Monday, May 14, 2018. Novice Saddle Bronc - Novice Bareback Riding - Junior Steer Riding Guarantee your spot in Novice Saddle Bronc or Novice Bareback through the Brooks Jackpot, May 11, 2018. Eligible riders with a top three finish will be invited to compete in the 2018 Calgary Stampede. Calgarystampede.com/noviceentries bmcgrath@calgarystampede.com
Show Office: 403-638-3055 Email: info@sundrerodeo.com Get your tickets at www.sundrerodeo.com VOTED BY PEOPLES CHOICE AWARDS MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY AREAS BEST FAIR AND RODEO IN 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 & 2015
cowboycountrymagazine.com
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CALGARY STAMPEDE
COME JOIN US FOR OUR 92ND ANNUAL WORLD FAMOUS
SADDLE BRONC AND
BAREBACK RIDING FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2018 7 p.m. SILVER SAGE COMMUNITY CORRAL, BROOKS, AB
$3,000
FRIDAY JUNE 29 TO MONDAY JULY 2, 2018
THE GREATEST SHOW ON DIRT! C.P.R.A. Professional Rodeo • Mountain Race • Ranch Challenge • Wild Cowgirls Race • Parade
TOTAL ADDED (prorated depending on entries)
Entertainment all Weekend Long at the Let R Buck Saloon
Format - Depending on entries All Young Horses Entry Fee: $50 cash only Entries: Monday, May 7, 2018 • 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Top three novice eligible riders in each competition will qualify for the 2018 Calgary Stampede Novice events.
WOOD CARVER RYAN COOK WILL BE MAKING AN APPEARANCE
RODEO OFFICE: 403.261.0363 BMCGRATH@CALGARYSTAMPEDE.COM
Onsite Full Service Campground williamslakestampedecampground@gmail.com For ticket sales and information Year Round call 250-398-8388 or Toll Free 1-800-71-RODEO (1-800-717-6336) williamslakestampede.com info@williamslakestampede.com
May Long Weekend
DANCE Saturday & Sunday
Doors open @ 9pm TICKETS $20 @ the door Featured Dance Band
The Serious Dogs
100th ANNIVERSARY
DATES:
Saturday - May 19th Sunday - May 20th Monday - May 21st
SUBSCRIBE
NOW!
IN PRINT OR DIGITAL
SAVE 60% 3 Year $46.45 + TAX
SAVE 50%
RODEO TIMES:
Saturday @ 1pm Sunday @ 2pm Monday @ 1pm
Feature Act each day:
The One Armed Bandit BEVERAGE GARDENS
More Info - 250-682-1075 www.falklandstampede.ca facebook.com/oneofcanadasoldest @FalklandRodeo
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Parade- Sunday @ 1pm Cowboy Church Sunday @ 10am Heavy Horse Pull Monday @ 11am
Old Timers’ Social at the Heritage Park Sunday @ 10am-1pm - FREE EVENT Sunday Mourners Pancake breakfast 8-11 daily
RODEO TICKETS
@ gate OR online @ www.falkland
stampede.ca Adults - $15 | Senio rs - $12 | Students 7-15-$12 Children 6 & Unde r - Free | Fami ly - $45
3 DAY PASS: Adult
$40 | Senior $30
2 Year $35.71 + TAX
SAVE 40% 1 Year $21.43 + TAX
CALL 1-800-943- 7336 OR ORDER ONLINE
cowboycountrymagazine.com Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
CLOWNIN’ AROUND | CRASH COOPER
Ash Cooper Art and Ranch Gallery
Gated community living at its best!
Caption
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COWBOY CHURCHES Nechako Valley Cowboy Church
Last Sun. of every month, 7 p.m., Nechako Community Church Building, Hwy 16 E, Vanderhoof, B.C., 250‑567‑4960
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, north of Caroline, Alta., 403-844-6641
Community Cowboy Church
Every Tue., 7-8 p.m., Niton Community Hall, Main St., Niton, Alta., 780-795-2326
Cowboy Trail Church
Every Tue., 7 p.m., Cochrane Ranche House, 101 Ranchehouse Rd., Cochrane, Alta., 403‑638‑4254
It is not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters. Specializing in Rodeo, Ranch & Humourous Fine Artworks! Now Showing At Our New Gallery In Senlac, Saskatchewan Open Sundays from 1 - 5 pm
Follow Ash Cooper Art and Ranch Gallery
The Spirit of the West radio program
Heartland Cowboy Church
1st and 3rd Tue. of every month, 7 p.m., Stettler Agriplex, 4516‑52 St., Stettler, Alta., 403‑742‑4273
Millarville Cowboy Church
2nd and 4th Thur. of every month, 7:30 p.m., South of Calgary at Hwy 22 and Hwy 549 east near the racetrack turn off, Millarville, Alta., 403‑931‑1618
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
Ranchman’s Cowboy Church
Every Sun., 10 a.m. Ranchman’s Restaurant, 9615 MacLeod Tr. SW, Calgary, Alta., 403‑882‑3239
St. Albert Cowboy Church
Every Fri., 7 p.m., 60 Liberton Dr., St. Albert, Alta., 780-459-2222
The Cowboy Church
Every Fri., 7:30 p.m., Centre Park Church, 52 Peacock Dr., 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., 780‑384‑2114
Willow Valley Cowboy Church
2nd Sun. of every month 10 a.m., Sec Hwy 595 east of Red Deer, Alta., 403-347-0206
Battlefords Cowboy Church
Celebrating 26 Years Hear it on your favorite Radio Station or on demand at Hugh-McLennan.com 64
1st and 3rd Thur. of every month, 7 p.m., Legion Hall, 22 St., Battleford, Sask., 306-937-2733
Diamond C Cowboy Church
Every Tue., 7:30 p.m., 208 Sidney St., Maple Creek, Sask., 306‑662‑3431
Cowboy Valley Church
4054 PR 432 Morden, Man., 204-822-9909
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
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sierrawestcabins.com 65
COWBOY POETRY
Goose Egg By BUD MCKAGUE
PHOTO COURTESY STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ JANELLE
We’d made a wild and hard old run A thousand miles or more And I’m sittin’ high in the average With just one pony more On his withers sat my riggin’ Just where it ought to set And I got a go out of the box As good as you could get Reversing in his crankin’ back He’s kicking high and wild And I just sit there hookin’ ‘Till the judges have to smile And when the whistle blasted With its loud and welcome call I’m reared back on my riggin’ And he hasn’t slowed at all Then walking back towards the chutes I hear the words I hate – The judges’ words of “Sorry, boy, I got you at the gate.”
Goose Egg was excerpted from The Silent Partner (& Other Cowboy Poetry) written in 1967 by the late cowboy poet, Bud McKague of Peachland, B.C. The note with the poem says: “Ellie Lewis got so busy bossin’ the chutes for Joe Kelsey at Vancouver, Washington one year that he forgot to put his spurs on before takin’ his bare-back. That’s what inspired this one, and guess what! This cheered him up some.” 66
Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2018
This life looks good on you Calgary • Cochrane • Edmonton • Fort Saskatchewan • Spruce Grove • Red Deer • Lethbridge • Banff • Camrose Medicine Hat • Lloydminster • Olds • Strathmore • West Kelowna • Kamloops • Prince Albert • Regina