Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025 by Tanner Young Publishing Group

CANADIAN

COUNTRY

Modern

TV Westerns Billy the Kid & Heartland TRUE WESTERN ICON

Horsewoman Jerri Duce

RETRO MUSIC MAN STAR

Jake Vaadeland

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ED M ONTO N , A B

CALGARY, A B

LIVE HORSE RACING

TH O RO U GHBRED | QU A R TE R H O R S E | S TA N D A R D B R E D

W WW.CENTURYMI LE.COM

WW W . C E N T U R Y D O WN S . C O M

CONTENTS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2025 | VOLUME 28, NO.5

FEATURES 16 THE LIFE OF JERRI DUCE

Fit and fabulous, she hit the news again with her trick-riding skills, this time at 72.

19 MODERN TV WESTERNS

Beloved Heartland and Billy the Kid have corralled the most loyal fans.

23 NIGHT MOVES

Aurora Borealis was the big star of 2024 — and they’re due for a comeback.

26 SOLAR ENERGY

A few answers to the brightest questions.

30 JASON WHEELER

Bloodlines and training make for top sales in the bucking horse arena.

32 MUSICIAN JAKE VAADELAND

Jake Vaadeland is resetting the standard of retro-class.

PHOTO BY BILL BORGWARDT

DEPARTMENTS

ON THE COVER: PG 19 Fingers crossed that the internationally loved Heartland, filmed in Alberta, is back for another season.

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MY POINT OF VIEW

IN THE CORRAL

SPIRIT OF THE WEST

RANCH RAMBLINGS

WHEEL TO WHEEL

ROAD TO THE CFR

COMMON THREADS

TRAILBLAZER

WESTERN EVENTS

CLOWNIN’ AROUND

WHAT WORKS FOR US

COWBOY COOKING

COWBOY POETRY

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When we lose a ranch, we lose nature. With a legacy of over 30 years working alongside Alberta’s ranchers, the Nature Conservancy of Canada is committed to helping you conserve the land you love.

natureconservancy.ca/alberta

February/March 2025 Vol. 28, No. 5

“World Champion” sponsor of Miss Rodeo Canada Proud member of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Publisher Rob Tanner rob@cowboycountrymagazine.com Editor Terri Mason terri@cowboycountrymagazine.com Art Director Shannon Swanson shannon@tanneryoung.com Sales Manager Kristine Wickheim kristine@cowboycountrymagazine.com Subscription/Circulation Marie Tanner circ@cowboycountrymagazine.com Accounting/Administrator Marie Tanner admin@cowboycountrymagazine.com Columnists Brittney Chomistek, Tim Ellis, Niki Flundra, Jackie Rae Greening, Hugh McLennan, Billy Melville Contributors Bill Borgwardt, Kelly “Punch” Buelow, Rene Chelle, CrAsh Cooper, Tim Lasiuta, Milt Mastad, Tom Reardon, Rob Vogt. Special thanks to Milt Mastad Single Seven Ranch near McCord, SK. Tanner Young Publishing Group Box 13, 22106 South Cooking Lake Road Cooking Lake, AB T8E 1J1 Tel: 780-465-3362 | Toll Free: 1-800-943-7336 Website: cowboycountrymagazine.com E-mail: askus @cowboycountrymagazine.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Call Marie at 1-800-943-7336 Make all cheques payable to Tanner Young Marketing Ltd 1 Year: $29 incl. tax | 2 Years: $46 incl. tax | $Single Copy: $6.95 + tax Canadian Cowboy Country magazine is published six times per year by Tanner Young Publishing Group Photo by Kyle Marquardt

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40070720 ISSN 1701-1132 Please return undeliverable addresses to: Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine c/o Tanner Young Publishing Group Administration Office Box 13, 22106 South Cooking Lake Road Cooking Lake, AB T8E 1J1 FREELANCE POLICY Canadian Cowboy Country welcomes freelance contributions but will not be held responsible for unsolicited text or photographs. Direct all freelance enquiries to: editor@cowboycountrymagazine.com

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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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Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

MY POINT OF VIEW

Connections

4X World Champion, 5X Canadian Saddle Bronc Champion Zeke Thurston stole the show each night of the grand entry at the National Finals Rodeo in Vegas. PRCA photo by Hailey Rae.

t’s funny how unforeseen themes evolve in most of the magazine issues, and this edition is no different. Many of us can remember the first time we saw Living Legend Jerri Duce. For most of us, it was watching her win another Canadian barrel racing title or performing a dazzling display of trick riding somewhere in the world. For many more, it was in a movie or a TV show, either starring or stunt doubling. For me, and many others, the defining moment of the 2024 Canadian Finals Rodeo was not that it was back in Edmonton but the fact that at 72, Jerri Duce performed some tough trick riding moves to a cheering, foot-stomping, standing ovation. Right about now, Jerri’s headed back to Alberta from Arizona to be the horse master again on the TV series Billy the Kid. In this issue, funny enough, we have a feature on Billy the Kid. We also have a story on our perennial favourite, the fabulous Heartland—a show that has featured Jerri Duce on a number of episodes, either barrel racing or trick riding. Another unforeseen connection: Heartland horse master Tom Eirikson is the father of Sawyer Eirikson, covered in Road to the CFR. Then there are the connections with mules, not just one—but three. Zeke

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Thurston stole the show at the National Finals Rodeo as he rode in on a mule in every grand entry. Hugh McLennan wrote about his friend who loved his mule best, and horse trainer and rancher Milt Mastad is pictured in What Works for Us riding his mule. Like I always say, “Everything in the West is connected” and there are many more connections in this issue to ruminate on, including solar flares and northern lights. As always, putting this issue together was fun, and for you rodeo fans, be sure to check our website for my favourite photos from the NFR, and for all of you ranchers, be sure to watch the video of Milt showing how they tie down calves—it’s a game changer. Finally, congratulations to my friends, Dale and Dawn Montgomery, on being honoured once again. These two literally saved my life, so we shall always be connected—here in Canadian Cowboy Country.

— Terri Mason, Editor

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IN THE CORRAL //// NEWS & HAPPENINGS ACROSS THE WEST ////

PHOTO BY LIZ TWAN

COWGIRL HALL OF FAME KAILA MUSSELL OF Chilliwack was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas, as the first and only PRCA-carded female saddle bronc rider in the history of North American rodeo. Kaila attended the 48th Annual Induction Luncheon and Ceremony on Nov. 12 presented by the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. “Every year, we are in awe of the talent and tenacity that our honourees possess, and the 2024 inductees are no exception,” said Museum executive director, Patricia Riley in a release. “Each of them has made impactful contributions to their respective fields, and we are honoured for them to join the Cowgirl family.”

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IN THE CORRAL

EMPTY SADDLES

Margaret Louise (Hanson) Perrin

Jan 25, 1949 ~ Nov 2, 2024 Maple Creek, SK Marg spent her youth competing in gymkhanas and later rodeoed in the Girls Rodeo Association across North America, riding bulls and bareback horses. Marg and her husband, Ken Perrin, began raising Quarter horses in 1975 on their century ranch and were founding members of the oldest horse sale in Canada. In 2024, Marg was awarded a Gold Card by the Canadian Cowboys Association. The Perrin Ranch was featured in the Dec 07/ Jan 08 issue of Canadian Cowboy Country.

Listen to

HE IS A KEEPER!

Chris Murray on her wildie gelding, Keeper, competing at the World Championships in Texas

IN OUR DEC’24/JAN’25 issue, we brought you the inspiring story of Chris, a cancersurviving senior and her wildie horse, Keeper, who were on their way to Texas to compete for the World Championship in Extreme Cowboy. What was so noteworthy about their performance was where they finished: 14th place. What is impressive is that the Top Ten finishers were professional horse trainers on horses bred, raised and trained specifically for this discipline. Keeper, on the other hand, was born wild in the muskeg country in the foothills around Sundre and didn’t see mankind for two years. For Chris and Keeper to finish in 14th

place was remarkable. “She should be really proud of what she did. It’s a big deal,” says Extreme Cowboy Alberta (ECA) chairman, Blake Wickland. “It’s a very difficult competition. The people in the top 10, a whole bunch are world champions or professional horse trainers. She should definitely hold her head high for what she did.” Also, the Extreme Cowboy Alberta club showed well in Texas, with finishes including a reserve champion and a number of Top Ten finishes. Also, former ECA chairman Rick Wickland was inducted into the Extreme Cowboy Association Hall of Fame.

THE SPIRIT OF THE WEST “Radio Program” Ride through the Rangeland of the West every week

Celebrating over 30 YEARS

of Stories Great Western Music Horse Training Advice And much more

Hear it on your favourite radio station or on demand at Hugh-McLennan.com Check out the new Spirit of the West Facebook page too!

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS MURRAY

with Hugh McLennan

IN THE CORRAL

FOUNDER HONOURED AT AGRIBITION

Announcer Art Unsworth, Dale and Dawn Montgomery

MULTI-AWARD-WINNING, Hall of Fame border collie dog breeder, trainer and trial competitor Dale Montgomery of Maple Creek, SK, was honoured by an arena full of border collie handlers for his role in founding Agribition’s very popular Stock Dog Trials held annually since 1988. Montgomery also revolutionized cattle handling on the Great Plains of Western Canada and beyond. It was the demonstrations that Dale and his amazing Agricultural Hall of Fame dog, Huck, put on at rodeos and cattle shows that showed ranchers, cowboys and cattlemen just how much help a good dog can

EMPTY SADDLES

be. Famed cowboy poet Baxter Black attended an early Trial and was so impressed with Huck that he wrote a famous poem about the dog and donated a buckle to the Trial for its duration. Dale and his wife, Dawn, have been raising sheep and breeding and training dogs on their outfit northwest of Maple Creek for over 38 years. At Agribition, neither Montgomery knew they were about to be honoured, and as the announcer told of Dale and Dawn’s many accomplishments, the visibly emotional couple shook hands as each competitor filed by. The honouring was 36 years in the making and well-deserved. Milton Scott of Airdrie, Alta., and Doc won the stock dog (sheep) trial with a final time of 2:01. Caitlyn Mastad of McCord, Sask., won the first-ever mounted (cattle) trial with her twoyear-old Border Collie, Sage, and her 13-year-old gelding, Deets. This new trial features a giant obstacle course and three head of cattle. Much of Mastad’s land near McCord, Sask., isn’t accessible with any type of vehicle, so dogs are invaluable. Barry Breemersch of Deloraine, Man., won the foot (cattle) trial with his dog, Ranger, earning a top placement against 24 other competitors and a final time of 3:57. The next Canadian Western Agribition is Nov. 24–29, 2025.

Roger Charles Parsonage Dec 7, 1948 – Dec 28, 2024 Maple Creek, SK

Well-known and well-respected Cypress Hills rancher, musician, horseman and friend to all, Roger was one of the founders of the oldest continuous horse sale in Canada. While he may not have remembered a person’s name, his memory of a horse or cow was like no other. Roger was very proud of his kids, his grandchildren, and the land on Merryflat, the Cypress Hills, and the banks of Battle Creek in southern Saskatchewan. Roger and clan were featured in the Dec06/Jan07 issue of Canadian Cowboy Country.

PHOTO CREDIT: SHOW CHAMPIONS, 2024 CANADIAN WESTERN AGRIBITION

Specializing in Rodeo, Ranch & Humourous Fine Artworks!

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It is not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters.”

Check our Facebook page to see where Ash will be next: Follow Ash Cooper Art and Ranch Gallery

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IN THE CORRAL

AS A 4TH-generation cowgirl growing up on the rodeo trail with my family, I always dreamed of wearing the Miss Rodeo Canada crown, and on October 4, 2024, this dream became a reality. I successfully competed in high school rodeo and was crowned Miss Alberta High School Rodeo in 2016. After my reign, I continued to help put on rodeos and coordinate the Alberta High School Rodeo Queen Program. I also found a new passion behind the microphone, helping to call rodeo as an announcer. Being crowned at the 50th Anniversary Finals in Edmonton felt very full circle. As we step into 2025, my adventure representing Canadian rodeo begins, and I could not be more grateful! — Codi Wilson, Miss Rodeo Canada 2025 Canadian Cowboy Country magazine is proud to be a World Champion sponsor of the Miss Rodeo Canada Program.

THE CANADIANS AT THE WNFR

5 1. Canadian fans and Canadian flags. PRCA photo by Hailey Rae 2. Scott Guenthner on Tanner Milan’s Eddie won Round 6. PRCA photo by Roseanna Sales. 3. 4X World Champion Zeke Thurston won two rounds, including Round 1 on Frontier Rodeo’s Coffee Yellowstone. PRCA photo by Hailey Rae. 4. Over $200,000 US and four rounds were won on Logan Bird’s fabulous buckskin gelding, Peso. His riders included Joel and Ty Harris and 4X World Champion Tuf Cooper. PRCA photo by Roseanna Sales. 5. The Canadians of the ’24 WNFR; from left, bronc riders Ben Anderson, Logan Hay, Kolby Wanchuk, Dawson Hay, Zeke Thurston, and steer wrestler Scott Guenthner. PRCA photo by Click Thompson.

ONCE AGAIN, THE Canadians stole the hearts of rodeo fans around the world as they had more fun than anyone in the arena, including winning a few rounds, riding a mule every night for the grand entry, and showing up on Canada Night in hockey gear! Not including the funds earned by stock contractors, or the mount money earned, the Canadians brought home over $500,000 US—which works out to almost $750,000 CAD. As well, Bar C5 Rodeo’s grey gelding, F-13 Virgil won top honours as Bareback Horse of the Finals. Enjoy some of my favourite photos from the WNFR. For more photos, go to cowboycountrymagazine.com or our FB page!

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

MRC PHOTO: LESLIE DAWN PHOTOGRAPHY

2025 MISS RODEO CANADA!

J.R.’S RAMBLING MIND

JACKIE RAE’S SEINFELD ARTICLE

JACKIE RAE GREENING PHOTO CREDIT: JEN RUSH; CFCW DRINKING GLOVE PHOTO CREDIT: JACKIE RAE

35 YEARS A RANGE RIDER …AND MUCH MORE Working cowboy Bill Picotte was wellknown and well-respected in the dryland Special Areas of Alberta where he ran the Remount Community Pasture, and the tales of many of his life’s exploits, fun, and heartstopping stories were faithfully reproduced on these pages by his well-educated widow, June Picotte. Bill had been asked many times to write a book, but it never happened. Fortunately, for those of us who love the West and the quirkiness of horses, cattle, wildlife and Westerners, he shared many, many of his stories with June, and with prompting from friends and family, many of the exploits from this unique part of the Canadian West are now there for all time. Some stories are short, while some remembrances are longer, and all are entertaining. Readers will learn about many of the neighbours of the Remount, and after reading this book, you’ll feel like you’ve just had a coffee with them all. I love personal remembrance books like this; the history and personalities will not be lost because of women like June Picotte. 35 Years a Range Rider Author June Picotte | Softcover | 202 pages Self published | Call 403-529-0539 to order. $18.00 includes postage.

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PURGING. ISN’T THAT barn…you’re not going A HECK OF AN INTRO? to need it “someday.” IT SEEMS THAT’S ALL Trust me, someday I’VE BEEN DOING AT never comes. I have a WORK AND HOME. friend who, after her Dad The reason we’re purgpassed, had a shed FULL ing here at CFCW Radio of stuff, and they’ve been is the fact that we’re slowly selling it and putshrinking our space at ting the money into a West Edmonton Mall holiday slush fund. That from 26,000 square feet is money well spent. down to 13,000. Not But just think, it could only CFCW works out have been you enjoyof here, but we also have ing the holiday instead Sports 1440, K-97, and of the kids! The Breeze, and we’re Why are we purgOne of the many items to be purged was about to become very ing at home? Well, the the “CFCW Drinkin’ Glove.” How does close, literally and figurahusband (aka whatshit work? Say you’re at a rodeo or a bar, and the beer is too cold; voila, you have isname) has retired and tively. It’s been 20 years the glove to keep you warm. This was of gathering “stuff” and he’s looking for projects. an honest-to-goodness promo item we now we have 20 days to This is when I wish distributed back in the 80s! un-gather it! hunting season was 365 May I offer you a free days of the year, as his piece of advice: Start purging now. Guess projects usually mean more work for me. what, that piece of equipment you haven’t However, looking on the bright side, he used in 40 years tucked in the back of your hasn’t purged me…yet.

Jackie Rae Greening 840 CFCW Program Director & Mid-Days Honourary Doctorate MacEwan University CCMA & Country Music Alberta Hall of Fame Hear Jackie Rae weekdays on 840 CFCW! Email Jackie Rae with column suggestions: jrgreening@stingray.com

SPIRIT OF THE WEST

More than a Large Animal Vet BY HUGH MCLENNAN

and I’m not gettin’ it done; you better come out.” Located in Thousand Oaks, California, a lot of Hollywood stars brought their animals to Dr. Bob. “I can’t say this for all the stars, but the cowboy stars were all gentlemen; they never let their success go to their heads.” Bob reeled off a list of big-name stars and said they all were down-to-earth, decent people.

Hugh and Dr Bob were on the judging panel at the 2012 Road to the Horse

ometimes, when I’m out riding the trails and realize the deadline for another Spirit of the West radio show is approaching, I’ll start thinking about how I’ll put it together. However, when I return to the office, I’ll find an email or phone message that will completely change my plan. Back in November, this message changed the plan for the upcoming episode. “Hi Hugh, we wanted to let you know that Dr. R.M. Miller passed away on November 16, 2024, at 97, surrounded by his family and holding on to his favourite mule.” I searched and found the long, candid interview I did with this famous large animal vet, author, horse behaviourist, and distinguished man of the West.

I’ve laughed at his cartoons and carefully read many of his writings. When Dr. Miller and I were on the judging panel for the 2012 Road to the Horse colt starting competition, we had an instant connection forged by our shared love of horses, cattle, ranching, cowboy life and downhill skiing. Rex Allen Sr. had a ranch not far from Dr. Miller’s Vet Clinic and Rex’s famous movie horse KoKo was a patient of Bob’s. “I remember getting back to the clinic at about 6 one evening, and the receptionist said, “We have an emergency; Rex Allen’s on the phone.” I said, “Rex?” And in his best Rex Allen impression, Bob’s voice dropped a few notes and said, “Doc, I’ve been trying to pull this calf all day,

In one of my many visits with the late Dr. Baxter Black who was part of every show for nearly 30 years, had this to say about Bob. “You know, of course, that Bob Miller is a horse behaviourist, and the first time I met him, he did a demonstration on handling horses from the ground that I still use today on horses that nearly no one can handle. I call it dominating the horse. After learning it, I walked up to Scrap Iron, a horse that recognized the vet’s coveralls and wanted nothing to do with him or her. Using Bob Miller’s technique, I ran that tube in and out of his nose three times. He stood there, took it, and hated me but knew I was the boss.” I wish I could have spent more time with Bob Miller. We wrapped up the session discussing the hazards of working with horses, compared with downhill skiing. He said, “Only once has a horse put me in hospital, but with skiing only 20 days a year, I’ve wound up hospitalized six times.” The family plans to announce memorial equine scholarships in Dr. Miller’s honour. c

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

PHOTO CREDIT: BILLIE MCLENNAN

“We have an emergency; Rex Allen’s on the phone.”

RANCH RAMBLINGS

Simply Amazing BY NIKI FLUNDRA Niki Flundra and Ace

PHOTO CREDIT: MEAGAN PILLER

hroughout my life, I have been blessed with some of the most incredible horses. I want to tell you about one of them; my big grey I call Ace. From the beginning, Ace was one of the quirkiest yet most special horses I have ever trained. Ace has shined at so many of the best rodeos across North America and in many movies, but I don’t think I have ever been more proud of him than I was on our last film job. Ace had a long list of stunts and liberty work to pull off. Some stunts were the stuff he loves, and some we had a lot of work to prepare. He had some rearing, pawing, and charging battle scenes (that’s his jam!), lots of going from one point to another at liberty, some in a lake in water chest high, standing on a mark not moving at all, while actors and cameras raced towards him, sitting on his hind quarters, and a

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lot of lay downs in different scenarios to name a few. We spent time at home preparing and five weeks filming on Vancouver Island and the mainland. Ace gave me everything he had. He performed his job time after time, sometimes in really tough conditions. What really blew me away was how hard he tried and how honest he stayed through it all. I try to see the world through my horse's eyes. They trust us so much and give us their hearts and I am constantly in awe of how they can do that. We are so blessed. As trainers, it’s up to us to figure out the balance between working with them enough and effectively to keep them happy and trying for us. This can be tough, especially at liberty. It’s up to us to always be fair, help them find the answers as easily as possible, never break their trust, and quit at the right times. I have found this to sometimes be challenging in the film industry, and I’ve

had to learn to navigate it and advocate for my horses. I believe our horses have a voice we need to hear. They have fears we need to acknowledge, likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, just like us. The better we are at knowing them, hearing them, and seeing them, the better we can work through things and the further we can go together. I know I have so much to learn and expand on, and it keeps me reaching. I guess that’s what I love about it, and my horses are my greatest teachers. So, back to this big grey horse. He tries his guts out, even on long days, even in the rain, even when it’s a big ask. He makes me want to be better because he has something in him that makes him show up and be his best. He is one in a million. He takes pride in his work—I know he does. I sure hope he knows how much I love and am proud of him. He is simply amazing, and I am beyond blessed by him. c

WHEEL TO WHEEL

Gage Flad Admirable Attitude BY BILLY MELVILLE

huckwagon racing is a tough game. Even for the most seasoned, hardened veteran, when things are rolling along, it’s still a hard game to play. It’s hard to imagine that anyone has seen as many setbacks as rookie driver Gage Flad in such a short period. Many would have just thrown in the towel and never looked back. Despite the setbacks, Gage has maintained a positive attitude and has become a picture of resilience and affirmation for overcoming adversity. A third-generation chuckwagon competitor and the son of chuckwagon driver Troy Flad, Gage started his career as an outrider. However, as hard as he tried, he realized it wasn’t for him. In the middle of the 2022 season, the WPCA’s new permit system allowed Gage to start competing as a driver, and he made his debut as a chuckwagon driver at the 2022 Battle of the Foothills in High River. He won the first two races of

his career, and things looked good for Gage. However, one of the shows he was hoping to run at capped their entries at the last minute, and he could not gain entry, which was the first small setback of Gage Flad’s career. In 2023, on the last day of the opening show in Grande Prairie, an unfortunate judging call resulted in Gage not having enough points to qualify for the second stop in Bonnyville, so he tried his hand at running with the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA). But after just one show at the Meadow Lake Stampede, the engine on the semi-truck that hauls the horse liner blew up, his hired help failed to show up, and with no one else to help, Gage sat in North Battleford with 18 horses until his father could get away and get him home. In 2024, again on the final day of the opening show in Grande Prairie, Gage suffered a season-ending and almost career-ending injury when he was knocked out of his wagon and broke his neck.

This series of unfortunate events would be hard for most people to endure, let alone a 21-year-old kid just starting out, but Gage has put all the negativity aside and is looking ahead to the 2025 WPCA Pro Tour. “Last year, I got to drive a left-hand wheeler that I bought and trained myself in a race,” said Gage. “He worked really well. I had two more new horses I was hoping to drive but didn’t get the chance. This year, the thought of driving new, fresh horses of my own is really exciting.” You can’t compete in chuckwagon racing without the horses, and although the sport has dealt Gage some devastating blows, his horses are proving therapeutic. Hopefully, the run of bad luck is over, and he will get a full season under his belt. Both his attitude and resiliency are admirable, and it’s what champions are made of. Time will tell if he ever wins a buckle, but with or without the silver, Gage Flad is still a champion. c

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

PHOTO COURTESY CAROL AND PAUL EASTON

Gage Flad racing in High River on Day 2 in the 2023 Battle of the Foothills meet at High River, Alta.

ROAD TO THE CFR

Sawyer Eirikson Back With a Vengeance BY TIM ELLIS “That was something I had always been looking forward to,” says Eirikson, who is second in the 2025 Pro Rodeo Canada bronc riding standings after placing at all four fall CPRA stops and the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals in late November. “From the time I found out I

“It was like a switch flipped right before that opening ride...”

Sawyer Eirikson on Calgary Stampede’s B-7 Birch Bubbles, Round 2, 2024 Canadian Finals Rodeo. CPRA photo by Billie Jean Duff.

awyer Eirikson has put the lofty expectations in the rearview mirror. Now, he’s hoping to carve out his own path to an eventual championship. “When I first started out, I was thinking I’ve got this big last name to live up to,” confides Eirikson, the son of Canadian Rodeo Hall of Famer Tom Eirikson. “I learned that if you’re trying to chase that, it’s never going to work out.” “I can’t imagine having a better teacher during my career. He’s definitely played a huge part in getting me to where I am now. He’s definitely not shy about telling me where I can improve. It used to be that I’d put a lot of pressure on myself to perform when he was watching. But now, it’s adding confidence when I do well in front of him.”

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The younger Eirikson credits maturity on his part. “I used to take those critiques to heart,” offers the 24-year-old. “I used to take them the wrong way. But as I’ve gotten older, I realize it’s coming from a good place.” “I’m sure he would have wished he had someone giving him some quick little reminders before getting on when he was riding. I understand now that he’s not saying things to get in my head, he’s been through it and wants to pass along that knowledge. I think there was only one time this summer when he watched that I didn’t do well.” After finishing eleventh in the 2024 Canadian saddle bronc standings, Eirikson qualified for his first Canadian Finals Rodeo in the open bronc riding.

made it to warming up for that first round in Edmonton, I was so nervous.” “It was like a switch flipped right before that opening ride. All those nerves went away, and I could enjoy it. I felt pretty comfortable where I was. It was a really good learning experience and a good introduction. Now I’m wanting to come back with a little vengeance.” And while Eirikson is looking ahead towards a possible bronc riding championship one day, there’s another piece of hardware in his sights. “I really want that Kenny McLean Award,” confirms Eirikson of the former All-Around championship his dad captured four times between 1980-86. “I tried for it this season roping with my brother, Wyatt.” “I’ve team roped my whole life and have been riding broncs for seven years, but I get more nervous with that dang team roping,” he said. “Bronc riding is definitely my main focus but I’m keeping up with the team roping. In my eyes, that’s still the true all-around award. I mean, I still want to win the other championships but there’s something about winning that award like my dad did that goes deeper for me.” c

LIVING LEGEND

The

Extraordinary Life

Jerri Duce stunned the crowd as the 72-year-old cowgirl burst into the CFR arena performing a very difficult Shoulder Stand. CPRA photo by Covy Moore.

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

PHOTO COURTESY ALBERTA SPORTS HALL OF FAME.

BY TERRI MASON

LIVING LEGEND

KIRBY MESTON PHOTO COURTESY CPRA; COURTESY JERRI DUCE

o this day, the tiny, musclebound blonde bombshell that is Jerri Duce could be the poster woman for Dylan Thomas’ famous poem that begins, Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day… She stands as an iconic trick-riding legend and extraordinary horsewoman whose teachings and legacy continue to inspire generations in and outside of the rodeo arena—and the legend continues. At the 2024 Canadian Finals Rodeo, Jerri brought 16,000 whistling, applauding, emotional fans surging to their feet as the 72-year-old performed two dangerous trick riding moves; one—a shoulder stand on the side of a galloping horse, the other— the famous Stroud layout, a move that takes vast strength. She nailed both, and instantly, the video and images circled the globe. “Yes,” she understated, “My phone blew up.” Once again, Jerri Duce was the queen of the rodeo. Jerri was born on Dec 15, 1951, into a prominent Alberta rodeo family. When Jerri was 9, her father, Canadian Saddle Bronc Champion Frank Duce, bought a trick saddle for his daughters, Jerri and Joy, at their insistence. They learned the rudiments by following the diagrams on the pages of the book, The Complete Book of Trick and Fancy Riding, subtitled "144 Ways to Break Your Neck." Frank encouraged them, and together, they crafted a stellar career for well over two decades as The Flying Duces, performing at such venues as Expo ’67, the Calgary Stampede, The San Francisco Cow Palace, Fort Worth, Madison Square Gardens in New York, to name a few, and abroad, in England and Scotland in 1981, Bermuda in 1988 and Japan in 1991. They were also a part of the 1988 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies in Calgary. While she was trick-riding, Jerri was also competing in professional barrel racing. She dominated the sport from the 1960s to 1978, becoming a nine-time Canadian Barrel Racing Champion, winning her first pre-CFR championship at age 12. She also made history as the first Canadian barrel racer to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo in the United States in 1973. She

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Jerri wearing one of her original costumes. CPRA photo by Gralyn J. Photography/Gralyn Boyd.

qualified again in 1976 and 1977. Plus, she was voted Miss Rodeo Canada in 1975. In 1979, she married Lee Phillips, a timed event cowboy who specialized in steer wrestling, who won the Canadian title twice. Together they built up their homeplace near Mossleigh, which included an arena. From 1988 to 1992, Jerri and Lee ran a First Nations ranch program for young men from the Siksika area, where they learned all manner of horse handling skills and the rudiments of roping. Jerri made her first of a long (and still going) career in the world of movie wrangling and stunt work in 1976. Now off the rodeo circuit, the lifelong trainer had the time and space to focus on her favourite job—training barrel horses—and was doing very well. Then, a movie changed her life. “In 1999, we were in Cape Breton doing a TV series called Pit Pony. A little pony starred in it,” she said. “Because I was small enough, I could ride him, and he became pretty wonderful. He would jump at Liberty and do all kinds of things. I thought, ‘This would be a perfect pony for a little person to ride,’ so I brought him home. Then I came across another black pony in Alberta, bought him, and now I had a Roman riding

team,” she said. Then baby trick-riding saddles started appearing, and so did a few more good lesson horses. Her school was born—eventually moving to their homeplace near Mossleigh. Her alumni of students is the “Who’s Who” of trick riders. Her first student was 10X NFR trick rider Madison MacDonaldThomas. Others that have trained with the powerhouse include single acts as well as troupes, including the fabulous Niki Flundra and the popular Thurston Gang— Zeke, Wyatt and Sam—three trick-riding, whip-cracking, Roman-riding entertainers. “When we were teaching, Linda would put little Tess in her little car seat, and the only time she ever fussed was when she couldn't see the boys practicing,” Jerri laughed. Her small school rapidly grew. “In a very short time, I had 12 girls,” said Jerri, “That's quite a few to handle in a lesson, but it turned out really, really well. I have to say, learning is speeded up big time by having group lessons. It was quite amazing.” Jerri taught the kids to vault onto the pony using exercise trampolines. “They learned how to do all the difficult vaults on a pony,” she explained. The age of her students? “I had one four-year-old, many five and six-year-olds,” she said. “It took a

LIVING LEGEND

Top: The Thurston Gang performed at the 2004 Canadian Finals Rodeo. Zeke (10-front) and Sam (9) on the greys, Wyatt (13) on the black. CPRA photo by Mike Copeman. Above: Some of Jerri’s memorabilia at her 2010 induction into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Left: Jerri barrel racing at Hand Hills, 1993

lot of nerve for them to throw their leg over the horn and hit the tramp, then pretty quick, it was old hat, and they were doing all kinds of flips around in the saddle and off the back end of the horse. It was an amazing way to teach that. It was a lot of fun.” Soon, Jerri had students coming from as far away as Germany, Australia, New York City, New Mexico—and, of course, Canada. Jerri was also an international travelling judge of trick-riding competitions. Back home, her school flourished for a decade,

and then Jerri and Lee parted. The split meant selling everything. Jerri moved to Okotoks and returned to the lucrative movie work, and again, her skills saw her in demand, both behind and in front of the camera. “In 2018, I did a trick-riding episode and, later, barrel racing on Heartland; that was really fun,” she said. “I do a little everything but mostly, I wrangle and look after cast horses for the actors, and I captain a few shows as well.” Jerri’s barrel horse Fame, starred in the series, Ride. Before heading to Arizona on a break, she finished the series The Abandons. “I’m coming back home at

the end of January to start prep on season three of Billy the Kid.” In 2024, she was asked if she’d be interested in trick riding on Retro Night at the Canadian Finals Rodeo, an evening where the Champions of the past are honoured. “I said, Sure. I was pretty confident I could do it.” Finding time was the crux. “There wasn't much time to practice between my barrel races and working long hours on the Netflix show. So, the Friday before CFR, I thought, ‘Well, I better take today off and go see if I'm going to break or not,” she laughs. She borrowed Piper Yule’s mustang buckskin, and the rest, as they say, is history—16,000 cheering, emotional fans for life and instant admirers around the world. “It was overwhelming,” she said. “My favourite; I got a text right after from Margaret Cassidy that said, ‘Sweet Jesus, Jerri, that was amazing, but you wrecked my makeup!” she laughs. “I keep thinking, one of these years, I should retire,” she said, but she’s still competing. She’s got good barrel horses boarded at Blazing Hearts Arena, and when she’s working long hours on a movie, Amara Finnerty keeps her horses legged up. “My favourite things in life are riding and working out, and I just love strength exercises,” she said. “Whether I’m in a movie or at home, I still do my push-ups. I find 50 too easy, so I've been doing 75, and I love yoga.” With countless champion buckles and saddles to her name, the big reward came in 1997 when she was the first woman inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. In 2010, she was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. “Karen Vold gave me a real compliment; she told me that I saved the art of trick riding by bringing it back to life,” said Jerri. “After CFR 50, I did a podcast from Nebraska. At the very end, she said, ‘It's like you lived a fairy tale.’ I don't feel like it's been a fairy tale. All these good things have happened, but I also had my horses burn in a barn fire, and I lost my only child Colter A. Phillips from SIDS, so there are no fairy tales. I just try and be positive and encouraging to people learning our sport, and to give a little help when I can,” she said. “That's what it's all about, to be around good people and to share your knowledge.” c

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

MODERN TV WESTERNS

Modern

TV Westerns Billy the Kid & Heartland

Heartland THE HEARTWARMING HIT

ver since Heartland went on the air in the fall of 2007, it has been much more than a TV show. For thousands of fans around the world, it has become a passion. Heartland is the story of a family who own and operate a working ranch

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BY ROB VOGT where horses and people can go to heal. Just finishing its 17th season on CBC, a whole generation of fans has watched Amy Fleming, a “horse whisperer,” her sister Lou, grandpa Jack, dad Tim, and a whole host of friends and family grow and change. The show is seen in 119 countries and has attracted more than one million

viewers, unheard of in Canadian television in the 21st century. Moreover, a quick survey of Facebook reveals dozens of fan pages with hundreds of thousands of members. They share everything from the smallest details about episodes and information on merchandise to pictures of the cast and their ongoing desire for the show to continue.

MODERN TV WESTERNS

Heartland stars, horses and a lifetime of memories

Fans will travel to High River, Alberta, to see the locations in and around where the award-winning Canadian show is filmed. At the top of the list is “Maggie’s,” a rustic log cabin that serves as the setting for a popular coffee shop and feed store in the fictional town of Hudson, where Heartland is set. There are also working ranches and all manner of picturesque scenery to see. Heartland has also become a tourist destination, as fans flock to the Museum of the Highwood and High River Visitor Information Centre. There, they can take in the Heartland exhibit, which features props and images from the show. They can also test their knowledge of Heartland with a quiz and share their own Heartland stories. But what is at the “heart” of Heartland fans? Why are they so committed to a show that has run for nearly two decades, far surpassing any scripted drama in Canadian television history? The fact is that Heartland has heart. It tells stories fans can relate to, stories that are open, honest and authentic. Fans can see themselves and their own lives reflected in the show. The characters wrestle with life’s problems, but there is always a positive outcome and a silver lining because of the connection they have and the love they share. The characters are believable because Heartland does not present an idealized version of the West. Instead, the characters are not perfect; they are flawed—just like real people. For example, sisters Amy and Lou Fleming are the children of divorce. They struggle not only with the death of their mother in the first episode but their relationship with their estranged father, Tim Fleming. They represent all the joys and frustrations that families face.

In fact, family is at the heart of Heartland. Over 17 seasons, fans have become invested in the various members of the Fleming family. However, the size of the Fleming family pales in comparison to the size of the Heartland family, which has grown to include all its fans.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Top: Focused on Amber Marshall Bottom: Horse master Tom Eirikson recording audio as he lopes alongside Amber

Fans absorb every detail of the show and know the characters as well as anyone. They order the Heartland series of books by Lauren Brooke, on which the series is based, to see how it all started. They also share their experiences, so much so Heartland has received poignant cards, letters and messages. One letter credited Jack Bartlett, Amy’s grandfather, with saving a marriage. Two cards from the United Kingdom described how people were struggling with their health, watched Heartland as they were going through treatment, and it buoyed their spirits. The Heartland family also continues to add members. When the show began in 2007, if you missed an episode, you had to wait until reruns aired. DVD box sets followed, which allowed fans to watch past seasons. The real change occurred when streaming services such as Netflix and CBC Online came along. Now, if someone sees an episode of Heartland and likes it, they can watch another episode and another. If they want to go back to the beginning and watch Heartland from the start, they can do that too. The result is that viewers become fans very quickly, and a whole new generation of fans has developed. Quite simply, Heartland would not be where it is without its fans. They watch the show religiously, eat and breathe every detail, share their own experiences of how the show affects their lives, start fan pages on social media and make pilgrimages to sites such as “Maggie’s” in downtown High River, where they just may get to be extras if the show is filming. For them, Heartland is a passion. c

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

MODERN TV WESTERNS

Billy the Kid and Jesse Evans KNIGHTS OF THE OLD WEST BY TIM LASIUTA

he very real Lincoln County War is heating up. Billy the Kid and Jesse Evans are on opposite sides, split apart by the eternal question: Does might make right? “Pat Garrett, in his 1882 book, "The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid," described Billy and Jesse as ‘Knights of the Old West,’" said Daniel Webber. “Both lived by their code and respected the other.” Tom Blyth, who plays Billy in the series, adds that the characters of Billy and Jesse were brothers, despite being on different sides of the battle. “In season 2, Billy discovers a mentor in Tunstall who tries to teach him to do right and live a moral life, yet he finds himself at a crossroads. When Jesse kills Tunstall, the two men aim for a showdown and revenge. Webber noted, “Jesse wants to survive and make money but does not have the

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Top: Horatio Hirst (Charlie Bowdre), Tom Blyth (William H Bonney), Daniel Webber (Jesse Evans) Bottom: Alex Roe, portraying legendary lawman, Pat Garrett

same moral compass that Billy does. He is more of a mercenary, putting them at odds in the Lincoln County War.” Writer Michael Hirst has created a compelling, tense, action-driven morality

play in Billy the Kid. His canvas is part scenery with Calgary, Lethbridge, and New Mexico doubling as Lincoln County; part political-power driven with Major Murphy vs John Tunstall, and romance with Billy discovering love with Dulcinea and a collision course with mortality run by the players in this modern-day Greek drama. In real life, Billy poured all of this into 21 short years, yet Hirst leads us through the highs and lows in short segments, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. Filming for part 2 of season 2 took place at CL Western Ranch outside of Calgary, in conditions that reached -38 degrees Celsius for a blizzard scene Blyth and Webber shivered through. “I think the extremes of weather we found up here this year really pushed us to be real,” said Blyth. “We were cold, and we did not ‘act’ cold and it really brought out the best in us.”

MODERN TV WESTERNS

Winter shoots in Alberta meant authentic shivering

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Numia Vega, who portrays Dulcinea Del Tobosco and comes from a wealthy Mexican family, spoke of her influence on Billy during both seasons. “Dulcinea tries to understand Billy, not as the murderer, but as a person,” said Vega. “Due to her experiences in the episodes, I have tried to bring the stages of grief into my portrayal of her, making it more realistic.” She also noted that there will be surprises in episodes 7 and 8, coyly smiling when asked if she had killed someone. “Maybe I have,” she said. Blyth and Webber have researched the ‘real’ lives of Billy the Kid and Jess Evans to prepare for their roles. “Before season one filming started, I drove to New Mexico and visited the sites Billy lived and died,” said Blyth. “I went to Fort Sumter and stayed 100 yards from his grave, then drove around the area and realized how far he rode between places. It took eight hours to drive, nonetheless ride on horseback!” Webber added that he went partway through season 2 and was equally fascinated by the intense history. “I’m on my second reading of the Pat Garrett book already, and I learn more about this every time,” he said. “He described Billy and Jesse as ‘knights of the old west.’ I love that description.” Both men described season 2 in an unusual way. “Last season, Billy the Kid ‘grew’ up, and this time, he is smack dab in the middle of the Lincoln County War, the battle between the Tunstalls and Murphy,” said Blyth. “And by the end of this season, the war will be over,” noted Webber. “From there, we know the history, and Hirst will create an amazing storyline.” During the set tour guided by Webber and Blyth, they spoke about learning to be comfortable on their horses, Cooper and Steel. “This is a big part of the show,” said Blyth in the stable. “Our animals have to be used to us, the noises of gunfire, the hard pace for galloping, and we are also getting used to them. Real cowboys had great skill on their animals and chemistry with their horses.” Billy the Kid can be seen on MGM and Paramount Plus. c

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

AURORA BOREALIS

NIGHT MOVES AURORA BOREALIS BY TERRI MASON

The photo of the house and aurora was shot Oct 10, 2024 near Camrose, Alta. Credit to: Dar Tanner of #TeamTanner. They use the SpaceweatherLive app. See TeamTanner Aurora and Weather Chasers on Facebook.

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AURORA BOREALIS

BC Photographed near Charlotte Lake, BC Credit to: Chris Mutrie

No fireworks display can rival the living night sky coloured by the undulating Aurora Borealis.

Usually only seen in the high northern latitudes, last year’s phenomenon was witnessed worldwide, itself an almostmiracle. The solar geomagnetic events in May and October 2024 created an expected “bulge” in the aurora, which in turn made the night moves spectacular. These solar events occur every 10-11 years—and 2025 promises even more. For those of us who live north of the 49th parallel (better known as the Medicine Line or the U.S./Canada border), witnessing the northern lights is not uncommon but still plenty magical. What made last year's aurora show so special was the range of colours—a rainbow of spectacular hues that flowed in the night sky. The good news is it’s not over. Cast your eyes skyward in July 2025, where another fabulous night show is promised. c

BC Photographed on Vancouver Island, BC Credit to: TJ Watt Website: tjwatt.com Instagram: @tjwatt Apps: Aurora and SpaceWeatherLive. And BC Aurora Enthusiasts Facebook group

AB Photographed near St Albert, AB Credit to: Bill Borgwardt

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

AURORA BOREALIS

DID YOU KNOW?

Smartphone applications can send an alert when a solar event is predicted. Search “Aurora” in your phone’s App Store. Some apps are free, and some charge a small fee.

SK Photographed near Eatonia, SK Credit to: Jenny Hagan FB: LostInSk Instagram: Jenny Hagan (@lostinsk)

SK Photographed near Laporte, SK Credit to: Jenny Hagen

HOW TO SHOOT THE SKY WITH YOUR PHONE Shot on an iphone

BC Photographed in Nanaimo, BC Credit to: Shannon Swanson

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IPHONE

ANDROID

• Enable night mode on your device • Turn off the flash setting. • Open the settings menu, which will appear at the bottom. Here, you’ll find the exposure setting, represented by the night mode icon. Slide the scale to enable max exposure. • Tap the +/- icon in the same menu to adjust the exposure level to a negative value. Finding the correct setting will take some trial and error, but -0.7 is a good starting point. • Rotate your iPhone horizontally to capture a wider image. Keep your hands still or consider using a tripod to avoid blurry images.

• Enable night mode on your • Android’s camera app. • Set your camera to ‘Professional’ or ‘Manual’ mode. • Toggle the ‘MF’ icon to focus the camera. • Turn off the flash setting. • Adjust your ISO setting to 1600 and above (better for low light environments). • Set the white balance to around 3200K. If the lights are bright, set the shutter speed to 1-5 seconds; if they are dimmer, to 20-30 seconds. • Shoot horizontally to capture a wider image. Keep your hands still or use a tripod to avoid blurry images.

SOLAR ENERGY

SOLAR ENERGY LET THE SUN SHINE (ON) MY SOLAR PANELS BY TIM LASIUTA

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

ADOBESTOCK/ LARAUHRYN

olar energy has a long history in Alberta. “Today, you would call it a 1 KVa system, and I had a Red Deer citizen Wayne Arthur was an 20 x 25 array. We were definitely off grid so that meant early adopter when he lived in Peace River one thing: change. We produced enough power to keep the country in 1993. refrigerator, deep freeze, furnace and lights on, but when “My wife and I built our system with help you left a room, you turned them off.” from a local wind-solar dealer,” said Wayne Arthur (Cinch). There were times we used candles to heat and light the “The power company wanted $40,000 to connect, so house. It was a lifestyle, and the $20,000 investment paid I said no.” for itself over 25 years,” he remembered. “Nothing comes He added that his panels could pivot from vertical to for free; you still have to work.” more horizontal to maximize power production and that With the high cost of energy, people are turning to he added a 6,500 W generator to keep the lights solar to reduce their bills. on when his panels were not producing. Randall Benson, CEO of Alberta’s One anomaly he noticed was that Indigenous Gridworks Energy, has been his system was more efficient in cold active in solar energy systems for weather than warm due to the higher nearly two decades. efficiency of power transmission “There are three types of lines in low temperatures systems. Complete off-grid compared to warm. packages, systems tied to the “My system worked for 25 years,” power grid and those with backup said Cinch. “We changed voltage from batteries,” said Benson. “Albertans the original 36 Volt to 32 Volt, then to have been able to reduce their bill 24 Volt for the new panels I purchased with credits for extra power supplied in 2013. We used lead acid batteries from to the grid since 2009.” Solar panels in a rural setting oil companies as they were cheaper.” David Craig, a retired engineer, has been Cinch added he had to babysit the panels running solar to heat water for 13 years and to keep the system going. During winter, he swept snow has recently modified his system. and changed the angle throughout the day. He also made Craig works with the Alberta Solar Club sure the batteries were charged more than 50 percent (wholesaler), Fortis (distributor) and Echo (Lacombe all the time. retailer) to maximize his returns.

SOLAR ENERGY

0 - 500 kWh/kWp

Annual Photovoltaic Potential: South-facing with Latitude Tilt

500 - 600 600 - 700 700 - 800 800 - 900 900 - 1000 1000 - 1100 1100 - 1200 1200 - 1300 1300 - 1400

1400 +

“When our system starts generating power we put back Insurance rates should not into the grid in the summer, the credits generated will offincrease as panels are classified as set our natural gas bill as Echo includes both,” he added. accessory structures, which have no “It seemed logical to me to make a wise financial choice.” extra premium. For anyone considering solar, it is important to Solar panels come with a 10-toknow what production capacity you need to have, 12 year warranty, and a 25-year production warranty, to understand what will work best in your situation which guarantees your panel will produce 90 percent of (cost, legislation, location) and to monitor incoming power rating at 10 years and 80 percent at 25 years. With technology,” said Craig. technological and material improvements, production An easy way to determine your capacity is to look at guarantees and system lifetimes are increasing. your power bill in the average usage section, and the graph While some jurisdictions and government entities and stats show your target production unless you want to offer rebates, the Canada Greener Home Loans Program earn credits. On average, a city bill could run up to 10,000 offers interest-free loans up to $40,000 through CMHC KWh while more industrial-commercial sites 20,000 plus, (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation). with average systems running in the 5 to 10 KW range. According to Benson, the program will continue until Benson said that with backup 2025 at least, although the $5,000 batteries on your system, your furgrant that accompanied it has nace will still run during an outage been discontinued. as long as your storage is sufficient. With the changing energy The more battery capacity you landscape of solar power • Greener Homes Grant have, the longer you can last. generation, the future of • Planning and Decision Guide for Solar The cost of solar energy converthe industry is firmly in the PV Systems sion can range from $10,000 to hands of consumers, the • Canada's Leading Home Solar Energy $20,000 for the average household, environmental movement, and Installation Company depending on the configuration of government policymakers. One • Gridworks Energy Group — Solar Systems your system, with cost/kWh $2.50 to thing is for sure: no matter what, for Alberta Gridworks Energy — Energy $3.50 for a 5 to 10 Kw package. Doing the sun will indeed rise in the With Integrity work on your system can drop the morning, and the panels will • Solar Club™ | Alberta’s BEST Solar Loyalty price to as low as $1 per KWH. produce electricity. c Program

SOLAR ENERGY RESOURCES

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OUTBUILDINGS

SHELTER from the STORM BY TERRI MASON

EQUIPMENT SHEDS Whether for two vehicles or a fleet of big equipment, there are many good, solid choices, ranging from time-tested arch-style (like quonsets) to huge sheds. Before I go any further, whether you’ve moved into town or you’re expanding on your home place, this is an idea that might be worth incorporating: On their ranch, one of my relatives had two giant sliding doors on each end of his big steel-arched building. It had a pretty big storage area, and he fitted shorter equipment under the sloping sides, like balers and quads and the like, and the tall tractor in the middle. Drive straight in, drive straight out. It sure saved a lot of backing up, maneuvering and parking rash. So whatever you build, and whatever the reason, here are some options.

6 1. Metal storage building 2. Three-Sided Shelters 3. PVC Fabric Structures 4. Portable stalls, Spruce Meadows 5. Equipment Sheds 6. Combination Buildings 7. Barndominium with attached workshop

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

PHOTOS: TERRI MASON; ADOBESTOCK/ UNGVAR; ADOBESTOCK/ ACHMAD KHOERON; BRITESPANBUILDINGS.COM; ADOBESTOCK/ BROKENEDGEPHOTO

certainly don’t have to explain to anyone the importance of good shelter for livestock and equipment. You’re in this business because you like working with cattle, horses, bison, sheep—whatever your favourite critter is, and you want them to thrive. Where we have all chosen to live has the most varied weather, and good shelter is paramount. Equipment and livestock are now superpricey, so to make it last, you have to look after it. A ranch horse? Here’s an interesting take on the price of a well-started ranch horse, so perhaps consider what I was told by a savvy working cowboy, and it just might ease the sticker shock. “The price of a ranch horse has skyrocketed,” I said. “Skyrocketed? I don’t quite agree with that,” said He Who Shall Remain Nameless. “The price hasn’t changed all that much in 40 years. Think about it; back then, it cost about the same as what you’d get for 12 weaned calves, and it’s about the same today.” Livestock, equipment, vehicles— whatever you’ve purchased or raised, it’s up to you to give shelter from the storms.

OUTBUILDINGS

PORTABLE STALLS I can speak from experience what a blessing portable stalls can be! Horse shows, summer or fall fairs, exhibitions—whatever your event, this is a great way to protect and secure livestock. Another popular use is that they make great stalls to rent out to artisans for craft fairs.

BARNDOMINIUMS

7 THREE-SIDED SHELTERS These are hardy and stand up to the rigours of livestock. Generally, the frame can be metal or wood, and the sheeting can be plywood to galvanized steel with a steel or shingled roof. If it’s a steel roof, it’s pretty loud inside during a hailstorm, but you’re darn glad of the shelter! A good three-sided shed, set with its back to the North, will provide plenty of shelter during the worst of weather. During the summer, livestock can also find shade on the North side, and don’t be surprised to find them still loafing in the shed in July. The size of a three-sided cattle or horse shelter is almost limitless, and builders have a calculation to help you figure out how much space is needed per animal so you get what you need.

cow/calf or mare/foal recovery area. Sometimes in spring, a few calves will get caught in a storm or not be doing so well, so it’s great to have a warm, attached area with panel pens to house the cow and calf until they’re OK. The “calf barn” is temporary, and for the rest of the year, use the space for whatever you need.

COMMON CONSTRUCTION METHODS

STICK FRAME construction is ideal for residential homes, garages, small shops, and agricultural outbuildings. The benefits are costeffective, versatile, and easily customizable.

ADOBESTOCK/PIKEPICTURE; ADOBESTOCK/ OLE STUDIO, ADOBESTOCK/ LUBOS CHLUBNY; HI-HOG.COM

PVC FABRIC SHELTERS Here’s where the rubber meets the road, and if you’re going to buy one of these, do your research regarding its all-weather hardiness. From portable horse shelters for those who rent pasture, to big arenas, this might be for you. I’ve got friends down south who erected a PVC arena, and it’s where they do all of their colt starting and winter training out of the cold. It’s been holding its own for several years now. They have an independent heating system in there too to take off the chill.

COMBINATION BUILDINGS Workshops are a necessity, and to make your life easier, they should be well-lit and warm—but don’t stop there. While you’re building, consider creating a temporary

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Do you have a hired hand or a family member who needs their own space? A barndominium might be the answer. Essentially, it’s a living area in a barn and can range to any size you want. The benefit to a barndominium is that you only have to run power and water to one building, and you’ll save on construction costs since it is all one foundation, frame, and roof. Barndominiums don’t always have to have a traditional barn connected to them; they can also be connected to a stable or a large workshop. c

POST FRAME is ideal for barns, machine sheds, riding arenas, and commercial buildings. Benefits are wide open spans, efficient use of materials, and quick construction.

THE WESTERNERS

Jason Wheeler BUCKING HORSE SUCCESS

ason Wheeler is not a household name, but he has enjoyed his share of behindthe-chutes recognition, beginning with his rodeo career earning buckles in

steer riding. A stroke of small-town luck and his forthright honesty saw him featured in the multi-award-winning and highly entertaining book by Canadian humourist and broadcaster Stuart McLean, entitled “Welcome Home; Travels in Smalltown Canada,” where Stuart recounts his visit to Maple Creek and his time spent with young Jason, including his first “chew” (Copenhagen smokeless tobacco) courtesy of the pint-sized cowboy. Jason was a town kid who “practically lived” on a Cypress Hills ranch owned by his aunt and uncle, Heather and Danny Udal. His life soon took the usual Western trajectory from moving cows on good horses to riding steers. Jason was lucky to have a couple of hometown heroes, so he was able to throw his steer riding rope in with pro cowboys Colin Orr and Bobby Maines and hit the road. He soon graduated to the rodeo circuit, where he focused on bareback riding. In 1995, he qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Novice Bareback, but an injury forced him out. He healed and got both his CPRA and PRCA cards, but a pelvis injury finished him, so he hung up his riggin’, moved to Sylvan Lake, got a job in the oil patch, got married, and started a family with his wife, Michele. “I got out of rodeo and was away from it for a long time, but it bothered me every day,” he said. “The flame kept burning.”

2009 Jason made the whistle on G-65 Grated Coconut, but the judges got him at the gate

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

PHOTO BY MIKE COPEMAN/WHEELER FAMILY COLLECTION

BY TERRI MASON

THE WESTERNERS He tried for a comeback in his early 30s and made the CFR again, but that old pelvis injury stopped him cold, so he focused on work, starting his own successful oil patch business, but the thrill of bucking horses was still in his blood. In 2012, Jason heard that stock contractor Dale Woodward of Wainwright, Alta, had some bucking horses for sale. “I bought my first three mares from him,” he said. “I also bought two mares at Stace Smith [bucking horse futurity] in Vegas that year.” And just like that, he was in the bucking horse business, naming his outfit J6 Rodeo Company. Woodward offered to keep Jason’s mares for the first year, foaled them out and bred them back to his stud. Meanwhile, the Wheeler family was getting

PHOTOS COURTESY WHEELER FAMILY COLLECTION (2X)

“My two and three-year-olds just look absolutely phenomenal...” the home place north of Eckville (west of Red Deer) ready for the breeding stock. In 2013, he brought the pregnant mares and their foals home. Jason prefers a certain type of horse. “I was always infatuated with Grated Coconut and Night Jacket—the big, big, powerful studs; it seemed like they were untouchable or out of my grasp,” he said. The fledgling stock breeder met with Sparky Dreesen of J — J Rodeo near Circle, Montana. “He took me for a tour around his place, showed me his stallions, and I leased two studs and brought them home in 2016. I have a wonderful relationship with him and his wife, Marlene.” Herd health is paramount, and this is where Jason strays from the norm. “I can brush any of my bucking horses,” he says. “They’re handled all the time. They're all super, super gentle. A lot of people really like that, and my veterinarians love it.” Jason grew his herd with select breeding, and he knows the pitfalls of the business. “It’s risk-heavy,” he said. “The outlay of time and money raising bucking stock is phenomenal. No other business would say, ‘Okay, for the first five years, we're just going

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The Wheeler family, from left: Jhett, Blayze, Michele, Jason, Chloe and Madison at home

J6 Rodeo Company 2023 foals

to do nothing but pour money in and not get any money out. And we don't know if any of this is going to pay off.’” In fact, Jason never sold a horse until 2018. But when he did begin to sell… His horses have been topping the sales in Vegas, and so far, the horses have returned well over a quarter million to the J6 Rodeo Company coffers. This year was a

boon; Diamond G Pro Rodeo purchased 953 Brian Hawk for USD $70,000, and Dakota Rodeo bought Jason’s mare 858 Penny’s Jacket for USD $50,000. He’s starting to see some return on investment. Ever the optimist, Jason is excited for the future. “My two and three-year-olds just look absolutely phenomenal,” he said. “The best is yet to come.” c

ARTS & CULTURE

PORTRAIT

RETRO MAN FROM BIG RIVER JAKE VAADELAND

STORY AND PHOTOS BY BILL BORGWARDT

young man from Big River, Saskatchewan, Jake Vaadeland, is making a name for himself in the international music world with his modern take on vintage bluegrass, rockabilly and old-time country music.

Going to a Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys show is like stepping back to the mid-20th century. Jake, with his hair slicked back and the band all dressed in vintage attire, looks like he just stepped out of the men's fashion pages of the 1950 T. Eaton's catalogue. His dialogue

is reminiscent of listening to the Grand Ole Opry radio show in the 1940s. Jake's songs focus on storytelling and messages that his audiences can relate to. The band's retro-style concerts are full of personality, corny jokes, playful banter between the musicians, and lots of foot-stomping music. Jake even incorporates hokey live “commercials” into their show. One of them is for a popular soft drink. The skit originated from a contest-winning jingle that Jake's father, Gord Vaadeland, and a friend wrote in the early 1990s. Jake first put it on a show as a fun tribute to his dad, and it went over so well that it is now part of every concert. Expanding on that, Jake keeps the horseplay going with a fun endorsement he penned for Better Off Duds, a vintage fashion store in Saskatoon owned by Nicola Tabb, a former upright bass player in the Chickadees, a band that included Jake's mother, Sheila. Jake doesn't just wear vintage fashion on stage; he also wears it in everyday life, sometimes drawing strange looks when he walks down the street, but that doesn't faze him; he is his own man. When asked how many suits he owns, he estimates more than 40. “The rod in the closet is starting to bend from the weight,” he quips. He even owns a suit Wilf Carter wore when he last toured Canada. When Wilf retired, he gave some of his suits to his long-time promoter, CCMA Hall of Fame inductee Brian Edwards. Brian was so impressed with Jake that he presented him with one of the suits. Of course, when Jake received Wilf Carter's suit, he just had to learn to yodel and sing a Wilf Carter song. Where did this self-taught multiinstrumentalist singer and songwriter, who is only 21 years old, come from? Jake Vaadeland was born and raised on the Sturgeon River Ranch (the band was named as a tribute to the ranch), adjacent to Prince Albert National Park and Big River, Saskatchewan. He was surrounded by music his entire life. His grandparents, Ruben and Darlene, played in a band, and his father,

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

ARTS & CULTURE

PORTRAIT Gord, and his mother, Sheila, played in various bands, so his talent came naturally. Jake grew up loving to perform and being a showman. People remember how, at 3 or 4 years old, he grabbed a live mic at his grandparent's 40th wedding anniversary and sang every word of a Johnny Cash song. Jake formed a bluegrass duo in his midteens with his good friend, Ira Amundson. They performed together for about three years as Jake & Ira until their world imploded in 2020 when Covid hit, and Ira's family moved to Oklahoma. Determined to keep performing and establishing a career as an entertainer, and with his dad's encouragement, Jake began jamming with Joel Rohs and Stephen Williams, who had played in his dad's band. He enticed them to join him in a new act as The Sturgeon River Boys, with local banjo player Jaxon Lalonde joining them. In May 2021, Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys played their first-ever public show as a band at the Jam Street Shared Arts Space in Prince Albert, SK. The two-night stand drew a total of 25 people. In December 2024, they played the EA Rawlinson Centre in PA and sold the 600-seat venue out. Sellouts are the norm now, and they have performed for audiences from a few hundred to more than 20,000 people, gaining new fans wherever they play. By 2021, Jake had released his first album of original compositions, “No More Pain In My Heart,” followed by another original album, “Retro Man,” in 2022. This album drew attention to Jake, ending up with him signing a management deal with Jeremy Johnson of Johnson Talent Management out of Winnipeg and Toronto, tour booking contracts with Paquin Artists Agency for Canada, USA and Australia, and with Midnight Mango for the UK, Ireland, and Europe, along with a distribution contract with Jayward Artist Group and a publishing deal with Arts & Crafts Publishing, Toronto. Jake also released another album, “Everybody But Me,” in 2022 and “Retro Man... More And More” (expanded edition) in 2024. Another 2024 recording was a collaborative single with platinum-selling Canadian country artist Tebey, “Wake Me Up” (The Bluegrass Rendition), recorded in Nashville.

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The Sturgeon River Boys includes banjo picker Jaxon Lalonde, front man Jake Vaadeland, guitarist Joel Rohs, and bass player Stephen Williams

The past two years have involved almost constant touring. In Canada, they have performed in community halls and showcased at JUNOFest, CCMA Week, Big Valley Jamboree, the Calgary Stampede, and more. In 2023, they toured with the Hunter Brothers, another Saskatchewan band, on their “Burning Down the Barn” tour across Canada. Their van has taken them well over 100,000 kilometres from Vancouver Island to Ottawa, and their air miles are piling up. They have already racked up several tours of the UK, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, including playing at prestigious festivals like the Tender Festival in Denmark and the British Country Music Festival in Blackpool. South of the border, they played AmericanaFest in Nashville, did 14 non-televised shows at Austin City Limits in Texas, and played support for another Saskatchewan group, The Dead South, on their “Chains and Stakes World Tour.” Jake ended 2024 with his “Goodness Gracious

FAN'S CHOICE After being a main stage “filler” at the 2024 Edmonton Folk Music Festival and playing between headlining acts in front of over 20,000 people, Jake was awarded the Fan's Choice Emerging Artist of the Year Award and was asked to close out the festival singing Ian Tyson's “Four Strong Winds” on the main stage.

It's Christmas” tour, finishing in Halifax on December 20. Jake and the band started 2025 with several Western Canadian shows and then will head to Europe in February— no wonder they're called one of the hardest-working independent bands in the business! August last year saw an emotional change to the band. Having a young family in Prince Albert, Stephen Williams felt it was time to step away from the hectic touring pace. After extensive searching, they found his replacement—Jake Smithies from Sheffield, UK—who has performed since age 9 and has lots of experience touring internationally. They all feel they've found the perfect fit, and he is now a permanent band member. And it’s no surprise that Jake's awards have been piling up. In 2024, the Canadian Independent Music Association named Jake Vaadeland the youngest individual to receive Road Gold Certification. The award is given to artists who have sold 25,000 or more tickets during Canadian tours in any 12 months. Between 2022 and 2024, Jake earned three Saskatchewan Music Awards and nine Saskatchewan Country Music Awards, and in 2024 was given the Western Canadian Music Award for Roots Artist of the Year. Checking his website for his touring schedule—Jake Vaadeland and The Sturgeon River Boys put on a show you’ll want to catch. For more visit, jakevaadeland.com c

COMMON THREADS

Comfy, Cozy Cabin Wear BY BRITTNEY CHOMISTEK Photographer: Sullivan Photography | Brittney’s Hair: Kole Van Maarion at The Social by Red Velvet | Brittney’s Makeup: Aria Studio

Tag us on Instagram @canadiancowgirlcloset @cowboycountrymagazine with your cozy winter outfits

hether your winter days are spent cozying up to the fireplace or venturing into the cold, every cowgirl still wants to look fashionable. Unfortunately, we often compromise style once the thermometer displays negative double digits. Layering clothing is essential during a Canadian winter to help keep the cold out. By accenting an outfit with texture and colour, you can create a comfy, chic look without sacrificing your ability to stay warm. Wild rags are one of my favourite accessories for every season, and in the winter, they make layering fashionable. They can add a pop of colour to your outfit while being practical and protecting you from the harsh elements. If you are considering one winter fashion investment this year, I recommend a timeless wool coat. If properly cared for, these high-quality coats hold their value over time, making them a fashion investment rather than a trendy seasonal purchase. When I see pre-loved wool outerwear sold online, it makes me wish my gramma would have saved her wool Hudson Bay coat from years ago. You’ve probably admired the handcrafted and colourful wool blankets from the Pendleton Woolen Mill; but did you know they also carry a quality line of wool fashions designed to make you feel dressy without sacrificing warmth? So, whether vintage or new, wool is one of the coziest layers you can wear. And because it is naturally water-repellent, it is practical and fashionable for frigid winter conditions.Soon spring will be upon us, and we can start shedding some of those winter layers. Until then, stay warm! c Brittney Camp Duffel Coat: Pendleton Wild Rag: Double D Ranch Hat: Smithbilt Jeans: Ariat Hayden Valmont Wool Chore Jacket Shoes: Twisted X From Lammle’s

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

COMMON THREADS Brittney Graphic Shetland Collection: Pendleton Hat: Smithbilt Boots: Showdown Boots by Lane Boots

Ang Harding Archive Blanket Coat: Pendleton

Showdown Boots by Lane Boots

Brittney Western Souvenir Cardigan: Pendleton Wild Rag: Double D Ranch Hat: Smithbilt Jeans: Ariat

Hayden Wild Rag: Double D Ranch Harding Double Soft Sherpa Lined Jacket: Pendleton

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TRAILBLAZERS

Saul Boyer A Man’s Man

Eleven Medicine Hat area riders gathered for a bucking horse contest. Mounted (L–R): Jim Allfrey, Vic Clancy, A.P. Day, Tom Evans, Les Richardson, A.J. Bryson, Saul Boyer, Ira Triplett, unidentified. Standing (L–R): Art Whitney, George Armstrong. Ca 1914.

Saul Boyer (pronounced Boo-y-eh) was born in 1882 at the Metis settlement near present-day Eastend, SK. He was told that in 1885, his and several other Metis families were loaded into railway cars and taken to Regina and kept under guard during the Northwest Rebellion. The Boyer family settled in Medicine Hat in 1893, he was already breaking horses, and by age 13, he was earning his keep cowboying.

When he was 15 or 16, he took a journey that was talked of for generations. He was given $20 to deliver a telegram to a cow camp along the Red Deer River. He’d worked that country the previous summer so he had some idea of where he was going. A day north of ‘the Hat’ he stopped at a ranch where the owner offered him another $20 to bring back nine head of six-yearold steers that were last seen in the same vicinity. Saul delivered the telegram and then located the steers corralled with a different rancher’s cattle. They released the rancher’s livestock but kept the steers in for

three days before they turned them out. He guided the runaway outlaws in the proper direction for 15 miles before they stopped to graze. Later, when it seemed everything was under control he unsaddled his horse and had a snooze. When he woke up, he no longer had a horse, so he stashed his saddle and started towards the steers. Not used to a person on foot, those longhorns circled Saul, bawling, snorting and pawing. He kept walking, and eventually, those steers got used to him. He pushed those steers for 60-70 miles and put them right in their owner's corral. The next day, he was

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

JOHN HENRY GRESHAM BRAY FAMILY FONDS. PHOTO COURTESY ESPLANADE ARTS & HERITAGE CENTRE, PHILIP PYPE, ARCHIVIST.

BY TOM REARDON

PEOPLE WHO SHAPED THE WEST

“He is an artist — with a rope or a horse,” said rancher Barney Crockett.

HEADSHOT FROM 1960 CANADIAN CATTLEMEN MAGAZINE, COURTESY RON AND FAYE GORDON

Saul Boyer, ca 1960, one of the few known photographs of the cowboy

mounted and hired to trail the steers to a Medicine Hat abattoir. For numerous years, he rode roughstring for several ranches and worked round-ups in Southeastern Alberta and Saskatchewan. Countless people said that they'd never seen a better rider. “He is an artist—with a rope or a horse,” said rancher Barney Crockett. He could make a horse do anything. One time in Medicine Hat, on a bet, he rode his mount across the railroad bridge spanning the South Saskatchewan River. There was nothing but spaced railway ties to step on. Then he turned around and rode back, only to be greeted by a policeman who locked him up. The local brand inspector said he should have been presented with a medal. The next morning the judge threw the case out with the advice that Saul should leave town for a while. He readily agreed. Another time, along the EmpressBassano rail line, some cowboys were moving cattle when a train approached from behind; when the whistle blew, Saul’s mount instantly went into flight mode. Heading for some sharp river breaks, Saul stepped off and pulled his horse down like a Hollywood stuntman. Once the train passed, he remounted as the horse regained his feet and went to cowboying like nothing had happened. On a ranch near Buffalo in 1938, he’d wintered a herd down by the river. In preparation for trailing them to summer range, Saul had sorted 50 head of 2-yearold steers into a different field. Then a bad

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spring storm erupted without warning. The cattle missed the coulees and drifted to the south fence, where the wet snow freezing on them turned them into blind, white statues. These cattle were not his, he was just on wages, but he bundled up, saddled up and headed out. He rode three miles along the river then one mile south with his back to the storm before he saw cattle. They were in small bunches (three to six head) scattered along five miles of fence. They were standing in the snow with their eyelids froze shut. Saul would get off his horse and rub the frozen snow from their nostrils and eyelids. As soon as they saw him, they would spook and run to the coulees and shelter. After he covered the five miles, he rode nine miles into the storm to get home. Four or five of the steers were down and dead when he found them— probably suffocated. Those cattle were neither weak nor thin, but they no doubt would have all perished without Saul. When the Remount Community Pasture south of Bindloss was formed in 1941, Saul was hired as the manager. Fourteen years later, when Saul called it a career, the district had a huge farewell dance and midnight supper for him. Friends from all over the south country of Saskatchewan and Alberta came to the party. He was presented with a beautiful suede jacket and a purse of money. Saul, the good-natured and always well-groomed bachelor, moved to Medicine Hat, where he resided until his passing in November of 1967. c

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WESTERN EVENTS CANADIAN BIRKIE SKI FESTIVAL North Cooking Lake Feb 7 - 9, 2025 canadianbirkie.com

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PEACE COUNTRY CLASSIC AGRI-SHOW Grande Prairie Mar 6 - 8, 2025 evergreenpark.ca/agri-show

WEST OF THE FIFTH PRO RODEO Rimbey Agrim Society, Rimbey, Alta March 21-22, 2025 rodeocanada.com/2025-schedule

HORSE EXPO

PHOTO 2016 BY KATIE WINQUIST

Westerner Park , Red Deer, AB April 25 to 27, 2025 horseexpo.ca

Battle of the Little Big Puck, front to back: Tyler Gilchrist, Derek Pahtayken, and Wes Daniels in goal.

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Medicine Hat, AB April 18-20, 2025 mhstampede.com/indoor-rodeo

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Crowsnest Pass, AB April 25-27, 2025 kraprorodeo.com

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WESTERN EVENTS

Horse Expo Canada RIDE WITH YOUR HERD! BY TERRI MASON

LOVE HORSES? HERE IS YOUR DREAM DESTINATION! Mark your calendars for April 25–27, 2025, to travel to Red Deer for Horse Expo, the largest equine expo in Canada. Horse Expo Canada boasts over 200,000 sq ft of tradeshow space, with companies large and small selling their wares ranging from horse blankets to horse trailers. The weekend is filled with a wealth of trainers who cover a range of training disciplines from driving to riding and even clinics on how to be a better rider yourself. VIP Ticket holders are invited to a meet and greet dinner with the trainers, clinicians and special guests. Enjoy a fun talk show known as The Horseman’s Hot Seat hosted by Kylie Bartel and Elisha Bradburn and watch and learn from the most talented horse folk in the West. All this and more makes Red Deer’s Westerner Park the place to be in April. Ryan and Margaret, the hands-on organizers of Horse Expo Canada, strive to create a unique experience for guests and participants, and 2025 is no different.

“This year, we are having a clinic on re-training off-the-track Standardbreds,” said Margaret. “It’s a different world for a racing horse to become a saddle or driving horse, and watching how [Performance Standardbreds Association] go about retraining them properly might encourage someone to rescue one of these horses.” Another exciting feature will be an Extreme Cowboy Challenge. With the variety of obstacles plus speed in this style of competition, a mount must have a lot of confidence in their rider. The trainers and participants will demonstrate how to introduce your horse to the variety of reining, jumping, and handling skills needed to excel in this exciting sport.

And speaking of exciting—jumping! Professional trainers will be on-site to teach and demonstrate technique, with riders ranging from “some experience” to “show experience.” The classic beauty of Dressage will also be featured. There will be a wealth of other riding and driving disciplines, and some shows—like the coordinated precision drill teams—will be great fun to watch! This is also the place of hands-on learning as riders can apply to take part with their horse in almost every clinic—just click on the Horse Expo Canada website to apply to the trainer of your dreams. Too shy? Forget about shyness—you’re there to learn under the care and expertise of some of the best trainers in the world, so go on— treat yourself! Make Horse Expo Canada your vacation long weekend. Make plans with your herd to head out to Red Deer’s Westerner Park April 25–27, 2025, to learn, shop, meetand-greet, and experience the thrilling finale of their famous Trainer’s Showdown! For more, visit horseexpo.ca. c

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

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Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

WHAT WORKS FOR US

By Cowboys, For Cowboys DOUBLE-HOCK MASTAD TIE SAFEST WAY TO TIE DOWN A CALF

PHOTO BY TRESSA MASTAD

BY TERRI MASON, VIA MILT MASTAD | ALL PHOTOS (AND VIDEO) BY PAULETTE MASTAD

Milt Mastad on his molly mule, Grace, overlooking the Linthicum Ranch in southern Saskatchewan

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WHAT WORKS FOR US

In one smooth move, Milt Mastad of Single Seven Ranch near McCord, Saskatchewan (just north of Montana) revolutionized calf handling in southern Saskatchewan, using a technique that has been passed down in his ranching family for multiple generations.

Step 1. Double your tiedown rope to make a loop

Step 2. Insert both back legs in the loop above the hock

Step 3. Bring both tail ends of the rope between the legs below the loop (each hock now has a loop around it)

Close up showing the tail end of the rope is below the hock loop

This method of tying (which I will explain, then show photos and a video) has saved countless calves that have to be immobilized for an extended period, whether for one minute to an hour or more. “I thought this was the way everybody tied calves down,” said Milt Mastad. “This is the way we did it because this was the way my dad did it. So, I asked my dad who taught him, and he said, ‘I don’t know; from the time that I was a kid, everyone that I rode with did it that way.’ So, then my dad, Calvin, went to my greatuncle Doug Eklund, who is in his 90s, and asked him, ‘Where did this come from?” My great-uncle’s response was, ‘I’m not sure. It was just the same as breathing; we were born knowing how to do it that way.’ So, it has come down quite a few generations in our family.” “It was probably six or seven years ago; I was helping my neighbour, and we had kind of a wreck; a bunch of calves ran back,” Milt explained. “I had a dozen or so tiedown ropes on my saddle. There were quite a few good hands helping that day, and there were cowboys going here, there and everywhere, roping these calves. I just went around behind them and tied the calves down the way that we do,” he said. “Every cowboy asked me, ‘What are you doing there, exactly?’ None of them had ever seen it done like this before, and these were experienced cowboys,” said Milt. “That was when I realized that not everybody tied calves down like us.” “When we finally got the cattle in, I went out there with a truck and trailer about an hour or so later to pick up these calves,” he continued. “The calves that I had tied down were all fine. But there was one calf that had been tied down with three legs, flat on its side, overheating. Fortunately, it was close to a water-filled pothole. I dragged it into one of the potholes to get it cooled down enough that it didn’t die. If I’d a been there a half hour later, it would probably have been a dead calf.” “To me, that was proof that one of the big advantages is that calves tied down this way can regulate their heat and can cool down, where if they’re just laid out on their side, tied by three legs, they can’t.” “A few cowboys have told me, “You’ve got to start sharing this; nobody knows about it,” he laughed and said, “Then I thought, I know a gal who can spread the word.” “I’ve often wondered if the way we tie down calves is the way it was done a century or more ago, and through the influence of rodeo, it was just forgotten in some parts of the country,” Milt said. “I’d be really interested to know if anyone else ties down like this and in what part of the country.”

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

WHAT WORKS FOR US

HOW-TO: TRADITIONAL THREE-LEGGED TIE

“If you tie the young calf down by their feet, like you’d see at a rodeo, in order to tie them down tight enough so they can’t escape, you will actually cut the circulation off to their feet,” explained Milt.

Step 3. Milt has a hold of the front leg and he’s starting to bundle up the calf with his knee.

THREE-LEGGED TIE PROS • Good for short immobilization in the instance of treating a larger calf (yearling) CONS • Tie-down rope must be tied so tight that it cuts the circulation off to the calf’s feet. • When laid out on their sides in the spring/summer sun, calves can rapidly overheat (and get very cold in winter). • Predator predation, from coyotes to magpies, because a calf laying flat-out for an extended time is the universal sign of a distressed calf. • The cow will try repeatedly to force a three-leggedtied calf to get up. • If you trail the herd away from a cow and her threelegged-tied calf, there’s more chance that the cow will abandon it. Not every cow will abandon her calf, but there is a greater chance.

DOUBLE-HOCK MASTAD TIE PROS • Draw the tie-down rope up tight, and it doesn’t hurt the calf. • The calf does not overheat in summer; in winter, it remains warm. • If they are overheated from running, in this position they will cool down. • The calf will be comfortable laying in a natural position, even if for an extended period of time. • No predator predation, as the calf is not signalling distress. • The cow will often lay down beside the calf, again, because it is not signalling distress. • The cow will almost never abandon the calf when the herd moves away. • Easier to pick up a calf tied like this and put it in the truck or trailer. It’s also easier on the calf when it’s transported in an upright position, rather than flat on its side, banging its head every time you hit a gopher hole.

Step 4. Draw the two tail ends of the tie-down rope between the front legs. Notice that the ropes are not crossed.

Step 5. Bundle up the calf. Then draw up each tail end in front of the calf’s shoulders and around their neck. Pull it tight.

Step 6. Finish with a square knot or a slip knot at the top of the calf’s neck.

CONS • “Can’t think of one.” — Milt

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WHAT WORKS FOR US

QUICK RECAP • Double your tie-down rope to make a loop. • Insert both back legs in the loop, position the loop above the hock. • Bring both tail ends of the rope forward between the legs (each hock now has a loop around it. VERY IMPORTANT! The tail ends need to cross the original loop below it, thereby locking the loop. If you cross the loop above, there’s nothing to lock the loop above the hock. (See photos!) • Draw the two tail ends of the tie down rope between the front legs. The rope encircling the left hock will be on the left side of the calf’s neck, etc. Do not cross the ropes. • Draw up each tail end in front of the calf’s shoulders and around their neck. Using your knee and thigh, bundle the calf under itself, as if it’s already resting. It’s important to do this in order to be able to tie the calf tight enough. Pull it tight. The tighter you draw up the ropes, the more you will bring the calf into a natural resting position. • Finish with a square knot or a slip knot at the top of the calf ’s neck. Milt Mastad and his wife, Paulette, own the Single Seven Ranch near McCord, Saskatchewan. c

To watch the instructional video of this tie, visit: cowboycountrymagazine. com/Mastad-Tie

“I thought this was the way everybody tied calves down.”

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COUNTRY COOKING

Sourdough Bread THE RENAISSANCE OF A PIONEER STAPLE BY RENÉE CHELLE, D&R FARMS, ADMIRAL, SK Visit theclevercarrot.com for detailed sourdough starter instructions, recipes and instructions

Sourdough—the bread that fueled the California Gold Rush has remained a staple in many Western larders. Sourdough starter is a live fermented culture of flour and water. Once it becomes bubbly and active, a small portion is added to your sourdough bread recipe to make it rise—no commercial yeast is required. Starter can be a labour of love to get going because it can take a few weeks before it is mature enough to use. 48

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

COUNTRY COOKING

CLASSIC SOURDOUGH BREAD Yield 2 loaves

INGREDIENTS

• 250g active starter • 725g warm water (must be bottled, spring or reverse osmosis water. It can’t be contaminated with bleach) • 1 000g flour, all-purpose or bread flour • 24g salt

DIRECTIONS 1. I n a large bowl, add starter and water.

Whisk until the starter is dissolved. Add flour and salt. Mix well until it’s an even consistency, and no pockets of flour remain. It will be sticky. Cover and let rest for one hour. 2. P erform “stretch and folds” every 30 minutes for four rounds. Wet your fingers and grab one part of the dough, then

stretch it up and over the rest of the dough. Give the bowl a quarter turn and perform the stretch and fold procedure until you’ve gone all the way around the bowl. This is one round. The dough will be less sticky after the stretch and folds are complete. 3. A fter the fourth round of stretch and folds, cover and bulk ferment (first rise) on the counter until it has increased in size by 5075 percent. Depending on the temperature in your home, this can take up to eight hours. See Note. 4. O nce bulk ferment is complete, pour the dough out onto a lightly floured counter and cut it in half. 5. W ork with one ball of dough at a time. Gently stretch the dough into a rectangle. Take one side of the rectangle and fold it into the middle, then repeat with the opposite side. Roll the rectangle into a ball shape. 6. Shape it into a round (boule) by using your hands to push the ball out and then pulling it back in 3-4 times, tucking in the underside. If you’d like a rectangular loaf (batard), place both hands on the back of

the loaf, palms facing you. Gently pull the loaf towards you into a rectangular shape. You can repeat this shaping process after the dough has a 20-minute rest. 7. U sing a bowl slightly bigger than your loaf for a round loaf or a bread pan for a batard, place a lint-free towel in it and dust with rice flour (regular flour will burn). place dough into the bowl or pan upside down, cover with the remainder of the towel, and then place saran wrap or a shower cap over the bowl to prevent the dough from drying out. Place in fridge for a second rise for a minimum of eight hours, up to 48 hours. It won’t rise much. The longer it is in the fridge, the more tangy it will be. I like mine in the fridge for about 24 hours. 8. P reheat oven with cast iron Dutch oven inside to 475˚F or 30 min. 9. F lip dough onto parchment paper and score about 1/4” deep. Place dough with parchment into a preheated Dutch oven. Turn oven down to 450˚F. Bake at 450˚F for 20 minutes. Remove lid and bake at 400˚ for an additional 10-15 min. Remove from oven and cool at least one hour before slicing.

very stiff and dry. Use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment; mix on low for 5-6 minutes. Place dough into large bowl, lightly greased with cooking spray. lightly spray the top of the dough and cover with plastic wrap. 2. B ulk ferment on counter until doubled in size—this may take 8-12 hours. 3. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking oil. 4. Remove dough onto non-floured counter. Flatten into a rectangle and divide into 8

equal pieces of 115g each. Gather ends, flip dough over and roll into a ball. Let dough balls rest on cookie sheet for 10-15 minutes for the gluten to relax. 5. Meanwhile, get a large pot of water boiling. Add honey and whisk to dissolve. Preheat oven to 425˚F. 6. After the rest, poke a hole through the centre of each ball. Carefully stretch the dough until the hole in the centre is about 2” in diameter. Place back on the cookie sheet. 7. S econd rise: Cover bagels with damp towel and let rest 15-20 minutes. They will puff up slightly. 8. Add 2-3 bagels at a time to the pot of boiling water and simmer for 30 seconds on each side. The longer they boil, the chewier the crust will be. Transfer back to cookie sheet. 9. I f you want to add toppings, whisk together the egg and 1 tbsp water, and lightly brush on top of the bagels. Sprinkle on desired toppings. 10. B ake on centre rack for 20-25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. c

SOURDOUGH BAGELS Yield 8 bagels

DOUGH:

• 150g bubbly sourdough starter • 250g warm water • 24g white sugar • 500g bread flour • 9g salt

WATERBATH:

1-2 tbsp honey

TOPPINGS:

•M ixed seeds such as poppy, sesame, flax, or Everything Bagel seasoning • 1 egg + 1 tbsp water

DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, whisk the starter, water, and sugar together until dissolved. Add flour and salt. Combine by hand until a rough dough, then knead by hand for 5-10 minutes until smooth. The dough will be

*Note: All sourdough recipes are measured in grams, as too much inconsistency in the weight/volume of ingredients can alter the outcome of your bread.

cowboycountrymagazine.com

COWBOY POETRY

The Tack Room BY KELLY “PUNCH” BUELOW

I stepped through that sacred door, A mission on my mind, Spring cleaning was the job at hand, I knew what I would find. The dirt from fall and winter, The horsehair was piled high In corners where the wind would blow The dust with moths and flies. As I sorted through the detritus Left behind from seasons past, I came across the items that Through generations are passed. Now, the tack room is a small museum Of the history of a place, It tells the story of the people that Passed through its time and space. The gear that hangs upon the walls, Some still for using, some retired, Tells of the children, men and women Who with horses have aspired To make an honest living, Working close upon the land

That raised them and supported them With the cattle that wore their brand. The new gear hangs down lower, Oiled and polished with pride, It’s hung and coiled neatly, Ready for another day’s long ride. The older gear hangs a bit higher, Cracked and covered up with dust, But it tells of those who came before And in it put their trust For years of working cattle From a horse’s back above, They raised their beef and raised their kids With equal amounts of love. So, their gear hangs there in honour, Though it’s covered in dust and grime, As a memory of those who worked here, Same place, just another time. My task was soon completed, All the dirt swept from the floor. As I turned around on the step outside To shut that hallowed door A thought came creeping in my mind That brought a smile to my face, It falls on me to be both janitor And curator of this place.

“The Tack Room” by Kelly “Punch” Buelow (a nickname from the late Bryn Thiessen) is excerpted from his upcoming book. Punch spent years cowboying on some of the biggest ranches in the Canadian West and raising good horses and cattle with his late grandpa, Walter Beulow. Punch and his young family have a small outfit near Veteran, Alta. To hear more, visit Facebook —Kelly Beulow.

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2025

ADOBESTOCK/ NERYLL

There’s a door on every ranch That leads to hallowed ground, Where time has one foot in the past And the other in the now.