PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Tara McKenzie Fotos

NO REGRETS

“Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not

do that is inconsolable.” – Sydney J. Harris

Recently, our family decided to get a new puppy.

Okay – let me rephrase that.

I committed to a new puppy for our daughter’s birthday gift. And I just had to wait for the right moment for my husband to say ‘Yes.’

“You’re gonna do, what you’re gonna do – so just do it,” said my better-half, Clay, with a smirk on his face and his eyes rolling back in his head.

There was a lot to consider and without saying, I knew Clay was thinking about all the things my heart was ignoring. After all, the puppy would be the third dog in the household. Would they all get along? Could we provide a good home? Would our daughter actually own up to the responsibility?

As our children move towards the teenage years of their lives, life is becoming trickier to navigate. I feel we are going to need to lean hard on our animals, to help continue to raise our kids into kind and productive members of society.

At this point, I’m happy to report the puppy has made our daughter, over-the-moon happy. I although I didn’t know if I was making the right decision at the time – I just knew I didn’t want the decision of not getting the puppy, to haunt me indefinitely.

The Growing with Grief story on page 38, is an emotional example of how fleeting life is. In this piece, Kirk Prescott of BAR XP Photo interviews the family of the late Ty Pozzobon. A natural-born cowboy with a competitive edge, Pozzobon was a legendary bull rider. Sadly, as a result of repetitive head trauma, he took his own life in 2017. Though the Pozzobon family now lives with never-ending grief, they have created a positive driving force for change that has arisen from the greatest of tragedies. The Ty Pozzobon Foundation focuses on concussion awareness and injury prevention and carries on the young bull rider’s legacy.

On page 22, we dive into the world of homesteading. You might wonder how the concepts of homesteading relate to the readers

Life is short. Buy the puppy. Or the horse. Or whatever…

of Western Horse Review. As many of us live on ranches or acreages, having the ability to grow our own food goes hand-inhand with the rural lifestyle. Just as we are connected to horses, similarly, homesteading connects us with other living things. Our expert on the subject is Nick Shipley of Hartell Homestead.In future issues, he will take us down the rabbit hole (so to speak,) of raising chickens, composting, milk cows, cold cellars and canning instruction.

Also in the issue, we have an editorial spread about a southern Alberta, architectural stunner that features a ranch home, vehicle storage, tool shed and stable – all under one roof. Designed by award-winning architect, Jeremy Sturgess, the house at the “Big Rock” emulates the rustic aesthetic of a traditional farmhouse, while balancing it with luxurious extras. Beginning on page 34, this is a ranch home you really have to see, to believe!

As always, we hope you enjoy the issue! And remember – Life is short. Buy the puppy. Or the horse. Or whatever…

~ Jenn Webster

SIRE: Hollywoodstinseltown DAM: Shine Ann (by Shining Spark)

PERFORMANCE RECORD

• 2019 NRHA Lvls 1,2,3 & 4 Non-Pro Derbies Champion • 2018 OK Ride Slide Open Derby Champion • 5th, 2020 NRBC Lvl 4 Non-Pro Derby • Top 10, 2017 NRHA Open Derby • 2019 High Roller Reining Classic Lvl 1 Non-Pro Derby Champion • Open ROM

OWNED BY: JODIE NEUDORF

Breeding Fee: $1,750 (chute fee included) Cooled shipped & frozen semen in Canada Frozen semen distributed by Toyon Ranch USA 5 Panel Genetic Test N/N NOMINATIONS: NRBC & RAPP

Standing at Heule Reining Horses Hubert Heule

Abbotsford, BC heulereininghorses@gmail.com (250) 241-0920