Western Horse Review, Fall 2023 Edition

4-H: Foundation for Leadership

BY DEBBIE MACRAE

Living Quarters Cooking

BY MIKE EDGAR

Writing-On-Stone’s Ostrich Rodeo

BY JENN WEBSTER

Horsemanship • Culture • Style

A Day in the Life of an

3 Talented Cowboys

Assistant Trainer

You May Not Know in the Rodeo Arena

NOVEMBER 2023

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Side Hustle? Or Just Hustle?

A Guide to Online Agri-Scams

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Horsemanship • Culture • Style

Vol. 30 No. 4

FALL WESTERN HORSE REVIEW

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WITH YOUR HOST

Teddi Jevne A podcast created by Teddi Jevne and Jenn Webster, as a division of Western Horse Review magazine.

In each episode, Jevne interviews various individuals of the horse industry and holds in-depth conversations about everything from breeding horses, to western lifestyle and design, food of the west and training tips. Come for the stories and professional tips, stay for the chemistry and intellectual journey of host, Teddi Jevne.

Get Social Witth Us! @WesternAlchemy

@WesternHorseReview

RYAN BARRON • 403-336-1935 barronbootcompany@gmail.com • @barronboots WWW.BARRONBOOTS.COM

STUNNING EQUESTRIAN FACILITY ON OVER 100 ACRES STUNNING EQUESTRIAN FACILITY ON OVER 100 ACRES

The property located in Wheatland County, AB includes a fully developed walkout bungalow.

90 x200 riding arena w/overhead heat and observation lounge, 30×80 heated wing, 36 x 36 barn w/ lean-to for hay.

48×60 heated shop. 10 outdoor shelters, 6 heated waterers, and 11 indoor stalls.

The property located in Wheatland County, AB includes a fully developed walkout bungalow.

90 x200 riding arena w/overhead heat and observation lounge, 30×80 heated wing, 36 x 36 barn w/ lean-to for hay.

48×60 heated shop. 10 outdoor shelters, 6 heated waterers, and 11 indoor stalls.

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 5

contents FALL 2023

Out West 8

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

10

LEAD LINE

Here’s how to throw the ultimate Halloween bash in the barn.

12 OUT WEST

From skijor to inuksuit.

14

OUT WEST

Ostriches added to the excitement of the WritingOn-Stone rodeo, this past August.

Western Culture 15

GEAR & STYLE

16

EMPTY SADDLES & GREENER PASTURES

18

20 24

6 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

Cornelia Cameron

34

The essential – and crazy – items you didn’t know you needed this season.

Remembering the lives of Lee Phillips, Gabriele Noll and Stan Cowley. And one very special Low Ridin Cat DR.

GOOD WORK

Ryan Barron of Barron Boot Company took a long while to explore his western roots and develop his custom footwear company – but we’re sure glad he did!

WESTERN FOODIE

These make-ahead meals to store inside your Living Quarters, will have you organized and satisfied for the entire rodeo or horse show!

SIDE HUSTLE? OR JUST HUSTLE?

There are so many online agri-scams on social media these days. For hay, saddles, hauling services – you name it. Here are some ways to identify them before it’s too late.

18

44 20 Features 27 `

34 44

HEADIN’ DOWN THE RODEO TRAIL

Meet three cowboys who aren’t your typical rodeo competitors, but the shows could never go on without them.

UP-N-COMERS

“Nobody cares, work harder…” We take you inside the lives of four, young horse trainers coming up through the ranks of the industry today.

27 46 50

4-H: FOUNDATION FOR LEADERSHIP

A look at the history of 4-H and the values it continues to install in young children to this day.

WILL RIDE FOR FOOD

All barns have that one customer. (We hope! Or, is it just us..?)

46

THE XIBITION

This southern Alberta reining show paid out almost $55,000 in cash and another $50,000 in prizes to reining competitors on August 1-6, 2023. WHR got the chance to interview Dave Benard, one-half of the vision behind this innovative show.

on the cover Photo by BAR XP PHOTO Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 7

publisher’s note

Tara McKenzie Fotos The trailer belonging to Diquita Cardinal, one of the young trainers interviewed in this issue’s Up-N-Comers piece.

Something about her pink hoof stand resonated with me, further displaying the mental toughness and dedication it takes to make it in the business.

Typically at WHR, when we do show coverage on a particular interview, we interview the big winners and talk about their horses etc. However, when it came to attending The Xibition this past August long weekend, I really thought the big stars of the show were the event organizers. While I’m well aware that all show committees of every kind work incredibly hard to put on their events, The Xibition was different.

Dave Benard of HD2 Productions, Ron Anderson and an army of Benard family members and friends took it upon themselves to produce, run and manage the event. Their collective efforts did not go unnoticed.

In fact, the topic was a lightning rod of conversation that week. If I remember correctly, the discussion around the Saturday evening table I was sitting at that weekend, went something like this…

“I think Dave Bernard just brought a plate with my meal to me tonight – after working all day long to put this show on.

Was that actually him..?”

“Yeah, and I think his daughter is one of the announcers…

and his dad is collecting tickets at the door. And I’m sure that’s the photographer I saw in the arena today, bringing me my drink!!”

Then, there was the ultimate statement, “The entire Bernard family is here in Claresholm, working their butts off for us this week… why didn’t they just go to Disneyland???”

If I could insert a hysterical emoji here, I would.

I had the opportunity to speak with Dave and you can read all his delightfully candid comments starting on page 44.

In this issue, we also have BAR XP PHOTO’s feature on three rodeo cowboys who are integral on the competition scene, but you may have never heard of them before. Find out why they are so passionate about rodeo and what keeps them coming back, on page 27.

Then on page 34, you can meet four up-and-coming horse trainers in the business, whom I believe, are catalysts for changing the industry as we know it. They give new meaning to the quote, “Nobody cares. Work harder.”

As always, we hope you enjoy the issue! ~ Jenn Webster

Send your comments, questions, letters or story ideas to me at editorial@westernhorsereview.com. We may include them in an upcoming edition of Western Horse Review.

8 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

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Leadline

10 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

FRIGHT NIGHT BARN

Halloween can be just as much fun for rural kids as it is for those in urban places. A barn and arena can offer a lot of space and while primarily a place for equines, when done properly, hosting Halloween in the barn is a fabulous experience – for the young and old alike! Here are some of the most ghoulish ideas we’ve discovered for hosting Halloween in the stable.

1.Host a Costume Ride. Horses and riders in costumes are so fun to watch and you may marvel at the creativity level that comes out! Just remember, not all horses can tolerate elaborate disguises, but even the “spookiest” of horses should be okay with body paint. Non-toxic, painted costumes won’t blow in the wind and shouldn’t spook other equines. However, a broke one may just go along with the boldest of ideas.

Enter the alien horse? Spongebob Equine Pants? John Deerealoosa..?

2. Halloween Trail Course. If your passion is trail, cowboy challenges or putting your horse through a series of obstacles, a spine-chilling inspired course is a great way to socialize with other like-minded equestrians and accomplish your goals.

Horses can even bob for apples in one of the challenges!

3. Transform Your Arena into a Haunted Abyss. Once the horses are safely bedded in their stalls, an indoor arena offers space for activity stations for humans. Consider spots for various home-made carnival games, pumpkin decorating sites and culinary delights.

4. Set Up A Photoshoot. Halloween offers so many inventive situations for setting up a memorable moment with riders and their individual horses. Have fun with it! ~ By Jenn Webster

Photo by Alicia Wopereis Photography Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 11

Outwest

FROM SKIJOR TO INUKSUIT

Inuksuk (also spelled inukshuk, plural inuksuit) are figures made of piled stones or boulders, to communicate with humans throughout the Arctic.

They are an important part of Inuit culture and are often symbolic of Canada and the north.

Inuksuit serve both functional and spiritual purposes.

To knowledgable eyes, they may help with navigation (such as pointing out hunting grounds, etc.), or they can communicate warnings (for instance, deep snow).

In Inuktitut (which is an Indigenous language in North America, spoken in the Canadian Arctic), the term inuksuk means, “to act in the capacity of a human.”

Photographer, JT Newberry (you can find him on Instagram @mountainphotoguy2022) has been photographing inuksuit and chasing the aurora borealis this last winter, in Churchill, MB. He’s also found the odd polar bear, or five.

We first ran into Newberry at the 2023 Banff, AB, skijor event, which he was also photographing. It’s been exciting to watch his adventures thus far and interesting to see Newberry connect the dots of his creativity, with his camera lens. All stemming from a chance encounter, thanks to a chilly day of watching horses running on snow.

We invite you to continue to watch his voyages. ~ By Jenn Webster

12 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

@mountainphotoguy2022

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 13

Outwest

Every August long weekend, an old school rodeo takes place in a World Heritage Site in southern Alberta.

Except this year, the 56th annual Writing-On-Stone Rodeo was anything but old school…

Featuring all the events (saddle bronc, bull riding, team roping, etc.) and amenities (a dance, beer garden and sheep riding for the kiddos,) that its audience has grown to love about this event – this year, the WritingOn-Stone Rodeo also featured ostrich riding.

“The event was presented to us by the farmer who raises the ostriches, to one of our board members,” tells Sarah Pittman, a board of director for the rodeo.

“He’s from about 45 minutes north of Writing-OnStone Rodeo grounds. We’d never heard of a rodeo offering ostrich riding as an event – but none of our board members could think of a reason why not to do this. So, we thought we’d give it a try!”

All ostrich riders were pre-vetted and had to be under 100 lbs, but the smaller riders did the best.

14 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

“It went very well for our rodeo,” says Pittman. “We had a record breaking number of spectators this year.

We are definitely booked to do the ostrich riding again next year.”

This year saw the 56th anniversary of the Writing-OnStone Rodeo and – the event was the biggest amateur rodeo in Canada for 2023.

“We have spectators and contestants who come from all over the country. If you’ve never been down there, we have a rodeo grounds like no other. The Milk River runs on our west side, and we are nestled down in between the coulees and hoodoos.”

There is no power nor cell service and the small, but mighty crew of volunteers who back the event put on one heck of a rodeo every August long weekend. The grounds also play host to one or two practice nights a week which include jackpots, trail rides and clinics. ~ By Jenn Webster

Photo by Logan Armstrong of Crowbait Creative

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BACK ON TRACK OPAL BOOTS Back on Track® Opal Exercise boots are an excellent alternative to using bandages when training to provide protection against knocks.

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WRANGLER X BARBIE The Wrangler x Barbie collection is now available at select Lammle’s locations. This includes the fringe Wrancher jacket – which pairs well with blue skies and big imaginations. Featuring 100% recycled poly and a bandana-printed fabric liner, this jacket is a bright take on authentic western style. $140 www.lammles.com

HEATED GLOVES Designed to be highly durable and weather resistant, Fieldsheer® Blacksmith heated Gloves are built to last through the harshest labour conditions. Crafted from goatskin leather these gloves are waterproof and provide unparalleled warmth with a soft polyester fleece liner and the rechargeable Mobile Warming® 7.4-volt heating system. Powered by a set of ultraslim rechargeable batteries, they can keep you comfortable for up to eight hours per charge –offering a high of 135ºF and a low of 90ºF, letting you choose your preferred intensity of heat. $200 fieldsheerca.com Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 15

Empty Saddles

e

Lee “Badger” Phillips - 1944 - 2023 So speedy was timed-event cowboy Lee Phillips at getting the job done that more than 25 years later, his name still appears in the record books in both calf roping and steer wrestling. The “big man from Carseland” (Alberta) holds the fastest time in Canadian calf history at 5.7 seconds, and for a while was the fastest-ever steer wrestler too, at three seconds flat.

Although the calf roping time was, by Lee’s own admittance a bit of a fluke, and the three-second steer wrestling run has been eclipsed by a few at 2.9, the Phillips name is still revered as a legend of rodeo.

Born in 1944, Lee didn’t take out full membership in the pro leagues until he was almost 30, but one could argue that he was just warming up, honing his skills in the FCA. Phillips earned his way to the Canadian Finals in both steer wrestling and calf roping in 1974 and walked away with the

Canadian championship in the dogging that year after dominating the regular season. Another steer wrestling Canadian championship followed in 1976 and 1978.

After nine CFR qualifications and three years as president from 1983-1985, Lee retired from active competition in 1986. His horse Duce, continued to win him acclaim and was steer wrestling horse of the year for three more years after that, for a record tying total of five times.

Once retired from rodeo competition, Lee still didn’t slow down, having worked off and on as a wrangler in Hollywood film and TV shows. A big part of Lee’s success in rodeo was his special bond with his bull dogging horses and he trained others for other people to win on as well.

Lee was inducted into the Canadian Rodeo Hall of Fame in October 2003. A memorial steer wrestling was held in his honour on October 14, 2023.

Gabriele Noll - Dec. 10, 1960-2023 Gabriele Noll was a beloved friend and mentor to many in the horse world. Born in Mussenhausen, Germany, Gabriele discovered her love for horses early on in life.

Riding her parents’ horses as a teenager, she quickly found her way to the jumping, dressage and vaulting show arenas.

Gabriele would meet her future husband, Karl, in Germany during their mutual Taekwondo classes. She was 21 and he was 25 (and this was a pursuit Karl would further take to black belt status). It was the beginning of a 46-year love affair. After getting married in 1982, the Nolls spent their first seven years together in Germany. New opportunities presented themselves in 1989, so Karl and Gabriele moved to Canada and settled in Calgary, AB. In 1994, they purchased an acreage near Crossfield, AB, where they settled for good.

It was here in Canada that Gabriele would acquire her own horses and again, she pursued her passions. Eventually she made her way to the competitive reining world aboard two beloved palominos she purchased from Southline Quarter Horses. She expanded in competition and training, eventually building a riding arena and finally, a fantastic stable / barn at her home. Aside from Karl, the one true love that remained constant in her life were horses.

That doesn’t mean, however, that she didn’t try her hand at other things. Moving out to the country afforded the luxury of space and so Gabriele got into the business of raising ostriches. At the time, exotic animals and flightless birds had really grown in popularity in Alberta. Unfortunately though, Gabriele came in on the tail-end 16 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

A self portrait of Gabriele Noll.

of that trend. After hatching 70 chicks, she found out that the market had changed.

The general public wanted ostriches more for meat now, than they did as pets. As she couldn’t see herself selling her birds for meat, Gabriele got out of the business and the ostriches left the farm.

Next came the steers. Gabriele tried bringing some cattle into their Crossfield acreage, but as all of her fencing was designed for horses, Karl and Gabriele spent a lot of time chasing their cattle down the road. It was not long afterwards, that the cattle left the farm too. Even if it wasn’t meant to be, Gabriele always put her all into whatever endeavour she was undertaking at the time.

Aside from coaching and helping people, painting was the other beautiful gift Gabriele offered to the world. She was in-

Karl & Gabriele Noll.

sanely talented when it came to the painting of animals – and many a friend benefitted from her talents. She could capture horses, in a way that replicated their muscles and individual qualities, so much so, that many an owner felt their animal was coming to life from the canvas. Sadly, Gabriele got to a point where she thought she could go no further with her talent. She packed up her paints and brushes away from the world nearly ten years ago and true to her word, they were never to be seen again. Still, the Noll house is adorned with many of her masterpieces.

Cancer cut Gabriele’s life short in 2023, even preventing her from riding again. A Celebration of Life was held for her on October 15, 2023 in Crossfield. She will be dearly missed by many friends and people she helped along the way.

Stanley (Stan) A. Cowley 1936 – 2023

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Stan was the second of five boys (David, Stan, Warren, Norman and Ray) to Annie and Norman Cowley. Left to carry on his legacy are his wife, Gloria and children, Cathy (Woody), David (Alanna), Thomas, Kateri (Leroy), Daisy (James) as well as his beloved grandchildren, adopted family, and many loyal friends.

The charismatic character of Stan Cowley was legendary. He had the ability to build and create endless possibilities with people and places. With such a diverse background of life works, such as Golden Gloves boxer; avid sailor; draftsman with B.A./Gulf Oil; art instructor at Alberta College of Art (SAIT); designer and realtor with his brother Dave of Cowley and Keith; actor and director; artist and illustrator of children’s books, magazines, etc.; president or director of many

GreenerPastures

had the opportunity to really grow into an Alberta Icon. He was always willing to share his stories, laughter, and love for people through his “Passing of the Legends” museum or even at the coffee shop. Along with his family, Stan shared their genuine hospitality and passion for Alberta tourism in the most natural ways.

Stan was well respected and greatly loved by old time pals and newcomers alike. He was a gatherer of people, and always took time to share his stories and dreams with all who came. He always would try to make those people a part of it. His reach was far and wide and truly welcoming and generous. A life lesson he taught was “if you have something special, share it and it will grow.”

He shared everything. He saved up all his money and bought his first car, to give to his father. He built Rafter Six Ranch Resort to share his vision and beloved family with the world. Proud of each member, he made sure that before he parted, he shared his best gift – his unconditional love.

A memorial tribute was held at Rafter Six Ranch on October 22, 2023.

- written by the Calgary Stampede Parade Committee

Low Ridin Cat DR “Milo” - 2012-2023

www.have-dog.com

Owned by Phoebe Bushnell of Okotoks, AB, Milo was purchased as a two-year-old stud – though Bushnell says he didn’t stay that way for very long “…because he was rotten!” she laughs.

Milo quickly became Bushnell’s heart horse. He was sired by High Flyin Cat and out of the mare, Smart Mahogany DR. “Even though he was in full time training, I’d go up every chance I got to visit him and spend time and start to build a connection. Then I moved up to Cody McArthur’s to work in the barn in 2015,” she tells.

McArthur showed Milo in the Alberta Snaffle Bit Futurity (ASBF) and then the decision was made to turn the horse to pasture, so he could grow. The first show Bushnell got to ride her horse in was at the 2016 Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas, NV. “Even though he was the youngest horse in our classes by far, he packed me around like an old broke show horse!”” She says.

The pair showed consistently in the cow horse for six years under the tutelage of Cody, Colter Schlosser and Clint Swales.

Bushnell and Milo then tried their luck in ranch horse versatility and reining shows, where Milo was equally as successful.

“He loved to show! At home he was goofy and loved to have fun,” Busnell recalls. “He always wanted to be part of the action and be included. Even at 11, he would still scream at the flag or cow, or even while learning how to do a reining roll back . But in the show pen

community organizations; Alberta marriage commissioner; auxiliary RCMP; founding director of Buffalo Nations and more... He received medals and recognition in most of his endeavors.

When Stan was a young boy, he grew a passion for the cowboy lifestyle with the Calgary Stampede and his friends from the Indian Village. He was just 13-years-old when he became Blood Brother to Chief Walking Buffalo in a Sundance Ceremony, and throughout his life became an Honorary Chief of the 5 tribes of Treaty 7. The vision given to him was “to teach the people that they were like the trees of the forest, all different, but standing in harmony with one another.” His dream was always to create a Native Cultural Park in the Bow Valley, and when he first arrived at Rafter Six Ranch, the realtor in him knew he had found the best location there.

His love of the cowboy lifestyle was certainly reflected in his long-time participation with the Calgary Stampede. His involvement included having a wagon in the Chuckwagon races, being a volunteer and eight decades of parade participation, including a wagon pack trip from Rafter Six Ranch to the Calgary Stampede in 2012 for the 100th anniversary.

It was at Rafter Six Ranch where Stan

he was all business.”

Over the years, Milo brought home several titles. These included: •Ltd Open Futurity Reserve Champion ASBF with Cody McArthur 2017.

• Amateur Non-Pro Derby Champion ASBF, Alberta Reined Cow Horse Association/Rose Fire Saddle Non-Pro cutting champion 2018.

•2-rein Nation Reined Cow Horse Association Canadian Regional Champion, Canada’s Greatest Horseman Champion, with Clint Swales.

•Northern Alberta Reined Cow Horse Association Extreme Cow Horse Non-Pro Champion 2019.

•Calgary Stampede Cow Horse Classic Non-

Pro Champion 2021.

•NRCHA Novice Non-Pro Canadian Regional Champion.

Sadly, Milo lost his fight with colic this past summer. It was an extremely tragic loss to everyone who knew, or were close to Milo as he was a very special animal.

“He’d always come to greet me and we loved spending time together. He was so fun to be around. But mostly we trusted each other. He would put his whole heart into anything I asked of him, and I knew I could ask a lot of him and he’d always have my back. He taught me so much and brought me so much joy and beautiful people into my life.”

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 17

Good Work

Footwork in the Foothills Ryan Barron, Barron Boot Company.

STORY & PHOTOS BY BAR XP PHOTO – KIRK PRESCOTT “My spark for boot making happened over a number of years. I knew I wanted to work with my hands and had been searching for a very long time for a business that was creative, functional and unique.

Making custom footwear definitely checks all those boxes,” says Ryan Barron.

Born and raised in the Foothills of Alberta, Barron is no stranger to the western way of life. From horses to hiking, 18 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

biking and skiing – Barron is handy in many disciplines and building custom footwear certainly keeps him on his toes.

Growing up, Barron was involved in team penning, team roping and ranch work. His parents owned a training and boarding facility south of High River, Alberta, and his love for the western way of life sprouted there. Barron worked on ranches and in feedlots as a young man and the cowboy

An intricate 18-inch floral boot, with custom collars by Steve Mason Saddles and a soft-square toe.

lifestyle even landed him a film position, riding for John Scott in a few productions.

Barron went on to become a cowboy/ stunt-guy in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show which took him to France for seven years, working for Disneyland Paris. Returning home, Barron owned a training facility near Turner Valley, Alberta for several years and recently relocated to Millarville, Alberta where Barron Boot Company was established.

A road trip in the fall of 2021 spurred Barron’s boot making journey forward.

First, he spent two weeks with Deana Mcguffin, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Here, he gained a basic understanding of the trade and developed an even greater thirst for knowledge. Barron then travelled to Kerrville, Texas to spend time with John Weinkauf. With more than 50 years experience, Weinkauf – a self-taught boot maker – solidified Barron’s direction and set him forward to creating custom footwear in Canada.

Describing his hands-on internship with Weinkauf, Barron stated, “John was so generous with his space, time and knowledge. It was a true privilege and honour to have that opportunity.”

Barron’s workspace is attached to his home. The shop’s character speaks for itself. Adorned with vintage machinery

Designed for a wedding, this custom creation is unique in every way. Displayed before Barron’s 750-pound, Curved Needle Stitcher, the rough-out purple bottoms are a stunning contrast to the tooled collars by Steve Mason.

and personal touches, the room is quaint and centered around craftsmanship. The aroma of quality leather and the warmth of unique images and artifacts captivates visitors.

In Barron’s words, “I feel like I have decorated it in a way that both speaks to who I am and where I have been, and what I am interested in. I like to surround myself with things that I find interesting and inspiring. I think it also gives everyone who comes to the shop an insight into who I am.” An eye catching, 750-pound, Curved Needle Stitcher, truly completes Barron’s space. Used to sew soles on boots, Barron describes it as an engineering marvel from the 1950s.

Barron’s process entails roughly 370 steps. Each pair takes about 30 hours to complete. First, Barron takes a tracing and measures the client’s foot. Next, the measurements are transferred from paper to a “last,” which is a wooden/plastic model of a foot. The “last” will be built-up or sanded down, depending on the client’s foot. The toe shape is also added in this step, basically replicating the client’s foot and the overall, lower boot shape. Barron then cuts paper patterns for the upper portion, based on client measurements and the desired boot height. At this time, he will incorporate designs for stitching and add initials/brands, based on the client’s instructions. After selecting the

Stitching each pair of uppers takes time and precision. The colours, detail and design are fully customized and always eye-catching.

Bold, bright, and functional, this custom creation is perfectly designed to meet its owners’ specifications.

Complete with a Vibram, sole-saver on leather, these boots are set for many miles to come.

various leathers required, Barron will begin the process of cutting and sewing everything together. The entire process is meticulously carried out and the finished product is outstanding.

Each pair of boots is unique. One of the challenges that Barron enjoys most is achieving a balance between what the client wants and what he thinks will look good. Barron is dedicated to his craft and continually expands his portfolio. From custom footwear to gloves, belts, bags, and more, Barron is game to try it all.

In his words, “I feel that I am building the client a personalized gift or a present.

It doesn’t feel like a business transaction to me. That is what motivates me to continue to try and always do better.”

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 19

Western Foodie

Living Quarters Cooking Make-ahead meals for the win!

H

BY MIKE EDGAR PHOTOS BY JENN WEBSTER

orse show life is on-the-go life. Often we may find ourselves at a 4 am start to the day, feeding horses and mucking stalls. Then it’s hurry-up-and-wait for your class, bath, braid, feed and muck again – and hopefully get a few hours of sleep yourself before you do it all over the next day. It’s a wonderful life, but eating nutritiously at horse shows can be a challenge.

With some clever ideas from Chef Edgar, here are some recipes

20 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

you can make ahead of the horse show to have at the ready in a cooler or your living quarters fridge. Thoughtfully packaged in individual food storage containers, you can literally grab these meals and go! Full of hearty fruits, veggies, and protein from ancient grains, these dishes will save time and prevent you from running to the concession stand in haste. You’ll be organized, satisfied and ready to take on your competition goals with a full tummy.

MEDITERRANEAN FARRO BOWL INGREDIENTS 2 Cups Cooked Farro 2 Cups Chopped Bell Pepper 1 Cup Canned Chick Peas 1 Cup Sliced Olives 1 Cup Chopped Cucumber 1 Cup Dried Blueberries

Dressing: 50 Grams Tahini Juice of 3 Lemons 1 Clove Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp Maple Syrup

Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds. It is very low in sugar and a staple in many cuisines, especially in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Tahini is gluten-free, tastes nutty and is simple to make, or can be purchased at the store.

Add all dressing ingredients into a mason jar and shake until combined.

METHOD

Assemble all ingredients into a bowl and pour dressing over the top. Once prepped into smaller food storage containers, this dish will last a week in the fridge when prepared as above. If you prefer more protein, add cooked chicken (although the chicken will not last a week.) Farro is a nutritious ancient grain that contains fibre, protein and antioxidants.

Combined with this dressing, vegetables, olives and a hint of sweetness from the dried blueberries, you’ll marvel at the unique flavour combination.

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 21

WHITE BEAN DIP INGREDIENTS 2 Cups Canned White Beans Juice of 4 Lemons 8 Cloves Roasted Garlic 1 Tsp Salt 1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper 1/4 Cup Olive Oil

METHOD

Place all ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth. Package into individual food containers and keep refrigerated until ready to eat. Serve with marinated vegetables or pita bread.

e Bean Dip

MARINATED VEGETABLES INGREDIENTS 2 Cups Chopped Broccoli 1 Cup Chopped Cauliflower 1 Cup Chopped Radish 1 Cup Chopped Carrot 2 Cups Chopped Bell Pepper 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes Juice of 3 Lemons 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup 2 Tbsp Chopped Parsley 2 Tbsp Chopped Dill 2 Tbsp Chopped Basil.

1 Tsp Salt 1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper

METHOD

In a large mixing bowl toss all ingredients together.

Separate into food containers and refrigerate. Serve with bean dip. Again, these veggies will keep for a week when chilled and continue to marinate while they do so.

Vegetable Marinade 22 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

BURRATA AND PEACH SALAD INGREDIENTS

4 Peaches 2 Pieces Burrata 10 leaves of Basil Honey Aged Balsamic Vinegar Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

METHOD

Grill the peaches just enough to bring out their divine sugars and create grill marks.

Then, cut the peaches into into bite-sized pieces. Cut the burrata balls into quarters.

Arrange the peaches and burrata into your containers. Drizzle with honey and balsamic vinegar, top with toasted pumpkin seeds and torn basil leaves.

Burrata is an Italian cow milk cheese made from mozzarella and cream. The outer casing is a more solid cheese, wrapped around a creamy centre of stracciatella and clotted cream. Mild and fresh, burrata contrasts nicely with the peaches and basil and packs a nutritious dessert in this remarkable dish. Or try it as your next horse show breakfast!

Burrata and Peach Salad

About the Chef: Mike Edgar graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in the Culinary Arts. He stayed in Calgary, AB working at some of the city’s top restaurants. In 2007, he opened his own restaurant in Calgary’s east end. After eight years of being a chef there, Edgar decided to take a step back and left the industry to spend more time with his son. His son has now expressed an interest in learning his father’s skills and in horses simultaneously.

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 23

Some advice for people looking for hay this year: Research your new suppliers extensively, look for reviews and ask on hay and forage groups in your area if anyone else has heard of your potential suppliers.

Side Hustle or Just Hustle?

Scams: How to identify them, how to avoid them and what can you do if it’s too late.

BY MONIQUE NOBLE There are few things as comforting to livestock owners in the fall as seeing hay in the hay shed, assuring that your animals will be well fed over the winter. But mercurial weather patterns and rising costs have made finding hay (unless you’re lucky enough to grow your own,) feel like a bit of a mad scramble this year.

Unfortunately this makes people susceptible to scams, and boy oh boy are they out there!

Scams run the gamut from hay, to saddles, to horses themselves and with scammers getting more and more clever and bold – how do you know if you’re about to fall prey to one? Or worse, is there any recourse for you if you have already been taken advantage of by a scammer?

If you have a reliable hay provider, stick with them – even if their prices rise a bit. Sticking with people you know and trust 24 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

is the first way to protect yourself. However, with hay markets susceptible to the whims of Mother Nature, reliable suppliers may not have enough to supply everyone this year. Sadly, that’s where the games begin. Great suppliers will tell you as soon as they know, they won’t have enough hay for you and will suggest alternatives. Other suppliers will put you off as long as they can which begins to seem suspect as they continuously ask for your patience, or follow one excuse for lack of delivery with another.

A search for winter feed also easily leads to the disturbing discovery of just how many scams are out there right now – and not just for hay. Social media pages and online selling platforms are one of the first places people look these days when they are shopping for something. Everyone is hoping to get a deal, or luck into a hard-to-find item and scam sharks are waiting for you

to dip your hopeful toe in the waters. So how do you avoid them?

There are a few red flags that can help you spot Facebook Marketplace scammers: Check to see if the profile has only been set up recently.

Verify that the profile does not have a profile picture.

Look at the profile’s friend list. If they have only a few friends, or the friends are all out of country this is a sign ignore what they are offering.

Look into the profile and see if the profile name matches the Facebook account profile name – you can do this by clicking on the three dots in the upper right-hand corner. If “Jon Smith’s” profile link name is a little more exotic than his profile name, scroll on by.

If the email they want you to send payment to does not match the name or seems odd, this is a huge warning sign.

Check if the profile has a lot of pictures and that the pictures seem cohesive.

A too-good-to-be-true price or a rare item is another tip-off.

Walk away from sellers asking for deposits up front because of “demand.”

Sellers asking to pay with gift-cards or certified cheques are never legit.

In the event a presumed seller ghosts you when you ask too many questions, they are no longer worth your time.

Lastly, ask to go in-person (and with a friend) to check out the sale item – if suddenly the item is “located elsewhere” or the seller is unavailable to show it to you, something is off.

SOME SAFEGUARDS

If there is an item being offered on social media that you truly want, there are ways to check an account’s authenticity as mentioned above. However, it’s important to remember that nothing comes with a 100 per cent guarantee – even with a deep dive into a specific profile. Ever-evolving ways of profile cloning make it very easy to have a legitimate-looking, yet, fake account. If you’ve ever wondered why friends occasionally send you a friend request from a new account, this is one way scammers try to make their cloned fake accounts look genuine. It is always a good idea to ask your friends if they made new accounts before accepting friend requests!

SOME AUTHENTICITY CHECKS ARE: n Ask for a picture of the item with a currently dated newspaper (old-school but effective) or a note with your name written on it beside the item. n Save the image of the item from the ad and do a Google image search with it, if it comes up in images from 10 years ago, or in multiple ads from other sellers, there is a good chance the scammer has stolen the pic and used it to set up a bogus sale. *Hot tip for sellers – watermark your sales photos with your name and the date so they cannot be used fraudulently!* n Ask questions about the item. For instance, if a seller told you the lovely tobiano gelding they have for sale has had two foals already and was an excellent mother… (We’ll just leave that right there.) n Know how to authenticate your items and be aware of knock offs. n Use secure payment methods. PayPal and Venmo have some purchase security.

Unfortunately scammers prey on people with big hearts. “Rehoming” posts have also been creeping up more regularly.

n E-transfers may be easy, but they come with some risk. n Pay in cash if you can, meet in a safe place and bring a friend. n If you are purchasing hay, go see it if you can, and bring it home yourself.If it’s being delivered, pay upon delivery only.

Now, if you discover a scam, what should you do? If it’s an online scam, report it as such to the host platform. You may also want to let the scammer know that you know about their unsavoury ways – many times the swindler will take the post down, once they realize they have been busted. Also, let others know about specific, potential scams.

Sadly, at this time there is little recourse if you have been victimized by a Facebook Marketplace scam. You can report it to the host platform and if you have used Paypal or Venmo to send a payment, you may be able to get your money back. Yet, if you e-transferred payment and it was accepted, there is little you can do. You can report the e-mail you sent payment to, to the authorities for scam activity but there is very little chance it will be followed up on.

If you have been scammed in person, you can report it to the police and start a file on the scam activity – but don’t be surprised if you find out that the person has been reported before and you are just one of many who have been scammed. You may additionally try to recover your losses in small claims court, but be prepared for a lengthy process. Unfortunately, even if the court does order your scammer to give you your money back, it’s no guarantee they will actually do so.

Scammers are a part of our reality these days, and they are no longer limited to Nigerian princes or free trips from contests you didn’t enter. When in doubt, trust your instincts. If something is too good to be true it probably is, and remember to never give out your personal information, phone number or banking information of any type to an unknown person or website. If meeting in person, always meet your buyer/seller in a brightly lit public area and either take a friend with you, or let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.

Safety first. Shopping second.

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 25

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HEADIN’ DOWN THE

rodeo trail The inside scoop, outside of the arena…

STORY & PHOTOS BY KIRK PRESCOTT - BAR XP PHOTO

L to R; Monty Phillips, Tyler Kraft and Brett Gardiner

T

he elusive rodeo trail has teased and tamed the heart and soul of many. From spectators to competitors, event staff and stock contractors, the world of rodeo is a giant family. Each person brings a unique perspective, impacts the value of the production and continues a tradition that is authentically western and action-packed.

The word “RODEO” is the Spanish term for roundup and cowboys/vaqueros of the 1800s adopted the term to name their impromptu, riding and roping competitions.

Over time, the sport of rodeo evolved into the multifaceted events that we enjoy today. For decades, rodeos have been the heart of the cowboy culture, providing hours of entertainment and competition alike. Arguably, there was no “first-rodeo,” but gatherings have taken place for more than 200 years. Pecos Texas, North Platte Nebraska, and Prescott Arizona have all claimed the title of “World’s First Rodeo,” for quite some time. The first Canadian rodeo was held in Raymond, Alberta, in 1902. Yet it wasn’t until the “Wild West Show” came to Canada in the early 1900s that spectators paid an

admission to attend such a showcase of cowboy skill.

Canada is home to many rodeo enthusiasts and certainly, a talented pool of competitors. One of the most famous rodeos in Canada is the Calgary Stampede (CS). Archives dictate that the first Stampede was held in 1912 and it began as a fair, marked as early as 1884. Notably, 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of Chuckwagon Racing at the Calgary Stampede.

Of course, rodeos can be observed throughout North America and while the CS is labelled “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming is the largest outdoor rodeo in the world. Known as the “Daddy of ‘em All,” and it runs for ten days at the end of July, annually.

With all kinds of history and an incredible following, the world of rodeo is intriguing to many. While we learn about many competitors as they enter the arena and promote their respective events, the general public often knows less about the folks behind the scenes.

Sit back in your saddle as we shed some light on three unique cowboys, well known on the rodeo trail.

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 27

Monty Phillips

(34) Killam, AB Professional Bullfighter, Cowboy/Rancher, Horse & Dog Trainer

28 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

Known as cowboy protection, Monty Phillips is an active bullfighter who enjoys the wild side of ranching and cowboyin’ – when he’s not in the arena. Years of experience and time spent working with all kinds of bulls have honed Philips’ handling and bullfighting skills. Learning how bulls move and how they react to your body position is crucial. While bullfighting isn’t a job for the faint at heart, Phillips notes that his role also requires a great deal of background knowledge. From the bull rider’s history, to the area footing and exit points, each element plays a part in a successful save.

Bullfighters need to know how each rider typically dismounts and if they have a previous injury that could affect their ride. They are aware of the ground and how it may affect the bull’s movement. They know where gates and other team members are stationed in the arena and they can change position quickly, allowing them to ensure everyone’s safety.

Phillips hits the bullseye when he explains that the tasks of the bullfighter and the rodeo clown have shifted over the years. These days, the rodeo clown typically provides comic relief while the bullfighters ensure the safety of bull-riders and prevent injury by distracting the bull and directing his movement.

Phillips has been cowboyin’ and working as a ranch-hand for as long as he can remember. He is known for his skill set and is experienced in all aspects of making the bucking bulls we see in the rodeo arena of today. Phillips has been a bullfighter at the Calgary Stampede eight times. He has qualified and competed

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in the American Freestyle Bullfighting Championship in Las Vegas. He was the 2014 Festival St. Tite Champion Freestyle Bullfighter and has been a bullfighter at the Festival Western St. Tite six times. He has been the Canadian Western Agribition Freestyle Bullfighting Champion twice and has hauled/flanked Wild Hoggs bucking bull, “Pound Sand” at the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) World Finals. He has also hauled/flanked both “Pound Sand” and Thompson Rodeo’s “Twist of Barn Wire” at the PBR Velocity Tour Finals.

Phillips’ list of accomplishments is decorated – and it includes titles for team roping! Outside of bullfighting, Phillips competes in the timed events as a heeler. While he dislikes cats, Phillips is known for his talent in raising and training working heeler dogs. He loves Marvel movies/comics and admits that, in all his travel for rodeo, he has never seen the ocean. Phillips enjoys riding pasture and working cows on good horses.

In his words, he prefers, “the kind of horses no one likes to ride, but me.”

Phillips takes pride in completing difficult tasks that embody the cowboy way of life. He enjoys the thrill of the odd wreck or event that leaves a good story to tell. The task of catching wild cattle to doctor is right up his alley and Phillips enjoys every aspect of the cowboy lifestyle. He thrives on the lessons and skills it presents, pushing him to grow every day.

WHR - What attracts you to the sport of rodeo and what keeps you coming back?

PHILLIPS - The atmosphere, people and thrill of my job as a bullfighter are what I love most about rodeo. You create a “rodeo family” within this sport and I am extremely grateful for all this sport has taught me, the people I’ve met and the opportunities I have been given! There is no sport like rodeo.

WHR - What is your first rodeo memory? Why is it still significant to you today?

PHILLIPS - Playing in the sand pile beside the bull pens is one of my first memories of rodeo. You could always find me there. This memory is still with me today because it’s where my love for bulls all started.

WHR - Outside of the arena, what do you enjoy?

PHILIPS - Ranchin’ as I call it, everything involved in my everyday cowboyin’ adventures.

I love being home, spending time with my twin babies and girlfriend.

WHR - If you could be in a TV series, what series would you like to be a part of?

PHILLIPS - Yellowstone – So I could ride and cowboy in that beautiful country.

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 29

Tyler Kraft

(37) Hanna, AB Manager - Calgary Stampede Ranch & Stock Contracting Operations, Pickup Man

30 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

No stranger to horses and travel, Tyler Kraft has served as a pickup man at some of the most prestigious rodeos, nation-wide. With his wife and three children at his side, Kraft enjoys various aspects of the western lifestyle and they tackle it all, together. As the Calgary Stampede Ranch and Stock Contracting Operations Manager, Kraft has a busy schedule.

Overseeing the Born to Buck breeding program and fulfilling stock contractor obligations, consume a significant portion of his time. Kraft’s duties also entail pasture management, herd husbandry, wildlife management programs, oil and gas/water resource management, and seasoning young horse development.

As a pickup man, Kraft is admired for his manner with both stock and athletes alike. His humble, quiet nature is reflected in his work and his amicable and knowledgeable personality speaks for itself. Following the eight second ride, Kraft’s job is to safely guide the animal out of the arena, after removing the flank-strap, cowboy and back cinch. He notes that each of these steps are secondary to handling and training the stock, prior to their rodeo debut.

Horses are halter broke as weanlings and handled intentionally, to prepare them for a rider with “dummies.” Kraft spends all fall/winter at practice pens, building young bucking horses. The cowboy feels it’s very beneficial for stock to have proper, consistent handling before they enter the rodeo scene. From sorting, hauling, and getting “rider-trips,” to developing a pattern and desensitizing, the behind-the-scenes work with young bucking horses is imperative in their progression.

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Kraft has worked some of the largest rodeos in North America and holds a decorated list of accomplishments. He has been a pickup man at the Calgary Stampede eight times, the Columbia River Circuit Finals, the Grassroots Circuit Finals twice, the Canadian Finals Rodeo three times, and was selected as the alternate pickup man for the National Finals Rodeo, last year. He notes that the farthest he has travelled for a rodeo is to St. Tite, Quebec and he feels that this event should be on any rodeo fans’ bucket list, as the energy at that rodeo is second to none.

“It is electric and will be a highlight of my career for years to come,” he says.

The father of three grew up in a cowboyin’ family, on a Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) pasture, outside of Medicine Hat, AB. Kraft worked cattle with his family, broke horses, rode steers and roped competitively, eventually competing in High School and College rodeo. He has competed at both ends of the arena, being a bronc rider, team roper, and calf roper. He has an incredible talent with horses of all disciplines and between breeding, training and having a good-eye for quality, Kraft has had many good equines in his string.

These days Kraft and his wife continue to enjoy ranching, team roping, barrel racing, cutting, and working cow horse events, together with their children. They are excited to see where these events are headed and plan to be involved, in one way or another.

Kraft’s character is summed-up in his closing words, “I have always felt humbled and blessed to work at my job. I take a lot of pride in what I do and I truly believe you get out of your job what you put in. The Calgary Stampede has developed world class bucking horse genetics and a program with proven success.”

WHR - What attracts you to the sport of rodeo and what keeps you coming back?

KRAFT - Horses. It’s all about the horses. Doesn’t matter what event it is. I have a huge amount of respect for great horses, regardless of discipline. I believe that each generation has the opportunity to be greater than the last. I strive to find that in every horse. Rodeo has a unique family environment. It is heavily rooted in values and hard work. I am blessed for what rodeo has done for myself and the future of my kids. We love being part of a sport that we can raise our kids in and be involved.

WHR - What is your first rodeo memory? Why is it still significant to you today?

KRAFT - My first rodeo memory is the Medicine Hat spring, indoor rodeo. It was a huge deal in my mind.

One of the first times that I was able to see the top cowboys of the early 90s. Guys that you grew up watching on TV. I remember in school, when the counsellor would ask me what I wanted to be, I was adamant that I was going to be a rodeo cowboy. I’m not sure why she didn’t try to talk me out of it.

WHR - Outside of the arena, what do you enjoy?

KRAFT - I enjoy anything and everything that my kids are busy with. They do all the sports. I do my best to be involved in all their games. I also find time for my horses. I always have a few colts that I work on every year.

Our family is busy roping the dummy, going to brandings, competing in local kid rodeos or barrel jackpots – these always seem to keep me busy.

WHR - If you could be in a TV series, what series would you like to be a part of?

KRAFT - I’m not too sure on that… Maybe The Office. It’s a pretty funny series. My kind of humour.

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 31

Brett Gardiner

(40) Sylvan Lake, AB Rodeo Announcer & Western Sports Broadcaster

32 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

A voice that educates and entertains is one way to describe Brett Gardiner’s many talents.

Widely known as a rodeo announcer and western sports broadcaster, Gardiner is not only a crowd/competitor favourite behind the microphone, but also a source of positivity and personal development.

As an announcer, Gardiner educates and entertains the audience as rodeo events unfold. His primary goal is to understand what the audience needs and to deliver that product in the best way possible. He recognizes that audiences continually change and paying attention to how they respond is crucial in making the show the best that it can be. Gardiner knows that a significant portion of his role involves knowing the participants and engaging the audience with background information that makes them feel as though they are riding alongside the athletes.

While announcers / broadcasters are gifted in their delivery, Gardiner feels that one misconception about rodeo announcers is that they, “…simply show up and talk.” Gardiner is an incredibly amicable host and it’s not surprising that he has been awarded the Canadian Announcer of the Year for the past 11 consecutive seasons. Gardiner holds events like the Calgary Stampede and Canadian Finals Rodeo in high regard. As a child, he loved everything about these events and now having the opportunity to be a part of them, is pretty special.

As a member of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Canada Cup Team, Gardiner has travelled to Halifax,

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NS, Moncton, ON, and Quebec City. To him, these events boast a unique element because most people don’t expect western sports out east. Often, he introduces fans to the western lifestyle for the first time. Away from the microphone, Gardiner spends most of his time supporting education and mental health. Gardiner taught High School for nearly 15 years, before pursuing a broadcasting career. Currently, he spends a great deal of time in the mental health and wellness arena, when he’s “off-air.”

Gardiner has a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and is a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Western States in Sports and Performance Psychology.

Through his company, Momentus Performance, he works with individuals and teams as a mental performance coach and counsellor. He also spends time in schools as a mental health and fitness consultant. Gardiner feels that both of his occupations afford him the opportunity to help and support others. He works hard to lead by example, showing up for and supporting others, in the hopes of leaving this world a better place while inspiring others to live their best life.

Gardiner’s closing words speak to his incredibly caring and compassionate character. “I believe we need to be a healthy example for our children and others around us, and I feel it is my life’s work to love and support those around me and to live my life with intention while chasing what is good in the world and helping others do the same.”

WHR - What attracts you to the sport of rodeo and what keeps you coming back?

GARDINER- It’s always been about the people and the places. To have the opportunity to travel throughout North America doing a job I love has been an incredible experience. And more importantly, it is the people I have met, the relationships I’ve built and the connections that were made. The western lifestyle is filled with so many incredible people and many of my closest friends.

WHR - What is your first rodeo memory? Why is it still significant to you today?

GARDINER - My first rodeo memory was when my grandparents took me to the Calgary Stampede. I remember how incredible it was. The sheer magnitude – it was so impressive. I feel as though that moment is still special because, first of all, it was with my grandparents, but now having had the opportunity to work the event, I have learned firsthand how incredible and awe-inspiring that event truly is. I often look up into the grandstand while I’m on the stage announcing the Calgary Stampede and think of how many six-yearolds are out there, just like I was, falling in love with western sports.

WHR - Outside of the arena, what do you enjoy?

GARDINER - I enjoy spending time with my family. For the last 20 years, I have had an incredible life, and this occupation has afforded me many great opportunities. But it has also seen me spend a lot of time away from home, so when I get time with my family, I cherish it as best I can.

WHR - If you could be in a TV series, what series would you like to be a part of?

GARDINER - I think I would like to be a part of a show on Apple TV called Ted Lasso. I love the story, what it represents and the great messages that it conveys. One of my favourite scenes is when the main character quotes a Walt Whitman poem and says, “Be curious, not judgmental.” I think that’s a great way to live our lives.

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 33

UP-N-COM Krystina Lynn Photography Rachel Neufeld Photography

“Nobody cares, work harder…” It’s the title of a book, it’s found on t-shirts and is the subject of many an internet meme. It’s also likely the quote that rings through the minds of some of the most determined, young horse trainers we have coming up in the industry.

By Jenn Webster 34 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

MERS Kaitlyn Jacobson

Jenn Webster

Author, Malcolm Gladwell believes that it takes 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to become a master at something.

In this article, we interview four young trainers who are not only putting in the hours – they are obsessed with improving their skills and horsemanship. So much so, they are also making huge sacrifices in the pursuit of their future success.

Meet four up-and-comers who, in our opinion, are catalysts for changing the horse industry as we know it. They each have a very good understanding of the long days, harsh weather conditions, injuries and other hurdles professionals face doing business with horses on a daily basis. Each talented in their own way, these young trainers know hard work beats talent every day.

Even still, they also know hard work won’t be enough.

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 35

Alyse Molina “I believe there are not a lot of young individuals who have the means, nor the heart to live off of almost nothing while you are developing your skills and earning a name for yourself.” ~ Alyse Molina

Jenn Webster

Age: 23 Location: Nanton, AB Occupation: Pen Rider at a feedlot and owns her own training horse business, AM Performance Horses

36 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

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WHR - What are your goals for your

future?

Molina - I am working to become a top competitive cow horse trainer. I want to compete all over Canada and the US, eventually earning a ‘million dollar rider’ title. I also plan to run my own breeding program and cow / calf operation.

WHR - What attracted you to this

lifestyle?

Molina - I was raised a city kid. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a ‘cowgirl.’ I have always admired the rancher’s way of life and the selfsufficiency they accomplish on a daily basis. I have always loved horses and when I was 12 -years-old, I was given the opportunity to ride a family friend’s horse regularly. But, it wasn’t until I got a taste of working cows at a clinic that I really became hooked.

WHR - Who are your mentors?

Molina - I have learned from tons of different people over the years through clinics, lessons, and working on the job. More recently I have been getting a lot of instruction from Clay Webster. He has been able to help take me and my horses to the next level, including coaching me through my first reined cow horse show season, on a horse I trained.

WHR - As a horse trainer, one of the sacrifices you may have to make includes giving up medical benefits, and in general – money, vacation time and a pension plan. How do you feel about that?

you get the privilege of swinging a leg over.

Most young trainers don’t have the means to spend thousands on lessons and clinics to improve their skills either, but it is such an important part of your development. Making your education a priority is very important, in my opinion. That being said, I believe there should be more certifications and / or school programs specifically for training horses. There are lots of very competitive programs in the US that are proving to be very successful. I think we need way more programs like that in Canada, whether it’s a well-established trainer’s own certification program or through an accredited college or University. Having access to that amount of knowledge will help take young trainers who don’t have a lot of their own connections, to the next level.

WHR - What do you think the key is, in retaining young, keen people to the horse industry?

Molina - Opportunity. The more access to clinics and events at an affordable cost will help young riders get a taste of what the horse industry has to offer. Events like these give the chance to develop skills, try new disciplines, and to network – which can open the door to so many more opportunities.

WHR - Is there a question here that I didn’t ask you, that you wish I did?

What do you believe is the most important asset in becoming a successful trainer?

Molina - The pursuit of knowledge. If you believe you are the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room. You can learn anything from anybody, even if it’s what not to do. You have the power to decide if you want to apply what you have learned.

The important part is that you learned it and have given yourself that choice. The second you have stopped learning, is the second you stopped developing and improving.

“I never had big aspirations to travel and my idea of a vacation is still on the back of a horse.”

- Alyse Molina

WHR - What are the pros of your chosen career? Cons?

Molina - A huge advantage to being a trainer is that you take the skills you have learned from horses and apply it to every other part of your life. For example, patience, reading and understanding body language, being more intuitive. One of the biggest pros to training horses is how rewarding it is to see your horses and riders progress. The rewards may not be in monetary value, but they are in your daily life – mostly stemmed from every interaction you have with a horse. Horses, really are the best therapy.

The cons of being a horse trainer are not different than any other agricultural industry. For instance, working in all weather conditions, long hours, the job is physically demanding, etc.

Of course, the good far outweighs the bad.

Molina - Getting to love what I do everyday is reward enough. I never had big aspirations to travel and my idea of a vacation is still on the back of a horse. I plan to have an established enough facility, coaching and breeding program to support my senior years.

WHR - Do you believe there is a shortage of young up and coming assistant/horse trainers in this industry? If so why?

And what do you think can be done to improve that?

Kaitlyn Jacobson

Molina - I do believe there is a shortage of up and comers in this industry. I believe there are not a lot of young individuals who have the means, nor the heart to live off of almost nothing while you are developing your skills and earning a name for yourself. As a horse trainer you will never stop learning; from your mentors, peers and every horse Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 37

Sierra Schmunk

Age: 25 Location: Onoway, AB Occupation: Employee at Dow Performance Horses & Farrier

38 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

Rachel Neufeld Photography

“I love working outside, having an active job, and interacting with horses.” ~ Sierra Schmunk

QA

WHR - Please tell me about your current job position and what your goals are for the future??

Schmunk - Currently I work for Dow Performance Horses and my boss, Austin Dow, mainly focuses on starting colts and developing them as cutters and cow horses. I also own and operate my own farrier service, part time and I’m working on an apprenticeship.

I’m still working on finding my niche with horses.

My main goals every day, right now are working through fear, gaining confidence and experience, and doing better by the horse. My long-term goal is to eventually have my own place (or manage one) where I can raise and train horses, look after cows, and teach / coach young women.

WHR - What attracted you to this lifestyle?

Schmunk - The love for animals is in my soul. I was always going to choose a job that involved either horses, cows or both. I love working outside, having an active job, and interacting with horses. Horses offer a lot and there is nothing like experiencing what they have to give, physically and emotionally.

I am also attracted to the potential and diversity of this industry. Whether I’m cowboying, horseshoeing or training – I still get to be involved with horses every day.

WHR - Who are your mentors?

Schmunk - My current mentors are Bruce Christie, Austin Dow and of course, my partner Logan Komant. Logan’s main mentors too, are Buster McLaury and Evan Howarth – so I am heavily influenced by them and their schools of thought. It is really important to me to be mentored by people who focus on quality horsemanship, getting into the horse’s mind through their feet, and how the horse feels above all else.

WHR - Do you believe there is a shortage

of young up and coming assistant/horse trainers in this industry? If so why?

And what do you think can be done to improve that?

Schmunk - I am pretty green to the industry, so I don’t feel really qualified to speak on this. I have spent my last several years in the ranch world so I’ve mostly been exposed to people riding horses on side / taking outside horses to cowboy on.

However, from what I have seen and experienced, I do think we could see more trainers in their 20s. Good things would be gained by more competition and hopefully an increase in quality and

horsemanship. I also know it is hard to get into the industry, especially in a quality way – if you are trying to get in without much knowledge. At least, this is something I struggled with greatly.

I think this could be improved by perhaps increasing the quality of some of the formal equine education available in Canada. As well, if more older trainers in the industry were willing to put time into up and comers and help them develop their career, in a way that wouldn’t cause burnout or quit.

If older mentors would foster a long-term working relationship with those who are interested, maybe some of the fast turnaround that has led to less young trainers would change. Just some of my thoughts, from my limited perspective.

WHR - As a horse trainer, one of the sacrifices you may have to make includes giving up medical benefits, and in general – money, vacation time and a pension plan. How do you feel about that?

Schmunk- I’ve never had a job where I’ve had any of that. I think you just have to accept the absence of traditional job benefits, as part of this lifestyle. However, having said that, these things are still very important and I take care of them on my own. I pay into the Alberta Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB) to be covered for injury and Alberta Blue Cross insurance covers most of my medical needs. Working with your body doesn’t last forever, so it is really important to make plans for the future – whether that is with an investment account, etc.

In terms of vacation time, I sometimes feel like there is a bit of a stigma against taking time off.

I’ve heard things like, “…you need to grind 24/7 to make it in this industry.”

Hard work and putting in the hours is extremely important, but time off is also valuable, in order not to burnout and stay healthy. It is hard to take time off if you’re working under someone who has a lot of expectations of you, or if you have a number of horses you’re riding and you feel like every minute counts… But I think the initial cost of keeping a work / rest balance is well worth it.

WHR - What do you think the key is, in retaining young, keen people to the horse industry?

Schmunk - From my personal struggles and experience, I’ve found the biggest issues to be about finances, quality mentors willing to put time into you, mental burnout and trying to find and keep clients.

I think young trainers would really benefit from help of a facility / accommodations – whatever that looks like. The industry could use more older trainers and horsemen who are willing to be involved long-term in teaching, business coaching, passing on clients, sharing a facility, etc.

Perhaps the creation of a program that supports these things would be beneficial. As well, more grants, loan programs etc., geared towards the horse industry and its specific demands.

Something else that I think is important is, community among young people in the industry. Being able to support each other and work closely together, helps with the mental struggle of this career.

WHR - Is there a question here that I didn’t ask you, that you wish I did?

What do you believe is the most important asset in becoming a successful trainer?

Schmunk - A great question is, “What is the best piece of advice for starting out in the horse industry?”

Some advice that I heard recently is this quote by Chris Gregory, “First, find somebody you can mimic, then find somebody you can stand, then focus on one style until you master that style.”

Gregory said this in relation to horseshoeing, but I believe it applies to pursuing a career in horsemanship as well. It speaks to the importance of a mentor – and not just any mentor – as well as keeping focused on one style or niche until you master it. These things are crucial for success.

WHR - What are the pros of your chosen career? Cons?

Schmunk - Some pros are the privilege to pursue my passion, that horses reveal what I need to work on inside myself, and that training is consuming – you can’t coast through and still train well. When I’m working with a horse, I’m able to get into a headspace where time just disappears and I love that. I love that great horsemanship is a lifelong pursuit.

There is no “arrival” or perfection; there is always something to be learned and refined.

The ability to be self-employed is a pro. You’re able to tailor your days, facility and “program” however you want. As I mentioned earlier, the diversity of the horse profession is a pro to me.

I can continue a career with horses in many different capacities and never get “stuck.”

A few cons include the physical toll of working with your body, the potential for injury, the mental energy it takes to be present and teach horses, and financial issues. Working under a trainer likely isn’t high paying, or some internships don’t pay at all – so it is tricky to learn, pay living expenses, and also save enough money to start out on your own.

If you work for yourself, there are likely a lot of overhead expenses depending on your situation. Finding a mentor or learning opportunity that lines up with what you’re looking for – and is a healthy situation – can also prove to be very difficult.

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 39

Kade Fisher “It takes early mornings, late nights and eating when you can. Discipline, ambition and a tough work ethic is what is needed and I find, not many people have that drive anymore.” ~ Kade Fisher

Kaitlyn Jacobson

Age: 21 Location: Rural Vulcan County, AB Occupation: Employee at Clay Webster Performance Horses Inc.

40 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

QA WHR - What are your goals for your

future?

WHR - What do you think the key is, in retaining young, keen people to the horse industry?

Fisher - I think that hardworking, motivated young people need to find the horse industry and see for themselves, how rewarding our lifestyle can be.

Kaitlyn Jacobson

Fisher - I would like to become a top trainer in three events: reining, working cow horse and cutting. I would also like to become a “Million Dollar Rider,” with earnings in either the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRHCA), the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), or the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA.) I would like to have a sustainable cattle ranch and performance horse program and I would like to win the World’s Greatest Horseman Competition, on both client horses and my own personal mounts.

The life we live is rewarding enough in itself.

I feel like I’m always on vacation. Horse shows are like a vacation to me, with new friends to be made and old ones coming along with me. There’s always a sense of community surrounding you, to help you out at those events.

WHR - What attracted you to this lifestyle?

Fisher - How rewarding it can be and seeing all of your hard work pay off. I love seeing the changes in the horses I work with.

WHR - Who are your mentors?

Krystina Lynn Photography

Fisher- Clay Webster. And I look up to Kelby Phillips in the cow horse world too.

WHR - Do you believe there is a shortage of young up and coming assistant/horse trainers in this industry? If so why? And what do you think can be done to improve that?

“Horse shows are like a vacation to me, with new friends to be made and old ones coming along with me.” ~ Kade Fisher Krystina Lynn Photography

Fisher - I believe there are not as many as there could be. This industry is not for the nine-tofivers… Meaning an individual has to find the drive within themselves, in order to make it work – let alone, be successful. It takes early mornings, late nights and eating when you can. Discipline, ambition and a tough work ethic is what is needed and I find, not many people have that drive anymore.

WHR - As a horse trainer, one of the sacrifices you may have to make includes giving up medical benefits, and in general – money, vacation time and a pension plan. How do you feel about that?

Fisher - I’d rather be able to wake up every day and do what I love, day in and day out, with no benefits. Instead of making a living in something I don’t enjoy – even if that job pays well and has full benefits. For me, it goes back to the quote, “If you do what you love, you will never have to work a day in your life.”

In addition to training reiners and cow horses, Fisher is working on perfecting his roping skills as well.

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 41

Diquita Cardinal “You have to be okay with just barely scraping by at times, and putting in longer hours than the people around you, with higher paying jobs.” ~ Diquita Cardinal

Jenn Webster

Age: 23 Location: From McBride, BC & Currently in Okotoks, AB Occupation: Horse Trainer & Colt Starter

42 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

QA

WHR - Please tell me about your current job position and what your goals are for the future?

Cardinal - My main business is selling my personal ranch horses . Recently I’ve been taking a few outside horses, and starting colts for people. Colt starting has been a focus for me the last few years.

Overall, I specialize in developing well-rounded ranch horses that show up when you need to get the job done, but still have all the buttons in the arena.

My goals are fairly broad. I want to become as wellrounded as possible in my horsemanship. I don’t feel the need to master a certain discipline or sport, but I would like to remain versatile; knowing that good horsemanship looks the same in all disciplines. My interest lies mainly in cow work and roping, but I want to be handy in as many aspects as possible.

WHR - What attracted you to this lifestyle?

Cardinal - I was born and raised on a horse ranch in British Columbia, where my parents train and sell horses for a living. My upbringing, as well as my natural draw to horses and the “cowgirl” lifestyle, is what drove me to choosing this way of making a living.

WHR - Who are your mentors?

WHR - Do you believe there is a shortage of young up and coming assistant/horse trainers in this industry? If so why?

And what do you think can be done to improve that?

Cardinal - I think horse training has become a more viable career choice in recent years. For example, my mom was a horse trainer before it was considered a “real job” and she really had to

WHR - As a horse trainer, one of the sacrifices you may have to make includes giving up medical benefits, and in general – money, vacation time and a pension plan. How do you feel about that?

Cardinal - I honestly have never been too worried about that aspect. To me, the benefit of doing what I love and being my own boss outweighs not having the medical benefits that most people receive. I’d sooner work double time and reap less benefits, than be comfortable and not like what I do.

Cardinal rides broncs on occasion, not as a means for contending on the competitive circuit, but because she believes it makes her a better colt starter.

WHR - What do you think the key is, in retaining young, keen people to the horse industry?

Cardinal - As much as I love what I do, there is no shortage of times where I feel discouraged and wonder if I need to go a different direction.

I have been in an intern position at multiple horse facilities. Something that you become used to as a young intern in the horse industry, is longer than usual hours. Sometimes no days off, little to no pay, unexpected schedule changes, etc. These are sacrifices we make because we want to learn, and learn we do – but not without burning out before long.

In order to become successful, I think people need some sense of security and stability, which can be incredibly hard in this career path. Overall our pure stubbornness and will to make it work can sometimes be taken advantage of, in working intern positions. I get that when you are starting out you can’t expect to be paid, but I believe young people who have already put the work in and are qualified should be paid appropriately.

Jenn Webster

Cardinal - I’ve had numerous mentors over the years who have shaped me into the horsewoman I am today. My parents have served as a great source of knowledge for me, as well as put me in positions to ride with a lot of different clinicians.

Don Halladay was one of the very first horseman to influence me. I started riding with him at fiveyears-old. I then began learning from Martin Black when I was 10, and I went to work on his ranch for a few months in my teenage years. Martin taught me most of what I know about colt starting, roping, and stockmanship. When I was 19, I went to intern at Craig Johnson’s, where I learned to refine my arena work. It would be a long list to name them all, but I am grateful to everyone who helped me through my horsemanship journey thus far.

go against the norm to pursue her passion.

Nowadays, I think it’s an easier job choice to get into and has some more recognition. I don’t necessarily think there is a shortage of young horse trainers, but I think it can be hard to find good quality horsemanship.

At the moment, Cardinal admits she lives a bit of a “gypsy cowgirl” lifestyle. However, she’d like to settle down on a ranch of her own someday. “Most of all, I hope to create a name for myself and that holds integrity and respect in the industry.”

WHR - Is there a question here that I didn’t ask you, that you wish I did?

What do you believe is the most important asset in becoming a successful trainer?

Cardinal - One thing that I look back on in my horsemanship journey that I might have done differently, is to become more aware of what my time and knowledge are worth.

It makes sense when you start out that you might not get paid, but after you gain enough experience I think you need to make sure you aren’t working for free anymore. I think it’s important for the industry that young horse trainers can start standing up for what their time is worth.

WHR - What are the pros of your chosen career? Cons?

Cardinal - The biggest pro for me is probably the freedom; being able to be my own boss and be on my own schedule. I want to be able to travel and work, not always being tied down in one spot. Also, I find motivation and purpose in being able to work at something I love. At the end of even the hard days, I feel accomplished and fulfilled by the work that I do.

Cons are mainly financial. It can be really hard being an up-and-coming horse trainer with today’s high price of living. You have to be okay with just barely scraping by at times, and putting in longer hours than the people around you, with higher paying jobs. Another con is that when you’re doing this full time, it can be hard to have time for other things. It can cut into time with family and friends, and other hobbies. It’s kind of an all or nothing attitude to make it work as a career.

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 43

The Xibition

This southern Alberta reining show paid out almost $55,000 in cash and awarded another $50,000 in prizes to competitors on August 1-6, 2023. With 263 horses contending, two indoor show arenas, entertainment and a medley of other amenities, the Xibition was truly an event to behold.

STORY & PHOTOS BY JENN WEBSTER The Claresholm Agriplex saw scores of horses and trailers arrive in Claresholm, AB, this past August 1-6, 2023. So many in fact, the organizers of The Xibition had to seek out extra sources of power, to cater to the masses of living quarter trailers that arrived – and extra stabling to meet the demand for entries.

Headed by frontmen, Dave Benard (HD2 Productions) and Ron Anderson, The Xibition has become a pinnacle Canadian reining event, in only its second year. In 2023, reiners from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Montana all hit the road to Claresholm, to take part in this spectacular 44 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

show. Upon arrival, it was easy to see how this event stood in a league of its own.

First off, consider this – The Xibition offered a “kid’s camp” to participants, with daily events taking place, so that riders with young children could have a safe place to drop off their young children. As a result, these parents could have the mental focus they needed to show their horses, or perform their show horse duties for the day, without having to stress over their young uns’.

Next, the show committee never called upon “volunteers” to work the gate.

Instead, Benard had his own family in place to tackle that duty – (his mother-in-law

had some long days August 2-6!) And in order to accommodate the massive amount of classes and entries for The Xibition, the show featured two indoor arenas (running simultaneously,) and two outdoor warmup pens. The show bill was comprised of a full slate of National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) ancillary classes (including a $10,800 Open), saddle shootouts and much, much more.

Plus, for three nights of The Xibition, evening entertainment was offered. This included a pizza and karaoke night, a Friday night sponsor and draw party and Saturday night cabaret, with musicians, Mark Parsons and Friends. What further

OPPOSITE PAGE: 27 pairs of stirrups from Western Specialties were awarded to reserve champions. 27 buckles from Troy Fischer Silverworks and NRHA bronzes were awarded to winners at The Xibition. THIS PAGE: Three saddle shoot-outs took place at the show, in partnership with Jessica Turner of Rose Fire Saddles.

Monique Noble accepts a. “Spirit Award” for the Bekki Yvon barn, for displaying the barn with the most enthusiasm at the show.

sets The Xibition show committee apart is, the people found serving meals and drinks and taking tickets etc. during the evening occasions were none other than Benard and Benard’s own children, family and friends – people who had already worked all day long, announcing, organizing, videoing and photographing the show.

After working from morning until night, the show committee delivered plates of food to contestants who joined in, cleared tables, made drinks and generally worked hard to cater to all the whims of riders and sponsors.

WHR got the chance to visit with Benard about the triumphant event. Here’s what he had to say about the success of the 2023 The Xibition.

FROM CRAZY IDEA, TO FRUITION “There were many reasons for creating The Xibition, but I can honestly say the biggest reason was to create something special for a community that has been so kind and generous to myself and the entire HD2 Productions team, since we worked our first-ever event at the Reining Alberta Spring Classic back in 2009,” says Benard.

He explains that the specific goal of The Xibition was to create a show based on three core principles of the “X”perience; experience, innovation and growth.

“Everyone who comes to The Xibition should have a great time,” he says.

“We focus on ensuring a welcoming environment that is fun, safe and exciting.

We love finding ways to use technology that supports our creative new ideas for

horse show production and we know that if we do our job well, we can help grow and sustain the horse show industry.”

This is an interesting perspective – considering the fact that neither Benard, nor any of his family have ever owned horses. It begs the question, why would they work so hard to put on a pinnacle, Canadian reining event?

“I love my family and my friends. I couldn’t be more lucky or blessed. Together we have done a lot of crazy things, but I don’t think anything as crazy as trying to run an NRHA horse show in not one but two arenas at the same time!” Benard laughs.

“I trusted myself and I trusted my support team. We didn’t really know what we were doing, but we aren’t afraid to ask silly questions and then listen to the answers. I also really wanted to spend more time with my great friend and mentor Ron Anderson. He has been incredibly kind and generous to HD2 Productions over the past 14 years and I knew we would make a great team!”

The 2023 Xibition paid out just under $55,000 in cash and also awarded another $50,000 in prizes. This included three Bob’s Custom Saddles from Rose Fire Saddles & Tack, 27 buckles from Troy Fischer Silverworks, 27 pairs of stirrups from Western Specialties and countless other prizes from local vendors within the industry. Of the 263 horses entered, 205 competed in NRHA approved classes.

Aside from The Xibition, Benard has big goals for the future of the Canadian horse

industry in general. He has spent a lot of time watching and learning about many of the big shows in the USA and what makes them special. He has studied many of the key aspects offered down south that are being missed in many Canadian events.

“I really miss The Canadian Supreme and so many of the great concepts and experiences created by the late Dave Robson and his incredible team,” he says.

“I would love to create that type of event for the Canadian western performance horse industry again. I think an innovative incentive program that benefits and focuses on Canadian breeders would be a logical progression. I also think reining needs to happen ASAP at the Calgary Stampede and I would be happy to help make that a reality in anyway I can. With the excitement created from the television show, Yellowstone I know that guests of the Calgary Stampede would be thrilled to see our top Canadian horses and riders sliding in the dirt!”

Benard is incredibly proud of his show crew and the things they were able to accomplish this year in Claresholm.

He also offers a lot of gratitude to Dave Hansma at the Claresholm Agri-Plex for all of his support to the show.

“I hope that our incredible sponsors and partners from the industry know just how much they mean to The Xibition. And a HUGE thank you to all the competitors who have supported the show in such a kind and generous way. It really makes us all feel happy and proud to do our work.”

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 45

4-H: FOUNDATION FOR LEADERSHIP He looked down at the floor of the arena, scuffing his boot in the dirt.

Swallowing hard, he fidgeted with his collar, nervous, but determined not to show his emotion.

She was holding tightly to the halter, wrapping her fingers around the lead in the other hand. She held her breath and struggled, waffling between excitement and disappointment.

They waited with baited breath – and the announcer bellowed, “The Champion is..!” And their hearts swelled and broke simultaneously…

By Debbie MacRae

46 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

Debbie MacRae

4-H contestants wait to hear the results of their competition

h

Boys judging prize heifers at 4H Club Fair at Charleston, West Virginia. Circa October 1921. Photo by Lewis W. Hine.

T

he idea was conceived with a bag of seed. One bag of corn offered to ‘local boys’ to grow and compete at the St. Louis Fair in 1901.

President Orwell of the Farmer’s Institute of Caoupin County in Missouri wanted to nurture the concept of agricultural interest and development in youth.

Ironically, the year was one of extensive drought across the eastern United States, the most severe heat wave prior to the 1930s dustbowl years, taking the lives of over 9,500 people. The heat was exceptionally prolonged and accompanied the most severe drought since the keeping of the records. Needless to say, the pursuit of an agricultural career appeared less than favourable.

However, 500 local boys responded – and the simple process of growing a bag of corn sparked the 4H movement. “Learn to do by doing.” Simple and concise, the concept marked the foundation of leadership development and was embraced by youngsters, parents, school authorities and the agriculture industry as a whole.

It takes a farm kid to know a farm kid. At a time when young girls in rural areas weren’t generally encouraged to enhance their agricultural knowledge, a young lady from Iowa emerged as the intrinsic motivator for children in agriculture.

Born in 1881 on a farm near Shenandoah, Iowa, Jessie Field Shambaugh helped to guide the formation of 4-H clubs as we know them today. She started attending educational farm meetings with her father, sponsored by the lo-

cal Farmers’ Institute, even before 12 years of age – a good indicator that farm kids are interested in agriculture.

She became the first female agriculture teacher in the United States. Her brother, Henry Field would become a famous nursery and garden innovator in the nation. As a teacher, “Miss Jessie” believed in practical, hands-on learning, pioneering the concept of helping students “make the best better.” She taught country children in keeping with the concepts of country life and tied their learning strategies to their home life in rural and farming communities.

Less than five years after the corn project was conceptualized by Orwell, Miss Jessie developed the Boys’ Corn Club and the Girls’ Home Club, becoming one of the forerunners of 4-H. In 1905, by the age of 24, she had been elected superintendent of schools for Page County, becoming one of the first female county superintendents in Iowa.

A year later, she enlisted the assistance of the local one-room country schools to initiate the concept of boys’ and girls’ clubs inspiring students to higher achievement. Projects like the “Best Device Made by a Boy for Use on the Farm” or “Best 10 Ears of See Corn Selected by a Girl” urged students into friendly competition designed to educate, motivate and produce results at higher achievement levels.

“Making country life as rewarding as it might be in any other walk of life,” Jessie Shambaugh made a difference. After her death at the age of 90, she was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame in 1977 for her

contributions to education and to agriculture.

Her legacy lives on.

As the concept of the Boys’ and Girls’ clubs gained momentum, researchers at experimental stations, land-grant facilities and the Department of Agriculture identified that adults within the farming community did not readily accept new agricultural innovations.

However, educators observed their students experimenting with the new ideologies, sharing them and their successes with their adult counterparts, and in effect creating a conduit of information transfer that influenced and educated adults.

As early as 1882, Delaware College initiated a statewide corn contest for boys whereby each individual planted a quarter of an acre with instructions from the college. Prizewinners received cash prizes, certificates, personal recognition and subscriptions to agriculture magazines such as the American Agriculturalist.

Wisconsin introduced a Young People’s Contest inviting over 6,000 young people to raise and exhibit livestock, fruits, and vegetables in competition as an enhancement to the local county fair. Their efforts extended further to engage Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs to assist in the marketing and distribution of improved seeds to farmers – improving the overall quality of corn production in the area.

From “Corn Clubs” and Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, 4-H evolved into project groups ranging from vegetable and fruit production to livestock, including beef, swine, sheep, poultry and rabbits; home-making projects including sewing, preserves, and cooking.

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 47

Children as young as 6 can join 4-H through the Cloverbud program. It’s never too early!

One of Shambaugh’s archival library collections at the University of Iowa, celebrates a young lady by the name of Lois Edmonds, who won first place in a state bread-making contest in 1911, earning her first visit to Washington D.C. Canada’s participation in the 4-H movement commenced in Roland, Manitoba in the year 1913. The concept spread like wildfire through the agricultural regions of Canada, gaining momentum with the assistance of the federal Department of Agriculture and the support of Canada’s railway companies.

They assisted with a national judging competition, held in conjunction with the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.

Needing further assistance to coordinate and sponsor an ever-growing program, the Canadian Council on Boys and Girls Clubs was organized by January, 1931, combining private and government resources, and providing a platform for national discussion and programs.

The underlying purpose of the 4-H structure was to assist and guide young people in four basic developmental areas: · Problem solving, with ability to analyze and resolve complex problems.

48 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW Fall 2023

· Emotional development with positive attitudes, acceptance and tolerance. · Skills development, the ability to learn skills, practice, and develop good habits. · Physical growth; understanding change and development.

The motto “Learn to do by Doing” was proposed by a botanist with the U.S. Bureau of Plant Industry and was adopted in 1927, the same year the 4-H Pledge was adopted as it was written by Otis Hall of the Kansas State College of Agriculture. In 1973 the pledge was changed to include the words, “my world”.

I pledge…

My head to clearer thinking, My heart to greater loyalty My hands to larger service, My health to better living For my club, my community My country and my world.

From Manitoba, Boys and Girls clubs expanded to Ontario in 1913 with a Potato Growing Contest (which information only recently came to light). Historically, Ontario has celebrated the year 1915 as its anniver-

sary date. Then it turned westward to British Columbia in 1914, and eastward again in 1916, to the Atlantic side in New Brunswick with a poultry and swine club.

Alberta introduced a Junior Pig Club in Olds in 1917, with the oldest currently active Alberta club residing with the East Lacombe Beef Club since 1917. Livestock was the club of choice for Saskatchewan in 1917, and Prince Edward Island hosted poultry and swine clubs as early as 1918. Nova Scotia brought a Beef club to Antigonish in 1922, and Quebec introduced Boys and Girls Clubs in the 1920s and 30s.

In 1935, Ontario introduced its first homemaking club, with over 1,000 young ladies sewing and completing a project they called “A Simple Cotton Dress”.

1952 saw more changes with the adoption of a name change to 4-H Canada. The 4-H logo represented the 4 “H’s” in the logo, Head, Heart, Hands and Health. The Canadian banner was added at the bottom, and there was a shift in direction, which moved the focus of the Club from the “project approach” to member development. The goal evolved from the best grain or calf to the most well-rounded individuals.

It all started with a bag of seed…

The success of the 4-H model is tangible.

It has been seen in the contributions of members since its inception: · It has been established that 4-H’ers are four times more likely to make community contributions. · They are twice as likely to be civically active. · They are twice as likely to participate in science-based programs outside their regular schooling hours. · 4-H girls participate in sciencebased programs twice as often as girls participating in other out-of-school activities.

During World War II, it is estimated over 800,000 4-H members enlisted or were drafted in the United States. 4-H programs all over Canada and the US focused on farming and supporting the War Effort by spending less, eating at home, and conserving resources for the “boys in the armed forces who can’t raise gardens, pigs, chicks, etc.”

Sewing clubs donated articles of clothing, bomb bags to carry supplies to shelters, and focused on repairing their own sewing machinery as new equipment was difficult to obtain. Quilts were donated to the Red Cross.

Volunteers spent hours folding bandages for hospitals, and scrap drives were held to collect paper, iron and rubber for the war effort. Civic mindedness was introduced and reinforced at a young age, and 4-H was the foundation for development.

The 4-H clubs of today maintain the same standards of responsibility and involvement, expanding to embrace the evolution of our youth and the needs of an ever-changing society. New programs, new leaders, and new ideas serve to inspire, educate and develop dynamic programs for both rural and urban youth. Agriculture is, and will continue to be, essential for our future. Healthy living, with healthy choices makes for healthy futures, and 4-H has planted those roots.

Reserve Champion Photo Jessa Mandel, with her lamb of 68 lbs – John Ware Beef Club.

Fall 2023 WESTERN HORSE REVIEW.COM 49

Will Ride for Food

INTIMIDATION TACTIC GONE WRONG

T

here are intimidation tactics when it comes to messing with your fellow competitors, just prior to a rodeo or horse show class. And then there are intimidation tactics, gone wrong.

Professional reining trainer (we’ll call Wally) was a coach to his amateur client, Jake.

Wally’s job was to coach Jake through his next National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) show. Wally had extensive experience working with amateurs and non-pros of all kinds.

Therefore, he had seen it all in his day – or so he thought.

At the show, Wally and Jake went through the motions of preparing the horse and rider for the class. Jake’s horse was brushed, saddled and shined. Last minute tack checks took place and once aboard, Wally accompanied Jake to the warm-up pen.

Wally took up a trainer’s position on the outside of the hitching ring. Jake walked his horse directly into the centre of the pen, while other riders loped circles around him. That’s when, Jake tipped his hat a little farther back on his head and yelled out, “Ya’ll might as well just unsaddle and go back to your barns now.

The champion just walked in…!”

Wally’s jaw hit the floor. Could Jake be serious? He not only figured he was good enough to win the class – he was also bold enough to declare it loudly to his competition?

Still shaking his head, the trainer called over to his client.

“What are you doing?!?” he whispered loudly to Jake.

“It’s an intimidation tactic,” Jake replied.

“What…?” the trainer shook his head in confusion.

By Bronco Betty

“If I mess with their heads a bit now, it might shake ‘em! Give me an actual chance of placing in this class!” Jake chuckled.

“Oh, is that what that was?” Wally snorted.

“Well you’re up soon, let’s get you ready.”

Once it was time for Jake to enter the main show arena Jake cued his horse into a walk, much to Wally’s dismay. In their pep-talk, the trainer had advised Jake to trot to centre, since this was a very big class. It would speed things up a bit and he would be giving the judges a first good impression.

Jake and his horse sauntered up to centre and stopped. Then with a smouldering look, he winked at the lady judge in the stands.

“Oh good lord!” Wally muttered under his breath.

Jake cued his horse into four spins to the right. They finished with a quarter spin overturn, but it wasn’t enough to send them off pattern. Still, Jake had begun his pattern already racking up one point penalties, from each judge.

Four spins to the left followed. Again, the pair over-turned by a quarter. More penalties.

Next, Jake cued his horse into a big fast circle at the lope, on the left lead – or so he thought.

Contrary to what their pattern called for, the pair headed to the left, on their right lead.

“Change leads!!” Wally yelled out, in an effort to help his client get back on pattern.

“What?” Jake yelled back.

“Change leads!”

Jake did not change leads.

Instead, he continued his second big fast circle on the wrong lead – amassing more penalties in the process.

“Change leads!” Wally yelled a third time.

Surely, this must feel awkward to his client, Wally thought to himself. They had had several lessons leading up to this show, discussing the importance of being on the correct lead for which the pattern called, and how much more comfortable it was for the rider’s hips. Still, Jake did not cue his horse for the left lead. Instead, he continued into his final left, small slow circle – on the right lead.

Now Wally was frustrated. “Change leads!!!”

This time Jake heard his trainer. “Why would I do that? I’m not at centre yet,” he yelled back.

Wally watched in utter disbelief as his client finished his last left circle and proceeded to change directions – cueing for a lead change at centre. It was a flawless flying change on the horse’s part. However, now he and Jake were headed into a big fast circle to the right, on the left lead. The penalties were blowing up faster than a toupee in a hurricane.

At this point, even the show videographer was agitated. “Change leads dumbass!” she hollered at him.

Jake looked down at his horse’s shoulders, finally realized what was happening and cued for the right lead. The rest of the pattern went along smoothly. However, it was the first time this show had ever seen a rider earn 30 points in penalties.

Half-way through a long, silent drive home, Jake finally piped up and said, “Next time Wally, don’t let me be so cocky.”

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