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| Photo by Judy MacKenzie-West Billy, Colt and Lindsey Richards |
Stocking the Herd
Colt Richards
Congratulations to Billy and Lindsey Richards on the birth of their first child, Colt Douglas Lyle Richards.
Colt was born April 5 in Calgary, Alta., weighing 5 lbs. 10 oz.
Colt’s dad is six-time CFR competitor (1992, boys steer riding, five-time saddle bronc) rider Billy Richards.
Gunnar Hunstad
Congratulations to Brian and Aimee Hunstad on the birth of their son, Gunnar Arthur Hunstad. Gunnar was born March 23 in Estevan, Sask., weighing 8 lbs 10 oz.
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| Photo by Aimee Hunstad From left: Christine, Jessica and Stephanie with their new brother, Gunnar Arthur |
Gunnar’s dad is working cowboy and ranch roping competitor, Brian Hunstad.
Abby Mastad
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| Photo courtesy of Jill Jenkins Abby Rose, a new sister for (from left) Peyton, Devany, and Tressa Mastad |
Congratulations to Milt and Paulette Mastad on the birth of their daughter, Abby Rose.
Abby was born Feb. 28 in Moose Jaw, Sask., weighing 9 lbs 2 oz.
Abby’s dad is former
NHL hockey player, now rancher and saddle maker, Milt Mastad.
Rodeo Hall of Fame
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Nine new inductees will be introduced to the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame (CPRHF) for their significant contributions to the sport of rodeo in Canada at a ceremony in Calgary, Alta. Oct. 17, 2009.
They are: the late Jim Clifford, Don Dewar, Claire and Lois Dewar, Jim Kelts, Ruth MacDougall in the competitors category; builders Mark Wagner and Wes Zieffle in the Builders category and rope horse, Twist, in the livestock category.
Empty Saddles
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Ray Hunt, 1929 – 2009
Legendary horse trainer Ray Hunt passed away March 12. Hunt is credited as being the first travelling clinician, taking his teaching methods on the road more than 30 years.
Ray was honoured with the Top Hand Award, inducted in to the California Reined Cow Horse Hall of Fame in 2004 and was named the first Western Horseman of the Year in 2005.
Two Hall of Fames for Living
Legend Jack Daines
Congratulations to Jack Daines of Innisfail, Alta., who was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame May 29 in the Builder category for his dedication to the development of rodeo in Alberta.
A successful entrepreneur and famed supporter of rodeo, the 72-year-old has been actively involved in the sport ever since he hitchhiked to Olds one summer to compete in and win the boys’ steer riding competition. Daines and other recipients were inducted at a banquet and ceremony May 29.
In 2000, Daines was inducted into the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame. Daines was featured as a Living Legend in the Oct/Nov 2005 issue of Canadian Cowboy Country.
Cowboy Country TV Ropes a Rosie!
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| Photo by Marie Tanner (From left) Host Ash Cooper and executive producers Rob Tanner, Ron Scott and Dean Langille accepting the Best Lifestyle Series award for Cowboy Country TV |
Cowboy Country Television has won the Rosie Award for Best Lifestyle Series at The Alberta Film & Television Awards for 2009.
“I’m thrilled our industry peers have recognized the quality of our show, and I credit its success to the talent of our production team in bringing to life the stories that have appeared in our magazine,” says Executive Producer Rob Tanner.
Inspired by stories taken from the pages of Canadian Cowboy Country magazine, this half-hour series has celebrated the western lifestyle in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Montana throughout its 91 episodes.
“I’d like to thank the many great people who opened their doors and gates for us to share their stories,” says Executive Producer Dean Langille, “and the amazing fans who have always supported the show.”
The Awards were presented by the Alberta Motion Pictures Industries Association (AMPIA) on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at Edmonton Northlands.
No Qualms about Quam
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| Photo by Colleen Symes Rusty Quam lends her skills to Lakeland as the college’s rodeo co-ordinator |
Rusty Quam has won a CCA title in barrel racing, made the final four at the Calgary Stampede in 2003 and was the average winner at the CFR in 2004. Now she’s sharing her rodeo knowledge with Lakeland College students as the rodeo club co-ordinator.
“Rusty is very well respected in the rodeo community and has a lot of connections in the sport. She’s a great addition to our rodeo club,” said Josie Van Lent, dean of agricultural sciences.
Quam joined the college in January and is enjoying working with the rodeo club’s members. “The students are great. They’re really interested in learning and are excited about rodeo,” she said in a recent interview.
There are 77 members in the rodeo club. Of those, 31 are on the rodeo team that competes in the Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (CIRA). The club also has a drill team.
Practices are held throughout the school year in the heated indoor riding arena at the Vermilion campus. “There are lots of students and people in the community who come out and watch. We also have stock contractors bringing in new stock to be bucked so there’s a lot of action. We had 36 horses through the chutes last Wednesday — you couldn’t find a spot to sit in the bleachers,” she said.
Rounding out the clinics, Quam has brought in clinicians Dee Roy (goat tying), Dwayne Pillman (saddle bronc), Justin Guenthner (steer wrestling), Justin Voltz and Denton Edge (bullriding) and Glen O’Neill and Billy Laye (bareback and saddle bronc) to work with the students.
In addition to working with the current edition of the rodeo team, Quam is also recruiting students for next year. Quam is also the granddaughter of the late Bill Gomersall.
Cowboy Poet’s Home Lost in Fire
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| Photo by Terri Mason Frank Gleeson, the Official Cowboy Poet of Williams Lake, B.C. |
Celebrated cowboy poet Frank Gleeson and his wife, Betty, lost their home on their Lone Birch Ranch north of Williams Lake, B.C., in a fire at end of the March. Frank’s truck was also seriously damaged.
It took 20 firefighters more than an hour to douse the blaze. Fire officials believe the fire was started by a propane leak.
Randy Worsley, deputy chief for the Wildwood Fire Department, says the Gleesons were fortunate, as they had to escape through the front door, near where the fire was concentrated.
Their home, which was under-insured, was a total loss.
Empty Saddles
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| Illustration “Hartley” by Ash Cooper |
Hartley Urquhart, 1922 – 2009
Rodeo cowboy, stock contractor, cattle buyer, coach, cowboy poet and horse trader, Hartley was instrumental in starting and supporting rodeos in Canopus, Big Beaver and Rockglen, Sask., as well as in Opheim, MT.
Hartley received a lifetime membership to the CCA and was honoured at the Regina Agribition for his involvement in rodeo. Hartley has been immortalized in pencil art by both Ash Cooper and Bernie Brown.
Kamloops Cowboy Gathering
Joe Marten Memorial Award
Western artist, John Schnurrenberger, was the honoured recipient of the annual Joe Marten Memorial Award at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival. The Joe Marten Memorial Award honours artists for their contribution to the preservation of cowboy heritage in B.C.
Schnurrenberger received the recognition for his lifelong dedication to authentic western art. The award was presented by Traudl Marten.
Art and Artisans
Supporting the arts and artisans is a mainstay of the Festival and each year, the competition attracts some of the best in the business.
Congratulations to Shannon Lawlor who took home Judges Choice as Best of Show, Adeline Halvorson for her Peoples Choice award for Best of Show, Peter Castonguay for Best of Show in photography and sculptress Linda Kelly for her Best of Show sculpture, Catastrophe.
Here is the complete list of artist placing in flat art, photography, sculpture and Judges Choice — plus Peoples Choice.
Flatwork – Judges’ Choice
Best of Show: Straight Up in the Bridle, Shannon Lawlor, Cayley, AB
1st Runner Up: The Visit, Adeline Halvorson, Chilliwack, BC
2nd Runner Up: Running Paints, Michelle Grant, Calgary, AB
Flatwork – Peoples’ Choice
Best of Show: The Visit, Adeline Halvorson, Chilliwack, BC
Runner Up: Straight Up in the Bridle, Shannon Lawlor, Cayley, AB
Photography
Best of Show: Riding Out At Dawn, Peter Castonguay, 100 Mile House, BC
1st Runner Up: Frosty Parade, Liz Twan, Alkali Lake, BC
2nd Runner Up: Charro Horse, Lynn Rougeau, Westwold, BC
Sculpture
Best of Show: Catastrophe, Linda Kelly, Kelowna, BC
1st Runner Up: Baby Bunting, Jordan Straker, Chilliwack, BC
2nd Runner Up: Colt Lamp, Doug Alcock, Vernon, BC
The Art of Saddle Craftsmen
The number of saddles entered in the second year of the saddle-making competition doubled in entries — no doubt in part because of the high level of craftsmanship and the fact it was judged again by famed craftsman, Chuck Stormes.
The judging was split into two groups; professional and amateur and the array of styles was impressive — and encouraging for the future of this art.
Congratulations to Darcy Kabatoff, winner in the pro category with his Ladies Slick Fork and Elton Joorisity in the amateur category for his Wade.
Here’s how it all shook out at the end:
Professional
Best of Show: Ladies Slick Fork, Darcy Kabatoff, Mission, BC
1st Runner Up: Taylor Tree Fully Tooled, Ryan Cope, Oakdale, CA
2nd Runner Up: Tooled Custom, Bob Kaufman, Irvine, AB
Amateur
Best of Show, Wade, Elton Joorisity, Whitecourt, AB
1st Runner Up, Association, Joe Roberson, Merritt, BC
2nd Runner Up, Full Flower Wade, Terry Millliken, Manyberries, AB
Mane Event Red Deer
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| Photos by Terri Mason The capacity crowd surged to their feet in a standing ovation for Doug Mills’ dramatic finish |
It was literally standing-room-only as trainers Doug Mills, Pat Hooks and Mel Hyland took centre stage for the grand finale to the Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge, sponsored by Canadian Cowboy Country magazine.
The young horses, supplied by Lukacs Performance Horses of Olds, Alta., provided each trainer with challenges, but none more so than Texhoma, Okla., trainer, Pat Hooks. Hooks, who always maintained focus on what was best for the horse, did an admirable job with a difficult mount. A man of many talents, he also toured for five years in a bluegrass band, and ended his segment playing guitar and singing a poignant rendition of My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys — and the audience agreed.
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| Photos by Terri Mason Quite a remuda of talent, from left: Stan Jacobs, judge, Hugh McLennan, Pat Hooks, Doug Mills, Mel Hyland, Ron Hoffman and Bob Kaufman |
It definitely wasn’t the first time in a round pen for Mel Hyland, but it was his first time competing in the Mane Event Challenge. Hyland, whose obvious skill and personal discipline won over both the colt and the audience, finished his final segment by swinging onto the young horse bareback and taking him through his paces again.
The multi-time Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge champion, Doug Mills, added one more Diane Anderson sculpture to his mantle. Mills, whose colt admittedly had a bit of a problem with skidding a log, ended his segment by taking the halter off the young horse and riding him at liberty at a walk, trot and lope. It was a standing ovation finish and earned him the championship at the 2009 Red Deer Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge.
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| Photos by Terri Mason The multi-talented Texhoma, Okla., trainer, Pat Hooks, serenades the crowd |
The three-day horse expo showcases all aspects of life with horses; breed associations, tack and grooming, barns, ongoing clinics covering every discipline, maintenance equipment, horse trailers, arenas, English disciplines, western disciplines, driving disciplines, carriages, home decor — the list was seemingly endless. It’s a great place to exercise your optimism and credit card.
The next Mane Event takes place in Chilliwack, B.C.,
Oct. 23-25 this year. See you there!
Royal Summer!
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| Photo courtesy of Miss Rodeo Canada committee 2009 Miss Rodeo Canada, Aaron Courchesne, visiting with Rod Anderson |
Summer has finally arrived and 2009 Miss Rodeo Canada Aaron Courchesne couldn’t be happier! So far, June and July are proving to be her busiest months when her summer begins with appearances at the Brooks, Innisfail and Sundre pro rodeos. To kick off “Cowboy Christmas,” (so called because it’s the busiest time for rodeos-and pay windows) Aaron will be riding in the Calgary Stampede Parade plus attending a myriad of functions during this world-famous event. As well, Aaron will be jetting off south of the Medicine Line to represent Canada at the “Granddaddy of ‘em All,” Cheyenne Frontier Days. She will then be winging her way back to carry the Canadian flag at both the Medicine Hat and High Prairie pro rodeos.
Check our MRC website missrodeocanada.ca for Aaron’s schedule. Be sure to stop for a visit wherever you may see her. The ever-charming First Lady of Rodeo is never too busy to talk with the most important people in rodeo, the fans!
Where in the World is Canadian Cowboy?
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| Photo courtesy of Corrine Leask Corrine Leask and Joyce Grainger at Masada in Israel |
Corrine Leask took Canadian Cowboy Country on a tour of Greece and Israel. Her friend, Joyce Grainger (blue shirt) and Corrine both live near Cremona, Alta.
Masada is a site of ancient palaces and fortifications atop of an isolated rock plateau on the eastern edge of the Judean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea, in the South District of Israel. After the First Jewish-Roman War (also known as the Great Jewish Revolt) a siege of the fortress by troops of the Roman Empire in the spring of 73 AD led to the mass suicide of Jewish rebels, who chose death over surrender.