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In the CorralApr-May 2005 Centennial Field Hitch
The teamster, Neil Dimmock, was recently awarded a commemorative certificate from the Canadian Percheron Association in Regina at Agribition for "the driving of the world's record 46-horse hitch of Percherons in Mundare, Alberta in 2003." The hitch will be assembled and driven in the field at their farm by Mundare, east of Edmonton. For more information, contact Kim at 780-764-2099 or 780-764-2259. Neil Dimmock setting a world record as he drove a 46-all-Percheron field hitch on his farm in Mundare, AB in 2003 Photo courtesy of Dimmock family collection Cowboy Gear And Crafters Auction
In between rebuilding his shop and crafting his superb custom saddles, Deryk is trying to replace his lifetime collection of leather tools - many of which were antique or irreplaceable. "This is a great sale," he said. "I come here every year." Deryk expects his new shop will be completed and open for business at the beginning of April. The western community hosted a wildly successful fundraiser in Eckville attended by the Who's Who of the cowboy world. Saddlemakers and leather crafters from across the country have been contributing tools and gear. "I'm trying to get enough time to build a stitching horse from my favourite pattern, but I just don't seem to have the time," he said. "Chuck Stormes sent me one to use until I get mine built." Also I had a nice visit with a couple of western memorabilia collectors, Bob Foster, who made the trip up from the Longview area to add to his impressive cowboy gear collection, and Pat McCormick, collector of (what else!) Riley & McCormick saddles and gear. Pat is the grandson of Eneas McCormick, one of the founders of Riley & McCormick (see Aug/Sept Trailblazers). Pat is carrying on the family tradition and has recently taken up the art of saddlemaking - just like his grandfather. It was interesting listening to Pat's comments when items such as the brown angora stovepipe chaps came on the auction block as he could quote from memory the original price from the old Riley & McCormick catalog. Photo courtesy of DesignPics; photo by Carson Ganci 2005 B.C. Cowboy Hall Of Fame Inductees
Inducted in the category of Ranching Pioneer was Mr. Ernest Haughton. Born in Knutsford in 1911, he spent his life working in the cattle industry in B.C. - running his own ranch as well as giving back to the community in numerous board positions on cattle breed associations, national and provincial livestock exhibitions and livestock co-ops. Ernest passed away in 1986.
Mr. Danny Lytton was inducted in the Competitive Contributions category for his tremendous energy in the field of competitive roping. Dan was born in Wyoming and eventually moved to Loon Lake Being confined to a wheelchair since September 2000 hasn't stopped Dan from cowboying. He is a certified cattle buyer and still runs over 100 head of cattle in the Sheridan Lake area with his wife Linda and his family. He is still an active participant at rodeos as an organizer and volunteer. Photos courtesy of British Columbia Cowboy Historical Society Cowboy Trail ChurchEveryone is invited to mosey on over to the Cowboy Trail Church held every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the Ranchhouse at Cochrane. If you've never been to cowboy church, this will be an experience, delivered in Bryn Thiessen's unique style! Bryn's the preacher and Mike McGough provides pastoral care (he thought maybe he should be called a shepherd, but Bryn reminded him he was in cattle country). Chris and Sharky Schauer, Mike Burns and special guests provide the gospel music - complete with a touch of Texas swing. You'll hear a bit of cowboy poetry too. This is a ministry big on laughter, hospitality and some learning along the way. Bryn's sermons are delivered the same way he feeds cattle; he gives you enough to chew on but he doesn't feed you the whole load. For more information, call Bonny Thiessen at (403) 638-4254. Dam Ice
Photo courtesy of Keith Pedersen More Dam Ice
Photo by Mike Puhall Oops! We Goofed!Another one of the long list of things I like about folks from Saskatchewan is their sense of history and long memories. We erroneously reported that Miss Rodeo Canada 2005, Christa Lawrence, was the first Miss Rodeo Canada from Saskatchewan. We were promptly corrected by phone, fax, email and I was even stopped at the UFA in Olds and told we had it wrong. In fact, Joanne Riou from Saskatoon was the first to win from Saskatchewan in 1980, followed by Kathy Cornelsen in 1983. Andrea Johnston is a Saskatchewan girl who ran as Miss Medicine Hat Stampede and won in 2001, and now Christa Lawrence. Jean Cornelsen sent me a lovely email with an update on Saskatchewan's former Miss Rodeo Canada, Kathy Cornelsen. Kathy is married to rodeo stock contractor, Bronc Rumford, of Rumford Rodeo Co. of Abbyville, Kansas. Bronc was the chairman of the Miss Rodeo America committee the past two years. Kathy has judged Queen competitions, National High School Finals and voted as a timer at NFR. She trains and sells barrel horses, is the secretary for the Kansas High School Rodeo, and together with her husband, supplies stock and saddle horses for the Queen competition at the NFR. Special thanks to my new Saskatchewan correspondents, Sheila Mackie and Jean Cornelsen and my old friend, Tom Reardon. |
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Mark your calendars for the last weekend in May when the Dimmock Family Farm and Museum hosts their Centennial Field Hitch (weather permitting). Over twenty head of draft horses - predominantly Percherons - will be hitched to a cultivator in an impressive demonstration of old-time farming techniques featuring real horsepower and teamster skill. 
There was a large, enthusiastic crowd at the Leather Workers & Western Lifestyles Auction held by Shields Auction on February 26 in Bashaw, AB. Front and center was well-known Alberta saddlemaker Deryk Pitts, restocking his shop after a devastating fire last fall.
Congratulations to all the 2005 inductees to the B.C. Cowboy Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at the 2005 Kamloops Cowboy Festival held in Kamloops, B.C. March 11. 
Mr. Antoine Allen was inducted in the Working Cowboy category. He was born in Oregon in 1853, and moved to the Cariboo when he was just nine-years-old, working for Jerome and Thaddeus Harper at their ranch on the Fraser River near Dog Creek. He drove cattle on some of the longest known trails from Washington and Oregon to the Cariboo. In later years, he worked on cattle drives with the Pat Burns Company. He married Sarah Ignace and the couple had four daughters. Antoine Allen passed away in 1936 at 83 and is buried on the Kamloops Indian Reserve. 
Ranch in 1969, training horses, working cattle and rodeoing. Dan placed in the top ten for almost 30 years before an accident at the finals in Princeton 2000. He was a tireless organizer and board member of many roping associations, most notably team roping which was his sport, once winning the Stockman's Choice at High River, AB - taking home the first place stock trailer in 1991.
The quick melt in British Columbia wreaked havoc along the creek and riverbanks. Moffat Creek jammed with ice and flooded Rolph's Stock Ranch on 108 Mile Road near Horsefly in the Williams Lake area. Owners Bruce and Lonnie Rolph were able to move the livestock safely but their haystacks were destroyed. Bruce is a tremendous cowboy poet who, unfortunately, is never able to attend Kamloops, as that's when they calve out. When you get the chance, ask Bruce to recite his poem about coaching a Little League baseball team.
Mike Puhallo about to take a flying leap off the top of some of the remaining ice chunks along the Thompson River in the Kamloops area. The rapid melt and ensuing ice dams caused flooding and damage to many ranch and farm properties in B.C.