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In the Corral

June-July 2005

Centennial Medal Honours Saskatchewan People
Photo courtesy of Mike Copeman
Lieutenant Governor Lynda Haverstock presented two recipients with the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal at Government House.
Susan Velder, the sculptor commissioned to create the Queen’s Golden Jubilee statue of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II riding her favourite horse, Burmese - received the commemorative medal as did Miss Rodeo Canada 2005 Christa Lawrence.
The Saskatchewan Centennial Medal celebrates people who give generously of their time and energy to improve the lives of others,” Haverstock said. “Today we are pleased to be able to recognize two very talented individuals who are exceptional ambassadors for our province.”
Approximately 4,000 Saskatchewan Centennial medals will be presented to individuals at ceremonies held throughout the province this year.

Yorkton Cowboy Festival
Yorkton, Saskatchewan is launching their first annual Cowboy Festival Aug 13-14, 2005! Their inaugural festival includes a ranch rodeo, cowboy art and gear show, ranch roping and reined cowhorse competition as well as cowboy church.
I spoke with one of the many organizers, Stu Cairns, and he reeled off a list of musicians that includes some of the best western talents such as Rick and Casey Peden, Chris and Sharky Schauer (and their dog, Teddy), Saskatchewan’s own Ryan Fritz and B.C. Cowboy Hall of Fame yodeller Shirley Field. Stu is looking forward to meeting all of the musicians, as he has yet to experience their live performance.
Hold onto your hat, Stu!

Stampede Western Art Show
Photo by P. Black
Rob Tanner of Tanner Young Publishing Group is pleased to announce Canadian Cowboy Country magazine is once again a sponsor of the 2005 Western Art Salon at the 2005 Calgary Exhibition & Stampede.
&nadian Cowboy Country has long recognized the importance of western art in capturing and preserving western images for generations to come,” said Tanner in a recent interview. “The magazine has gained a reputation for its art features, and it is important that we recognize the outstanding contribution artists make to our western culture.”
Each winner is chosen by the votes of the artists participating in the Western Art Show. Last years winners were K. Neil Swanson, voted Best New Artist and Henri de Groot, winner of Best in Show. They were presented with a ribbon and a limited edition silver and nickel belt buckle crafted by Olson Silver in High River.

Upcoming Birthdays – and it’s a BIG one!
Photo by Dave Volk
Congratulations to Canmore’s Johnny Boychuk who will be hosting his 100th birthday party at the Cross Zee Ranch at Canmore on August 20. Johnny, who started his outfitting business in 1939 in Yoho National Park near Emerald Lake, later moved his outfit to Canmore in the 1950s.
Johnny probably gave more kids their first guiding job than any other outfitter in Alberta – including the editor of Canadian Cowboy Country. Happy birthday old friend!

Into The West – Coming to the West!
Photo courtesy of Turner Pressroom
Into the West, the much-anticipated six-part television series co-produced by Turner Network Television and Steven Spielberg’s Dreamworks, begins airing June 10. Filmed in the U.S. and Alberta, this epic series spans 65 years, from 1825 to 1890, covering one of the most dramatic periods in American history.
Set against the backdrop of major historical events, this powerful epic adventure unfolds as told through the struggles, triumphs and heartaches of two families as they journey in search of the American dream. Into the West follows two multi-generational families, one settlers and the other Native American, each telling the dramatic stories of the development of the West from their distinct points of view.
The production team went to great lengths to verify the aspects of this project. Advisors on language, culture, wardrobe, architecture and various other aspects of life during that period were brought in to ensure accuracy. History is typically written by the conquerors, however this story was researched and written to reflect both sides of the events by writers with integrity. As well, six different directors, the majority NOT American, bring additional perspective, points of view and storytelling techniques.
Wrangler John Scott (Legends of the Fall, Lord of the Rings) from Longview, AB, acknowledged Into the West required more than just typical horse work as many of the riders, especially the Native American riders, had to go without saddles. “Riding bareback at a high rate of speed requires a good horseman,” says Scott. “You’ve got to know what you’re doing. You’ve got to be prepared for when the horse ducks over a hole or something. And it’s not something you just get overnight.”
A particularly tricky scene in the epic production involves a wagon train caught in a raging river. As Scott explains, this was one of the most difficult challenges of the shoot. “Pulling off a stunt in a river is always tough. You have to have the power of the horses to hold the wagons there, and they have to keep pulling because the current will push the wagons away from them. You have to have horses that know how to swim. The horses we used are ranch horses who are used to crossing rivers all the time to chase cattle.”
Many fine Canadian actors took part in this epic, including Graham Greene, Gordon Tootoosis and well-known cowboy poet, actor and Merritt area rancher, Dave Longworth.

Younger Horses – Older Men…
Spent a delightful day at the social event of the season – the draft horse sale in Olds. Dale Befus and Terry Bailey, two committee members of the Calgary Stampede International Horse Pull gave me the rundown on the upcoming show. I was pleased to hear that the competition is still a tight tug pull, no jerk starts allowed. The judge this year is well-respected teamster Bill Smith, head horseman from Calgary’s Heritage Park.
Also indulged in my annual attempted horse buy with bronc rider J.R. Reding. I’m trying to buy one of his mares, he’s trying to buy one of my geldings. I suggested perhaps he might let me babysit her for the summer, as he is rodeoing hard this season.
Two great old horsemen were also at the sale – Allan Bexton, 101-years-old from the Lloydminster area and Ernie Henderson, 100, from High River. Both men recently retired from their lifetime of judging draft horses and teaching draft horse clinics across the country. Allan has been invited to have tea with Queen Elizabeth II when she’s in Alberta.
Fred McDiarmid, auctioneer and Tom Wraight, sidekick, were also there. While in the office getting my bidding number from Jan McDiarmid, she laughingly told me that printing Fred and Tom’s photo in the Apr/May issue caused a rumour in the Coronation area that perhaps I might be a bit sweet on those two guys. I told her, “They’re nice, but I’m in the market for a Belgian gelding.”
Oh, and the sale itself was quite a success!

Greatest Show on Earth Moving!
The traces are set and the draft horses are getting fit for the once-in-a-lifetime event of The Greatest Show on Earth Moving will be held Aug 5-7 at Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. The Historical Construction Equipment Association is building road using both “original” horsepower and antique combustion machines. Massive machines, massive horses, massive fun! See 1000 feet of road being built in three days. Did I mention massive machines? There is a 16-horse push/pull hitch on the elevating grader alone! Some of the Alberta teamsters that have been invited to participate include Kim and Neil Dimmock, Andre Lafrance, Dave, Geniene and Tara Laing, Terri Mason and Greg and Mike Ruzicka. For more information, visit www.hcea2005.com.