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In the CorralOct-Nov 2004 CENTURY FARM FAMILY AWARDS 2005 will mark the centennial for both Alberta and Saskatchewan, and while the celebrations will be widespread, there is a quiet celebration that has been going on for a number of years - the recognition of our ancestors' courage and determination when they settled the land. The Century Farm Family Award of Saskatchewan and the Alberta Century Farm & Ranch Award acknowledges the significant contribution of farm families. These provinces appreciate that keeping the farm or ranch from generation to generation is an impressive achievement, and salutes those who have owned and operated the same land for 100 or more years. If you are, or if you know of, a century farm or ranch family in your area, check out the provincial agriculture websites on eligibility requirements. www.agr.gov.sk.ca (Saskatchewan) or www1.agric.gov.ab.ca (Alberta). O'KEEFE RANCH RODEO CHAMPIONS It was a dead heat until the cowboys from the Riske Creek Ranch Consortium (Pat Jasper, David Maurice and Steve Roberts) chose to take low time to break the tie. Winning by two-tenths of a second, the Douglas Lake Cattle Company (Home Ranch division) - Stan Jacobs, his son, Cameron Jacobs and Wendell (Puck) Stoltzfus - took home the cowboy silver from the 12th annual O'Keefe Ranch Cowboy Festival at Vernon, B.C. held this past August long weekend The winning team had the choice of either silver-inlaid Garcia spurs or a silver-inlaid bit. Stan and Cameron chose the spurs, while Puck chose the bit. Stan was soon at his horse trailer strapping on his new spurs. "These are the first brand new spurs I've ever owned," the legendary cowboss commented. "No way are they going to hang on the wall." I hope someone keeps his old spurs for the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame... WORKING RANCH HORSE COMPETITION
The competition was tough and played out over three days in gruelling Okanagan heat. Dave Batty was the judge, and commented that he'd rather be judging this event than go to a cutting. "Most of these guys are my friends." Sometimes the best man for a job - is a woman!
Tatum - who confessed her favourite cowboy is Cody Snyder - took home a big cheque, gift certificate and a belt buckle. Her victory stunned the other seasoned competitors - some as old as six - as this was her first rodeo. Mom Crystal Rain and Uncle Elroy Strawberry Rain were thrilled with her winning ride, and anticipate spending their days escorting this powerhouse down the cowboy trail. READIN' - RIDIN' - 'RITHMETIC There's darn few left who remember riding their horse to school, but now thanks to the innovative thinking of the Prairie Rose School District, horses again will play a part in the classroom. Only this time, they will be riding horses in school. The Manyberries School in southeastern Alberta is trying a creative approach to education. Alongside the traditional quality education synonymous with smaller class sizes, Manyberries is integrating horsemanship in their curriculum. Lee Finstad, Ag Society chairman, said in a recent interview that the parents and school officials searched for a way to ensure the future of the school, and the answer was right outside their door. The Manyberries area is famous for its untouched natural prairie grasslands that span the horizon. "Down here," Finstad laughed, "pastures are measured in townships, so there won't be any ditch riding." Ian Tyson, a supporter of the project, recently performed at a fundraising concert to help raise funds to build an indoor arena to accommodate winter classes. Not just the fantasy of horse-crazy kids, the concept has captured the imagination of adults as well. Finstad has already fielded inquiries from interested adults, who are ready to pony up - and saddle up. For more information contact Lee Finstad - Manyberries Ag. Society President at (403) 868-2088. SILVER AND GOLD
Miriam, who has performed with great performers such as Gary Fjellgaard, Jack Jackson, and Danny Agintian, is opening for George Hamilton IV in Wetaskiwin in October. In November, Dreher is heading into the recording studio with international classical guitarist Jason Carter from Finland. DEATH OF THE OUTLAW Final score: Outlaw 73, Cowboys 1 Outlaw, one of the most respected bulls in the world of rodeo was laid to rest August 30th in the hillside graveyard overlooking the entrance to the Calgary Stampede ranch near Hanna. Veterinarians put him down after he was found in a pen, unable to get up. "He was a superstar," said Robin Burwash, the Stampede's rodeo and ranch manager. "He just didn't like to be ridden. The longer you stayed on, the harder he bucked." Outlaw, who rose to infamy with a reputation so bad he had a $10,000 bounty on his head, defeated 57 riders before B.C. cowboy Justin Volz became the first (and only) rider to hang on for eight seconds. Volz scored a 93, and also won the $50,000 at the Stampede in 2002. Outlaw earned the title of Champion Bull of the 2002 CFR. He was also the star of the PBR in 2002 when he slammed J.W. Hart into the dirt. Jerome Davis, the 1995 world champion from North Carolina and television commentator remarked, "First time I've ever seen a bull buck upside down." Perhaps his biggest blaze of glory was at Calgary in 2004. Over one hundred and ten million people watched Outlaw make history when he came out of the chute at the 2004 Calgary Stampede and - after throwing his rider with sensational style - the bell clanging on the bullrope signalled the closing of the New York Stock Exchange-and the opening of the Calgary Stampede. "The whole sport of rodeo lost a superstar," said Robin Burwash. "We all had a pretty heavy heart to lose a great bull like him. Not only was he famous for his athletic ability, but also for his personality. He never hooked anyone in his life." Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association Trail's end cowboy poetry gathering October 15, 16, 17 in Crossfield, AB This year Trail's End is dedicated to the memory of Lloyd Dolen. Come for the weekend and listen, laugh and shop 'til you drop at the 2nd annual ACPA gathering! This is the show that launches the new books, CDs and talents of poets from across the west. Got a hankerin' to see if you've got what it takes to be a poet? The ACPA has opened the Friday workshops to the public and urges everyone interested to attend. As well, Sunday morning offers cowboy church - from a cowboy's perspective. For more information call Iven Bryant (780) 352-2784 or email iven@cablerocket.com. One Tough Hombre Hugh McLennan, the voice of Spirit of the West, and one of only two "outside" riders invited to compete in the working cowhorse competition at O'Keefe Ranch, riding his mare, Lucky, survived a dramatic spill when she hit loose footing on a corner at a high lope. They were both okay, and continued to finish in a respectable position. If anyone got a photograph of the actual fall or Hugh's dead-on roping, please contact the editor at Canadian Cowboy Country magazine. Both were spectacular, and we would like a print for both the office and Hugh. Frank Edward Galbraith October 25, 1952 - July 23, 2004 Our sympathies go out to the family and many friends on the sudden passing of Frank Galbraith due to complications from pneumonia. Frank - a singer, songwriter and musician - was very popular with audiences and musicians alike due to his outgoing personality. He was well-known on the B.C. western music scene, not only for his skill as a bass player and sound mixer, but also for his harmonies. Most recently, Frank performed with Matt Johnston and a number of Canadians at the Academy of Western Artists in Fort Worth, TX. On July 29th family, friends, entertainers, and fellow musicians came together to celebrate his life. Everyone sang and played some great tunes - exactly what Frank would have wanted. For Ladies Only! From their beautiful ranch in Coldstream, B.C. Dave and Brenda Batty hosted a cutting horse clinic for ladies only. Sandy Bonelli from Weatherford, TX - one of the highest earning non-pro cutting horse riders with earnings of over 2.5 million dollars - treated fourteen lucky ladies to her wealth of experience and knowledge on riding and showing a cutting horse to the max. Held in the middle of August, the famous B.C. summer heat made Sandy feel right at home. Riders from B.C. and Alberta all agreed it was a first-class event with topnotch help and good cattle. All the money raised from the clinic goes to the Hans Hansma Canadian Youth Scholarship Fund created to help fund the further education of youth who participate in the Canadian Cutting Horse Association. Hans was one of the forerunners of the quarter horse business in Canada. For more information on the scholarship please contact Brenda Batty (250) 542-6289. |
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Mark Elliott from the Douglas Lake Cattle Company (Portland Division) won the working ranch horse competition on his 12-year-old gelding, Beanpole. He was awarded a custom headstall with engraved silver.
Five-year-old Tatum Strawberry Rain representing the Samson Cree Nation from the Sharphead Reserve at Hobbema, AB - won "day money" at the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede's Mutton Bustin' Competition July 12, 2004.
Canadian yodeller, Miriam Dreher - winner of 10 music awards from the Country Gospel Music Association in the last year, (seven Canadian Silver Star awards - two for yodelling - and one International Gold Star yodeller), is headed for Branson, MO the second week in October for the International Music Convention. The convention is for both gospel and secular musicians. We wish her good luck and hope she'll come back with the International Gold Star Yodellers award again this year.