Cassidy TM
living life the cowgirl way
Santa Fe Fashion Week
Saving Wild Horses 7 inspiring advocates of the wild horses of America
The
FALL FASHION ISSUE
Fall 2014
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American Horsewoman’s Challenge
FEATURES 10
Wild & Free 30
Fall Fashion 42
Santa Fe Fashion Week
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Saddle Up Tee $22.95, Favorite Cowgirl Coffee, www.FavoriteCowgirlCoffee.com, Copper Oval Earrings $26, Cowboy’s Daughter, www.CowboysDaughter.com, Bronze Pearl and Turquoise Necklace $85, Leather Bracelet with Concho $12, Julie Rose, www.JulieRose.com, Caloosa custom reclaimed boots $152, Redeemed Soles, www.RedeemedSoles.com, Floral Shorts $10, Tan Pearl Button-Down $15, Community West, www.ShopCW.org,
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Q+A with Raquel Lynn of Horses & Heels
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These Boots Were Made for Walking
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Sorrel River Ranch Spa
In Every Issue
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Rios of Mercedes
6 Editor’s Letter
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7 Contributors
Delightful Duos
Trending: Gold Rush
Tracy Miller Fine Art
Singer Natalie Stovall and the Drive
Trendy Tops for Fall
Editor-in-Chief Abigail Miles editor@cassidymagazine.com
Advertising Sales Aly Padrnos (951) 283-6753 aly@cassidymagazine.com
Art Director Michael Satterfield mike@cassidymagazine.com
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editor’s letter
C ABIGAIL MILES
Editor-in-Chief
ASSIDY is officially one year old and I want to thank you for reading this magazine! When we first decided to embark on this journey we wanted to create something different, new and beautiful for the western publication industry. It’s been a wonderful first year and we hope to have many more ahead of us. In this issue, we set out to introduce you to some of the most passionate advocates for wild horses in the United States. We chat with Raquel Lynn, of popular western lifestyle blog Horses & Heels, about her motivation behind her blog and what fall trends she loves and hates. You’ll
also find Fall Fashion inspiration from both our Fall Fashion editorial, shot at the stunning Longshadow Ranch Winery, and from Santa Fe Fashion week.
Abigail Miles
Abigail Miles Editor-in-Chief
From our Readers I need a Vacation
Keep it up
Every other magazine
“I have fallen in love with several of the guest ranches that were featured in the summer (2014) issue! I am saving my pennies and crossing my fingers that I will get to visit at least one of them before I die! I never thought it would be something I’d want to do until I read Cassidy’s list. I need a vacation!”
“Cassidy always seems to get the most stunning models! And I really love that almost all of them actually RIDE! The photography is top notch and blows the rest of the women’s western magazines out of the water! Keep it up!
“I loved the American Horse Breeds story. Seems like every other magazine does all the well known breeds but completely ignore the small breeds. I always love learning something new while reading a great magazine. Thank you!
Carrie Ann Smithson Boise, Idaho
Josie Mason Dallas, Texas
Samantha Porter Little Rock, Arkansas
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Contributors Featured
Interested in contributing to Cassidy Magazine? Contact editor@cassidymagazine today!
Hailey Trealout
Amy Witt When Amy Witt isn’t team roping, blogging or writing she eats, sleeps and breaths fashion. Not only does she have a strong knowledge and education in the fashion industry, she has been active in the western and rodeo world her entire life; winning national and state championship titles. As an entrepreneur, she is currently designing her own clothing line, California Dreamin’. Her blog, with the same name, fuels her self-journey as she shares her crazy beautiful life, loves, style, writing and inspiration with her readers. She truly aspires to inspire people as she strives to change the world. www.caliidreamin.com
Hailey Trealout is the Editor of her local town paper, the LaSalle Post in Ontario, Canada. As a recent graduate from the Journalism program at St. Clair College in Windsor, Hailey works as a videographer for several military-based groups and has interned with big name companies such as the Discovery Channel, TSN, and the Windsor Star. She has been around horses since she can remember, and instantly found a love for them. Her partner in crime is Big Red, a 24-year-old Arabian-Quarter Horse. After being together for nearly 11 years, the pair got into competing in local barrel racing competitions but have since retired. Red continues to be her inspiration for her writing.
Kathy Satterfield
Angela Kelly Ph.D. Dr. Angela Kelly has been an artist all of her life. She earned a Bachelor of Art Studio degree at the University of California at Santa Barbara while working as a professional photographer. Angela has a Ph.D. in Human Development and is trained in both art and psychological theory. Angela’s doctoral dissertation focused on the use of creative expression as a treatment modality in the prevention and intervention of self destructive behaviors with “so-called” at risk youth. Her dissertation became a non-profit called Project Renaissance that promoted gang resistance and served over 600 low income youth. www.angelakellyphd.com
Kathy Satterfield grew up on a Southern California café ranch outside of Norco, known as Horse Town USA. Kathy, a wife, mother, entrepreneur, and former barrel racer has been active in the western community her whole life. In addition to owning a successful business, she currently serves on a local private school board and is the founder and Chairwoman of Cowgirls United by Pink a 501c3 charity that is dedicated to breast cancer awareness and education.
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scrapbook for myself and friends but it turned into something more. I wanted to share the products I was currently in love with, new purchases, my cooking adventures, obsession with cowboy boots and sometimes expensive taste with everyone else. Blogging was a new concept to me and I just dove right in.
Raquel and her horse Rumor shot by Midwest Sports Photography www.MWSPIX.com
Q+A
HORSES &HEELS Horses & Heels is a weekly updated blog featuring an excessive amount of cowboy boots, original recipes, fashion, accessories, outfits, DIY projects, home décor, and lifestyle pieces – Always with a touch of western & equestrian flair.
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We saw your beautiful wedding photos on your blog. Congratulations! Thank you! My husband and I were married on the Greek island Santorini and then spent our honeymoon exploring Santorini, Athens, Vienna and Paris. It was just the two of us and we threw a party for our family to celebrate with us when we returned to the states. What inspired you to start your blog, Horses & Heels? I started Horses & Heels in the fall of 2010 with the idea of it being a personal online
What was your initial goal when you launched your blog? Was it business or pleasure? When I started the blog it was just for fun, but then I started reading articles about full-time bloggers and thought, “I could do that”. I didn’t really have real or defined goals in the beginning, I thought that if I put posts online that they would be read by thousands of readers. Little did I know that building a following takes a lot of time, hard work and great photos. I started using affiliate advertising networks and made just few pennies a month in the beginning and never even checked my traffic or stats. The site has grown from a handful of page views a month to a couple hundred thousand monthly. Is Horses & Heels your full time job? It currently is, I was able to quit my full-time job last February and have now been able to focus on the blog all the time. It has been an amazing learning expe-
rience so far and nothing prepares you for being your own boss like jumping right in. What is your favorite part of being a fashion & lifestyle blogger? My favorite part is the creative energy and inspiration that I am always surrounded by. There are always packages of new products or clothing to try and wear, an ongoing “recipe bucket list” of things I want to cook and a mile long list of home improvements or DIY projects to take on. I get to document moments of my life, projects or outfits for the blog and it is so much fun for me. With every blog post I am always trying to take better photos and share new inspiration. Social media is another favorite area of mine and a must for sharing new posts and interacting with readers. I am Instagram, Pinterest and Google + obsessed. What do you think is defining western style today? That’s a tough and loaded question. I don’t think you can put western lifestyle in just one category, everyone has their own definition of a cowboy and I think the western industry has a lot of influencers. It all streams down from magazines, professional rodeo athletes and style icons. High end stores like Pinto Ranch and King Ranch set the tone but there is a lot of diversity in this industry. You have lots of successful high and low end
Above Left: photo shot by Raquel of Lane Boots, Above Right: Raquel Lynn
brands so everyone has a different perception of what real western wear and style is. For me, brands like Tasha Polizzi, Rios of Mercedes, Coreen Cordova, Double D Ranch and Ralph Lauren are influencers. How long have you been riding? Do you compete? I started riding a shetland pony when I was two-years old and grew up around horses. Without completely giving my age away, I can say I have been riding for twenty some years. I currently run barrels and poles at local and NBHA shows with my Paint mare Budabingbudaboom, aka Rumor. What fall trends do you love and which do you hate? I love the many layers of fall. Embroidered jackets and vests that are tailored nicely are pieces I have to
have and don’t mind paying the price for. Riding breeches and leggings with suede patches are a must for me. I am so happy with how fashion forward riding breeches and even as a western rider, I embrace them. One thing I would love to see more of are ankle boots, there are just not enough! There are generally not too many trends I dislike but boot rugs are a fad that makes me cringe, as a lover of cowboy boots I think putting an oversized looking carpet on a pair of boots is just wrong. I am so sorry boot rug fans, but I had to get that off my chest! See more from Raquel Lynn at www.HorsesandHeels.com
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Wild & Free wild horses are an iconic figure in American history. Their embodiment of freedom, their role in Native American culture, and their history in founding the west are all part of what makes this animal special. photo of Picasso, Living Images by Carol Walker
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wild and free
THE PEOPLE BEHIND SAVING WILD HORSES
7 inspiring advocates of the wild horses of America Michelle Blixen
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Neda DeMayo
f you were to ask Neda how long she has been in love with horses, she would have to tell you she can’t remember a time when she wasn’t. Her first world was “horsey” and she took to the saddle at just 4 years old. She recalls her first interaction with wild horses when she was around five years old watching television. Watching wild horses being chased and captured on television is one of Neda’s earliest memories, she can’t remember if it was a TV show, a movie, or if it was the news. What she does remember is the pain she felt as a 5 year old watching those amazing animals, traumatized, scared, and without help. Neda truly grew up on the back of a horse, living in Connecticut surrounded by trails she road whenever the weather would allow, from trail rides to hunter-jumpers her free time was spent in the saddle. After high school Neda headed to California and pursued theater and the healing arts. Those pursuits took her around the world exposing her to different cultures that would go on to inspire her work as a costume designer and fashion stylist in Hollywood. Those years in the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles took a toll on Neda’s saddle time, from time to time she would ride friends hors-
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photo provided by Neda DeMayo
es, but in 1994 Neda was involved in two serious automobile accidents that changed her life forever. “I realized that I needed to get clear about what I really wanted to do with my life, because you don’t know how long it’s going to last” Neda recalled. It was around that same time that stories about the adoption, abuse, and slaughter of wild horses began to circulate in the news. As she researched the issue more, she discovered that while there were still wild horses roaming free in North Amer-
ica, the government’s policies were quickly destroying the few herds that remained. Neda began vising wild horse sanctuaries and working to bring awareness to the general public and the government agencies that oversaw the wild horse populations. Studying with horse trainer Carolyn Resnick, she spent two years learning Carolyn’s liberty training methods which build on the natural way horses interact with each other. Build on this Neda developed the vision of a sanctuary that was ded-
icated to preserving what is left of our open spaces, natural resources and wild horses. It was is vision that lead her to found Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary. As CEO of the sanctuary she spearheaded the creation of the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign in 2004 to unite advocates under the banner of a single coalition that could better act on behalf of America’s wild horses and burros. Today the Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary operates a 365-acre refuge located in the coastal hills of Lompoc, California. The sanctuary is home to around 400 wild horses and burros rescued from federal roundups. www.returntofreedom.org
Ellie Phipps Price
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llie Phipps Price has been a life long equestrian; who rode as often as she could. She spent much of her childhood at her grandparents, the Highlands Ranch Mansion, a working cattle ranch and home of the Arapahoe Hunt Club that was founded in 1907. The hunt club would conduct traditional “fox hunts” on the grounds of the ranch, but in Colorado that meant hunting Coyotes. As much as she loved horses as a little girl, her mother never let her have one of her own, so she would borrow horses or rent them when she could. Ellie often jokes that if her mother would have just let her have a horse of her own when she was a child she might not have over 200 now on her California sanctuary. Ellie attended the University of California at Berkley where she studied English literature and film. Life continued to move forward she married had children and purchased the Durell Vineyard in Sonoma County. After 13 years the marriage came to an end, during this period of her life Ellie became aware of the plight of the
Wild Horses of America. After reading Deanne Stillman’s “Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West” and other stories about what was happening to the Mustangs of North America. Author Kurt Brungardt’s story “Galloping Scared” in Vanity Fair prompted her to get in touch with him to discuss what she could do to save the wild horses. The two set off to a BLM adoption day held in Canon City, thousands of horses that had been rounded up from six western states, divided into pens of 100 each. The idea that most would end up being shipped by the truckload to slaughter houses for $10-11 each was disheartening. Only nine horses were adopted that day, two of them by Ellie. That trip to Canon City inspired “American Mustang” a film she hoped would educated a broader audience about what was really happening to America’s horses. She reached out Henry Ansbacher, an Oscar-nominated producer and writer with Denver-based Just Media to produce and write the film. She also signed Monty Miranda, a graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder to direct the film. She wanted people who were from the region to tell the story in a way that would be honest and not come across as Hollywood. They decided to shoot the film in 3-D to attract a younger audience. The film reflects many points of view in regards to what is happening to America’s wild horses. Showcasing rugged beauty of the horses in the wild to the dramatic and often inhumane treatment that can sometimes be a part of the round up. Coming from a ranching background Ellie understands that ranchers have concerns about how the population of wild horses can effect their livelihood, but she still believes there are better solutions and compromises that can be made. The Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act designated public land for the production of wild horses, since 1971 over 270,000 wild horses have been rounded up and removed from
photo provided by Ellie Phipps Price
public land. Today it is estimated that just 32,000 horses are still in the wild, and that 50,000 are in captivity. Today Price’s ranch in California is home to over 200 wild Mustangs and her film is making an impact at film festivals and stock shows. While everyone may not agree with the film’s message, it is opening up much needed conversations between advocates for the wild horses and the ranchers. www.americanmustangthemovie.com
“Most ranchers that I talk to would like the horses to remain in the wild, not gone, but managed so their livestock is not competing with them for grazing,” Ellie Price told the Denver Post.
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wild and free action for positive change. Nothing will strike the audience’s hearts as clearly as the profound relationship humans and horses share in the shaping of the United States. www.theamericanwildhorse.com
Madeleine Pickens
James Kleinert by 2 Birds Studio, Robin Parrott Photography, www.robinparrott.com
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James Kleinert
nternational award-winning documentary film maker James Kleinert has made some of the most powerful films about the American West. From his film Spirit Riders that followed the American Indian Peace Movement to Horse Medicine a film that explores the deep relationship between man and horse. James was brought to the forefront of the debate over American’s wild horses with his feature-length documentary film focusing on the wild horses and burros of North America. His film ‘Wild Horses and Renegades’ examines the rapidly decline of the wild horse on public lands. Interviewing scientific experts, ranchers, activists, historians, environmentalists, and celebrities the film take a deeper look at the origins and effects of the “Burns Bill” which gutted the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971. This legislation cleared the way for the mass slaughter and rounding up of America’s wild horses. Uncovering evidence that the real motivation behind the bill is to expand the reach of corporations ranging from large cattle operations to oil and natural gas mining. In the film interviews with experts like Jim Baca, former Director of the Bureau of
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Land Management under Bill Clinton, shed light on the reality of how policy is being shaped in Washington and its effect on the wildlife living on public lands. Sheryl Crow, Viggo Mortensen, Michael Blake all share their personal experience as advocates for American’s wild horses. The film is a sobering look at the disconnect of policy makers from the regions they govern and the people they serve. The film also follows a herd in Disappointment Valley Colorado, and focuses on a horse named Traveler (named after Robert E. Lee’s Stallion) and his wild horse family. Traveler and his clan thrive in their quite valley until the Bureau of Land Management conducts a round up, capturing two thirds of the herd. Following Traveler as he is shipped off to a holding facility where advocates work to save him from euthanasia or even worse, being shipped to Mexico for slaughter. Seeing these horses filmed in the untamed natural beauty of America’s wild lands is inspiring as are the stories of the real life hero’s that are taking peaceful actions to save these symbols of American freedom. Wild Horses & Renegades is a film that is impressionable, haunting and makes people jump out of their seats to take
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adeleine Pickens’ is one of the most active voices on equine issues in the U.S. having successfully lobbied to shut down horse slaughter houses in the states. As a businesswoman her passion for horses leads her to own several high profile and champion though bred race horses, as a philanthropist she has been one of the best advocates for horses in the United States. After lobbying to pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, she has now turned her attention to saving the wild Mustangs. When Madeleine learned that the Burial of Land Management had planned the euthanasia of 33,000 wild horses she had to take action. “I organized a team of people to look for a ranch. Then I went to the BLM and asked if it would let me rescue all the horses if I bought enough land.” Madeleine told the Horse Channel. The result was Saving America’s Mustang’s, a non-profit that now controls 900 square mile of open ranch land in northern Nevada. The foundation property is also home to the Mustang Monument a self-sustaining eco-tourist lodge where guests can experience the Wild West and the wild horses first hand. Madeleine was named The Humane Society of the United States’ prestigious “Horsewoman of the Year” in 2010 for her efforts. Today Madeleine continues the work of promoting Saving America’s Mustangs and the Mustang Monument Ranch, hoping that the next generation of wild horse activists will be inspired by the rugged beauty of mustangs running free. www.mustangmonument.com
Madeleine Pickens and Travis Photo by Michael Partenio
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wild and free
Jackie Fleming and one of her mustangs, Milagro by Filemon Lopez
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Jackie Fleming
orn in Hong Kong in 1964 Jackie grew up in England and Singapore, traveling the world with her adventuresome family to places like India and Africa instilled in her a pioneering spirit. It was when one of her adventures brought her to the US in 1986 that she found a new home and never left. An artist by trade Jackie’s first years in the US were near the sea in Southern California, living on a boat and working in a coffee shop while she developed her art. But the call of the wild was drawing Jackie to Santa Fe and in 1994 she made the move to the high desert of New Mexico. Inspired by her surrounding Jackie’s painting of the American Southwest feature her signature off beat and vivid style, she paints not only what she sees outside her windows in New Mexico but scenes from her past. After moving away from the crowded beaches of California Jackie could finally fully embrace her passion for the
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equestrian lifestyle and as she become more involved in the horse community the plight of the wild Mustangs was brought to her attention. In 2000 she founded the Cimarron Sky-Dog Reserve with the mission to provide homes for the wild Mustangs that are captured. The name comes from the Spanish word “Cimarron” which means ‘wild and untamable’ and the term “Sky-Dog” which is an old Native American word for horse. The adoption programs are coordinated with the New Mexico Forest Service and Federal agencies and the horses are hosted at the organization’s 1,100 acre ranch near Watrous, New Mexico. Due to the arid climate just thirty three wild Mustangs call the ‘Shadowlands Ranch’ home at this time. Since the ranch has reached its maximum capacity Jackie has focused on assisting with adoptions of wild horses and working with American’s Wild Horses and other sanctuaries to keep as many horses as possible in the wild. The Cimarron Sky-Dog reserve also promotes awareness by working with writers, film makers, and actives groups to give a voice to America’s
Mustangs. “We feel it is through education and bringing the world’s attention to the plight of America’s mustangs (and horses in general) that could have the biggest impact on their future and well being” Jackie said. The philosophy that guides Cimarron Sky-Dog is one that since man is responsible for the predicament that faces the wild horses of America, that we must take action to protect the herds that are left. The sanctuary is for those horses that are unadoptable and need open land where they can remain largely autonomous and wild. Cimarron Sky-Dog also find homes for abused, neglected, and retired domestic horses that otherwise be face destruction and desertion. Offering them their own taste of freedom by either turning them out to pasture or at least offering them a safe and spacious home where their needs are met for as long as they have left. As a non-profit all fundraising that is done goes toward the upkeep and welfare of the horses that are in their care. www.cimarronskydog.org
Dayton O. Hyde
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ayton Hyde is a rancher, photographer, essayist and author of 17 books, including “Pastures of Beyond”, “Sandy”, Don Coyote”, and “Yamsi”. Dayton has been called a rancher’s rancher and a naturalist’s naturalist. He is a man whose wonderful observations bring home the powerful fact that a human being is responsible to the land and is not its master. All his life his curiosity has compelled him to learn all he could about every creature inhabiting the land he nurtures. As a result, he has become an exceptional self-trained naturalist whose experiences enrich us all. Yamsi, a 6,000 acre working cattle ranch in Oregon’s Klamath Basin, is the setting for Dayton’s lively meditation on what it means to be a rancher in the West in the late twentieth century. Hard work and hardships at Yamsi coexist with dedication to principles of conservation and sound ecology. His exuberant, hard-fisted, often humorous portrait of a rancher’s life is told the way it ought to be told. He now runs The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, 11,000-acre ranch in Western South Dakota where he protects wild horses. www.daytonohyde.com or
Carol Walker and 3 year old mustang Mica by Laurie Prindle
Carol Walker
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ildlife photographer Carol Walker found her passion for nature photography at an early age. After studying photography at Smith College and traveling the world as a wildlife photographer for over 30 years, Carol decided to focus her skills on capturing the wild horses of America. For the last fourteen years Carol has specialized in photographing the wild horses of Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana. Carol feels that photography is the best medium for educating people about the plight of these magnificent creatures. Carol, like many in the community feels a strong connection to the wild horses. “There is nothing in this world like the feeling I have when I am sitting quietly and just watching wild horses. It is peaceful, and very quiet – the horses communicate more with body language than with vocalizations, and the lands they live on are remote” said Carol in a recent blog post. As an outspoken advocate working to protect America’s wild horses, she has produced the award winning book Wild Hoofbeats: America’s Vanishing Wild Horses which is now in its
second printing. Her wild horse calendar for the Cloud Foundation has for the last five years raised much needed funds to raise awareness and protect wild horses on public lands. You can see more of her award winning art at LivingImagesCJW.com www.wildhoofbeats.com
“ There is
nothing in this world like the feeling I have when I am sitting quietly and just watching wild horses.” Carol Walker
photo provided by Dayton Hyde
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Music
Natalie Stovall and the Drive W hether it’s Natalie Stovall’s breathtaking vocals and larger-than-life stage presence, her band’s turbo-charged, take-no prisoners live shows, or the collective unit’s barnstorming worldwide tours, Natalie Stovall and The Drive prove they are arena ready. A humble, charismatic entertainer with a trademark lion’s mane of big blonde hair, Natalie and her powerful vocals and sparkling fiddle leave audiences spellbound. Although she can seem larger than life onstage, offstage she’s as down home and as easy-going as can be. One-on-one sincerity and a contagious personality just come naturally to this small town girl from Columbia, Tennessee. Make no mistake though, as soon as you put this small town girl in front of an audience – something spontaneous, mesmerizing, and explosive happens. Natalie has been playing professionally since she was ten, and performed everywhere from the White House to the Oprah Winfrey Show. “I started violin lessons at the age of four after my granny saw an ad in the Columbia paper for a new violin teacher in town” says Natalie. “Looking back, I’m not even sure if I really knew what I was getting into. I think I just knew it involved me being on stage and that’s all I needed.”
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photo by Krsitin Barlowe
“Looking back, I’m not even sure if I really knew what I was getting into...” Natalie’s musical influences might span from the high-energy shows of Shania Twain and Garth Brooks to legends like Michael Jackson and Aerosmith, but make no mistake, her country roots run deep. ”Growing up performing at Opryland, I was always around the Opry and following all the country stars… I spent hours dreaming of being on that stage, “ says Natalie. At the age of 12, her dream came true when she made her Grand Ole Opry debut. “It’s funny when people ask me if my music is country,” Natalie smiles, “I grew up in Columbia, Tennessee playing fiddle at Opryland every day, but at the same time I was a child of the radio. Once I put my fiddle down for the day, I was just as likely to be listening to Michael Jackson or Aerosmith as I was to Reba or Faith Hill. I’m sure my music reflects that, that’s who I am.” The Drive’s seven–year journey has been forged like fine steel with the durable attributes of family values and hard work. Performing over 200 dates a year, they were named Entertainers of the Year in 2012 by Campus Activities Magazine and returned this Summer from the Middle East on one of their many Navy Entertainment Tours in support of our troops across the globe. Led by multi-instrumentalist and lead vocalist Natalie Stovall, The Drive
includes drummer James Bavendam from Seattle, Chile’s Miguel Cancino on guitar, Zach Morse from Cheyenne, Wyoming on bass and vocals and Redding, California guitarist and vocalist Joel Dormer. “I’ve been touring and playing shows with different musicians most of my life,” laughs Natalie. “But something different started to happen when the five of us got together in 2006. It wasn’t magic overnight but we all knew there was something special there. So we kept touring, kept playing, kept working and refining our live show until we felt we were getting it right.” “After so many years playing and living in a van together, it came to a point where it didn’t matter that the posters at the venues just had my name – we had become a band. And I felt that since we walk like a band, and talk like a band and play like a band… well, then let’s just call it what it is. That’s when The Drive was born.”Soon after, as fate would have it, on a chilly January night in Nashville, HitShop Records president Skip Bishop was in attendance as Natalie Stovall and The Drive kicked off their 2013 tour. “I knew immediately that I was in the presence of something great,” remarks Skip. “Natalie and her band are the personification of heart pounding perCASSIDY MAGAZINE
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formances, remarkable musicianship, dynamic material and purely joyful American-made music entertainment,” shares Bishop, who instantly presented the band with an exclusive recording contract. Currently, the band is recording its HitShop/Warner Records debut album with famed producer, Paul Worley, whose work with the likes of country icons Dixie Chicks, Lady Antebellum, Big and Rich, and The Band Perry have earned him five Grammy® Awards. “When Paul told us he wanted to take this journey with us, we were over the moon,” says Natalie. “We are so thankful we have gotten to wake up everyday and grow and learn from someone like Paul.”Just like Skip, Paul was compelled to come on board after being in the audience for one of their Nashville shows. “Natalie Stovall and The Drive are a game changer in the same way that Lady Antebellum were when I first saw them,” says Worley. “They have it all. The talent, the songs, the look, the entertainment chops- and a live show that will blow you away, and Natalie is one of the best singers I have ever worked with.” Natalie Stovall and The Drive are realizing their dream each day as they perform for fans around the world and finish up their debut record, set to release in 2014. So what will success look like for the band?’ “We are already successful. We’ve been living our dream for a while and now its time to see how far it can go,” she confides. “I want people to know it’s possible to follow your dreams. The path isn’t always easy, but honestly, it shouldn’t be. If you surround yourself with the right people, even the hardest days can be a lot of fun. Someday I hope to sell out arenas with my band, performing music we are proud to play.” Natalie continues, “there is no better high than when the band is on and they’re reaching for that place between music and magic and we have a crowd in front of us willing to take that ride. That is musical heaven.” www.nataliestovall.com
“I want people to know it’s possible to follow your dreams. The path isn’t always easy, but honestly, it shouldn’t be...”
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DELIGHTFUL DUOS If you’re looking to discover some great new music, here are three country music duos to listen for
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hey are sisters, and they are songwriters. They are singers, musicians, performers, and best friends. They are captivating entertainers, and together… they are FALK. At just 21 and 23 years, Natalee and Alexa Falk have already experienced the many ups and downs of being in the music industry. Starting out in country music at the ages of 6 and 8, the girls have covered nearly every genre of music.
Coming full circle, the country/ pop duo from Utah is back in Nashville pursuing their career in country music. They both sing lead, sing harmony, and play lead acoustic guitar, and they write all their own original songs. The sisters are naturally gifted and their distinct talents blend to complement each other perfectly. They are uniquely Falk. www.falk-music.com
Maddie and Tae THIS COUNTRY MUSIC
duo are celebrating their recent success of their first single “Girl in a Country Song”. This cleverly’ written piece is sure to get your foot tapping and wondering what’s next from these talented girls. www.maddieandtae.com
Dan + Shay A LITTLE OVER A YEAR
ago, Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney—known collectively as Dan + Shay—have established themselves as one of country music’s most promising duos. With pristine vocals and a knack for writing clever yet relatable songs about looking for, finding and losing love, Dan + Shay bring a youthful sense of energy to country music. Their debut album, Where It All Began, harnesses that energy with 12 radio-ready tracks. www.danandshay.com
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Fashion
THESE BOOTS
WERE MADE FOR WALKING Hailey Trealout
We all know how it starts.
You walk in the door, completely unaware of what’s about to happen. Maybe your friends dragged you along, or maybe it was your idea. You look around trying to find your bearings until it happens. Your eyes catch and the attraction is instantaneous. You picture the looks, the obvious jealousy for your newfound love – because let’s face it; those boots could spice up any outfit in public or in a saddle. This love for the cowboy boot is spreading like wildfire; not just among horse people, no, we caught that love bug long ago. This is a recycled love in fashion. “When I see another person in boots, I want to talk to them,” said Irma Tremblay, a student from Prince Edward Island, Canada. “It’s a great conversation starter. To me, if you’re from the country, you should wear your boots with pride.”Tremblay is known among her peers for her boot collection. She said she remembers her first pair of boots that started it all. “I got my first pair of boots when I was about 10 years old,” said Tremblay. “I love how beautiful they can be – the different colours and styles – they really can go with anything. My boots make me feel like I have a little part of home when I put them on. They give me that little host of confidence that I can do anything when I’m wearing them.” The first boots were manufactured from the design of the cavalry boot worn by soldiers during the Civil War. Over time, the design evolved with more detail and colour, modifying each boot to be more unique than the last. Considered one of the top three boot manufacturers in the world by its consumers since its beginnings in 1993, Ariat International Incorporated has become a ‘go to’ place for western fashion. Management at the company said the peak in popularity for their boots depend on the end use by the customer. “Our western riders prefer a wide square toe style for when they’re in the saddle,” said Amanda Miller, Western Prod22
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uct Manager of Ariat. “If a customer is purchasing boots to wear for casual/fashion reasons, they will typically purchase R-Toes which is probably the most understandable silhouette versus a rounded toe and X-toes or pointy toes. Recently we have noticed a trend of almond toe shapes with higher heels and you’ll see that silhouette in our Fall 2014 assortment.” Ariat management also said they are fortunate to have their core consumer base who is familiar with the brand and associates their product with comfort and durability, whether it be for riding, working, or for standing up all night at a concert. Management also said they are familiar with the rising need for western fashion because it is where they feel their company thrives. “We have our fashion consumer who might on the hunt for a particular western “look”; who may have no brand association/loyalty,” said Miller. “This is where Ariat excels because we have the “look” on our New West products that more mainstream consumers are seeking while offering an extremely comfortable boot that is going to last for years to come.” Following the Civil War, veterans of combat spread throughout the frontier, looking for a place to call home and to find work. According to doublehboots.com, shoemakers began designing boots for these men that could easily slip into horse stirrups with a higher heel to rest the foot comfortably, leather was then added to the boot to wrap around the calves of their legs to protect against jagged brush, rattlesnakes and other hazards found in the rugged terrain. Leather was the material of choice not only because it sufficiently protected the riders’ legs, but it is also more comfortable and more breathable than synthetic man-made materials. It is because of the comfort factor, mixed with the history and love of the authentic cowboy boot, that Ariat uses leather for its products. “We use a variety of leathers on our western boots depending on the end use,” said Miller. “Depending on the style, we also have leather sole options and rubber sole options. Some riders prefer to ride in leather soles while others prefer more grip and ride in rubber soles---it’s totally based on each individual’s preference. Our fashion boots still use high quality leathers, however they don’t necessarily need to stand up to the barnyard conditions and general stress that performance boots do.” The history and material used for the design speak for themselves – showing us the just how much these boots help horsemen in the saddle and around the barn. However, the western fashion itself is being rebooted from the past and has become a breed of
its own. One of the reasons for this fashion reboot is believed to be Chanel’s 2013 Western themed fashion show in Dallas. Dee-Dee Shkreli has been working in the fashion business for over nine years. She owns a woman’s boutique called ‘Hello Beautiful’ in Windsor, Ontario with her partners Harmony Peach and Lori Moore. Shkreli said the media plays a large part in what is considered ‘this new fad’ in society with cowboy boots. “Once customers see it, they want it,” said Shkreli. “People are wearing cutoffs, plaid shirts – stuff like that. It’s sort of bringing the 90s back, a little bit of grunge but it’s done a little bit better this time around. I think if you can pull it off, you better rock it, it’s got to be done right.” Shkreli said the go to looks that go best with a pair of boots are cut-off jeans with plaid or a summer dress. Another influence for the love of our boots is Hollywood’s western films. The display of a cowboy hero atop his famous steed, galloping off into the sunset with the damsel they just saved from a bunch of battered up bandits. These 1920-30 films brought the first wave of fashion to society and kick starting the attraction to our beautiful fragments of the west. Though the age of the cowboys who conquered the wild west is long gone, their legacy lives on through the vintage feeling their boots give us when we first walk in the store, and catch our eyes on the pair that will change it all.
Ariat CASSIDY boots, $249.95, www.Ariat.com
Trendy Tops
For Fall Ride Brave Pull Over $68 www.onehorsethreads.com
Gaits of the Horse $39.50 www.tarakiwi.com
Wildrest Rodeo, $46 www.originalcowgirlclothingco.com
Floral Love Slouch, $68 www.mygwear.com
Rebels & Outlaws Tee, $45 www.yayagurlz.com
Strong Eco Pullover, $66 www.mygwear.com
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trending
Be Original tank $36 www.OriginalCowgirlClothingCo.com
Gold Rush Mykonos Necklace $68.00 www.catherinenicole.com
45 Auto Caliber Post Studs by Scarlett Sage Designs $24.50 www.CountryHabit.com
Natural Mystic Bracelet by Manic Trout $59.95 www.CountryHabit.com Jenna Disc Shoulder Bag $297.14 www.CountryOutfitter.com
Old Gringo Eagle Boots $719.99 www.AllensBoots.com
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AD
health & beauty
RELAX I
n stark contrast to the nearby, rugged terrain, the tranquil Colorado River spa provides a serene escape from the daily stresses of life. Surrounded by calming sounds, aromatic herbs and beautiful views of the Colorado River from picture windows, our boutique spa and its attentive, well trained technicians welcome your arrival to our secluded, Moab spa retreat. With a wide range of specialized massages, pedicures, manicures, and facials to select from, the Spa at Sorrel River Ranch features a full menu of revitalizing spa treatments for men and women alike. Many of the rejuvenating treatments are inspired by the natural environment of southern Utah, including our Bourbon Cowboy, Slick Rock Massage, Colorado River Stone Massage and stimulating Herbal Wrap. Stay limber, light and active by practicing yoga in our scenic, desert setting. Our Moab, Utah spa hosts yoga classes at our in-house studio, allowing you to stretch your muscles and unburden your mind in a group or solo session (advance reservations are required). Our spa, wellness center and onsite garden are home to special events throughout the year. Be sure to check our events calendar often to stay up-to-date on upcoming spa and fitness happenings. www.sorrelriver.com
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Treat Yourself A cowgirl’s work is never done
$28
Colorado River Spa at Sorrel River Ranch
Genuine cowhide pouch with a Basin-sized Goat Milk wrapped soap and a 2 oz travel lotion www.ranch-organics.com
$16 Transform hardworking hands from rawhide to radiant with this solid cream bar. Calendula heals dry, chapped skin, while lemon and lavender soothe the senses. www.cowgirlskincarestore.com
$17 Seeking Balance Illuminate Candle free your mind of clutter and confusion by mixing the simplicity of white with the clarifying power of juniper and rosewood essential oils for cleanliness and clarity. Let the science of aromatherapy combine with color therapy and feel your stresses melting away. www.wiselyorganic.com
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Fall Fashion Photography by Abigail Miles Make-up & Hair by Jazmine Hull with The Halcyon Agency With a special thank you to Longshadow Ranch Winery in Temecula California
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War Pony Earrings $22, Olav Jules Designs by Cat Sandstrom, www. OlavJulesDesigns.com, Winter White with Copper Diamond $79, Turquoise and Pearl Indian Chief Necklace $79, Julie Rose, www.JulieRose.com, Geo Dress $50, Cowboy’s Daughter, www.CowboysDaughter.com
Little Feather earrings $22, Turquoise Cross bangle $19, Cowboy’s Daughter, www.CowboysDaughter.com, Open Back Soul Tee $45, One Horse Threads, www.OneHorseThreads. com, Bleu Papillon $165, Bullet Blues, wwwBulletBluesca.com, Alexandria Boots $410, Lane Boots,www.LaneBoots.com
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Egg-Plant Thermal $15, Community West, www.ShopCW.org, Desert Hip Belt $300, HDWest, www.HD-West.com, Turquoise Howlite & Bronze Pearls $42, Julie Rose, www.JulieRose.com, Bleu Papillon $165, Bullet Blues, wwwBulletBluesca.com
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yeah yeah yeah I like horses
Lucille top $75.99, Bleu Papillon $165, Bullet Blues, wwwBulletBluesca.com, Petite Should Bag $40, Stephanie Dawn, www.StephanieDawn.net
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Adventure is out there sweatshirt $48, Original Cowgirl Clothing Co, www.OriginalCowgirlClothingCo.com, Erin Tote $265.62, CoFi Leathers, www.CoFiLeathers.com, Bombshell Bleu de Minuit Jeans Made in the USA $175, Bullet Blues, www.BulletBluesCa.com, Rock On Studded Boots $410, Lane Boots, www. LaneBoots.com
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Wine Crop Jacket $40, Cowboy’s Daughter, www.CowboysDaughter.com, War Pony Necklace $239, War Pony Bracelet $39, Olav Jules by Cat Sandstrom, www.OlavJulesDesigns.com, Bombshell Bleu de Minuit Jeans Made in the USA $175, Bullet Blues, www.BulletBluesCa.com, Creole Boots $480, Lane Boots, www.LaneBoots.com
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Santa Fe Sunburst earrings $17, Art Deco Indian Chief Necklace $28, Art Deco Indian Chief Bracelet $25, Black Powder Fringe Bag $52, Cowboy’s Daughter, www.CowboysDaughter.com, Chic Parisien USA Made Jeans $149.99, Bullet Blues, www.BulletBluesCa.com, Honky Tonk custom reclaimed boots $195, Redeemed Soles, www.RedeemedSoles.com
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Naomi Field Jacket, Double D Ranch, 800.899.3379, Under Control Tee $28, One Horse Threads, www.OneHorseThreads.com, Cowboy Boot Purse with Aqua Swarovski Crystals $425, Diamond 57, www.Diamond57.com, Bleu Papillon $165, Bullet Blues, wwwBulletBluesCa.com, Rock On Studded Boots $410, Lane Boots, www.LaneBoots.com
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Amber Necklace $59, Amber Necklace with Turquoise Cross $59, Amber Bracelet $49, Olav Jules Designs by Cat Sandstrom, www.OlavJulesDesigns.com, Terrace Vest in Persimmon $89.95, Ariat, www.Ariat.com, Wild and Free Tee $46, Original Cowgirl Clothing Co, www. OriginalCowgirlClothingCo.com
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Saddle Up Tee $22.95, Favorite Cowgirl Coffee, www. FavoriteCowgirlCoffee.com, Copper Oval Earrings $26, Cowboy’s Daughter, www.CowboysDaughter.com, Bronze Pearl and Turquoise Necklace $85, Leather Bracelet with Concho $12, Julie Rose, www.JulieRose.com, Caloosa custom reclaimed boots $152, Redeemed Soles, www.RedeemedSoles.com, Floral Shorts $10, Tan Pearl Button-Down $15, Community West, www.ShopCW.org
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Kyre Shirt $49.95, Ariat, www.Ariat.com, Equestrian Brooch Tee $39.50, Tara Kiwi, www.TaraKiwi.com, Bombshell Bleu de Minuit Jeans Made in the USA $175, Bullet Blues, www.BulletBluesCa.com, Leather Bracelet with Concho $12, Julie Rose, www.JulieRose.com
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Shop the Looks Double D Ranch 800.899.3379
www.DDRanchwear.com Tara Kiwi www.TaraKiwi.com Bullet Blues www.BulletBluesca.com Original Cowgirl www.OriginalCowgirlClothingCo.com Cowboy’s Daughter www.CowboysDaughter.com Lane Boots www.LaneBoots.com Twisted X Boots www.TwistedXBoots.com Community West www.ShopCW.org Ariat www.Ariat.com Olav Jules Designs By Cat Sandstrom www.OlavJulesDesigns.com Julie Rose www.JulieRose.com Favorite Cowgirl Coffee www.FavoriteCowgirlCoffee.com Stephanie Dawn www.StephanieDawn.net CoFi Leather www.CoFiLeather.com Cross Necklace Top, Double D Ranch, 800.899.3379, Chic Parisien USA Made Jeans $149.99, Bullet Blues, www.BulletBluesCa.com, Black Caimon Boots $599.99, Twisted X Boots, www.TwistedXboots.com
Redeemed Soles www.RedeemedSoles.com One Horse Threads www.OneHorseThreads.com HD West www.HD-West.com Diamond 57 www.Diamond57.com
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SANTA FE FASHION WEEK Meet some of the talented designers featured at Santa Fe Fashion Week’s third year
Photography by Michael Satterfield
Meredith Lockhart When Lockhart was in the seventh grade, she made her first dress that she could wear to school, and she was hooked! Coming from a family of talented artists and musicians probably sealed her destiny. After many years of work in interior design and art related work, in 1989, she created Thistles West to produce and market high end western and crossover fashions. In 1997, Lockhart decided to give something back to the community and went to work for an arts organization in Kansas City, Missouri that did programs for inner city, at-risk and adjudicated youth. During that time, she continued to make clothing for major country music artists for TV award shows, videos and CD covers. She was drawn back into the fashion business because of so many requests for her fashions, thus the Merezia Custom label was created for the designs made and worn by rodeo queens for state and national pageants. “Inspiration for my designs comes from the love of the western culture. I have had horses since I was a teenager. I married a farmer and live where I am surrounded by horses, cattle and beautiful countryside. Yes, Kansas is not all flat with wheat fields for miles and miles.” www.meredithlockhart.com Jewelry provided by Western Trading Post www.totallywestern.com
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Susan Soderberg Susan’s first sewing project was a gingham apron, with a cross-stitch pocked, in eighth-grade home economics. She made many of my dresses for high school dances. After traveling to Europe during the summer before her senior year, her eyes were opened to the diversity of cultures outside of the US. At age seventeen, experiencing culture and fashion in Vienna, Salzburg, Paris, Florence, Venice and London was life-changing for a small town, Iowa girl. After moving to Wyoming, she developed a fascination with the Old West and Native American cultures. Susan studied Textiles & Merchandising and Interior Design at the University of Wyoming. A few years later, she returned to graduate school, and earned a M.S. in Textiles & Apparel Design in 2005. The summer after graduate school, Susan traveled to Italy and India, which further heightened her passion for textiles and embellishment. For her graduate project, she designed a collection of women’s Western-style garments with an Eastern Indian, ethnic influence, made from luxury fabrics and leather, embellished with fur and Native American beading designs. Now, Susan lives and creates on her acreage on the Wyoming prairie near Laramie. Here, she enjoys the western way of life, dramatic landscapes and deep blue sky, two horses and three dogs. She designs and constructs jewelry and women’s clothing from many of the textiles and adornment she have acquired during her travels, as well as from treasures she has found at estate sales and flea markets. Susan thinks the hardest part of design is deciding which direction to go next. Susan says, “So… sometimes I follow fashion trends…sometimes I just do what I like”.
Jewelry provided by Lone Eagle Studios www.loneaglestudios.com
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Shane R. Hendren Shane R Hendren has a long and rich Navajo heritage, drawing on traditional symbolism to create a sophisticated line of contemporary jewelry which he saw early on in his career as, “sculpture for the body”. We are honored at Santa Fe Fashion Week to be featuring some of his jewelry along with our clothing designers, and are proud to promote him and his gorgeous designs – fit for the turquoise connoisseur and fine jewelry aficionado alike. As global citizens, we believe it is of paramount importance to present to the world examples of the fine craftsmanship given to Hendrens’ exquisite works of wearable art and lend credence and credit to all artists who, many times throughout history, have contributed their art to the world without so much as a nod in their direction. Being a global player, to SFFW, means both contributing to our own culture with our own individual footprints and signatures (and those in the SFFW family!), as well as being open to the fluidity, merging, molding, and meshing beauty that makes up the humanity of the global art trade. Shane, along with being an artisan jeweler/ Metalsmith, trains horses, ropes, and rides bulls. www.shanerhendren.com
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Orlando Dugi Conceived in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2011, the brand DUGI is a fledgling special occasion and evening wear fashion house. It began in a small 150-square-foot in-home studio and in 2013 moved into a 650-square-foot design studio. DUGI first began with elaborately hand-beaded evening clutches and bags, then introduced a line of jewelry to the brand, and now includes evening gowns. The brand name “DUGI” pronounced Doo-guy, (daghááii in Navajo) means “mustache” in the Navajo American Indian language. The designers heritage. The designer ensures the use of the highest quality fabrics, materials, and embellishments. Every piece is handmade and is one-of-a-kind sample size, until it is ordered in a specific size. Each hand-beaded clutch or handbag is expressly made by the owner and designer of the brand name DUGI. The garments are still made in-house but often with the help of two bead assistants and a seamstress. The DUGI brand personifies bold and adventurous yet elegant and scintillating women. The line is currently available online at www.OrlandoDugi.com and off the runway.
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Coyote Couture Colorado Inspired by the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain Coyote, Gail Orrick created Coyote Couture Colorado. The exquisite colors and texture of the coyote fur are truly unique to this region of the United States. The high elevation and extreme cold temperatures provide the perfect environment for the fur to develop into a spectacular array of colors. Each fur is elegantly fashioned and delicately hand sewn into a truly unique one of a kind fashion. Coyote Couture Colorado has been on exhibit at the Buffalo Bill Museum , Cody , Wyoming and at The Charlie Russell Museum, Great Falls , Montana . Coyote Couture Colorado has also been a juried artist at the prestigious Jackson Hole Wyoming Western Design Conference in the Art to Wear category, and has been a juried artist at The Rendezvous Royale – Cody High Style Fashion Show and Exhibit, Cody Wyoming. www.coyotecouturecolorado.com
Allie Ollie Allie Olson is an Arizona Designer and Retailer who owns four Allie Ollie Boutiques throughout Arizona. After five years as a successful Retailer and Buyer, her passion for real women of all ages and sizes inspired her to create her debut collection, “Ensemble by Allie Ollie,” with them in mind. The majority of the collection sold out immediately after its release, sparking immense anticipation for her Holiday 2013 and Spring 2014 collections. Her goal with “Ensemble” was to redefine mix and match, pumping vibrant color, bold patterns, and an infusion of pizzazz into boring basics. The result is a collection of highly versatile pieces that easily transition from travel to career, daytime to evening, and appeal to a multi-generational range of women. In 2005, Allie was named a National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Entrepreneurial Excellence Award honoree. She continues to infuse fun and flair into her designs, crafting elegant pieces for women who enjoy feeling both beautiful and comfortable. www.allieollie.com Cape by Coyote Couture Colorado, Pant Suit by Allie Ollie, Jewelry provided by Western Trading Post www.totallywestern.com
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On the Runway
Susan Soderberg
Crystal Heart Lingerie
Above and Below: Shane R. Hendren
Catalina Lagrange
Seams Unusual by Ezra Estes
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Rios of
Mercedes T
exas is known as the cowboy capital of America. In particular, El Paso and Mercedes also have put the Lone Star state on the map with their pronounced reputation for cowboy boots! When you walk into a western store you can get a little overwhelmed with the hundreds of boots displayed on shelves and racks. Rising above its competitor, one boot company stands out. With their embodiment of commitment and definition of quality, Rios of Mercedes has continued to stay true and dedicated not only to their American tradition but exquisite craftsmanship. The Rios family established Rios of Mercedes Boot Company in 1853. One of the oldest boot companies, these iconic boots are made in Mercedes along with their other brands, Olathe Boot Company and Anderson Bean Boot Company. From start to finish, Rios of Mercedes boots are hand made with all leather construction in the United States. Making boots by hand is a dying art, in which the men and women of these boot companies take pride in their work and have mastered boot making by hand. For over 160 years, Rios of Mercedes is not your typical cowboy boot company. There are no foam or rubber fillers or any stabilization systems or synthetic leathers involved in any part of the process. Leather is key using only premium hides allowing excellent durability, boots that last longer, look better, and bend and flex for comfort. Rios of Mercedes boots are worn by all types—from cowboys and rodeo athletes to business executives and heads of state. Each pair of Anderson Bean boots are handcrafted in Mercedes, Texas. The pioneering style of Anderson Bean has produced such trends as the wide square toe and the double welt stitch. Every detail is overseen and constructed by the hands of the finest artisans in boot making. Handcrafted in the historic Leon, Mexico, the heart of the fashion boot industry, Macie Bean is a secondary line in the Anderson Bean family. Developed for women, the Macie Bean line offers fashion forward, durable, affordable, functional and comfortable boots. This game changing
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by Amy Witt
boot company constructs amazing quality with an eye appeal and diverse designs possessing bright colors, embroidery, vintage retro designs, animal print, and classic boot styles. With a tremendous level of comfort Macie Beans are ideal for casual wear, formal wear, rodeo, cutting, on and off the ranch, or anything you fancy. The future of Rios of Mercedes, Anderson Bean, Macie Bean, and Olathe is bright with big plans to continue their non-stopping growth and sales, expanding into markets that reach non-traditional boot wearers. On the horizon for this winter, you will be noticing an emerging trend for traditional classic styled boots. The desire and want for odd geometric stitched patterns, graphic soles, and florescent colors are fading into the sunset. Classy and elegant inlays, stitched patterns, and a quality look of craftsmanship mixed with premium hides and cultivated looks that reminisce the styles we love of the 1940’s and 50’s will replace the old trends and real cowboy boots will surface. Inspired by the legendary icons John Wayne, Gene Autry, and Roy Rogers, Hollywood made heroes and fashion icons out of cowboys, while making fashion statements out of cowboy boots; the future lines of Rios of Mercedes, Anderson Bean, Macie Bean, and Olathe will dominate the industry and produce yet again, head turning boots that consumers drool over and want to buy! Craftsmanship shares a tremendous amount of labor, love, and legacy that one cannot simply understand. The legacy and creation of the boots go beyond that of how the boots are made but how the customer feels in them. The knowledge and passion runs deep; it doesn’t matter if you rope in them, cowboy in them, cut in them, or simply are a fashionista in love with cowboy boots. Working pieces of art and expression for people that wear them, not mass produced and designed for individual needs. These boots are more than mere shoes. Slip on a pair of Rios of Mercedes and its sister brand cowboy boots and you are honoring one of the truest products that make the United States proud! www.RiosofMercedes.com
Steven Kahla, Marketing Director for Rios of Mercedes, Anderson Bean, and Olathe was so kind enough to send me 2 pairs of Macie Bean Boots - Turquoise Sensation and Queen of the Road Patchwork. I put these boots to the ultimate test by team roping in them. Not only did they fit like a glove, the comfort was impeccable but the heel and the comfort of the boot that hit near my calf and below the leg were on point. The boot fit my stirrups well and the leather soles were ideal when slipping out of my rawhide stirrups. My spurs laid smoothly on the heel and I did not need to bend them to fit the boot. Wearing short socks, (as I always do) the leather did not rub the inside of my calf or any other part of my leg or ankle. When I stood up to rope my steer, they felt sturdy in the saddle while making me feel confident. They were light making it easy to kick my horse and jump over the fence to run steers into the chute. The square toe was classy and durable. Honestly, these are the best pair of boots I have ever worn‌not to mention they are turquoise thanks to Steve’s ability to know my taste! The only thing, personally, I would change is the height of the heel because I prefer a more buckaroo inspired heel. Both boots felt the same, however I am drawn to the Turquoise Sensation, a brown boot with a classic turquoise stitched toe and a turquoise top possessing red and white stitching... American as they come! I feel proud and badass to rope and cowboy in my first pair of Macie Beans!
Boot Review
Steve Kahla, family man, and successful businessman has a diverse background which makes him the reputable man he is. Growing up in an agriculture, business, and fine art background, he has been horse back as a young child assisting his family on their cattle ranch while also being involved in Quarter Horses and Brahman cattle. The Texas A&M Graduate is not just a businessman but a horseman too. A member of National Cutting Horse Association and American Cutting horse, showing cutting horses, Steve knows a good cutting horse, has a great fashion sense, and knows excellent boots! His perfect boot is a pair of Rio of Mercedes Hippo Tall Top boots he designed. Being inspired by his wife and daughter, Steve Kahla loves his job and not only promotes the company but represent and lives the legacy and lifestyle of Rios of Mercedes and its sister brands!
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AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN’S CHALLENGE Honoring women’s contribution to training North America’s horses.
by Kathy Satterfield
Trainer competitions are not new to the horse industry but earlier this year something exciting and different began; The American Horse Woman’s Challenge. What makes this competition different you may ask...this competition is open only to women trainers. The American Horse Women’s Challenge is the brain child of James “Hutch” Hutchins. Hutch, as he is called, said “that in 20 years in the equine education business he has marveled at the dedication, spirit and nurturing nature of the horsewomen in his life. He went on to say that true horsemanship and the awareness of the welfare of our equine partners has come not from the guys, but the women who are teaching us all how to truly develop a loving and willing partnership with our horses.” This challenge is open to any horsewoman in the United States and Canada who believes she has talent and wants to prove her skills competing against the best on a national stage. Each woman will showcase her diverse talents and be rewarded for training a well balanced horse. Each horse will be cross trained in three areas, Liberty, Cowboy Dressage and Ranch/ Trail Versatility. The training began in the spring of 2014 and will culminate at the final event October 3-5, 2014 at the Lazy E Arena
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in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Each of this year’s forty one competitors has six months, to train a young green broke horse and prove their skill and the horse’s talents across a wide spectrum of working, pleasure and equestrian disciplines, then complete over three days at the final event. The Challenge Finals will conclude with an exciting Freestyle event for the top ten competitors, demonstrating the horse-human partnership, lightness, music interpretation and creativity. A panel of celebrity judges will critique and score the freestyle performances in front of the live audience. The top finishers share in cash and prizes worth $28,000.00. The competitors were chosen through an application process; each submitted an application along with a 10 minute video displaying skills in the three cross trained areas, Liberty, Cowboy Dressage and Ranch/Trail Versatility, three letters of reference, and an entry fee. Applications were judged by ten judges across the country. Each entry was sent to two judges, scored, and then the totals were sent back to headquarters where the final competitors were selected after scores were tallied. The incredible women competing for this year’s title are from California, Texas, Georgia, New Hampshire, Michigan, British Colum-
Photos by Karen Wegehenkel Photography
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bia, Minnesota, Alberta, Idaho and…the list goes on. They are from very diverse backgrounds, ages, and experiences from doctors to students. All the women, no matter their background have one thing in common and that is a passion for horses. Each competitor has the opportunity to blog at the American Horsewoman’s Challenge (ACH) website at www.horsewomanschallenge. com. On the ACH website each competitor can then tell their story; who they are, why they train, and the progress they are making on this horse challenge journey. In reading several of the blogs and Facebook postings you see that each trainer approaches training differently, reflecting each woman’s level of skill, life experiences and understanding of how horses function. Two trainers I have been following are Kathy DeHass and Mary Miller-Jordan. Each woman grew up in the South and each fell in love with horses at a young age. Kathy now lives in Ohio on their 122 acre family ranch, Windy Hill Farm while Mary lives in North Carolina at High Cotton Horse Farm. It is obvious in following their blogs, Facebook postings, and watching their videos, that each share a passion for learning more about horses. Kathy trains a variety of breeds where as Mary trains mostly Mustangs. For this competition Kathy is training and riding a horse named Christian that her husband Ted bought an auction thinking he would make a great project one day. She said, “Ted was right, Christian has been such a blessing and a very willing and happy partner.” Mary is training a horse called Line Dance that was adopted by a family in Utah. The family fell on hard times and could no longer keep him and gifted Line Dance to her. Mary said, “I have been in a lot of competitions and decided to participate in ACH because of this horse. The ACH was just perfect because I needed a goal with this guy. ACH pointed us in the right way. I am very thankful.” Each horse and each trainer have a story to tell. It will be wonderful to see each story unfold in October at the Lazy E Arena where the first America Horse Woman’s Challenge winner will be crowned. You can follow both women on their websites www.windyhillfarm.net for Kathy and Mary at www.marymillerjordan.com; each has a beautiful story to share. There is so much each woman has contributed to the horse-world. You can read about what they have accomplished with and through horses and how horses shape their everyday lives on their.
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Kathy DeHass with Christian and Mary Miller Jordan with her Mustang Dance
Kathy DeHass & Christian
Mary Miller Jordan with her Mustang “Dance”
photos provided by Kathy DeHass
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- opinion -
Broken Arrow > Angela Kelly Ph.D.
I have loved horses from the first moment they entered my life. Who knows why some of us are drawn to certain animals. Native Americans believe animals have certain strengths. Humans are thought to gain wisdom when they connect with their totem animal. The word totem originated as the Ojibway word dodaem. The word means “brother/sister kin�. It is an archetypal symbol that identifies a clan. The belief is that all human beings have a specific animal that is their spirit guide or protector. Horses are the totem animal for many of us. The characteristics of the horse spirit is said to possess freedom, stamina, mobility, travel, land and power. When I was a child, my Dad often told me stories about my Grandfather, who had served in the British army for seven years in Africa during the war. I can easily imagine him being enthralled as he watched gazelles, zebras and lions running full out in their natural habitat. When I was eight, my Dad showed me the film Born Free. I was too young to understand what stewardship meant then, but I do remember my Dad talking about it and telling me how important it was to care about the earth and the animals that live on it. Some folks just understand that the world is on loan to us not to conquer but to preserve. Unfortunately, not everyone shares that vision. I never knew my Grandfather. He died before I was born but his influence through my Dad’s stories made an impression on me. I finally understand the stewardship lesson. For me, it happened not in Africa but in the United States. After much research and travel, I have came to understand the fragility of the continued existence of wild horses in the American West. The first time I looked into the eyes of a wild horse , what I felt went way beyond words. I did not fully understand the connection until I found out about the Native American animal totem. I have wondered if my Grandfather felt the same way when he saw animals running in the Serengeti Plain and that is why he encouraged his children to care about the natural world. Unfortunately, horses in America are vanishing just like the animals in Africa. As I write this, there are horses being removed from some of the most pristine wilderness in the United States. The horses are rounded up by helicopter, scared to death as they are separated from their family bands, freeze branded with permanently inscribed numbers put on their coats and sent to auction, forever displaced from family and the only homes they have ever known. Despite a federal law that protects wild burros and horses, there is increased po54
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litical pressure to utilize the wilderness where horses reside for competing interests such as fracking, cattle grazing, water rights, housing developments, and mining etcetera. The possibility that wild horses in America will leave the land forever is the opposite of who we are as a country. Home of the Free, Land of the Brave. There is no greater symbol of that belief system than a band of wild mustangs running against the backdrop of red cliffs in Colorado under a twilight sky. Maybe the ultimate answer to preserving wild horses in America actually is answered by the horses themselves, whose entire lives are spent in family bands. If you study wild horse behavior, you come to realize that these Equines practice a way of life that focuses on what is good for the herd not the individual. Often in the wild, horses stand guard while they take turns sleeping on the ground. Most of their actions are directed to the viability of their next generation. There are currently great models of existing non-profit organizations working hard to save the horses who are displaced by large scale round ups. We can become part of the solution by supporting rescues such as The California Coastal Horse Rescue and sanctuaries like Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue to help with horses removed from the range. Ultimately, it is important to have a self-sustainable option such as nature conservancies like the one now being established by Return to Freedom called The Wild Horse Land Trust. In essence, if we listen to the horse totem and follow the spirit of the horse, we will come to understand that if we are not careful about this time in history, our short term ideas designed to create material wealth may result in the deepest poverty there is‌a country absent of its soul. An American West without wild horses running free is a vision too disturbing to contemplate. The Native American symbol for peace is a broken arrow. It is imperative that we now act to embrace this vision and rather than rounding up our wild horses and putting them in long term holding facilities, it is time to make peace with them and create long-term solutions where they will not be changed from wild horses to domestic horses but allowed to live out their lives on the range. After all, as John F. Kennedy said “To those whom much is given, much is expected.â€? We have been given a land where the horses run free, the least we can do is make sure that they stay that way. (This story is dedicated to the horse that lost its life during the Sheldon, Nevada round up on August 14, 2014. May the memory of this beautiful spirit, though lost to the world, compel us to make better decisions about the future of all Equines in the American West.)
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Art
TRACY MILLER, FINE ART
Horses and Wildlife of the West painted in a bold and expressionistic style Snake River Moose
Tracey Miller was drawn to the wild open spaces of the American West as a child, her time growing up riding horses and exploring nature inspired her to study art. With a degree in Art from the Metropolitan State College of Denver she began working as a professional artist. Inspiration for her work today is easy to come by, residing in Colorado Springs means she has access to the natural beauty that the region is known for. “My Con-
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temporary Western Expressionist paintings are based on my love of the West. My Dad exposed me to the great outdoors, instilling a love of the land and wide open skies. My Mom influenced my love of art and culture” she said. The bold colors and rich texture of her paintings are a signature of her abstract expressionist style. The liveliness of the painting comes from the striking brush-strokes that give each painting its own sense of
movement. “ I grew up riding horses, and animals in nature are my passion. My paintings are done in bold brush-strokes and highly charged colors. My work starts as pure abstract expressionism, integrating emotion and movement through color and shape. The animal reveals itself to me in the process of applying paint. I then refine the details that make the animal immediately recognizable, capturing its essence and spirit.”
Big Boy
Tracy Miller Studio Gallery 16 Ruxton Avenue Manitou Springs, Co. 80829 719-650-0827 In addition to her own art, she represents other phenomenal artists of the West. Tracy Miller is also represented by Wilde Meyer Gallery in Scottsdale and Tucson www.wildemeyer.com and Elinoff Gallery in Telluride, Co. www.elinoff.com
Die with You Boots On
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“My paintings are done in bold brushstrokes and highly charged colors. My work starts as pure abstract expressionism, integrating emotion and movement through color and shape. The animal reveals itself to me in the process of applying paint. I then refine the details that make the animal immediately recognizable, capturing its essence and spirit.”
Above: I’ve Got My Eye On You Right: The Spirit of Freedom
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