night, March 16th when Lois Tucker Daling (Working Cowboy) and Ken Fawcett (Ranching Pioneer) were inducted. So after the fact, we can once again say that the Kamloops Cowboy Festival was indeed another great weekend. Thanks to all that took part… the sponsors, entertainers, exhibitors, artists, audience, and the amazing volunteers! See you next year at the 23rd Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival, March 14-17, 2019. Don’t forget tickets go on sale November 1, 2018.
THE JADE SADDLE
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Marlene Pegg’s ‘Tracking Powder’ entry
Mike Anfield’s three winners
he first International Gem and Mineral Show was held in Washington DC in 1967 and the opening reception featured members of congress and international ambassadors. But what turned the heads of most visitors was a saddle from British Columbia – not just a saddle, but a stunning combination of the finest saddlemaker and gemologist’s abilities. The Jade Saddle was conceived of and commissioned by Peter White as a 1967 centennial project and contains 1,967 gem stones in gold settings. White grew up on a ranch in southern Alberta but spent the majority of his adulthood in BC. During his exploration of the wild places of BC, White became interested in jade. This passion for BC jade resulted in White’s idea to create a uniquely British Columbian saddle that would celebrate Canada’s centennial. Beginning in 1960, he enlisted the cream of BC craftspeople to bring his vision to fruition. A large stone, set in the saddle horn, is meant to depict the terrain of BC, while the crown on the saddle horn represents the royal houses of Great Britain that bestowed “dominion” status on Canada a century earlier. The leather carvings include Thunderbird and Bear totem poles which represent the First Nations of BC. The dogwood tree, BC’s floral emblem, is featured with unmatched stones, representing the variations of colours in the petals. Upon completion, the Jade Saddle was displayed and viewed by thousands of people in North America. It was later featured in ‘Saddles’ by Russell Beatie (1981). But the only time this saddle was put on a horse was in a parade in Lillooet BC in 1968. White proudly rode it for the 80th birthday celebration of Margaret “Ma” Murray, controversial newspaper editor of the Bridge River and Lillooet News, and all-round character. White, who found and selected all the gems, later commented, “I guess I would have to say, the most fun was the hunt. It’s always exciting when you find jade. The chase is the thing.” The Jade Saddle is currently on long-term loan at the O’Keefe Ranch, where it is on display in the Greenhow Museum. BC artist, June Moreau, designed the saddle, Tom Morrison and Ray Riley of the Linford Saddlery in Vancouver built it, and Mr & Mrs John McNiven carved the leather. The jade and other gemstones were polished by Oscar Messerer of BC Gem Supply and gold-smithing was by Leo Cavaliero of Grimson & Sons in Vancouver. To view the Jade Saddle, the O’Keefe Ranch is open daily from May 13 to September 30, 2018. Upcoming Events: Sunday May 13: Opening Day and Mother’s Day - featuring a tea tasting and fibre artisan market with hands-on activities and demonstrations Sunday June 17: Father’s Day - featuring “Sound of the Forge” artistic blacksmithing competition The O’Keefe Ranch is a registered not-for-profit and charitable organization, museum and historic site. The O’Keefe Ranch is Open to Visitors May through September and for Seasonal Events
250-542-7868 | info@okeeferanch.ca 9380 Highway 97 N, Vernon BC
Inductees Ken Fawcett and Lois Tucker This sculpture by Nancy McMinn from Clinton took first place
www.okeeferanch.ca MAY 2018
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