Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

What Works For Us Coldstream Ranch Branding

Trailblazers — Cowboy & Author Richmond Hobson, Jr.

Great Projects to Build Audubon Birdhouse Book

The Conservation Issue Fighting Fire with Cattle Sustainable BC Range Virtual Fencing

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FEB/MARCH 2022 • $6.95

Dustin Duffy

Stock Contractor to Statesman

NATURE DEFINES US

Get Involved Get outdoors: Find out which NCC properties you can visit in your area. connect2nature.ca

Our country is filled with some of the most amazing natural habitats in the world. It’s what makes Canada, Canada – and it’s why we’ve spent more than 50 years working with ranchers to protect our irreplaceable natural spaces and the wildlife that they sustain.

www.natureconservancy.ca/ab

Spend a day in the field: Become a Conservation Volunteer conservationvolunteers.ca Help lead the way: Become a Leader in Conservation natureconservancy.ca/ab-lic

toll free 1-877-262-1253

In This Issue

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022 | VOLUME 25, NO.5

36

DUSTIN DUFFY: UNITING RODEO

In 2021, stock contractor Dustin Duffy convinced the Alberta government to permit rodeos again. He not only saved the rodeo season, but countless ag societies to boot.

Features 18

CONSERVATION — BC UNDER FIRE

We have brought some of the talents from B.C. together to give a “view from the saddle” of the state of range, habitat protection, exciting innovations in fencing, and how B.C. is fighting fire with cattle

32 On the Cover The Okanagan is famous for its scenery and freshwater, but people, tourists, wildlife, ranchers, and cattle share this limited space. Exploring the delicate balance of range protection, wildlife habitat and people — lots of people.

PHOTO: DALLAS DUFFY

Photo: EwaStudio/Adobe Stock Photos

25 YEARS OF CANADIAN COWBOY

Part 4 of our 6-part series showcasing some of the highlights of Canada’s greatest Western magazine

34

TRAILBLAZERS RICH HOBSON

42

WHAT WORKS FOR US

@cowboycountrymag

Nothing Too Good For a Cowboy was one of Canada’s favourite family-friendly TV shows, inspired by the true life story penned by cowboy, packer and rancher, Richmond Hobson, Jr Our interview with long time cattle boss, Nick Bapty, about calving on the sprawling Coldstream Ranch

@CowboyCntryMag

48

PRCI: WHAT DOES IT TAKE?

A look at some of the top timers in Canadian pro rodeo, and the laundry list of skills needed for this exacting job

50 ROAD TO THE CFR

An interview with Cody Cassidy on travelling partners, championships and what is in store for 2022

Departments 5 My Point of View 7 In the Corral 12 Spirit of the West 13 Wheel to Wheel 14 Reflections 40 Cowboy Way 44 Clownin’ Around 45 Pro Rodeo Canada Insider 50 Road to the CFR 58 Cowboy Poetry @CanadianCowboyCountry

3

February/March 2022 Vol. 25, No. 5

Proud Member of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Editor Terri Mason terri@cowboycountrymagazine.com Art Director: Shannon Swanson shannon@cowboycountrymagazine.com Publisher Rob Tanner rob@cowboycountrymagazine.com Sales Manager Kristine Wickheim kristine@cowboycountrymagazine.com Subscription/Circulation Marie Tanner circ @cowboycountrymagazine.com Accounting/Administrator Marie Tanner admin@cowboycountrymagazine Columnists Dylan Biggs, Tim Ellis, Hugh McLennan, Billy Melville, Greg Shannon, Bryn Thiessen Contributors CrAsh Cooper, Barb Penner Deorksen, Rob Dinwoodie, BillieJean Duff, Dallas Duffy, Tim Ellis, Dianne Finstad, Tim Lasiuta, Amanda Miller, Covy Moore, Roseanna Sales Tanner Young Publishing Group Box 13, 22106 South Cooking Lake Road Cooking Lake, AB T8E 1J1 Tel: 780-465-3362 | Toll Free: 1-800-943-7336 Website: cowboycountrymagazine.com E-mail: askus @cowboycountrymagazine.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Call Marie at 1-800-943-7336 1 Year: $29.00 incl. tax | 2 Years: $46.00 incl. tax Single Copy: $6.95 + tax

Canadian Cowboy Country magazine is published six times per year by Tanner Young Publishing Group

19th Annual Spirit of the West Alaska Cruise & McLennan Ranch Visit June 15 - 25, 2022 with your hosts Hugh & Billie McLennan Includes: • 7 Night Inside Passage Cruise • White Pass Rail Excursion

PRESENTED BY:

1941 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0J7 www.cruise-vacations.ca cruising@cruise-vacations.ca 4

You’ll visit: • Kelowna • McLennan Ranch • Sun Peaks Resort • Vancouver • Inside Passage • Glacier Bay • Ketchikan • Juneau • Skagway • Back to Vancouver

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40070720 ISSN 1701-1132 Please return undeliverable addresses to: Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine c/o Tanner Young Publishing Group Administration Office Box 13, 22106 South Cooking Lake Road Cooking Lake, AB T8E 1J1 FREELANCE POLICY Canadian Cowboy Country welcomes freelance contributions but will not be held responsible for unsolicited text or photographs.

Direct all freelance enquiries to: freelance@cowboycountrymagazine.com PRIVACY POLICY At Tanner Young Publishing Group, we value your privacy.

For our complete privacy policy go to tanneryoung.com/ privacy.html or call us at 1-800-943-7336 Canadian Cowboy Country makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.

This magazine is a proud member of the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association, and Magazines Canada, abiding by the standards of the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors. Visit albertamagazines.com

“This project is funded [in part] by the Government of Canada.”

«Ce projet est financé [en partie] par le gouvernement du Canada.»

MY POINT OF VIEW

Against All Odds The crocus and the pansy are my favourite flowers. They are small, with a delicate countenance and seemingly fragile, yet they prove to have a tougher-than-leather resiliency that puts all of my other garden flowers to shame.

With only the faintest hint of spring, the crocus rises out of the snow-covered ground and blooms under terrible conditions, and in late fall, after all of my other flowers have bit the dust from frost, the pansy is still blooming. So it is with many people, and God bless them all.

This issue is all about some of the work behind the scenes in conservation.

Last year, B.C. endured a near-apocalyptic state between drought, fires, flooding and landslides. With that in mind, we focused on the works being done in the Okanagan Valley. It turns out cattle just might be the ticket to reduce fires and preserve the habitat of some endangered wildlife.

Our unanimous Living Legend is Dustin Duffy. (I can hear a lot of you outside of rodeo saying, “Who?”) Read on: what he accomplished against all odds, with the help of Randa Nugent and Glen Nash, earned him two of the most coveted awards in rodeo.

This year we are starting our Home Grown series, with information, tips, websites and more to inspire us all to get growing. 2022 has been declared the Year of the Garden, so I encourage you to grow something.

And I want to add my appreciation to Nick Bapty for the terrific interview on calving on the Coldstream Ranch in What Works For Us. For 25 years, we’ve been bringing the stories of some of the great ranches to our readers, and we are proud that we are a trusted publication.

In 2004 songwriter and singer Stephanie Davis wrote one of my all-time favourite songs, “Crocus in the Snow.” It’s a song about emerging from a very dark place and, against all odds, surviving. It could be the theme song of every Westerner I know, and I know a lot of them — here in Canadian Cowboy Country.

— Terri Mason, Editor

PHOTO: PIXABAY

COWBOY ON SPOTIFY!

Download Spotify and join us, here in Canadian Cowboy Country … Radio!

cowboycountrymagazine.com

5

CONTRIBUTORS Amanda J. Miller, Rangeland Ecologist, M.Sc., P.Ag.

Barb DeorksenPenner Trailblazers, Richmond Hobson Jr., page 34

Conservation: Virtual Fencing, page 22

Born in BC, Barb grew up reading the Hobson books. As an adult, she met Gloria Hobson.

When Barb was the Director of the Vanderhoof Chamber of Commerce, she learned that many tourists visited the area because of the famous Hobson books.

Amanda is a professional agrologist passionate about rangeland stewardship and conservation. She works largely with the BC Cattlemen’s and is a supporter of sustainable beef and cattle as a conservation tool.

Rob Dinwoodie, BSc. Agriculture Conservation: BC Range, page 18

Tim Lasiuta

Recently retired, Rob Dinwoodie enjoyed a long career as a Range Officer with the BC Ministry of Forests, Land & Natural Resources, specializing in Range Management. Rob and his wife, Jocelyne, make their home outside of Vernon, B.C.

Conservation: Pipeline Reclamation, page 24 Central Alberta’s Tim Lasiuta is a regular contributor and a collector of popular Western memorabilia, with a focus on the Lone Ranger.

PRINCESS AUTO & CANADIAN FARMS Celebrating a rich history since 1933 For all the essential work you do to keep your community moving, Princess Auto is here for you.

Visit our website at princessauto.com

6

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

IN THE CORRAL NEWS, VIEWS & HAPPENINGS FROM ACROSS THE CANADIAN WEST

PHOTO CREDIT: SARAH COULTER/PARAMOUNT; COURTESY JORDAN & ASSOCIATES

Tim McGraw, Sam Elliott and Faith Hill star in the Paramount+ original series, 1883

It’s 1883 All Over Again

Greene is an Oneida, born in Ohsweken, on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario. He earned an Academy Award nomination for his role as Kicking Bird (Ziŋtká Nagwáka) in Dances with Wolves. He is also known for starring in films like The Green Mile, Maverick, and Wind River,

1883, the much-anticipated prequel was

the last of which was written and directed

launched in mid-December.

by 1883 creator and Yellowstone co-creator

The prequel series follows the Dutton family

Taylor Sheridan. His TV credits include Northern

(Yellowstone) as they embark west through the

Exposure, The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon,

Great Plains.

Longmire, and Goliath.

Early in December, it was announced that

The main cast of 1883 includes Sam Elliott

Canadian actor Graham Greene was added to

and some other people. (Just kidding; the cast

the cast. Greene will play Spotted Eagle, a Crow

includes Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sam and Billy

elder who sees the wagon train and tells James

Bob Thornton.)

Dutton about Paradise Valley, where he should settle with his family.

cowboycountrymagazine.com

1883 premiered on Paramount Plus in mid-December.

Oscar-nominated actor, Graham Greene, joins the cast of 1883

7

IN THE CORRAL

New Rule: Permission Mandatory The government of Saskatchewan has introduced new trespassing laws. Effective January 1, hunters must get direct permission to go onto private land, even if there are no barriers in place.

Previously, land that was not closed off, such as farmland, was considered open to hunters unless otherwise stated.

Now hunters will need permission, and the change makes it easier for rural landowners to bring forward legal action.

"This is part of an ongoing effort to address rural crime," said Saskatchewan’s Minister of Social Services, Lori Carr, "Additional amendments are being introduced to increase penalties for repeat offenders and make it easier At the International Stock Dog Championship at Agribition, from left Judge Jack Regier, Peter Gonnet & Bob (1:46), Campbell Forsyth and CKF Mac (1:59), Russell Roome and Jill (2:47), Rosemary Currie & Hill 70 Chico (3:47) and Sherry Creech and Toad (off course)

for landowners or occupiers to seek damages against those trespassers."

Despite the risk of a law like this causing more confrontations, Carr says she's sure most

Dog Gone Good!

people will follow the new rule peacefully.

"I think the majority of people that are out there are the regular hunters. This is just really

Congratulations to Peter Gonnet of Outlook, Sask., on winning the International Stock Dog

targeting those bad actors that enter the land

Championship held at Agribition in Regina.

unlawfully," said Carr.

Running his home-raised, ten-year-old border collie, Bob, Peter placed fifth in both the first and second trial run and then topped the Finals with a brilliant completion time of 1:46.

“It was exciting going into the Finals,” said Gonnet in a recent interview. “They run slowest to fastest so I was the second last one to run. Campbell [Forsyth] had run just before me in under two minutes. I don't think anybody got under two minutes in the whole trial, and it happened to work.”

The Championship is a true test of a dog’s mettle. “There were 45 dogs in the first round; only eight of us finished. In the second round, only 15 got finished. They were tough lambs and a lot of the dogs were having trouble with them.”

Years of breeding and years of competition plus ranch work paid off for Gonnet and his dog, but there was one more surprise that made the win that much better.

“To be able to win with him under such trying circumstances made it sweeter. That, and realizing

30 Years of Cows and Fish Congratulations to the Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society, better known as Cows and Fish, on its 30th anniversary of educating folks on water, from the clouds to the tap.

More than anything, this outfit’s outreach has raised awareness about the interconnectedness of lands and water and dispels the notion that Canada has “unlimited fresh water.”

The Eastern slopes of the Rockies are the great water filtration system for the prairies, and as our population increases, so does the pressure on the lands.

Visit their website and take a look at the role that Cows and Fish continue to play in education, and for sure, under “Media”, check out their podcasts, videos and webinars. I particularly enjoyed Beavers in our Landscape and seeing the real-life and current examples of beaver management.

Again, congratulations! CowsandFish.org.

8

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

PHOTOS COURTESY PIXABAY; AGRIBITION; COWS AND FISH

that four of the five dogs in the Finals were all from our bloodlines.”

IN THE CORRAL

2021 MAPLE LEAF CIRCUIT FINALS CHAMPIONS & SEASON LEADERS From left, Miss Rodeo Canada 2020–2021 Alicia Erickson, Jared Parsonage, Griffin Smeltzer, Kendal Pierson, Justine Elliott, (behind) Lucas Macza, Shelby Spielman, Kole Ashbacher (unidentified masked man), Jesse Popescul (and his daughter, Molly), Logan Bird, (two unidentified masked people), Dawson Graham (white shirt), Dillon Graham, Logan Bonnett, Keely Bonnett, Matt Richardson, Stephen Culling, Cole Goodine.

Maple Leaf Circuit Finals!

For those who are interested in the history of the Maple Leaf Circuit, here it is.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Assoc.

CPRA PHOTO BY WILDWOOD IMAGERY/CHANTELLE BOWMAN.

(PRCA) has 12 regions in the U.S. divided into

Kennedy, Sask, Cranbrook, B.C., and Benalto, Alta., among others.

The 2021 Maple Leaf Circuit Finals Rodeo was held at Agribition in Regina, Sask. and had four go-rounds — meaning each contestant will go

In Barrels, the Average winner was Shelby Spielman of Ponoka (via Texas) and the MLC Champion is Justine Elliott of Lacombe, so these two cowgirls will be heading to Colorado.

Tie-Down Roping saw Jesse Popescul of

four times. The combined results determined the

Glentworth, Sask., win the Average, and Logan

Champion in each event.

Bird of Nanton won the season, so these two

In Bareback, Cole Goodine of Carbon won the Average and the Championship.

In Steer Wrestling, Stephen Culling of Fort

rodeo veterans will hit the trail to Colorado.

Ladies Breakaway (BAW) will see Kendal Pierson of Wardlow won the 2021 MLC

circuits, plus Canada now has one (Maple Leaf),

St. John, B.C., won the Average, and the Maple

Champion and the Average winner. Jenna

and Mexico has one — 14 circuits.

Leaf Circuit Champion was Matt Richardson of

Dallyn of Nanton was the runner-up for the

Olds. Alta.

Championship and the Average race, so she’s

Each year, each circuit’s season leader and the Finals winner earn the right to compete for

Team Roping will see two teams of brothers

going south too.

the National Circuit Championship, held at the

representing the Maple Leaf in Colorado. The

Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo near Colorado Springs,

Average winners are Dillon & Dawson Graham of

earn the lead of the season’s standings, and

CO., July 13–16, 2022. (Unfortunately, also the

Wainwright, and the MLC Champions are Keely &

Jared Parsonage of Maple Creek rode all four

final weekend of the Calgary Stampede, so

Logan Bonnett of Ponoka.

of his bulls to win the Average. So these two

someone might have to make a tough decision.)

Over 200 contestants from North America will compete for five rounds at the NFR Open.

In Canada, twenty rodeos are designated as Circuit Rodeos, such as Teepee Creek, Alta,

cowboycountrymagazine.com

In Saddle Bronc, Kole Ashbacher of Arrowwood won the Average and Lucas Macza of High River topped the season’s standings,

Bull Riding saw Griffin Smeltzer of Claresholm

will also head to Colorado to represent Canada next summer.

For more info on the Maple Leaf Circuit,

so Ashbacher and Macza will go south

including the list of all designated MLCF rodeos,

to Colorado.

visit RodeoCanada.com.

9

IN THE CORRAL EMPTY SADDLES

EMPTY SADDLES

Jack Snowden Daines

Dave Shields

He was as famous for his promotion of the cattle industry as he was rodeo, and he experienced all sides of both. Jack won the Canadian Novice Saddle Bronc in ‘56 and ‘57, was named 1990 CPRA Committeeman of the Year and was inducted into the Canadian Rodeo Hall of Fame as a Builder in ‘00, and the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in ‘09. Jack was a proud recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal in ’05 and was honoured by the 125 Greatest Citizens of Alberta in ‘08 by the Calgary Herald and by the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Award.

For well over a half-century, Jack’s gravel-washed voice announced rodeos, promoted rodeo, told great stories, always thanked the sponsors, and held regular cattle sales on Wednesdays, Innisfail Auction Market.

Dave Shields was an accomplished bareback rider, auctioneer, pilot, leatherworker, rodeo chute boss and rodeo teacher whose life’s work was to teach and encourage the next generation of rough stock riders.

The number of young cowboys he helped along the rodeo trail are many, and some made it to the pro ranks. He could instill a sense of pride, accomplishment, and invincibility into a young man who just came off his first bronc and get them excited about “getting on the next one.”

Dave won the Wild Horse Racing Championship five times and was the chute boss for the Calgary Stampede for a number of years. In 1987, he was named CPRA Douglas Lake Ranch Cowboy of the Year.

1955–2021

1936–2021

–

– 20

Alberta

20

si Canaid Co?yobw

reshol

m,

Wher ni eht Wodlr

Cl a

Agribition

10

PHOTO COURTESY PAULETTE MASTAD

2021 marked the 50th Canadian Western Agribition, a multi-awardwinning annual agricultural show typically held during the last week of November in Regina, Saskatchewan.

The event is the largest agricultural showcase in Western Canada, featuring all livestock breeds, including horses, a massive trade show and the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals Rodeo.

As well as showcasing all things agricultural, Agribition has also proven to be a great place for services such as STARS Air Ambulance to raise funds to support critical emergency health care for Western residents.

The 2021 fundraising poster features McCord, Saskatchewan rancher, horse trainer and saddle maker Milt Mastad, who unfortunately needed the high-flyers to hotshot him some 300 km to Regina. The advertising on the poster intimated that Milt broke his pelvis when he was “bucked off” — but I have it on very good authority that, in fact, he was making the ride of his life.

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

GIDDY UP

WITH GREG SHANNON Snapshot of a Professional Picture Taker In the world of Canadian country music, Bill Borgwardt’s name means something. A lot actually. His peers respect his relentless pursuit of that perfect picture and his amazing eye for capturing historic and sometimes hilarious moments from live stages and events all over Canada, and even internationally. The long list of artists Bill has photographed over the years love him because he makes them look great! His volunteer work as a builder and mentor for young artists with Global Country has helped launch the careers of top talents like Brett Kissel and Aaron Goodvin.

Audobon Birdhouse Book BILL BORGWARDT PHOTO CREDIT: BILL BORGWARDT; GREG SHANNON PHOTO CREDIT: JEN RUSH

Building, Placing, and Maintaining Great Homes for Great Birds Did you know that many cute contraptions sold as bird homes provide anything but a safe haven for our feathered friends?

Flying to the rescue is the Audubon Birdhouse Book that explains how to build and place functional DIY bird homes that are safe and appropriate for more than 20 classic North American species.

The book provides complete plans and step-

Bill’s accolades include, but are certainly not limited to, being honored as the 2014 ACMA (now Country Music Alberta), Industry Person of the Year. Each “non-pandemic” year, he covers well over a hundred different country events. Bill is also a regular contributor to this magazine. On a rare night off from shooting a show or three, I asked him to answer a few questions: What makes a great picture?

To me, a great picture is one that captures the subject in a way that connects with the viewer. I don’t take photos of performers with their eyes closed and their faces right into the microphone, lost in their own world. I want to show them when they are really connecting with their audience.

Who is the most important person you have ever photographed?

I’ve been very fortunate to photograph hundreds of artists, including legends like Charley Pride, Garth Brooks, George Strait, and just about every Canadian country artist who has performed in the last 30 years, from legends to emerging young artists. Everyone is important to me.

How would you describe your career in a single sentence?

I have been so lucky to get to do what I love to do and be able to leave a lasting visual record of those who contributed to country music in Canada during the last three decades.

by-step photographs for easy-to-build boxes and shelves for those with even the most rudimentary woodworking skills. Plus, this updated second edition includes detailed info to help you attract birds, including native plants for native birds.

Audubon Birdhouse Book, 2nd Ed.,

Greg Shannon 840 CFCW Morning Show Co-Host

Building, Placing, and Maintaining Great Homes for Great Birds, Paperback, 176 pages, Cool Springs Press

cowboycountrymagazine.com

Hear Greg Shannon & Co-Host Stella Stevens weekday mornings on 840 CFCW! Email Greg with column suggestions: greg@cfcw.com 11

SPIRIT OF THE WEST | HUGH MCLENNAN

From Rock Star to Super Horseman

After reading Pinto's new book, “A Sh*t Picker's Guide to Training Horses, A Spatial Odyssey,” Billie and I had a great visit with Pinto and his wife, Christa, a top hand herself, at their beautiful horse operation appropriately named Rock’n Star Ranch.

As a musician, feel, timing, rhythm, performance, and creativity were some of the experiences that helped him find a deeper connection with horses.

The couple moved their entire herd from the confines of an acreage in the lower mainland to 160 acres of rolling rangeland above the South Thompson River. It didn't take long for their herd to adjust to life in big open pastures instead of stalls and paddocks.

"One of the most incredible things that just blew my mind was the dynamics between our horses, categorised as prey animals,” said Pinto. “The most amazing example was a meeting with the coyote and the horses. As one coyote approached the herd, the horses remained in a "Pontiac" formation except for Manny, the dominant gelding. As the ‘coyote representative’ slowly approached, Manny went towards him, and they had a short meeting. They actually touched noses, then the coyote went back to the pack, and the horses went back to grazing.”

In his captivating style, Pinto told me about an episode he had with a horse called Vega that happened after the book came out.

After planning to take in a clinic for instructors and high-level trainers at the Seven Half Diamond Ranch with Miles 12

Kingdon, Christa's horse came up lame, so Pinto took his challenging gelding Vega.

"There must have been something in the air," Pinto said. "All the horses were wired, uptight and giving their riders a rough time. When we were gathering the cows, Vega showed some signs of having a total meltdown at any second, but we made it through the day. He hadn't eaten or drank since we arrived. That night, I thought that the next day might be my last ride. I had to get comfortable with that idea.

You know everybody has to go sometime.

Maybe my time's tomorrow, but it will be an honourable death as long as there's a horse involved," he said.

“The next morning, it feels like I'm sitting on a case of dynamite, and Miles suggested just letting him go wherever he wants. He headed towards the cattle, and

I thought, ‘This is good.’ Well, he trotted right past the cows and headed for the fence along the highway. He wanted to go home, but I said, “Trust me, you wouldn't like to spend two days going home that way.” We turned around, he sped up, and now we're going like a bowling ball through the other riders. He sees a rider trying to get the cattle out of a boggy swamp, and that horse wants nothing to do with it. Vega says, "I will." He moves right in, brings the cows out, I feel all the tension release, and now he's back to his old self. He ate and drank that night, and we all felt a lot better.”

Pinto's candid conversational writing style is captivating, but after listening to the playback of the interview, I'm doing my best to convince him to do an audiobook.

“A Sh*t Pickers Guide to Training Horses” is available at amazon.ca. c

Pinto and Christa Miremadi (and their ranch dog) alongside Hugh, holding Pinto’s recent book, “A Sh*t Pickers Guide to Training Horses”

PHOTO BY BILLIE MCLENNAN

A

rock musician with a degree in philosophy seems an unlikely background for becoming a superb horseman, but as Amin “Pinto” Miremadi explains, in some ways, it really was.

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

WHEEL TO WHEEL | BILLY MELVILLE

This photo from 1965 shows Bob Dimmer (top) driving the Harvey Shaw outfit in Calgary against rookie driver Dallas Dorchester

Bobby Dimmer

PHOTO COURTESY BILLY MELVILLE COLLECTION; PHOTO BY ROBERT WATSON

I

n the 2003 film “Seabiscuit,” the character of Tom Smith states that “every horse is good for something.” Most people who love horses would agree with this statement, but the key to having a horse realize his potential takes the eye of a true horseman and one who is willing to allow a horse to find his true calling.

In the early 1960s, chuckwagon driver Bob Dimmer had acquired a horse who, like Seabiscuit, was an undersized and overlooked Thoroughbred. Bob liked the horse’s spirit and thought he would be a good horse on his chuckwagon outfit, but he was wrong

cowboycountrymagazine.com

as the horse never really took to the wagon.

However, Bob noticed that the gelding possessed some talent to jump, kick, and buck when the horse turned out. It was then that Bob Dimmer felt the horse’s true calling might be that of a bucking horse, so he contacted his good friend, stock contractor Harry Vold.

On Bob Dimmer’s recommendation, Harry Vold came out to look at the horse, and after initial inspection, he was, as he put it, “less than impressed” and decided to pass. But Bob Dimmer insisted this little sorrel gelding would make a great bronc and went so far as to load him in a bucking chute and show Harry Vold that the horse could buck. The horse put on a reasonably good show, but even then, Harry wasn’t completely sold on the horse.

Eventually, Bob Dimmer’s persistence paid off, and Harry Vold reluctantly took the horse, renamed him Bobby Dimmer, and started him on the rodeo trail as a bareback horse in 1963. It was a decision that Harry Vold would never regret.

In 1966, Bobby Dimmer would compete in his first National Finals Rodeo (NFR) as a bareback horse. He bucked twice in eight rounds, and the cowboys who drew him each won first place cheques.

It would be the first of 14 trips Bobby Dimmer would make at the NFR — seven as a bareback horse, and seven as a saddle bronc horse. Bobby Dimmer also made ten consecutive trips to the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) from 1974 to 1983.

Over his career, Bobby Dimmer helped Ace Berry win the NFR Bareback Riding Aggregate title in 1972, Brad Gjermundson clinch his first World Saddle Bronc Riding Championship in 1981 (the final year Bobby Dimmer would compete at the NFR), and at the inaugural CFR in 1974, future Canadian rodeo legend Mel Coleman drew him on opening night and was one point from sharing first place money with three other cowboys. Ultimately, Mel would capture his first of seven Canadian Saddle Bronc Riding Championships.

Like his namesake Bob Dimmer, who retired from driving chuckwagons in 1995 at the age of 63, Bobby Dimmer enjoyed a long career, bucking for the last time in 1987 when he was in his late 20s. Although he was never formally recognized as the top horse, for a quartercentury, Bobby Dimmer was always a favourite among bronc riders all over North America. They knew they could always cash a cheque on him.

As for Bob Dimmer, this was the first of two storied horses that would ultimately carry his name. The second came in the 1990s; a chuckwagon horse belonging to legendary driver Kelly Sutherland, but that’s a story for another time. But what a great tribute for the great horseman — Bobby Dimmer. c

Mel Coleman riding Bobby Dimmer to a day money cheque at the 1980 Agribition Rodeo in Regina. Regina Leader-Post.

13

STOCK.ADOBE.COOM/ ANDREW MAYOVSKYY

REFLECTIONS | BRYN THIESSEN

14

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

It’s Evening Time /// The sun is setting beyond the hills As from the roof, the water spills Inside it’s warm from the windy chills It’s evening time.

I’m setting back, my supper’s done No place to go, don’t have to run Sit and watch the setting sun It’s the evening time…

I first uttered these words over 35 years ago.

It was late March, and the sun was beginning to flex its muscle. There had been a wet heavy snow the day before and I’d spent a part of the day moving some newborn pairs to better shelter. Joining me were four couples who had come out for the weekend to ride and relax, enjoying a way of life I sometimes took for granted. It was evening, we were done eating and settled down, enjoying the warmth of the fire and companionable conversation. As I glanced out the window to the west, my eyes took in the snowmelt coming off the roof in the light of the setting sun, and my thoughts drew the pictures in my mind.

These folks turned out to be one of the first groups to come and stay in my house and rent horses. Over the next 20 years, there were quite a few more. But the vistas my mind sketched, filled out to a poem and a philosophy that helped shape the sentiments of my soul.

The subsequent years found not only more people in my house but also me in more houses, halls and other events, speaking and entertaining other people. Weekends would often find me meeting and bringing folks back

into the Helmer. In the early years they’d come in over the Red Deer River by a hand-propelled cable car. Later years I’d meet them with saddle horses and team and wagon six miles out and as the trail improved, by mechanical means.

By late evening I might be speaking a couple of hours away, returning home to spend the day riding and often speaking the next night farther out before riding some more returning them to their vehicles late Sunday afternoon. Needless to say, when some of the guys thought I should come play hockey Sunday nights, I wasn’t too keen. I just wanted to “sit and watch the setting sun, in the evening time.”

In the years following as my age increased, my energy decreased. I’m no longer hosting people or renting out horses. I still speak on occasion, but the last two years have severely limited opportunities to gather. My time is still often spent with people but more of it is done on the phone, leaving me more evenings to sit by the fire.

If we look for the lesson, it’s “take the time to rest,” maybe not as long as a politician, and listen. In listening you may hear the One the poem speaks of in its final verse.

So as I watch the stars above I think of all I love And I thank the Creator of The evening time.

For all that I can be And for walking along with me And for helping me to see The evening time.

Bryn Thiessen is a rancher, poet, cowboy and preacher at Cowboy Trail Church in Cochrane. Bryn and his wife Bonny market grass-fattened beef from their Helmer Creek Ranch southwest of Sundre, Alta.

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Cows and What?

30 Years of Riparian Stewardship

BY AMY MCLEOD, PROVINCIAL RIPARIAN SPECIALIST AT C OWS AND FISH Timber Ridge Ranch tour

Hilton Pharis

“YOU WORK FOR WHO?” I often get asked when I say I work for Cows and Fish. People might guess I work at a steak and seafood restaurant. For me, our name is about understanding relationships; in this case, the relationship between cattle and their impact on the landscape, and how that impacts fish, and in general, water.

Cows and Fish is a non-profit society that promotes sustainable management of riparian areas, the areas connecting land and water. Making up a small portion of the landscape, riparian areas are among the most productive and valuable places. When intact, these green threads along the water's edge help stitch together the shoreline. Diverse plant layers provide water storage, filtration, shade, and forage, which is invaluable for cows, fish, and people.

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Cows and Fish took root in 1992, with the proactive involvement of several ranchers in southwestern Alberta, who understood it was possible to maintain water quality, sustain livestock, and simultaneously improve trout spawning habitat in the foothill streams of the Canadian Rockies with thoughtful grazing management. Our program has since branched out across Alberta. If you ask Lorne Fitch, a provincial fisheries biologist and one of Cows and Fish’s founding members, it was a walk across a pasture on the Elkhorn Ranch in Willow Valley with Hilton Pharis that started a journey of discovery.

“Walking across the pasture with Hilton was the beginning of a new insight into how many ranchers and farmers feel about their land and what grows there,

walks across it, or swims through it,” Fitch said.

Recorded in the Pharis family photos is the story of succession, growth, and prosperity. Also depicted in the background are the changes over time of Willow Valley. Over the years, Hilton noticed willows were disappearing and that Cutthroat trout populations had also declined. The trout used to spawn in the gravel riffles beneath the umbrella of Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

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willows, but it was getting rarer to see a fish and harder to catch the occasional one for supper.

Warning signs were flashing, so the Pharis family began setting goals for the ranch: manage the water, the grass, and the timber.

“These three were not only the basis of ranch success, but the success for many of the other ranch inhabitants, fish, wildlife, and wildflowers,” said Fitch. In that initial walk across the pasture, Hilton shared his goal: ‘I want to leave the ranch better than I found it.’

That walk across the pasture with Hilton changed Fitch’s fish-centric perspective to one of thinking broadly about watershed health.

“If we manage watersheds better, smarter, and sooner we reduce the cascade of issues, driven down by gravity, that overwhelm the water, fish, and people. I realized my role was to help Hilton help the fish,” Fitch said.

Thirty years later, Cows and Fish continues to follow in our founders' footsteps. The work we do often begins with a walk across a pasture and leads to the ability to see the land from multiple perspectives. What began with a handful of ranchers and conservationists taking a chance and speaking up about the possibilities to work together to manage and maintain healthy streamside's has grown. These days, we are still optimistic about the possibilities — the enthusiasm and stewardship we experience with landowners suggests that riparian areas are seen as valuable parts of the landscape.

The Pharis family understood the responsibility they had for the water and the fish. By working together with Cows and Fish and their neighbours to manage riparian health, they began to sew together a more productive and resilient watershed.

Today there are more willows and fish.

Cows and Fish have much to celebrate, thanks to the ongoing commitment of

Lorne Fitch (left) and Barry Adams

Timber Ridge Ranch tour

the producers and partners we work with.

While we bring a wealth of experience and expertise on riparian function and management, sometimes our greatest offerings are open eyes, ears, and hearts; observing what is occurring on the landscape and the potential for improvement,

hearing the values and desires of those who make their homes there, and creating a space for both to thrive.

Interested in taking a walk with us on your property? Visit cowsandfish.org for more information and to invite us on a walk with you.

•

Alberta’s Native Trout Are a big part of what makes Alberta so incredible.

Let’s keep them here.

Visit: albertanativetrout.com

cowboycountrymagazine.com

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Okanagan Valley

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Left: Range officer Rob Dinwoodie on his mare, Quill, on the range overlooking Vernon Right: Sagebrush spring range after a rain

STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ AMY MITCHELL

At first glance, the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia looks like a replica of parts of California with its orchards and vineyards draping the valley between lakes that attract tourists from around the globe. Some of the more exotic and endangered species in North America are within this semiarid climate because British Columbia is the most northern fringe of both climate and habitat for these species of concern.

It is hard to believe that this area was — and still is — a significant ranching area, with nutrient-rich bunchgrass and a temperate climate, making it attractive to the beef industry today.

Originally, livestock were driven up into B.C. from Oregon and California during the era of the Gold Rush. The area was well suited for producing livestock and has been an important area for beef production ever since.

The Okanagan and Similkameen valleys meet at Osoyoos in the south Okanagan. Because of the climate caused by the presence of lakes and mountains, unique plant communities have developed. Greasewood (Purshia tridentata) and Vassey’s sage (Artemisia tridentata sub sp. Vaseyii) with associated bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) provide habitat for many rare and endangered species of plants, animals and birds. The complexity of habitat needs for these species and the associated grazing of livestock within these areas has required

B.C. Range staff and ranchers to develop strategies to both use the forage while protecting this important habitat.

In the Okanagan, there are over 140 blue-listed (of special concern because they have characteristics that make them particularly vulnerable to natural or human-caused disturbance) species at risk identified and over 30 red-listed (species at high risk of extinction) species. Most, if not all, have important habitat located in the valley’s grasslands, open forests, and riparian areas. Due to the development of these lands to residential and intensive agriculture, the habitat for these species is being impacted significantly.

It has been speculated that the fact that ranching occurs on the land base within these areas, that the habitat is protected from development. An example of this is the remaining riparian habitat along the Okanagan River on provincial lands. This relatively small area is important habitat for the Yellow Breasted Chat, a redlisted songbird that requires a rose thicket for both nesting 19

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STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ M. LEONARD PHOTO; STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ SPATESPHOTO ; STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ IMATON;

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4 1. Sagebrush Thrasher 2. Lewis’s Woodpecker 3. Yellow Breasted Chat 4. Brewers Sparrow

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The burrowing owl is one of the smallest of owls and smallest grassland raptor.

Crown grasslands and private ranchlands are championing their recovery, using targeted livestock grazing in owl nesting areas to reduce grass height, improving owl hunting success and reducing cover for predators.

Below: Solar-powered pumps keep the many troughs filled with fresh water

and a good portion of its life cycle before migrating south.

ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ SANDYMOSSPHOTOGRAPHY

Water is Key

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.. nesting Yellow Breasted Chats has increased from a few pair to over 72...

How the ranchers and range managers have worked together to protect the habitat of these tiny birds is simple yet inspiring, and it’s all to do with water.

Livestock only graze these areas during the spring to reduce the browsing impact to the rose when the Chat is both nesting and rearing its young. Plus, to reduce the livestock movement into the ox-bows of the river where the rose thrives, stock tanks with solar pumps have been installed away from the vital area to provide an alternative water source for livestock. This greatly reduces the impact on the rose thickets. The impact? At last count, the number of breeding pairs of Chats has increased from a few pair to over 72 pair.

It’s All in the Timing

All ranchers know that livestock requires water to use range, which has developed into an important method to protect species habitat. A range area adjacent to the U.S. border is being managed for several species at risk; Brewers Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, and Lewis’s Woodpecker. cowboycountrymagazine.com

Habitat for these species is found in the older sagebrush and larger ponderosa pine trees within this site. Because livestock can impact the habitat by disturbing nesting sites during the spring of the year, a combination of timing of use and increasing distribution of livestock is being incorporated into the grazing of this important

spring pasture.

Historically, one water trough was used to water stock on pastures. Today, a solar-powered pumping system pushes water upslope and across the pasture to reduce the concentration at a single trough. This use of water location has increased the distribution of livestock and reduced the concentration in important habitat used by sage nesting birds.

Pay Off for Ranchers

This combination of timing and water has resulted in the protection of these species and their habitat and increased the weight gain on livestock using this area.

This is just one example of the effective measures that ranchers use to ensure that livestock grazing continues in this part of British Columbia. c 21

FOCUS ON

CONSERVATION This page: A small herd of collared cattle being checked during one of the early trials with virtual fencing Opposite page, top: Areas that include rocky soil or heavily treed areas would remain undisturbed Opposite page, bottom: Virtual fencing collar

2022

Virtual Fencing This is a Game-Changer

By AMANDA MILLER, RANGELAND ECOLOGIST, M.SC., P.AG.

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Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

Imagine being able to move your fenceline with the click of a mouse.

Virtual fencing technology is a new and innovative conservation tool with potential application in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

While the technology is rather complicated, the goal is simple — graze cattle with no fences. Amanda Miller is championing this idea to the B.C. government, and interest is high.

As she wrote, “The goal of the technology is to allow a producer to establish virtual fence lines through a programming interface, and these boundaries will be enforced by audio and electric stimulus delivered by a physical collar placed on the animal.

Data transfer will occur through a combination of satellite and GPS technology, and cellular LTE networks, allowing for use in areas with limited or no cellular connectivity.”

In simple terms, envision your ranch or grazing lease on a map. That map is uploaded to a computer program. The producer draws the grazing boundary on the map using the computer mouse.

Next, the cattle are collared and released into the grazing area. When the cattle get close to the virtual fence, a 2.5-second tone sounds (the warning bell). If the cow continues to encroach on the virtual fence line, “an electrical impulse” is triggered in the collar, and the cow gets zapped — much like touching an electric fence. The cattle training period is short, and the producer is rewarded with a massively-reduced cost of fencing.

the Okanagan. While it enables enhanced livestock management, it can negatively impact wildlife by presenting hazards and barriers. Fences also impact daily or seasonal movements and may act as barriers to forage and water resources, and in some cases, wildlife collisions can result in injury or mortality.

Critical habitat for species at risk heavily overlaps with the areas used for livestock grazing in the Okanagan. Although grazing is compatible with conserving critical habitat, there is an opportunity to further enhance habitat outcomes with virtual fencing technology. In other words, it can help the vulnerable.

Virtual fencing technology has the potential to enable adaptive management for habitat. For example, with the click of a mouse, the area can easily be virtually fenced off during nesting and rearing times. This ease of use can translate into enhanced protection for all wildlife species.

Virtual fencing technology could support the removal of interior fencing from livestock operations, creating large contiguous areas that would undoubtably enhance the welfare of wildlife.

Virtual fence boundaries can be applied to areas under active restoration to exclude grazing disturbance during sensitive establishment phases, such as a freshlyplanted area, and can be applied to riparian areas to exclude grazing during sensitive periods and better manage access to water resources, leading to enhanced riparian health and water quality stewardship.

With practically unlimited flexibility in the shape and timing of virtual fence boundaries, applying best management practices for species at risk becomes considerably easier. This ease of use would improve species at risk habitat and survivorship, especially when fencing an area off during sensitive times (breeding, rearing, etc.) while still enabling beneficial grazing disturbance for habitat maintenance and wildfire suppression.

To date, B.C. has conducted two trials on private land, with another trial to begin in 2022 in the Cranbrook area. There are plans to expand the reach of virtual fencing into Alberta. c

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Virtual fencing can help conserve critical habitat

This is a game-changer.

Virtual fencing is proving to be an animal-friendly fencing system that enables livestock to be confined or moved without using fixed fences. CSIRO's patented virtual fencing technology uses neckbands with coordinates, wireless technologies and sensors to control the location of livestock without the need for an actual fence.

Fencing is the main livestock management tool in

cowboycountrymagazine.com

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Pipeline Crossing Environmental Restoration

By TIM LASIUTA

TC Environment Northern Alberta Inset: TC Environment Chetwynd

In progress creek bed reconstruction

PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY TIM LASIUTA

Mountain Caribou, near Jasper

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Across Alberta and Saskatchewan, behind the bushes and crisscrossing the prairie, there is another world of pipelines, pumpers, compression stations and drilling rigs.

Some deem them eyesores and dangerous to the environment, while others see them as significant and our pathway to the future.

Foundational to any energy project is an incredible array of studies, consultations and plans covering every aspect of the proposal, from indigenous consultations to regulation hearings. Other considerations include cultural usage, financial considerations, construction and operation and an in-depth environmental survey for impact on the area's biodiversity. All of this before a shovel touches the ground.

Once the Canadian Energy Regulator approves a project with conditions and parameters, a reporting cycle begins with stakeholders until the project is finished. Any change or chance discovery must be reported and communicated to all parties.

In short, by definition, an approved energy project in Canada is also subject to stringent regulations that ensure the environment is left in a state equal to or greater than the original. A good example is the 2016 Cenovus Energy led restoration of the Cold Lake and East Side Athabasca River caribou herds and environment, which has had positive results. A drive through the forested areas northwest of Edson reveals remarkable successes in restoring pipeline zones.

Cody Fermaniuk of Cokel, an Alberta Indigenous-owned consulting company, has spent his working life in energy project regulation concurs.

“I can say that the Canadian energy sector has the highest standards for cowboycountrymagazine.com

production in the world from exploration to extraction and environmental management,” said Fermaniuk, who supplies monitoring expertise and management to Alberta companies. “Yet we are continually downplayed in the world as the dirtiest producer. This perception has to change.”

Environmental restoration due to pipeline activity in Alberta has been ongoing and always part of the approval process, noted John Kowalyk, an Alberta engineer.

Coupled with requirements to investigate potential side effects of projects are ongoing consultations with the Department of Fisheries, species preservation projects with the Species At Risk Act (SARA) and wildlife species such as caribou and grizzly bear and archaeology groups.

A significant effort is underway to preserve and upgrade Caribou habitat in the Little Smoky Range region east of Jasper and the Willmore Wilderness, along with the front ranges of the Rockies. This area includes features such as Middle Berland River, Donald Creek Drainage, the entire Little Smoky caribou range, and the A La Peche Mountain Caribou winter range.

The TransCanada Energy project, led by Regan Smith, is composed of 18 Indigenous groups in an Indigenous Working Group meeting to arrive at terms of reference, recommend land options, and follow up on the restoration of the caribou habitat for up to five years.

Carolyn Campbell of the Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) is involved with other energy companies engaged in habitat restoration.

“I am encouraged that Cenovus has been voluntarily restoring the Cold Lake Caribou herd habitat since 2016 with great results,” said Campbell. “I am also pleased that the federal government required that TransCanada increase their offset for the populations. It will have a great impact on caribou populations in the future.”

Other caribou and grizzly bear groups are also underway throughout Alberta. c

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION:

ALFORD CREEK AND ELK RIVER

Working with Nova Gas Transmission on their Edson Mainline Expansion is Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Stantec Engineering on a project that crosses Alford Creek and Elk River at 15 points and threatens the Saskatchewan Bull Trout (Salvenlinus confluentus) critical habitat.

As a result, the proposed expansion includes measures intended to enhance and maintain critical habitats such as riparian vegetation, population, and bull trout recovery in the area.

Waterways will be reconstructed after pipeline corridors are installed with wide zones planted with native species that encourage spawning and habitat integrity.

While full environmental restoration in pipeline corridors is a long process, it is easy to see different stages in an active area or on any satellite map of Northern Alberta.

New technologies are always being developed for more rapid results in both construction and restoration.

New techniques are credited with part of Cenovus's success in the Cold Lake area.

The role of energy companies in our province is complex. While the province acts as supervisor, Cenovus, TC Energy, Transmountain and Nova and other environmental-conservation groups are the boots and eyes on the ground and therefore the monitors and protectors of its riches. With a greater consultative process setting the stage for successful resource extraction and environmental enhancement, there is no other option other than a win-win scenario.

As orator Robert Green Ingersoll said, in nature there are neither rewards nor punishments; there are consequences.

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ALL PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY MINISTRY OF FORESTS LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Cattle grazing in the Kootenays

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Targeted Grazing Fighting Fire with Cattle

By ROB DINWOODIE, BSC. AGRICULTURE

One of the most terrifying nights in my life occurred one Sunday in August 2021.

Anyone living in the Okanagan Valley knows the conditions conducive to wildfires: an extended drought that dries all vegetation, high winds that generally occur nearing late afternoon or early evening, and the threat of dry lightning. These were the conditions that Sunday in August.

The year had begun with normal snowpack, but early melt occurred in the low to mid-elevation. Normally, we’d get some rain before summer. Unfortunately, this did not occur, and in early June, a drought was already occurring in most parts of B.C. To add to the current hot weather, a “Heat Dome” (a new meteorological term to most of us) occurred in late June, resulting in temperatures in the high 40’s on the Celsius scale. During this heat dome, the town of Lytton was destroyed by a wildfire driven by high winds.

Returning home that late afternoon from work was like driving into an inferno. The sky was an eerie black of thick smoke, and the trees glowed with an iridescent orange reflected from the White Rock Lake wildfire, already massive in size and approximately 10 km to the west of our property. I set up what irrigation system I had available and waited for instructions regarding pending evacuations like the rest of Vernon. We were the least impacted. North of the fire, the community of Westwold had already been evacuated.

This wildfire was like a fire-breathing dragon, and that evening it struck with a vengeance. High winds fanned the blaze, and it jumped Monte Lake (north of Westwold) and burned out everything in its way.

As the area’s Range Officer, I flew over a week or so later and confirmed what had happened that eventful evening as the fire followed predictable trends in “interface” areas (lands located between private and provincial lands.)

What surprised me was an area where a local rancher had reduced the timber on his

property and then planted domestic forage for pasture. It had been grazed that spring and was directly in the path of the wildfire. This pasture was instrumental in causing the fire to drop from the crown of the timber (treetops burning) to the ground. The fire had minimal impact on his property, confirming the effectiveness of grazing on both the prevention and impact of wildfire and confirming that the “Targeted Grazing” projects initiated by the B.C. Cattlemen in the Okanagan would have effective results.

Targeted grazing is the removal of vegetation by livestock in a time-sensitive and measured approach, reducing fine fuels available for ground fires. It’s not a new concept, as many countries and jurisdictions are currently employing various types of livestock to achieve these results.

In B.C., the threat to communities by wildfires and the increase in fire response has driven the need to prevent and reduce the impact and cost associated with them. This province is unique in that approximately 94 per cent of the land is provincially owned.

Integrated use occurs with various stakeholders on this land base, including timber, range, and recreation. Within the Okanagan Valley, this is true to almost 100 per cent of the area. With the availability of range agreements and livestock grazing adjacent to communities, the concept of using targeted grazing as a tool to reduce the impact of wildfires on these communities was spawned.

Three areas were selected to research this concept; the Kootenays (near Cranbrook) and Summerland and Kelowna in the Okanagan. A team was struck, represented by B.C. Cattlemen, Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resources, ranchers, First Nations and local communities.

The project areas are within the “interface” and adjacent to the various communities and require considerable coordination from research and operational livestock grazing requirements. A team of research consultants collected data from the targeted areas on the various plants to determine a baseline of what occurred before grazing and provide information on the amount of fuel within the project areas.

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This wildfire was like a fire-breathing dragon…

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The project areas were then fenced with permanent and portable electric fencing and ensured that watering systems were in place. At the Summerland location, solar-powered water pumps and troughs were used to bring water to an area that otherwise would be dry. Cattle were then turned in to graze.

The ranchers and ministry staff closely monitored them to ensure that the area was not overgrazed.

Once the area was grazed, the researchers gathered the necessary information regarding the utilization of the various forage species to determine the impact of grazing on the vegetation previously identified. In other words, they checked to see which plants were eaten and which were not.

Often, targeted grazing occurs in areas that have had timber harvested to reduce the amount of timber in an area to reduce the risk of crown fires. This coordinated approach is often required to optimize the impact of grazing in areas of heavy timber.

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Prescribed burning can periodically be used in the same areas to achieve additional objectives.

The Targeted Grazing project is still in the early stages of implementation, but initial indicators show that grazing will help mitigate the impact of wildfires on communities. Targeted grazing will also help bring livestock back to areas near communities because of the positive impact livestock have on the protection of homes and property.

To finish my story and how I fared that evening, I learned that no property is exempt from a wildfire if you live in B.C. We were spared from evacuation that evening, and eventually, the wildfire season ended.

When I was removing the irrigation equipment I had set up to protect my property, I found a burned tree branch that had landed on the horse pasture that I was irrigating. Who knows what may have happened if I had not watered as best I could or hadn’t already used targeted grazed to protect my property? c Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

PHOTO: MIKE PRITCHARD

This wildfire above Cawston, B.C., in the Similkameen Valley is an example of an interface fire, where private land meets Crown land. Targeted grazing reduces the risk of the fire spreading onto private land and structures, such as the disastrous fire at Lillooet.

Inset: Cattle in the Kootenays timber

HOME GROWN

HOME GROWN

By TERRI MASON

STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ PINKYONE

True story — this all started a few years ago.

I’d never planted a real garden before, so you can just imagine the result when I decided to just wing it. When my vegetables started to come up, an old friend commented that “it looked like you planted your seeds with a shotgun.”

Weeds were rampant, the yield was low and it looked like a mess — hardly the plot of abundance I had envisioned.

Fortunately, I had made a new friend, herself an experienced gardener.

She and her husband had retired off the farm and lived in a condo with no garden. During her visits, in that particular Saskatchewan way, she never told me what to do but would gladly offer help and advice if asked.

My raised garden bed slowly took shape. I decided to add another raised bed and to thank her for her help, I invited her to plant her own garden. As her garden thrived, mine kept improving. Mainly, I learned by watching and copying her techniques, especially ‘what to plant where and why.’

My friend Colleen Fryer passed away last year, but her extensive plant knowledge will continue to bloom in my garden.

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HOME GROWN

YEAR OF THE GARDEN

What Grows In Your Garden?

Yes, this is an official declaration by Gardens Canada, 2022 is the Year of the Garden, and among other things, it is commemorating Canada’s rich garden heritage.

Plans are rolling out to help Canadians celebrate. You can sign up your plot as a Celebration Garden, learn from experts, and learn about garden traditions such as First Nations’ knowledge, European-style gardens and old-world garden traditions.

Folks are also being encouraged to plant a garden in every school, join a garden organization, lend a hand to transform where you live and encourage your municipality to Proclaim 2022 as the Year of the Garden.

All of this is aimed to excite and support gardeners across Canada. Whether you want a simple patch of cherry tomatoes, a yard strewn with wildflowers or a windbreak-to-rival-allwindbreaks, this will be your year to learn how.

For more on this, visit GardensCanada.ca.

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet…” Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare The Brits are famous for their gardens and from Shakespeare to the Beatles they are also known to write poetically about them.

Gardening, the unofficial sport of the Isle, has literally cast her seeds around the globe to bring a touch of home. But it was during the Christmas break when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a news story on BBC outlining how, in July 2021, the judges at the Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show Tatton Park, Cheshire, England awarded a Gold medal to a garden full of weeds.

Yes. Weeds.

The plot, named Weed Thriller, was created by horticulturist Sandra Nock.

“I think we genuinely thought that presenting ragwort to a horticultural society, that we would be given nil points but they were so receptive and complimentary. Without this kind of multi-layer native planting, a lot of our insects and birds just wouldn’t cope.”

Rachel Evatt from Sunart Fields, the Derbyshire farm behind the concept said: “These are wild plants that have been branded incorrectly as weeds. Some people

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“

“… a weed is just a plant in the wrong place.” would say that a weed is just a plant in the wrong place. These wild plants, especially controversial species like the ragwort, are one of the most important sources of nectar for a wide variety of insects. We are just trying to rebrand the weed.”

Ragwort, the main weed in Weed Thriller, is a native biennial that is one of the top ten nectar providers for pollinators.

Poisonous in quantity, the RHS website highlights that it is potentially harmful to foals and calves.

Here in Canada, the rise in native plant societies has exploded like dandelion fluff and has spread across the country. Seed companies specializing in responsibly gathered native plants, rare heirloom or heritage seeds, and of course, the non-GMO seeds have also flowered, thanks in large part to the growing awareness of the connection between plants and health, and the realization that perhaps the Canadian food distribution system is not as stable as it was even five years ago. There is also the fact that our world has changed, perhaps forever, and even a small plot of rich, warm earth can provide a few brief moments of serenity.

So perhaps the perfectly manicured, clipped, sprayed and orderly gardens are no longer the goal. Perhaps the goal might be to help out the pollinators, the bees and the butterflies, and provide a few meals for them, and a few brief moments of serenity for ourselves.

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

PHOTO: PIXABAY

WEED THRILLER WINS GOLD MEDAL

HOME GROWN

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT

MONARCH BUTTERFLIES

Monarch butterflies migrating back to North America from their winter habitat in Mexico follow a well-marked trail.

These striking orange-and-black butterflies are looking for one thing: milkweed (asclepias), and when you plant milkweed in your garden, it's like rolling out a welcome mat for monarchs.

Spring is the beginning of the monarch's breeding season, and milkweed is crucial to the survival of the species. Many flowers, especially native plants, are terrific sources of nectar for monarch butterflies, but milkweed leaves are the only food monarch caterpillars eat. Monarchs butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants so the tiny caterpillars will have access to food the moment they hatch.

WEBSITES THAT TEACH

As well as apps for your phone, here are a few gardening and landscape sites that offer real help.

PHOTO: PIXABAY; RHS TATTON PARK; STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ SERGEYCHEREDNICHENKO

PlantSomethingBC.ca Plant Something BC started as a BC Buy Local initiative that promotes the benefits of buying locally grown plants to aspiring and experienced gardeners of all ages.

ShiftingRoots.com Kristen, from her gorgeous home and yard in Saskatoon, helps new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards.

She also offers recipes and a free digital garden planner. npss.sk.ca The Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan offers workshops, tours, conferences and other learning events, plus offer information on restoration, rare plants, native seed and plants, invasive plants and natural habitats and ecosystems.

GardensManitoba.com Gardens Manitoba is a non-profit charitable organization focusing on events to raise funds for community gardening projects and programs to provide resources, information and outreach for horticultural promotion, education and enjoyment.

cowboycountrymagazine.com

Whether you’re on a leisurely stroll in town or a brisk hike in a wildflower-festooned area, it’s nice to be able to identify what plants, birds, bugs and bees you are seeing.

I’ve gathered some fun, free and useful apps on my smartphone for you to try. Some I use to help me in my own yard (yes, many identify weeds) or on treks through some wild places, especially for help identifying wildflowers.

These few apps I’ve gathered range from plant identifying apps to garden planning. Again, these are free apps, and if you find that you enjoy using these types of tools, there are hundreds of others with enhanced features that you can download for a nominal fee. Just for fun, have a go with some of these.

FREE APPS PictureThis — Plant Identifier (Glority LLC) Identify plants, flowers, weeds, trees; interesting details and snap now.

Leaf Snap Instantly identify thousands of plants, flowers, fruits and trees, plus care calendar.

From Seed to Spoon Vegetable, Fruit, & Herb Garden Planning Guides Planting date reminders based on your GPS, Companionship planting strategies Seek by iNaturalist Drawing from millions of wildlife observations on iNaturalist, Seek shows you lists of commonly recorded insects, birds, plants, amphibians, and more in your area.

Audubon Bird Guide National Audubon SocietyBooks & Reference The Audubon Bird Guide is a free and complete field guide to over 800 species of North American birds, right in your pocket. Built for all experience levels.

Wild Bee ID Center for Food Safety Education Wild Bee ID is your go-to guide for ID’ing bees and bee-friendly plants, creating pollinator gardens and learning how to protect these critical species.

31

LEARNING CURVE

I

By TERRI MASON

I’ve been around long enough to remember what a revolution horse trainer Ray Hunt caused, and I was there in the Corral in Calgary when horse whisperer Monty Roberts demonstrated his skills to a packed audience of cowboys, social workers, society dames and teachers. To this day, the impact of those two trainers reverberates around the world.

They were teachers of the highest order. Ray Hunt is often quoted, and one of my favourites is: “It’s amazing what you can learn after you’ve learned all that you think there is to learn.” Teaching is the greatest act of optimism, and as a student, you should be complimented because when a master is willing to teach you, they think you’re smart enough to learn.

Still In Demand

To this day, the willingness of Westerners to share their hardearned talents continues to contribute greatly to the success of Canadian Cowboy Country. Here are just a few examples of the masters sharing their skills over the past 25 years.

Without a doubt, our most popular series to date was written by master stock dog trainer Dale Montgomery. The six-part series (and one extra dedicated to readers’ questions) stepped up the skills of dog handlers everywhere. And yes, we still get calls trying to purchase the back issues!

Shelter From the Storm

Start to Finish with JP

Shelter is needed year-round, and the most sustainable way to provide it is to plant one. This experienced couple teaches how to do it so all living things can benefit.

32

High-Speed Tricks

Niki Flundra, multi-award-winning trainer and movie stunt double shared some of the “tricks of the trade” and caused quite a flurry of fledgling trick riders signing up with trainers.

Well-known trainer and clinician J.P. Forget was one of the first pro trainers to step into the role of writer and trainer with his multipart series called Starting Your Next Great Horse.

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

Rope & Diamonds

Quarter Straps & Cruppers

Getting Snubbed

What Works

In the Middle of Nowhere

Mecate Reins

Outdoorsman Lorne Hindbo is regularly called on to relocate problem cougars.

When he’s not doing that, he and his wife, Sharmayne, have a successful outfitting business that takes folks into the Rocky Mountains.

One of our all-time favourite ongoing series is What Works For Us. This series follows the ranch season (calving, branding, pasture management, weaning, showing/marketing and winter feeding) and each issue focuses on one of those topics. It’s a fascinating glimpse of ranch life across Canada. cowboycountrymagazine.com

Fred McDiarmid of Veteran, Alta., is a long-line teamster of the first quality with an eye for safety. He wrote an informative article on how to accurately fit the harness on the big boys (and it works on the little ones too.)

For those who haven’t yet had the opportunity to experience cowboy skills where it’s just you, a good horse, a good dog (and a crackerjack photographer), this photo essay by Linda Peterson and her pasture manager husband, Doug, certainly opened up some eyes.

We met Oklahoma native Pat Hooks when competing in a trainer’s challenge at an early Mane Event in Red Deer. The gentle giant spoke so eloquently about using a snubbing horse that we got him to demonstrate the skill.

Well-regarded cowboy, pasture manager and rawhide braider Guy Murphy of Maple Creek, Sask., demonstrated a simple way to tie that most buckaroo of tools, the horsehair mecate. Murphy was also profiled as a Living Legend in a separate issue.

33

TRAILBLAZERS

PEOPLE WHO SHAPED THE WEST

Nothing Too Good For a Cowboy Richmond P. Hobson, Jr.

By BARB PENNER

R

ich Hobson was born in Washington, D.C., in 1907 to Grizelda Hull Hobson and Rear Admiral Richmond P. Hobson, the Alabama hero of the Spanish American War.

Rich had a lively childhood. His family had famous friends like Nikola Tesla (Hobson Sr’s best man at their wedding), Mark Twain, Harry Houdini and Buffalo Bill. Rich was a good rider, a fine shot and dreamed of owning a cattle ranch.

After graduating from Stanford, Rich worked as a stockbroker in New York. In 1929 he lost everything in the crash, so he headed to Wyoming to work on a ranch, and that's where he met his future partner, Floyd “Panhandle” Pan Phillips.

Rich mentioned his vision of owning a ranch, and Pan told him about Canada.

The two men quit their jobs, and on October 15, 1934, they left Wyoming in an old car, searching for the perfect location. When the road ended, so did their search. They were about 100 miles east of Bella Coola, B.C. The pair worked for several area ranches. The duo soon settled their home ranch near Batnuni, 250 miles from a railroad, 700 miles from Vancouver markets and 150 miles from a doctor. This ranch was further north than any cattle ranch on the North American continent.

34

After securing backing to fund the four million-acre ranch, Hobson and Phillips formed the Frontier Cattle Company. They packed 12 tons of haying equipment and supplies over the Itcha Mountains from Bella Coola to set up their outfit.

Hobson developed a system of converting muskeg into feed for their livestock.

Winter was frigid blizzards, summer was clouds of mosquitoes. The pair dealt with grizzly bears, cow moose and packs of timber wolves.

After three years working the ranch, disaster loomed for their outfit when WWII broke out. Their investors deserted them to make big war profits, and their ranch hands deserted them to enlist.

Without cowboys, they couldn’t ship beef to Great Britain. If they didn’t ship, they’d lose the ranch, and in the dead of winter, the partners needed to move hundreds of head to feeding grounds 100 miles away from the ranch. Moving cattle under such conditions was a desperate measure but Hobson, and a ragtag crew took on the dangerous trek.

They faced many challenges. First, 50 horses were driven ahead to paw snow for the cattle. Sleighs carried food and supplies for the cowboys. At the beginning of this ten-day and night cattle drive, the animals were in snow up to their bellies. Along the way, cowboys had to push the cattle to cross the open frigid rivers and chop holes in the ice to water cattle.

Wolves tried to stampede the herd, but the drive was successful. It was reported that this cattle drive was one of the most dramatic overland drives in livestock history.

In 1943, Rich Hobson and ranch cowboys travelled to Vancouver, driving a herd of horses through the city streets. He met Gloria McIntosh, a debutante and Vancouver socialite. He persuaded Gloria to marry him within a week; she later stated she married the dashing cowboy on impulse.

The newlyweds returned to the wilderness, and Gloria took to her new rugged life. In the late 1940s, his partnership with Pan Phillips ended amicably, and the Hobsons purchased a ranch on the Nechako River, 50 miles south of Vanderhoof.

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

PHOTOS COURTESY BARB PENNER, RICHMOND HOBSON JR.

They named their outfit the Rimrock Ranch and began building their herd. The couple also had their only child, Cathy.

It was during these years that Rich began writing about his adventures. Hobsons first book, Grass Beyond the Mountains, was a best seller. In 1955, Rich released his second novel, the equally successful Nothing Too Good for A Cowboy.

Two years later, The Rimrock Ranch, which now consisted of many properties in the area, was sold in what was known as the largest ranch transaction in the history of Central B.C. Rich, Gloria and little Cathy purchased River Ranch. Some of the stock they took included a champion Arabian stallion and a band of horses. The family raised and sold Arabian, Quarter horses, and Morgan bred colts.

The Hobson’s split their time between River Ranch and their house in Vanderhoof, where Rich did radio interviews and wrote his third book, The Rancher Takes A Wife.

The Hobsons lived in Vanderhoof and Palm Springs in the following years. During this time, Hollywood came calling, and John cowboycountrymagazine.com

Wayne was interested in playing Rich in a film based on his books. But he never lived to see it. Rich Hobson died from a heart attack on August 8, 1966, at his beloved River Ranch.

After Rich’s passing, the movie Nothing Too Good For a Cowboy was released. In 1998, the TV series was filmed. Honours and awards were paid to Hobson’s penmanship, and he was inducted into The BC Cowboy Hall of Fame.

His book Grass Beyond the Mountains is said to be one of the most famous books ever to come out of Central B.C., and “one of the best western novels ever written.”

His book Nothing Too Good For a Cowboy won first with the Western Writers of America.

In the 1990s, Vanderhoof held several commemorative Rich Hobson Cattle Drives and staged the musical play based on his books. There was a Hobson History Museum in Vanderhoof for a few years.

Today, some of the family’s artefacts are displayed at the Vanderhoof Museum.

Richmond and Gloria Hobson are buried in the Vanderhoof Cemetery. c 35

LIVING LEGEND

Dustin Duffy Uniting Rodeo

By TIM ELLIS

Rodeo in Alberta had come to a dead stop in the spring of 2020.

Saddled with growing uncertainty amid the emergence of COVID-19 along with growing pessimism, eroding membership fees due to the prospect of upcoming rodeo cancellations and increasing debt loads, making the wrong turn could have been disastrous. In May of 2020, enter Dustin Duffy — the man who convinced those in charge of the sport to choose a path that would lead it back to brighter days.

Dustin in the pasture with part of their bucking horse string

36

PHOTOS BY DALLAS DUFFY

LIVING LEGEND

“We were just trying to under its protocol, Duffy’s next survive,” begins Duffy, a Buck task was bringing the rodeo Lake, Alta., stock contractor community together. who also sits on the board “There was a lot of pessiof directors for the Drayton mism,” suggests Duffy. “I don’t Valley Pro Rodeo committee. think many people within the “As a board, we believed the industry thought we were going only way we were going to to be able to get anything done. be able to hold a rodeo was The biggest task was to conto work with the governvince people to follow along. “I ment,” he said. think that might be what I’m “But no one had any idea the proudest of in this whole what that was going to look process. At the start, each little like. So, I was given the task group or association wanted to of approaching the (Alberta) do its own thing. It took a lot of government. I got a’hold of a convincing to bring all the assocouple of MLA’s who set me up ciations in Alberta together.” with some people that I didn’t While that was the high realise were pretty high in the point along Duffy’s challenggovernment.” ing path, the low point came The first step was to educate early in 2021. those government officials “Back in the winter when about rodeo. cases were spiking, we were “That was one of the bigin another meeting,” relays gest eye-openers,” says Duffy.

Duffy. “I could tell we weren’t “They knew what a cowboy getting anywhere, and that’s hat was; they knew what when I reached a breaking the Calgary Stampede was, point,” he said. but other than that, they “At that time, the early had no idea.” spring rodeos were starting to “They didn’t know how cancel, and other committees rodeo functioned or how were needing confirmation much it costs to put on a before they could go ahead. rodeo. They didn’t realise how I told them [Alberta governmuch rodeo puts back into the ment officials] that I needed Terry Cooke, President CPRA, Dustin Duffy and 2020-2021 MRC economy. We put together an something on paper that I Alicia Erickson at the 2021 Night of Champions economic impact report using could give to committees — and all the rodeos in Alberta. Once that I needed it by April 1st.” we wrote everything on paper and sat Then came a call from officials, which, It was at that meeting that the governdown with them, then their eyes opened again, opened Duffy’s eyes to the realisament officials reached a decision. up to how having no rodeos would affect tion the process would not be easy.

“Low and behold, I get an email about communities.”

“They said they needed the defini8:00 in the morning on April 1st,” reveals “We tried to approach it from a comtion of rodeo,” chuckles Duffy. “The only Duffy. “It’s a document signed by (Alberta’s mittee and community angle and tried to definition they had was something out of Chief Medical Officer) Dr Deena Hininclude everything from bull ridings to Webster’s Dictionary, which was something shaw outlining how rodeo committees barrel racings to team roping jackpots, anyabout lassoing a horse, lassoing a calf and could proceed with events for the sumthing dealing with the western lifestyle.” something about a bucking bronco. We sent mer,” he said.

Next came the heavy lifting. Duffy and them a new one.”

“The problem was, no one believed me. his team began to build COVID protocols This is the definition used for the I sent out an email explaining we had the specifically for rodeo.

Alberta Government’s seven-page COVID letter, but it was April Fools Day. But it was “I was able to find the person who guidance for rodeos — ‘Rodeo is an event real, and that was what committees needed built the protocols for the PRCA,” explains that includes activities such as tie-down to start planning their events.”

Duffy. “He emailed everything to me. I had roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc ridFollowing the letter came a rodeo (Lakeland Rodeo Association president) ing, bareback bronc riding, bull riding and held by the Wildrose Rodeo Association Cory Dunlop re-work the documents for barrel racing.’ in Thorsby, Alta., which served as a test use here. We took those to the government With the government seemingly on for organisers. Alberta Health Service to get them approved.” board to allow rodeo organisers to proceed personnel came, liked what they cowboycountrymagazine.com

37

LIVING LEGEND

4

1

3

5

1. Dustin flanking one of his saddle broncs 2. Dustin picking up at an indoor colt bucking 3. Dustin Duffy enjoying a rodeo from behind the chutes 4. In 2021, Dustin was awarded the most prestigious buckle in Canadian rodeo — Cowboy of the Year, by two separate rodeo associations; the Canadian Professional Rodeo Assoc., and the Wildrose Rodeo Assoc.

5. Tall cowboy (6’ 5”) Wacey Nash, 2019 Cowboy of the Year, (was a bullfighter for Duffy Rodeo for years), and (5’ 8”) Dustin, with his 2021 Wildrose Rodeo Association Cowboy of the Year buckle

38

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

PHOTOS BY DALLAS DUFFY

2

LIVING LEGEND

saw, and another crucial step was taken.

However, just when the path appeared to become easier to navigate, another roadblock appeared.

“I received a call from the government about ten days before,” says Duffy of the “No More Lockdowns Rodeo” planned for the May 1st weekend. “It was likely going to unravel everything we had accomplished.”

“Without our associations declaring we wouldn’t sanction that event, we were going to lose corporate sponsors, government support and possibly our 2021 rodeo season.”

But that wasn’t all.

“The day after that event, the premier was holding a news conference,” details Duffy. “The government requested a release condemning it. And it had to be in their hands by 11:00 a.m. and signed by all the rodeo associations. I literally had three hours to get it done.”

Wait… perhaps that was his biggest accomplishment. Or was it his work in

getting the government to include rodeo as part of its COVID Stabilization Program, which helped some committees access up to $20,000 in the early days of restrictions?

“No, I have no idea,” says Duffy when asked if he kept track of the amount of

"The government requested a release condemning it." time spent working with government officials in the past two years. “The email trains would get long. They’d send an email, and I’d think, ‘that’s not going to work’. So, then I’d phone a bunch of people to get their opinions. Probably at least three emails like that a week, hour-long meetings, it was a lot.”

For all the emails, phone calls, meetings, negotiating and convincing, Duffy was honoured with not one but two Cowboy of the Year awards.

The first came from the Wildrose Rodeo Association at its Finals in Rimbey, Alta., in October. The second was awarded by the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association at its Night of Champions event prior to the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Red Deer, Alta., in November.

“It was a total surprise,” says Duffy. “It means a lot.”

It did not surprise the president of the CPRA, Terry Cooke.

“He just dug his heels in and went to work,” says Cooke. “He achieved awareness with both local and provincial governments at a time when rodeo needed it most. It was for the betterment of the whole rodeo community.”

“I think it’s probably the biggest thing I’ve been involved in,” contends Duffy. “It allowed us to function again. And not just rodeo, but it allowed other groups to follow.

I’m pretty proud of what we did.” c

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39

COWBOY WAY

Elites in Ivory Towers

By DYLAN BIGGS

People have been herding livestock for a long time. The archaeological record suggests that it started at least 8,000 years ago in Egypt and spread from there. Before herding, people were hunting, so herding is about as traditional as it gets. The next time you are out moving cattle to a fresh pasture in 2022, give some thought to the idea that you are doing what someone in Egypt was doing eight centuries ago.

40

So here we are in this modern age being overrun by new technology, yet we are doing something ancient, almost primitive.

Livestock grazing grasses and forbs, people moving them around, and the livestock and the people living in a mutually beneficial relationship that at the same time can benefit the land as well when the grazing is managed strategically.

Depending on site potential, strategic grazing can improve the land. At the very least, it can sustain a grassland ecosystem and all the biodiversity of plants, animals, insects, birdlife, reptiles, amphibians that are part and parcel of that specific ecosystem.

We have come to rely on fences to control our grazing, and no longer are many herders nomadic — though some nomadic herding

is still practiced in some locations. Interestingly enough, when Bud Williams was still alive, he spoke often of getting herds taught to drive well enough that he could settle and place cattle in specific locations. They would recognize that location as their home and stay there much longer than one would assume without the use of fences. He said that if he settled cattle in a spot, he could leave the cattle there unattended, and the cattle would make that their camp, and they would go for water and then return to that location without being herded back there.

This type of herding is being successfully practiced, most notably on public lands in the U.S. Left to their own devices, as every cattleman knows, cattle will camp at the water source and only travel the distance required from water to get a belly full of Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

COWBOY WAY grass before returning to water. The result is that riparian habitat is over-pressured and can be quickly and significantly damaged, and the pasture out near the perimeter farthest from the water is much underutilized.

Dealing with riparian loafing to prevent punching out a creek bottom can be a real challenge. Just chasing the cattle away only for them to return can be a steady job that can wear out a lot of horses.

When grazing public land, building fence is expensive, can interfere with public use and wildlife movement, and be extremely challenging because of topography. Teaching cattle to drive in a manner that keeps them calm and settled and successfully placing them strategically can result in a significant triple win outcome.

The fellow I have followed who has had good success with this management practice on public lands in Idaho for a few decades now is Steve Cote. He learned from Bud and has been able to rejuvenate a lot of riparian habitat and improve utilization at the same time.

As technology continues to progress and traditional practices, skills and lifestyles

continue to fade into history, the narrative that only paints cattle and ranching as an environmental liability and beef as unhealthy is showing up more and more. Some believe they know better who advocate for drastic reductions in beef consumption and recently talk in European countries of the necessity of instituting a meat tax.

"… policymakers are actively planning the end of ranching."

So while we think of conservation of grasslands and recognize the tremendous environmental benefit that well managed cattle can provide, we should probably consider what action we can take to counter those who want to see the end of cattle ranching. It is hard to fathom that some perceive what we do as a liability. When I

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mention this to many folks, they struggle to believe that policymakers are actively planning the end of ranching.

For the sceptical, take the time to visit UK FIRES Absolute Zero and download The Report. On page 5 is the schedule of the planned changes for everything from transportation, appliances, mining, materials production, etc. Under food is the goal of “Beef and lamb phased out, along with all imports not transported by train; fertilizer use greatly reduced.” The time period given for the phaseout is 2030-2049. The plan is for absolute zero by 2050.

This is the future envisioned by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, authors from the University of Cambridge, University of Bath, University of Nottingham, University of Strathclyde, University of Oxford and Imperial College.

What can we do to conserve ranching?

How do we protect our lifestyle and traditional skills, or will the intellectual elites in their ivory towers funded by the financial elites such as the World Economic Forum see the end of us?

Visit:UKFires.org/absolute-zero c

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Est. 1974

calf processing equipment livestock equipment livestock panels & gates livestock feeders (and free handling system design)

KEEP IT SIMPLE 41

WHAT WORKS FOR US

Calving on the Coldstream

By TERRI MASON

“O

— NICK BAPTY, CATTLE BOSS

ur heifers start calving in the middle of February. We have a heifer barn if there’s a problem; a spot where we can bring her in if we need to pull a calf or keep them in a pen until they're mothered up good and doing well, then they go back into the herd.

Our cow herd starts March 1, and the cows are kept out in the open. Most of them are fairly low maintenance but if we do have any problems with the cows then we rope and help her out. They're all pretty good moms. So it's usually not a problem but we got a few mothering up areas — a trap made from portable panels or branding traps if there is an issue, like a mothering issue with a cow, which is rare, we'll pen them with their calf, and when they’re doing well then we'll kick him back out with the cowherd.

We have a herd of reds, black and a herd of red and black baldies. The black herd is a Black Angus base with a slight Simmental tweak. The red cow herd is a Red Angus base with a Simmental tweak. With these herds, we’ll put out maybe six Hereford bulls on each side, just to draw a black or red baldy for our visual crossbred herd. But if they get too Simmental-ly I mark our replacement heifers in the winter and [for example] if they get too much ear [big, long ears are a Simmental trait] we’ll pull them out and they go into the feedlot pens.

42

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

WHAT WORKS FOR US

This country is not set up for big cows. We try to keep a moderate frame cow because it's pretty rugged country and the bigger framed animals don't hold up as well.

We use Angus bulls for maternal and calving ease on our heifers and three-year-olds, and then we have some higher-powered cow bulls for replacements like Angus. And then we run a bunch of Charolais for terminal cross calves.

[Terminal cross means the calves go straight to the feedlot.]

For cowboys, we try to run six guys year-round; it's getting harder to find them. We graze five watersheds and it’s high management, constant monitoring and moving cattle all summer long.

Lots of cowboying and steady, steady riding all summer.

I’ve been here for 16 years, and sometimes in March, you'll get a really awesome open early spring. And other years. It's minus 20 and snowbanks. So if the weather's really bad, we’ll bed with meadow hay out so the cows can lay down and calve on that if there's not enough bare ground.

Calving out our cow herd, basically, we get them wrapped up in six weeks. We cowboycountrymagazine.com

start calving March 1 and our first branding is right around the middle of April.

Just because we got to rush to get to our grass. It's ready.

This year we'll be calving around 1,900 in our cow herd. And that's not including the heifers, feedlot or anything else. But this year, just the way hay was we didn’t buy any cattle. We background all of our calves and so some years they go down to Washington and other years they go East to Alberta. But most years, winter feeding at full capacity we'd have probably 4,000 head.

What I like about calving season on the Coldstream is that’s it's pretty fast-paced; some days we’ll get 80 to 90 calves. We'll ride through and make sure the calves are doing well. With the heifer calves, we tag their calves ‘cause they're heifers so they're easier to keep track of who belongs to who, but the cowherd, as long as the calf is doing OK, they're not tagged or touched until branding.

Yes, it’s fast-paced, and a couple of other things to throw into calving season enjoyment, it’s the start of a new ranch cycle and you seem to come across a new calving dilemma every year — and that’s what works for us. c

Coldstream Ranch Established: 1863 Closest town: Vernon, B.C. Owner: Keith Balcaen Breed: Commercial (Black Angus/touch of Simmental, Red Angus/touch of Simmental, Hereford bulls; Charolais bulls for terminal calves Herd Size: 1,900 mother cows (4,000 head) Cattle Boss: Nick Bapty Size: 20,000 deeded; 500,000 acres Crown range Elevation: varies 380 M (1,250 ft) Annual Precipitation: 663 mm (26 inches) Brands: Cattle: Left Rib, Right Rib Horse: Right Shoulder

43

CLOWNIN’ AROUND | CRASH COOPER

Ash Cooper Art and Ranch Gallery

“If liars pants really did catch on fire, watching the news would be a lot more fun”

44

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

Pro Rodeo

CANADA

INSIDER OH CANADA!

The Canadians in the stands, behind the chutes and watching from home shook the rafters on Canada Night when Layton Green of Meeting Creek, Alta., gave his all to score 91 points on Vern MacDonald’s famed F13 Virgil. The two-time NFR qualifier finished his 2021 pro rodeo season seventh in the World. PRCA photo by Roseanna Sales.

RODEOCANADA.COM cowboycountrymagazine.com

CANADIAN COWBOY COUNTRY FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022 45

Pro Rodeo Canada Insider

Clay Ullery and Riley Warren — 2019 Pro Tour Champions. 2019 CFR photo by Billie-Jean Duff

LIVE — FROM CANADA!

By BARB POULSEN

F

LORODEO, THE OFFICIAL DIGITAL BROADCAST PARTNER OF THE CANADIAN

PROFESSIONAL RODEO ASSOCIATION, LIVE STREAMS PRO RODEO CANADA TOUR RODEOS, THE MAPLE LEAF CIRCUIT FINALS, THE CANADIAN FINALS RODEO AND A NUMBER OF OTHER REGULAR-SEASON EVENTS DURING THE YEAR.

Subscriptions starting from

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$12.50/month. Sign-up at FloRodeo.com/signup

Among the Tour stampedes and rodeos to watch for this coming season are Alberta venues Grande Prairie, Wainwright, Ponoka, Teepee Creek, Medicine Hat and Strathmore; Morris, Man., Regina, Sask. and B.C. stops - Williams Lake, Dawson Creek and Armstrong.

In addition to bringing top competitors to fans across Western Canada, the FloSports-CPRA affiliation enables Pro Rodeo Canada to allocate funds back to rodeo committees, which helps promote growth at the community level.

To access live and on-demand coverage of CPRA events, users can sign up as monthly or annual subscribers at FloRodeo.com.

2022 schedule is tentative at this point; follow rodeocanada.com for details. c Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

C.P.R.A.

2022 CPRA Schedule MARCH

Dawson Creek, BC NEW......................Mar 25–26

APRIL

Medicine Hat, AB.................................... Apr 22–24 Crowsnest Pass, AB....................... Apr 29–May 1 Drayton Valley, AB.......................... Apr 29–May 1

MAY

Falkland, BC.............................................May 21–23 Grande Prairie, AB................................May 25–29

2022: A Year of Optimism Looking ahead, we enter the 2022 season full of optimism and hope to return to a year that sees a full roster of events and full grandstands to watch those events. As rodeo committees begin to meet and make their plans, this might be a great opportunity for community members to experience the rewards and fun of working with your local committee. Thank you to all the volunteers who make our Canadian Professional Rodeo season a reality and have done so for years. Please know that your efforts are appreciated by competitors, contractors and all of us associated with the sport.

I would like to join rodeo fans in congratulating those CPRA competitors and stock contractors who, once again, made us proud at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December in Las Vegas. Special recognition to Macza Pro Rodeo, whose outstanding saddle bronc, OLS Tubs Get Smart, won top horse for the second straight year.

The 2021 PRCA Resistol Rookies of the Year were also celebrated; among them, TieDown Roping Rookie Beau Cooper from Stettler, Alta., and Saddle Bronc Rookie K's Thomson from Lundbreck, Alta.

And, with the season already underway in Canada, which begins with the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals, and pro rodeos in the U.S.; It’s really good to see so many CPRA athletes off to a great start.

A special word of thanks as well to our sponsors and corporate partners who continue to support us. We are very much aware that many of you have also experienced difficult times in recent years. As we anticipate a full rodeo season, we want to extend an invitation to businesses and organizations that would like to join us for this year and into the future.

Feel free to contact the CPRA for sponsorship details.

Our 2022 tentative schedule includes virtually all our long-standing events, and we’re excited to welcome a number of new rodeos.

Finally, I’d like to wish everyone a happy, healthy New Year. I look forward to seeing you on the rodeo trail.

Terry Cooke, President, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association cowboycountrymagazine.com

JUNE

Leduc, AB........................................................ Jun 2–5 Bonnyville, AB............................................... Jun 3–4 Hand Hills, AB...............................................Jun 4–5 Brooks, AB.................................................. Jun 10–11 Rocky Mountain House, AB.................. Jun 9–12 Lea Park, AB...............................................Jun 10–12 Innisfail, AB.................................................Jun 17–19 Wildwood, AB............................................Jun 17–18 Wainwright, AB....................................... Jun 23–26 Sundre, AB................................................ Jun 24–26 High River, AB.......................................... Jun 25–26 Ponoka, AB.............................................Jun 27–Jul 3

JULY

Airdrie, AB............................................. Jun 29–Jul 3 Williams Lake, BC .............................. Jun 30–Jul 3 Benalto, AB.................................................... Jul 7–10 Coronation, AB.............................................. Jul 8–9 Teepee Creek, AB ...................................... Jul 15–17 Bowden, AB ................................................ Jul 16–17 Morris, MB ................................................. Jul 21–24 Kennedy, SK...............................................Jul 23–24 High Prairie, AB.........................................Jul 25–26 Medicine Hat, AB .................................... Jul 28–30 Strathmore, AB ..................................Jul 29–Aug 1 Pollockville, AB *(SB)......................................Jul 30 Bruce, AB.............................................................Jul 31

AUGUST

High Prairie, AB........................................... Aug 2–3 Grimshaw, AB.............................................. Aug 6–7 Regina, SK .................................................... Aug 5–7 La Crete, AB................................................ Aug 9–10 Jasper, AB.................................................. Aug 10–13 Dawson Creek, BC ................................. Aug 12–14 Cranbrook, BC.......................................... Aug 19–21 Pincher Creek, AB................................... Aug 19–21 Smithers, BC * (BB....................................... Aug 25 Okotoks, AB.............................................Aug 26–28 Armstrong, BC.............................. Aug 31–Sep 3-4 *BB—Bareback *SB—Saddle Bronc Visit RodeoCanada.com for updates 47

Pro Rodeo Canada Insider WHAT DOES IT TAKE?

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

By DIANNE FINSTAD

I

N A SPORT WHERE DOLLARS AND BUCKLES ARE WON OR LOST IN THE TINIEST INSTANT, ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL

RODEO JOBS IS THE TIMERS. IN FACT, IT’S SO IMPORTANT THAT THERE ARE TWO TIMERS AT EVERY RODEO.

The task takes keen focus, lightning reflexes and a great understanding of the sport.

During the rough stock events, timers measure the required eight seconds from when the animal’s inside shoulder crosses the plane of the chute gate. For events at the other end of the arena, the timers clock and record how long it takes contestants to officially complete their go and record any barrel, barrier or other penalties assessed by the judges.

Some of Canadian pro rodeo’s most experienced timers have spent decades honing their skills. Maxine Baird has had a stopwatch in hand for performances over some 40 years now, while Brenda Vold first took out her pro card in 1997. The duo has been selected for and worked together at the Canadian Finals Rodeo 16 times, while Baird has a total of 32 CFR’s on her resume.

“Some don’t realise how important your job is as a timer, especially now as there’s more money, and with the CFR’s and NFR’s (qualifications),” Baird points out. “If you make one little error, you could cost somebody going if you’re not paying attention.”

Dusty Daines is one of the ‘newer’ timers on the scene, and she’s already logged more 48

Top: Brenda and Maxine going for their souvenir photo at the 21 Canadian Finals Rodeo in Red Deer. Above: Intense concentration is mandatory when titles are on the line. Maxine Baird (left) and Brenda Vold are both masters of simultaneously focusing their attention on their stopwatches and the arena action. Photos by Covy Moore.

than ten years of experience, having taken out her timer’s pro card in 2008 at the encouragement of Maxine Baird, whom she also shadowed.

“I’ve always looked at Maxine as my mentor in the timing world,” says Daines.

Vold explains at each rodeo, both timers run their watches in the roping and wrestling events, and the official time is an average of the two. For the eight-second duties, they take turns, with one being the ‘designated’ timer for an event, while the other’s watch is a backup.

In barrel racing, digital timepieces allow for measurements to 1/1,000th of a

second. Electronic scoreboards changed things too. A ‘plunger’ controlled by the timers gives an automatic buzzer or horn at the eight-second mark, often replacing the traditional ‘whistle.’ All timers carry a whistle around their neck, just in case technology fails.

Interestingly enough, a more traditional ‘sweep’ style stopwatch is still the preferred go-to for rough stock timing.

“Many of us do,” comments Vold, “because it’s just easier to watch it. If you have a digital, you kind of anticipate when it’s going to switch. So a sweep watch is much easier for the rough stock.”

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

C.P.R.A.

If the scoreboard shows the running tally for the timed events, the timers start both the board and their stopwatches simultaneously, but the manual watch is still considered the official one.

In steer wrestling, team roping and tiedown roping, timers keep their eyes on the chute area and not the competitor.

“I’m watching the barrier flag, and when it makes a move as it is released, that’s when you start your watch,” explains Vold. The flag needs to be in a clear and clean view (which can require a few mud wipe offs).

The electric eye is used in barrel racing, but both timers run a watch as a manual backup, recording both times. That comes in handy if the eye malfunctions or weather conditions interfere.

It’s critical to the timer’s job performance to have a clear, unimpeded view of all the chutes, bucking stock or timed events for them to get accurate times. But not all announcer’s stands are equal. All the timers agree that if they’re going to a new-to-them rodeo or if there’s been a revamp of the facilities, they like to get there well in advance of rodeo time to check out their surroundings and ensure they have the best vantage point. Sometimes, that has even meant getting the stand moved or juggling positions in the stand.

Timers also do other tasks as part of the team.

“We’re kind of a lifeline between the chute boss and the judges,” adds Baird. “The announcer is trying to do his job, so we convey the messages. Sometimes we do a lot of hand signals if the timed event chute is far away!”

“You do have to have good knowledge of the rules and pay attention,” adds Daines. “I like to be there a couple of hours ahead of time, so I’m organised; getting any splits or turnouts so we’re on top of it because we work so closely with the announcer. We’re there to assist them too.” (“Splits” are the changes in contestant order to accommodate multiple runs on the same horse.)

Timers agree that it helps to know the competitors in case of last-minute changes in the order.

Canadian Pro Rodeo (CPRA) has a roster of experienced timers. Anyone wanting to join their ranks needs to be approved and buy a CPRA card. cowboycountrymagazine.com

Vold, the Contract Acts Spokesperson on the CPRA board, says candidates should shadow an experienced timer during at least three rodeos. A timer’s training clinic was held a few years back, in conjunction with a judge’s school, both Vold and Baird shared their insights.

“I tell them, ‘Don’t be distracted,’” says Vold. “Your job is to watch that event and work that event. If the clown is filling in between runs, you’re not looking at him. People may think I have no sense of humour when he’s carrying on, but I’m focusing on my job.”

Like so many rodeo jobs, being a timer is no get-rich-quick venture. But it does mean becoming a part of the rodeo family.

“It’s the people, for sure, and travelling a bit,” says Vold, about the benefits of her work. “It’s the sport that I love, and it’s a way to be involved.”

“Besides the friendship part of it, we always enjoy seeing the production side of different rodeos and how committees produce them, adds Daines. “There’s always a cool, new idea to learn.”

“I love my job at the rodeos, and I love to do it,” says Baird. “Some people think, ‘If

you’ve seen one rodeo, you’ve seen ‘em all,’ but that’s why I love it so much. I can get excited because every event is different, every run, every bucking trip is different from any you’ve ever seen. It gets my adrenaline going.” c

Top: Rodeo announcer and 2015 Cowboy of the Year Dave Poulsen and Maxine Baird at Innisfail. Photo courtesy Maxine Baird. Above: Experienced pro rodeo timer Dusty Daines and her husband, Danny, at the free camping grounds of the Daines Ranch Pro Rodeo near Innisfail. Photo by Billie-Jean Duff.

49

Pro Rodeo Canada Insider ROAD TO THE CFR

CODY CASSIDY HUNTING SEVEN

By TIM ELLIS

Cody Cassidy competing in 2021 Canadian Finals Rodeo. CFR photo by Covy Moore/CovyMoore.com

S

TEER WRESTLING, PERHAPS MORE THAN ANY OF THE OTHER RODEO EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS THE

UNIQUE CAMARADERIE AMONG COWBOYS WHO ARE OFTEN IN COMPETITION WITH EACH OTHER FOR THE SAME PRIZE. SO, IT SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE WHEN CODY CASSIDY CREDITS A FELLOW BULLDOGGER WITH PROVIDING THE BOOST HE NEEDED TO BECOME PART OF RODEO HISTORY.

“When Stephen (Culling) phoned me and said he’d like to rodeo with me, I knew I needed to jump on that opportunity,” reveals Cassidy. “I knew if I was here by myself, I wouldn’t be practising as hard as I needed to.”

“He helped me finish my arena, and then before Calgary, we practised every day for two weeks. It had been about a 50

year since I had thrown a steer. That was definitely a key to the year going the way it did, having Stephen around to motivate me to be better in the practice pen.”

It also came as no surprise when it was Culling who Cassidy needed to beat on the final day of the 2021 Canadian Finals Rodeo in Red Deer, Alta., to win his record-tying sixth Canadian steer wrestling championship.

“He’s a force; he’s going to win some championships,” predicts Cassidy, who split the go-round win on that last day with a 3.5-second run to finish ahead of Culling and Justin Miller.

“He’s motivated, he’s dedicated, and he wants to win.”

The sixth buckle ties Cassidy with the late Bud Butterfield for the most in Canadian history. He also became the first 40-year-old bulldogger to win the title since his dad, Greg, won the 2000 championship at the age of 43.

“My first goal was to win as many as dad,” begins Cassidy, who won his first title in 2008 and has qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo sixteen times.

“When I got to four to tie him, the next goal was to get to five to tie Lee Graves.”

“I think Lee was probably the best steer wrestler to look up to in my era. I think it was after winning my second one; I was walking with him and chuckled that I only needed three more to catch him. He just laughed and said, ‘you better buck up, sonny’.”

Once I got the fifth one, my attention immediately turned to six. I knew Bud well. I travelled with Chance one year and practised over there. Bud was instrumental in Chance’s career and would have lots of pointers. It meant a lot to win that sixth one.”

But Cassidy has no intention of stopping at six. He also has no illusions that winning number seven will come easy.

“There’s no guarantee you’ll make it to the CFR,” says Cassidy, who missed qualifying for the Finals the season after winning back-to-back titles in 2008-09.

“You always start every season with the intention of winning. I’m planning to just focus on Canadian rodeos again. It’s full speed ahead for 2022.” c Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

C.P.R.A.

JAYDEN CALVERT ALREADY MAKING HISTORY

By TERRI MASON

2022 Miss Rodeo Canada Jayden Calvert.

Photo by Leslie Dawn Photography.

I

T WAS SOMETHING TO SEE. IT WAS CANADA NIGHT AT THE NATIONAL FINALS RODEO. WITH THE LIGHTS DIMMED,

OUTGOING MISS RODEO CANADA ALICIA ERICKSON STOOD ON THE RED CARPET IN THE ARENA AND SANG THE CANADIAN ANTHEM. CANADIAN TRICK RIDER, MADISON MACDONALD RODE IN, CARRYING THE CANADIAN FLAG AS THE CROWD STOOD UP TO HONOUR OUR COUNTRY.

cowboycountrymagazine.com

Moments after the last note faded from the rafters, the massive yellow gate was flung open and the competitors thundered in on horseback, led by the top money earner carrying their state flag or their country’s flag.

Then, Miss Rodeo America galloped into the arena. And then for the first time in NFR history, Miss Rodeo Canada shared the spotlight when Jayden Calvert made her NFR debut racing in on a beauty of a horse.

In all, it truly was Canada Night with Alicia’s last farewell from a job well done, and Jayden’s emotional introduction to the professional rodeo glitterati, and the

die-hard rodeo fans in Vegas and those tuned in around the world.

“It was awesome,” said Jayden. “I was in Vegas, meeting sponsors and they called me that morning and asked if I would ride Grand Entry.”

The crowd’s response was electric.

“That was a moment I’ll never forget,” she said.

Upon returning to Canada, and experiencing the restrictions imposed by yet another pick-a-Latin-named-variant, the personal appearance requests haven’t exactly been piling up. But life, especially the life of an in-demand rodeo queen does go on, and with a lot of flair.

An upcoming fun event Jayden will experience is flying down to Dallas, meeting many of the MRC sponsors and choosing a Western wardrobe that’ll be the envy of all.

From there, it’s straight to Denver.

“I’ll be going to the National Western Stock Show; I’ll be there for Canada Night.

From there I’m heading to Banff for a skijoring event,” she explained. [Skijoring is a Norwegian word that, in my personal experience, translates as ‘faceplant in the snow.’-Editor] “When I got home from Vegas, I went to an event in Cochrane that my aunt was planning, a Stuff a Bus and Santa Claus meet and greet. I got to be a part of that little toy drive. That was a fun way to start off my year as Miss Rodeo Canada,” she said.

An upcoming event that promises even more hullabaloo is the infamous 48th annual Steamboat Springs' Cowboy Downhill Races in Colorado.

“Yes, I’m also going to the Steamboat ski race. I’ve never been, but in the main picture it looks like it could be pretty Western,” she laughs.

This brief lull in what will prove to be an action-packed year is well earned as Jayden continues to use her university education to raise Speckle Park cattle on the family ranch, the MT Bar near Drayton Valley.

In the meantime, Innisfail Chrysler is outfitting 2022 Miss Rodeo Canada with a custom, detailed and personalized Dodge Ram to travel along the rodeo trail.

“I’m really looking forward to all of the events,” she said.

To meet Miss Rodeo Canada, or to inquire about booking her for a personal appearance at your event, contact the program coordinator on their website, MissRodeoCanada.ca. c 51

LISTINGS

RESOURCE GUIDE

Who remembers riding to the mailbox on a dreary winters’ day and experiencing a burst of joy upon receiving a brand new seed catalogue? That’s what signified hope for me, the seed catalogue.

Now the possibilities are endless and thumbing through digital seed catalogues happens all year round.

And there are many that are specialists in non–GMO seeds, organic seeds, heritage and/or heirloom seeds, native and of course, many, many printed catalogues curated for specific growing zones.

All of these companies have an online catalogue and some can mail out the printed version. Here are a few sites geared for Western Canada:

Heirloom and Organic Vegetable Seeds

Heirloom seed varieties are sought after because of their diversity and their widespread growing regions that has helped to keep them isolated from Genetically Engineered Varieties.

The most common reason for seeking out heirloom seeds is to find varieties that are resistant to various moulds and crop diseases, depending on the region in which you are trying to grow.

Here are some of the established retail seed suppliers. Please contact us to add to our list!

Stagecoach with 4 Horses Year: 2019 This sculpture is a bronze cast stagecoach with four horses.

It was created over 6 months in 2019 as a tribute to the Western culture exemplified by Calgary and Alberta.

It is a 1:18 scale Concord style stagecoach from the 1850’s that is a recognizable symbol of the Old West.

The coach and horses were cast in silicon bronze and given a liver of sulphur patina. The stagecoach wheels and boxes and horse harness were cast in yellow brass.

The coach steps were cast with white bronze.

The stagecoach can be detached from the horses.

The coach doors open and the stagecoach wheels turn.

The boxes on top can be opened as can the box on the back of the coach.

The piece is set on 2.5 inch thick Santos Rosewood.

Height: 25 cm | Width: 55 cm | Depth: 55 cm | Weight: 16 kg Price: $12,000

52

www.bronzeart.ca | info@bronzeart.ca | 403.251.4461

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

LISTINGS West Coast Seeds Delta, BC 1–888–804–8820 Non–GMO vegetable, flower and herb seeds.

WestCoastSeeds.com Wildrose Heritage Seed Company Lethbridge, AB (403) 380–0098 Heirloom seeds WildroseHeritageSeed.com McKenzie Seeds Brandon, MB 1–800–665–6340 Non–GMO seeds.

MckenzieSeeds.com Veseys Seeds York, PEI 1–800–363–7333 Seeds, plants and advice, since 1939.

Veseys.com T&T Seeds Headlingley, MB (204) 895–9962 Since 1945; early season garden seed and nursery stock.

TTSeeds.com Heritage Harvest Seeds Fisher Branch, MB (204) 372–6477 Rare and endangered heirloom vegetables, flowers, herbs & ancient grain seeds.

HeritageHarvestSeed.com Breck’s Canada West Lorne, ON Flower bulbs direct from Holland since 1818; catalogue available.

1–800–644–5505 BrecksBulbs.ca Rainbow Seeds Riverside–Albert, NB Heirloom, non–GMO, heritage vegetable garden seeds supplier.

RainbowSeeds.ca cowboycountrymagazine.com

The Incredible Seed Company Bridgewater, NS IncredibleSeeds.ca Stokes Seeds Canada Thorold, ON Quality seed since 1881, including untreated seed.

StokesSeeds.com Prairie Garden Seeds Humboldt, SK Organic seeds of vegetables, annual & perennial flowers, grasses, cereal crops, and wildflowers.

PrairieGardenSeeds.ca Gaia Organics Ottawa, ON Organic and heirloom seeds for home gardeners and bulk seeds for market gardeners 613-219-8463 GaiaOrganics.ca

Who likes Grass-Fed DryAged Beef, Soy-Free Chicken, Heritage Pasture-Raised Pork & Lamb, and Free-Range Eggs & Turkey? WE DO!

SHOP ONLINE TK Ranch, Hanna, AB 403.854.8532 hello@tkranch.com tkranch.com Sterling Silver Race Nails 3.5 Mustad Solid Sterling Silver Cast

All Pendants Come with 18” Sterling Silver Chain

Additional Resources For more information and suppliers of native plants

ALBERTA Alberta Native Plants Council Edmonton anpc.ab.ca BRITISH COLUMBIA Native Plant Society of British Columbia Vancouver npsbc.wordpress.com MANITOBA Prairie Naturals Gardening Group Winnipeg Facebook

$120 for any design | $30 S+H to Canada | $10 to USA PayPal payment to: Thomas Eimer P: 808-989-6745 | E: Jewelry@Eimerdesign.com

Specializing in Rodeo, Ranch & Humourous Fine Artworks!

It is not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters.

NEW BRUNSWICK New Brunswick Botany Club Saint John nbbotanyclub.wordpress.com NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR Wildflower Society of Newfoundland and Labrador St. John’s WildflowerSocietyNL.ca

Check our Facebook page to see where Ash will be next: Follow Ash Cooper Art and Ranch Gallery 53

LISTINGS

Specializing in heirloom seeds for home gardeners and bulk seeds for market gardeners. Over 850 varieties of vegetable, herb and flower seeds.

Nurturing biodiversity one seed at a time.

gaiaorganics.ca

Learn Equine Massage from a teacher with over 30 years of massage experience!

SASKATCHEWAN Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan Saskatoon NPSS.sk.ca

www.equinerehab.ca

Blue Bronna Wilderness Camp Summer Wrangler Positions: Christian camp located in the Rockies is hiring 2 and 4 month wranglers May to August.

E: brent@bluebronna.org bluebronna.org

2022 Livestock Care Conference March 15 to March 17, 2022 Pomeroy Inn & Suites in Olds, Alberta.

HERE 54

Cattle & Grazing

British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association Kamloops, BC (250) 573–3611 Cattlemen.BC.ca BC Livestock Producers Co Kamloops, BC (250) 573–3939 BCLivestock.bc.ca

2022

CALL TO BOOK YOUR AD SPACE TODAY! 780.628.5216 1.800.943.7336

Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association Regina, SK (306) 757–8523 SKStockGrowers.com Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association Regina, SK (306) 585–2333 SaskBeef.com Manitoba Beef Producers Winnipeg, MB (204) 772–4542 MBBeef.ca

Alberta Grazing Leaseholders Association Okotoks, AB (587) 435–4072 AlbertaGrazingLease.ca

PREP for Livestock Emergencies Plan, Respond, Evaluate, Progress

PLACE YOUR AD

ONTARIO Field Botanists of Ontario Guelph FieldBotanistsofOntario.com QUEBEC Flora Quebeca Montreal FloraQuebeca.qc.ca

7 Day and 6 Week Programs

afaclcc.ca

NOVA SCOTIA Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society Halifax NSWildFlora.ca

Alberta Beef Producers Calgary, AB (403) 275–4400 AlbertaBeef.org

Beef Farmers Of Ontario Guelph, ON (519) 824–0334 OntarioBeef.com

Cattle & Horse Brands

Ownership Identification Inc. Kamloops, BC (250) 314–9686 OwnershipID.ca

Western Stock Growers Association Okotoks, AB (403) 250–9121 WSGA.ca

Livestock Identification Services Ltd. Calgary, AB (403) 509–2088 LIS-Alberta.com

Foothills Forage & Grazing Association High River, AB (403) 995–9466 FoothillsForage.com

Livestock Services of Saskatchewan Regina, SK (306) 546–5086 LSSC.ca

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

LISTINGS Additional Interests

Audubon Birdhouse Book, 2nd Ed., Building, Placing, and Maintaining Great Homes for Great Birds, Paperback Cool Springs Press Available through Amazon.ca and Chapters.Indigo.ca The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute ABMI.ca Northstar Seed (Native Grass seed) Manitoba Neepawa, MB 1–800–430–5955 Alberta Okotoks, AB 1–800–805–0765 NorthstarSeed.ca

Nature Canada Ottawa, ON 1–800–267–4088 NatureCanada.ca Grasslands Conservation Incentives Guide Alberta BirdsCanada.org Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development CAP–Ag Action Manitoba 1–844–769–6224

Conservation

Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation 204–784–4350 MHHC.mb.ca

Cows and Fish Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society Lethbridge, AB (403) 381–5538 CowsandFish.org

Nature Conservancy Canada Regina, Sask 306–347–0447 1–877–231–3552, ext. 9001 Edmonton, Alta 877–262–1253 Calgary, Alta 403–262–1253 Winnipeg, Man 1–877–231–3552 NatureConservancy.ca SK Species At Risk Farm Program Saskatoon, Sask 306–955–5477, ext 204 SimplyAg.ca

Ducks Unlimited Canada Stonewall, MB 1 800 665-DUCK (3825) Ducks.ca | Ag.Ducks.ca

The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute ABMI.ca

Nature Saskatchewan Regina, SK (306) 780–9273 NatureSask.ca

Viresco Solutions Calgary, Alta 403–397–6506 VirescoSolutions.com

cowboycountrymagazine.com

Year-round Ranch Vacations Group Retreats • Horse Adventure Tours ATV Tours • Cherished Memories Ranch Hall Grill Grill & Bar

Monarch Butterflies (Endangered) Canadian Wildlife Federation Kanata, ON 1–800–563–9453 CWF–FCF.org

Canadian Bison Association Regina SK (306) 522–4766 CanadianBison.ca

Birds Canada Port Rowan, ON 519–586–3531 Sackville, NB 519–586–3531 ext. 196 Québec, QC 418–649–6062 1–866–518–0212 Saskatoon, SK 306–249–2894 Delta, BC 1–877–349–BIRD (2473) BirdsCanada.org

Historic Reesor Ranch

70 Birdhouse Plans (free) 70Birds.com

P: 306-662-3498 Book Online: ReesorRanch.com

K & K Livestock Co. Your 5 STAR Store for Horse, Tack, Saddles, Giftware & Feed Supplies

Livestock Co. P: 1.877.934.5835 www.kklivestock.com

All season guest ranch No minimum stay Epic trail rides!

Snow mobile and ATV/Quad tours Farm to table 3 course dinners Private hot tubs Pet Friendly

P: 250.593.9807 MontanaHillGuestRanch.com

OLD BALDY RANCH AQHA/NFQH BLUE ROAN & GRULLO AW Blue Fire N Te AW Poco Kintaro 98% Axels N Steel Dust 98% P: 250-843-7337 E: oldbaldy@hotmail.ca www.northernhorse.com/oldbaldy

MCINTOSH ProLine GUT HEALTH JOINT SUPPORT RESPIRATORY All Products North American Made

www.mcintoshproline.com 55

COWBOY CHURCHES Open Valley Cowboy Church Every Sun., 6:30 p.m.

Head of the Lake Hall, past the O’Keefe Ranch on Hwy 97, Vernon, B.C., 250‑503‑0707 Boomtown Trail Cowboy Church 2nd and last Wed. of every month, 7 p.m.

Elnora Drop‑In Centre, Elnora, Alta., 403‑749‑2047 Clearwater Cowboy Church Every Thur., 7 p.m.

Dovercourt Hall, Hwy 22, south of Rocky Mtn House, Alta., 403-845-5351 Community Cowboy Church Every Tue., 7-8 p.m.

Niton Community Hall, Main St., Niton Junction, Alta., 780-728-9088 Cowboy Trail Church Every Tue., 7 p.m.

Cochrane Ranche House, 101 Ranchehouse Rd., Cochrane, Alta., 403‑638‑4254 Heartland Cowboy Church 1st and 3rd Tue. of every month, 7 p.m.

Stettler Agriplex, 4516‑52 St., Stettler, Alta., 780-877-2331 James River Cowboy Church Every Wed., 7 p.m.

James River Community Hall, 2.5 km S of James River store or 11.5 km N of Sundre on RR 53, Alta., 403‑638‑6439 Pipestone Cowboy — Cowgirl Church 2nd Mon. of every month, 7 p.m.

Pipestone Café, Hwy 795, 11 km north from junction Hwy 13 and 795, Pipestone, Alta., 780-312-8653 St. Albert Cowboy Church Every Fri., 7:30 p.m.

60 Liberton Dr., St. Albert, Alta., 780-459-2222

We have created Canadian Cowboy Country Radio — our own radio site on Spotify that plays our favourite Cowboy-esque tunes — from Eli Barsi to Colter Wall and many more great tunesmiths!

Download Spotify and join us, here in Canadian Cowboy Country … Radio!

Viking Cowboy Church Last Fri. of every month, 7:30 p.m.

Viking Auction Market, junction of Hwy 26 and 36, Viking, Alta.

Willow Valley Cowboy Church 2nd Sun. of every month 10:00 a.m.

26016 Hwy 595, 15 km east of Red Deer, Red Deer County, Alta., 403-347-0206 Battlefords Cowboy Church 1st and 3rd Thur. of every month, 7 p.m.

Legion Hall, 22 St., Battleford, Sask.

Diamond C Cowboy Church Every Tue., 7:30 p.m.

208 Sidney St., Maple Creek, Sask., 306-662-0911 Cowboy Valley Church 4054 PR 432 Morden, Man., 204-822-9909

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2022

PHOTOS COURTESY TKTKTKKTKT

COWBOY ON SPOTIFY!

The Cowboy Church Every Fri., 7:30 p.m.

Sherwood Park Presbyterian Church, 265 Fir St., Sherwood Park, Alta., 780‑918‑5530

Some Women Get Roses

BY ELIZABETH EBERT

Some Women Get Roses was excerpted from Grand River Tales & other poems by Elizabeth Ebert. Elizabeth was well-regarded across North America and long considered the grande dame of cowboy poetry.

58

PHOTO: STOCK.ADOBE.COM/KWADRAT70

Some women get roses!

Velvet of petal and long of stem, Placed in a box like a precious gem.

Brought by a man from the florist’s place, Beautifully right for a crystal vase.

I get crocuses!

Only a little bunch, of course, Picked by a man on a saddle horse.

Slightly wilted and (please don’t laugh.)

Smelling a lot like baby calf.

Some women get orchids!

Pal with a delicate, mottled throat, Made to pin on a sable coat That is slipped on over a Dior gown, For a drive in a limousine uptown.

I get sunflowers!

Strong and sturdy, and bright and bold, Reflecting the prairie sun’s own gold.

I stick them up in my old hat brim And go for a pickup ride with him.

Now hothouse flowers have their place, I know, And they’re beautiful! But I wouldn’t trade For one bluebell plucked from the morning grass And, wet with dew, on my pillow laid.

Restored wetlands result in a slough of benefits.

Ducks Unlimited Canada has wetland conservation programs designed to benefit all landowners. A conversation with a DUC conservation specialist can open the door to ideas and incentives that can make your land more productive and diverse for generations to come. Let’s talk.

1-866-479-3825

ag.ducks.ca