Pro Rodeo Canada Insider - Feb/Mar 2019

Pro Rodeo

CANADA

INSIDER CARMAN & RIPP RULE

Carman Pozzobon racing on Ripn Lady at the 2018 WNFR. The mare raced every day, carrying Pozzobon to the second-most prestigious and coveted title of Average winner, netting her an added $67,000+, a buckle and saddle.

For info on Pozzobon and her barrel horses in training, visit carmanpozzobon.com.

PRCA ProRodeo Photo by Billie-Jean Duff

RODEOCANADA.COM

CINCHJEANS.COM

TYLER WAGUESPACK

HAILEY KINSEL

WADE SUNDELL

CALEB SMIDT

PAUL EAVES

CLAY SMITH

CO NG R ATULATIONS 2018 WORLD CHAMPIONS 36

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2019

C.P.R.A.

2019 CPRA Schedule FEBRUARY Claresholm, AB * (BR).............................. Feb 23

APRIL Medicine Hat, AB....................................... Apr 5–7 Olds, AB * (BR) pending........................... Apr 12 Tofield, AB * (BR)........................................ Apr 13

MAY

President's Message As we leave 2018 behind and look to 2019, rodeo contestants and fans alike anticipate another exciting year.

With a spectacular 45th Canadian Finals Rodeo held for the first time at Westerner Park in Red Deer, Alta., in the books, plans are underway to make Canadian Pro Rodeo’s premiere event even better in year two.

The CPRA was well-represented at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December. Congratulations to the six competitors, who among them, earned over $400,000. A special shout out to B.C. cowgirl and 2017 Canadian Champion, Carman Pozzobon, who won the barrel racing aggregate ($67,269) at this year’s Final.

Kudos as well, to Canadian stock contractors, including Vern McDonald and C5 Rodeo whose outstanding grey, F13 Virgil, was named Top Bareback Horse on both sides of the border for the second straight year and to the Northcott-Macza organization who had two bucking horses among the top stock selections at the WNFR — Get Smart (top SB) and Spilled Perfume (2nd, BB). And congrats to Big Stone Rodeo, whose bull, Spotted Demon, was named top bucking bull of the NFR. Details are being finalized for the new Maple Leaf Circuit, which will kick off later this spring. A list of Circuit rodeos and an announcement about a location for the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals will be made shortly; check RodeoCanada.com for CPRA member Circuit details.

There are a few event changes on the 2019 CPRA schedule. We’re sorry to see the Camrose Spring Classic take a year off and hope to see this event return in 2020.

The spring season started off with the Rebel Energy Services Bull Riding in Red Deer Jan 12, and 2019 approvals for both existing and new events are coming in.

Wishing everyone a happy and successful 2019. See you on the rodeo trail.

PHOTO COURTESY CPRA

Terry Cooke, President, CPRA

Drayton Valley, AB.................................... May 3–5 Stavely, AB................................................... May 9–11 Coleman, AB................................................ May 10–12 Innisfail, AB * (BR)..................................... May 11 Falkland, BC................................................. May 18–20 Swift Current, SK * (BR) new................. May 25 Grande Prairie, AB..................................... May 30–Jun 2 Leduc, AB...................................................... May 30–Jun 2

JUNE Wildwood, AB * (SB)................................. Jun 1 Hand Hills, AB............................................. Jun 1–2 Rocky Mountain House, AB.................. Jun 7–9 Brooks, AB................................................... Jun 7–8 Lea Park/Marwayne, AB........................ Jun 8–10 Bonnyville, AB date change.................. Jun 14–16 Innisfail, AB.................................................. Jun 14–16 Wainwright, AB ...................................... Jun 20–23 High River, AB............................................. Jun 21–23 Sundre, AB................................................... Jun 21–23 Ponoka, AB .............................................. Jun 25–Jul 1 Williams Lake, BC ................................. Jun 27–Jul 1 Airdrie, AB.................................................... Jun 28–Jul 1

JULY Calgary, AB * (BR) new............................ Jul 2–4 Coronation, AB........................................... Jul 5–6 Taber, AB pending..................................... Jul 5–6 Benalto, AB.................................................. Jul 5–7 Teepee Creek, AB....................................... Jul 12–14 Oyen, AB * (BR)........................................... Jul 17 Morris, MB ............................................... Jul 18–21 Edmonton, AB ........................................ Jul 19–21 Quesnel, BC (SB single event)............... Jul 19–21 Kennedy, SK................................................ Jul 20–21 Medicine Hat, AB ................................... Jul 25–27 Pollockville, AB * (SB)............................... Jul 27 Bowden, AB * (BB)..................................... Jul 27 Lacombe, AB * (BR) new: tentative.... Jul 27 Bruce, AB...................................................... Jul 28 High Prairie, AB.......................................... Jul 30–31 Canadian Pro Tour rodeos * Refers to special events All dates are subject to change Please visit rodeocanada.com for up-to-date information

cowboycountrymagazine.com

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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider

The Short Round

By TERRI MASON, CPRA

LUCY LOUISE THURSTON

Congratulations to Zeke and Jayne Thurston on the birth of their first child, Lucy Louise Thurston. She was born August 11, 2018 in Stettler, Alta.

Zeke burst onto the Canadian rodeo scene when he was just a kid as one of the multi-award-winning Thurston Gang trickriding and trick-roping contract act. Today, the five-time CFR and four-time NFR qualifier is the 2016 World Saddle Bronc Champion.

Jayne is an RN who is working on her Bachelor of Nursing degree. She is also an accomplished rider and team roper who most recently qualified and competed at the 2018 World Series Team Roping Finals in Las Vegas. The young family make their home near Big Valley, Alta. — T.M. 38

TEAL MARIE POPESCUL

Congratulations to Braidy Howes and Tyler Popescul on the birth of their first child, Teal Marie. Teal was born November 30 in Provost, Alberta.

Braidy is a Ladies Barrel Racing CFR qualifier and the incoming CPRA Ladies Barrel Racing Director. Tyler Popescul is a tie-down roper and team roper. — T.M.

EVERHETT WILLIAM LAMBERT

Congratulations to Zane and Stacey Lambert on the birth of their first child, Everhett William Lambert. Everhett was born October 23, 2018 in Ponoka, Alta.

Everhett’s bull-riding dad, Zane Lambert, has qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo four times and is the two-time and reigning PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Canada Champion. Zane is competing in the PBR Global Cup in Arlington, Texas on February 9–10, 2019.

Everhett’s mom, Stacey, is a reclamation consultant who works with oil exploration companies to restore lease sites. The young couple make their home in Ponoka, Alta.

— T.M.

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2019

PHOTO COURTESY JAYNE THURSTON; PHOTO COURTESY BRAIDY HOWES; PHOTO COURTESY ZANE LAMBERT

CONGRATULATIONS!

C.P.R.A.

IMAGE COURTESY PIXNIO; PHOTO COURTESY BARB POULSEN

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING AND ANNUAL MEETING TAKE NOTICE THAT a Special Meeting (the “Special Meeting”) of the Members of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (the “Association”) will be held on February 23, 2019 at Lions Club Event Center, 109-5th Avenue, Cochrane, Alberta commencing at 10:00 a.m. and FURTHER TAKE NOTICE THAT the Annual Meeting (the “Annual Meeting”) of the Association will be held at the same location immediately following the Special Meeting.

The Board of Directors has set December 31, 2018 as the record date for the Special Meeting and the Annual Meeting. Regular Members in good standing as at December 31, 2018 will be entitled to attend and vote on matters to be brought before the Special Meeting and the Annual Meeting.

Any Member entitled to be present and to vote at the Special Meeting or the Annual Meeting may be represented at such meetings and vote on any matter properly brought before the meetings by any person (who need not be a Member) as proxy for the Member, provided that a written proxy signed by the Member in a form complying with the Canada Not-for Profit Corporations Act and acceptable to the Secretary of the Association is deposited with the Secretary prior to commencement of the applicable meeting. A form of proxy is available on the website of the Association.

In accordance with the By-Laws of the Association, Members will be provided with notice and particulars of the matters to be considered at the Special Meeting and the Annual Meeting by regular mail or email. These materials will also be available on the website of the Association.

— By order of the board

cowboycountrymagazine.com

JASPER

The Jasper Heritage Rodeo is the only rodeo held within the confines (and I mean that literally) of a national park. While the rodeo is, by far, the longest-standing, continuous event in the history of this national park, the pro rodeo committee is in a fight for survival to keep its iconic, 93-year-old rodeo alive in this mountain town. The 93rd Annual Jasper Heritage Rodeo runs August 7–10, 2019. — T.M.

AWARDS Congratulations to the winners of the Committee of the Year Awards, and to the winners of the Best Ground Award and the Most Improved Ground Award.

These awards — sponsored respectively by Canadian Cowboy Country magazine and by the Canadian Professional Barrel Racers, honour professional rodeo committees for their hard work and dedication to the sport of rodeo. — CPRA

Danny Daines accepting the Golden Rake Awards

Committee of the Year Awards Sponsored by Canadian Cowboy Country magazine

Best Ground Awards Sponsored by the Ladies Professional Barrel Racers

Large Rodeo — Ponoka Stampede, Ponoka, Alta.

Medium Rodeo — La Crete Field of Dreams Pro Rodeo, La Crete, Alta.

Small Rodeo — Hand Hills Lake Stampede, Hand Hills, Alta.

Large Rodeo — Wainwright Stampede, Wainwright, Alta.

Small Rodeo — Innisfail Pro Rodeo, Daines Ranch, Innisfail, Alta.

Most Improved Ground Award — Dawson Creek Exhibition & Stampede, Dawson Creek, B.C.

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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider

NORTHCOTT MACZA DOUBLES DOWN IN VEGAS

Zeke Thurston, winning Round 9 with 90 points on-board Andrews Rodeo’s H09 Brutus PRCA ProRodeo Photo by Billie-Jean Duff

By TERRI MASON

They made a nation proud. Six top-of-their-game Canadian competitors and 60 Canadian head of bone-jarring rodeo stock descended on Las Vegas, and with no end of flair, they are bringing home an armload of prizes and more than $500,000 US. Scott Guenthner winning Round 3 in 3.30 seconds PRCA ProRodeo Photo

by Ric Andersen

Bareback

Steer Wrestling

2018 World Bareback Champion: Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa

2018 World Steer Wrestling Champion: Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, Louisiana

Some epic stories came out of this year’s contest, most notably watching Manitoba’s Orin Larsen power through after undergoing knee surgery a mere three weeks before the WNFR. Larsen, who arguably possesses the longest and most dramatic spur lick of all the bareback riders showcased in Vegas this year, did catch the judge’s eye a time or two; he won Round 7 and spent half the time in the top six and in the money. He finished 8th in the Average, which earned him an additional $6,346.15; add that to his prize purse, and in total, the Manitoba cowboy earned $92,076.92 US — and the reputation as one tough hombre.

Curtis Cassidy of Donalda, Alta., who came to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo as the number one ranked bulldogger in the world, and our freshly crowned Canadian Champion, Scott Guenthner of Provost, Alta., who was ranked number three in the world, were riding Cassidy’s Tyson, voted Canada’s Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year. Hazing for the cowboys was five-time Canadian Champion, Cody Cassidy.

Scott Guenthner won Round 3, finished 7th in the Average, netting him an additional $11, 423.08. In total, Scott earned $94,403.84 US. Curtis Cassidy won Round 4 and Round 6, finished 14th in the Average and brought home $82,346.16 US.

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Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2019

C.P.R.A.

Top Stock Awards of the WNFR Bareback 1. Nutrena’s Killer Bee, Beulter & Son Rodeo, Elk City, Okla.

2. Spilled Perfume, Northcott Macza Rodeo, High River, Alta.

3. Junior Bonner, Stace Smith Pro Rodeos, Athens, Texas Saddle Bronc 1. Get Smart, Northcott Macza Rodeo, High River, Alta.

2. Medicine Woman, Frontier Rodeo, Freedom, Okla.

3. Brutus, Andrews Rodeo, Bagwell, Texas Bull 1. Spotted Demon, Big Stone Rodeo, Cessford, Alta.

2. Hot N Ready, Smith Harper & Morgan Rodeo, Athens, Texas 3. El Patron, Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo, Fairfield, Texas

cowboycountrymagazine.com

41

Pro Rodeo Canada Insider

PRCA ProRodeo Photo by James Phifer

PRCA ProRodeo Photo by James Phifer

Left: C5 Rodeo’s F13 Virgil with Clayton Biglow aboard in Round 5, setting a new arena record of 93 points Right: Orin Larsen, winning Round 7 with 89 points on Frontier Rodeo’s 906+ Tip Off

Team Roping 2018 World Champion Team Ropers: Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Oklahoma & Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Missouri

There were no Canadian team ropers in the 2018 WNFR

Saddle Bronc 2018 World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider: Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa

Zeke Thurston of Big Valley, Alta., scored two spectacular 90-pt rides, won Round 9 and finished 3rd in the Average, netting him an additional $43,153.85. All told, he earned $149,403.85 US. Clay Elliott of Nanton, Alta., didn’t get a score in four rounds, but when he did score, it was a good one — so good in fact, he still finished 7th in the Average, netting him an additional $11,423.08. In total, he earned $44,692.31 US.

Tie-Down Roping 2015 & 2018 World Champion Tie-Down Roper: Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas

There were no Canadian tie-down ropers in the 2018 WNFR

Ladies Barrel Racing 2018 World Champion Ladies Barrel Racer: Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas

So many things can be said about Carman Pozzobon of Savona, B.C., and her mare, Ripn Lady, a.k.a. Ripp. First off, the mare is, once again, the 2018 Barrel Horse with the 42

Most Heart winner in Canada (she also won in 2017), and she’s a pistol.

Carman herself is a phenom. The barrel horse trainer turned pro in 2015, earned her way to two CFRs and now, the World — and she rode away with the second-most coveted prize in the race.

Carman Pozzobon won the Average, netting her an additional $67,269.23. All told, she earned $117,884.62 US.

Bull Riding 2018 World Bull Riding Champion: Sage Steele Kimzey, Strong City, Oklahoma

Kimzey is the first bull rider to win five consecutive World Championships. There were no Canadian bull riders in the 2018 WNFR.

Rough Stock It took some digging, but I finally came up with the list of the Best Stock of the WNFR. There were 105 rank bareback horses invited to the rodeo; 25 were Canadian and, boy, did they buck!

First off, congratulations to Vern McDonald and the crew of C5 Rodeo of Lac la Biche, Alta. The highly decorated bareback sensation, F13 Virgil of C5 Rodeo earned his place in the record books when the amazing grey carried Clayton Biglow to an arena record of 93 points in Round 2.

The next night everyone’s heart was in their throat when Mason Clements hung up on Northcott Macza’s great mare, Spilled Perfume, in Round 3. The pick up men got in

there in good time, but it was cowboys that caused havoc.

Contestants on foot rushed in and got between the horse and the rescue squad, handicapping the pick up men.

“They hung up for four minutes, and they had to stop her with the flank on,” explained Ward Macza of Northcott Macza Rodeo.

Clements was unharmed. Spilled Perfume was scheduled to buck again in the 8th round, but Macza decided against it.

“I pulled her because they hung up on her too long,” he explained. “I’m trying to protect my horse.”

Despite having only one trip under her cinch, Spilled Perfume earned the Number 2 nod for Best Bareback Horse of 2018 WNFR. In the saddle bronc pens, out of the 105 saddle broncs invited, 23 were top-notch, rank Canadian horses.

Northcott Macza’s 242 Get Smart earned the title of Best Saddle Bronc of the WNFR, earning Ward Macza another plaque for his trophy room. In two trips, Get Smart bucked off Wade Sundell and Sterling Crawley. We added it up: the gelding superstar was only ridden for five out of a potential 16 seconds.

Congratulations as well to Bruce Sunstrom, Julio Moreno and the entire crew of Big Stone Rodeo for earning the top prize of the NFR for their bull, Spotted Demon.

The bull has already earned PRCA Bull of the Year and at the WNFR, he bucked off Garrett Tribble in Round 2 and Boudreaux Campbell in Round 9. c Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2019

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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider

Craig Weisgerber winning Round 5 in 3.5 seconds at the 2018 CFR in Red Deer

WEISGERBER & REGGIE HORSEPOWER MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

By TIM ELLIS

Ask steer wrestler Craig Weisgerber why his 2018 season was far more productive than his previous eight years on the Pro Rodeo Canada trail, and his answer is simple: “I don’t know.”

If you delve further into trying to find an explanation, that’s when the 30-year-old comes up with more detail.

“I would have to say horsepower made the biggest difference for me,” explains Weisgerber, who finished a career-best sixth in the 2018 Canadian Pro Rodeo standings, with $34,251 in earnings.

“The overall theme during the season was drawing good, scoring good and having it all work out in the end.

“I was bouncing around jumping in different trucks with different guys and bouncing around with different horses the past couple of years. It was hard to get in a groove.”

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Then along came Reggie, the bulldogging mount bought by Bo Anderson late in the 2017 season, which seems to fit Weisgerber to a “T”.

“I rode him at Armstrong and won the Todd Boggust jackpot on him back in 2017,” says the Ponoka, Alta., cowboy of his first rides on the seven-year-old bay gelding. “I told Bo that wherever that horse goes, I’d like to go with you.

“He’s a solid, honest horse. Easy to ride and let’s me do my job. He let me have so many more opportunities. I have total confidence in him, and I started being more confident in my own ability. I started to ask myself, ‘why can’t it be me?’”

The partnership helped Weisgerber qualify for his second Canadian Finals Rodeo, the first coming back in 2011.

“Some years I was top 15, sometimes I was top 20 and other years I wasn’t even on

the radar,” recalls Weisgerber of the previous seasons in between CFR qualifications. “I guess it definitely shows dedication. I put in the same amount of work each year.

“That was seven years ago, and some guys have bigger gaps than that, so I felt fortunate to get back. The draw and who can handle the pressure seems to separate who makes the finals and who doesn’t. There were 25 guys late in the season who still had a chance to qualify — it was crazy. You couldn’t stub your toe because you knew the guy behind you wasn’t going to.”

Weisgerber ended the regular season in fifth spot, his highest ever finish, with over $21,000 — two-thirds of that coming from wins at the Manitoba Stampede in Morris and the Finning Pro Tour Shootout in Armstrong, B.C., and from placing deep at his hometown Ponoka Stampede.

And to cap off the comeback season, last year’s CFR just happened to be only twenty minutes from Weisgerber’s ranch.

“There were lots of people in the crowd who knew who I was,” quips Weisgerber, who won the fifth round at the Finals at the Centrium in Red Deer back in early November with a 3.5-second run. “That was the greatest feeling I’ve ever had.” c

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2019

PHOTO BY BILLIE-JEAN DUFF

CPRA photo by Billie-Jean-Duff

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Canadian Cowboy Country December 2018/January 2019

CLOWNIN’ AROUND | CRASH COOPER

Ash Cooper Art and Ranch Gallery

Yep. Good fences make for good neighbours.

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

Nechako Valley Cowboy Church Last Sun. of every month, 7 p.m., Nechako Community Church Building, Hwy 16 E, Vanderhoof, B.C., 250‑567‑4960 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, north of Caroline, Alta., 403-844-6641 Community Cowboy Church Every Tue., 7-8 p.m., Niton Community Hall, Main St., Niton, Alta., 780-795-2326

Specializing in Rodeo, Ranch & Humourous Fine Artworks!

Cowboy Trail Church Every Tue., 7 p.m., Cochrane Ranche House, 101 Ranchehouse Rd., Cochrane, Alta., 403‑638‑4254

Now showing at our gallery in Senlac, Saskatchewan Open Sundays from 1 – 5 pm

Heartland Cowboy Church 1st and 3rd Tue. of every month, 7 p.m., Stettler Agriplex, 4516‑52 St., Stettler, Alta., 780-877-2331

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James River Cowboy Church Every Wed., 7 p.m., James River Community Hall, 2.5km S of James River store or 11.5km 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

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St. Albert Cowboy Church Every Fri., 7 p.m., 60 Liberton Dr., St. Albert, Alta., 780-459-2222 The Cowboy Church Every Fri., 7:30 p.m., Centre Park Church, 52 Peacock Dr., Sherwood Park, Alta., 780‑918‑5530 Viking Cowboy Church Last Fri. of every month, 7:30 p.m., Viking Auction Market, junction of Hwy 26 and 36, Viking, Alta., 780‑384‑2114

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Hosts Hugh & Billie McLennan and Cruise Vacations invite you to join them at the Westerner in Red Deer, AB for a night of socializing with past cruisers and entertainment

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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., 306-937-2733 Diamond C Cowboy Church Every Tue., 7:30 p.m., 208 Sidney St., Maple Creek, Sask., 306‑662‑3431 Cowboy Valley Church 4054 PR 432 Morden, Man., 204-822-9909

Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2019

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cowboycountrymagazine.com 49

COWBOY POETRY

Tall Men Riding

By S. OMAR BARKER

This is the song that the night birds sing As the phantom herds trail by, Horn by horn where the long plains fling Flat miles to the Texas sky.

Hoof dust flies at the low moon’s rise, And the bullbat’s lonesome whir Is an echoed note from a longhorn throat Of a steer, in the days that were.

Oh, the high hawk knows where the rabbit goes, And the buzzard marks the kill, But few there be with eyes to see The Tall Men riding still.

Inch by inch time draws the cinch, Till the saddle will creak no more, And they who were lords of the cattle hordes Have tallied their final score.

They hark in vain on the speeding train For an echo of hoofbeat thunder, And the yellow wheat is a winding sheet For cattle trails plowed under.

This is the song that the night birds wail Where the Texas plains lie wide, Watching the dust of a ghostly trail, Where the phantom Tall Men ride!

PHOTO BY SPIRIT OF AMERICA/ADOBE STOCK

S. (Squire) Omar Barker (1895–1985) (he signed his letters Lazy SOB) lived in Las Vegas, New Mexico and was a prodigious freelance writer, Spanish teacher, statesman, novelist and most importantly to the cowboy poetry world, was the author of five books of poetry (Winds of the Mountains, 1922; Buckaroo Ballads, 1929; Sunlight Through the Trees, 1954; Songs of the Saddleman, 1954; and Rawhide Rhymes, 1968)

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Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2019

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Canadian Cowboy Country February/March 2019

Lloydminster • Olds • Strathmore • West Kelowna • Kamloops • Prince Albert • Regina • Saskatoon