The BC Cowboy Heritage Society
Official Newsletter

The Cowboy Times
2009 Vol #4 - December

Issued quarterly;
February, June, September, and December
To see the next issues click on Vol#   #43    #44

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If you have anything you would like to
see in future newsletters give us a hollar at:
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1-888-763-2224

From the Editors Kathy and Mark McMillan I hate to say it but Christmas is close!! The only reason I hate to say it though, is that I, like always, am not even close to being ready! But hey ... Christmas gifts? Are you like everyone else out there - stuck for ideas? I think you might find some ideas right here in this newsletter. Kamloops Cowboy Festival weekend passes with a 100 Mile Cowboy Concert ticket as a stocking stuffer! Maybe a CD, DVD, book, or two ... I have been swamped with web site work lately so I hope I can come up with enough content for this newsletter. We went away for a week, to the Mane Event in Chilliwack (see article), and it seemed that while we were away everyone decided to update their web site or build a new one all at once - so now I'm paying! I guess it was worth it though, as the Mane Event was terrific! We now have the 14th Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival line-up in place See the article and tickets are available! It should, once again, be an awesome event. The Western Art Show and Saddle Show, the Festival Trade Show, the workshops and seminars, the Rising Star Showcase, the Hall of Fame inductions, the Joe Marten Award presentation, wow ... I could go on and on ... The 10th Annual 100 Mile House Cowboy Concert is fast approaching. Saturday, February 13th, in Marten Exeter Hall. This is one of the biggest fund raisers for the BC Cowboy Hall Fame and our BCCHS Student Scholarships - and we have a great line-up, too! See the article So I hope you enjoy this newsletter; enjoy at least one of the upcoming Cowboy Concerts; have a really great Christmas; bring in 2010 with a pile of happiness; and make it to the 14th Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival, March 11th - 14th, 2010! Mark McMillan, Editor msprings@bcinternet.net www.meadowsprings.com

From the Desk of El Presidenté Mike Puhallo BCCHS Presidents Report - December 2009 In spite of terrible cattle prices, a worldwide recession, Mountain Pine Beetle attacks and global warming, the outlook for the 2010 Kamloops Cowboy Festival is pretty good. Since passes went on sale November first, my phone has been ringing steady. We have a new tour bus company on board this year. Carson Tours of Edmonton is offering an all inclusive package for fans from Northern Alberta with accommodation at the Hampton Inn. Once again Parson's Tours from Lacombe is bringing guests from Lacombe, Red Deer, and Olds, with their rooms booked at the Travelodge. Our Host hotel, The Kamloops Towne Lodge already has quite a few weekend packages sold as well. We have a great line up of entertainers for this year's Festival with a few new faces and quite a few returning favourites. The 2010 Kamloops Cowboy Festival has received a grant from the Canada Arts Council and we are very grateful for their support as well as the support of all our sponsors. Tickets for the 2010 Kamloops Cowboy Festival are available at the Horse Barn in Kamloops or by phone from me at 1-888-763-2224. Cowboy Christmas Concert, Saturday, December 5th at 7:00 pm in Calvary Community Church. The BCCHS will present a Cowboy Christmas Concert featuring Shirley Field, Hugh McLennan, Butch Falk, Matt Johnston, Gordy West, Mike Puhallo, Dan Fremlin and Chris Stevens. Admission is just $15 with tickets available at the Horse Barn and at the door. I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Remember, cowboy poetry makes a great Christmas gift, you don't have to plug it in, it never needs ironing and it can't ever go out of style because it never really was in to start with. Mike Puhallo - President mikepuhallo@direct.ca

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Mark Your Calendar for next year's Festival!
The 14th Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival!
March 11th - 14th, 2010!

Our headquarters hotel, Kamloops Towne Lodge (formerly the Best Western)
Early bird specials are once again being offered!
$240 per person plus GST (based on Double Occupancy)
if booked before January 15th
Phone 1-800-665-6674 or (250) 828-6660
Email: info@kamloopstownelodge.com

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What's In Store For 2010

This will be the 14th Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival, and as usual we have a really strong line-up of performers slated to take part. We're still working on the list and waiting for some confirmations, but at this point in time here's what the list looks like:

Combine the above entertainment with the Festival Trade Show, The Western Art Show, the Rising Star Showcase and all the open mic performances and Wow! You won't want to miss the 14th Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival, March 11th - 14th, 2010!

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Tickets are now on sale!

You can get tickets at the Horse Barn if you're in Kamloops, or book a room at our host hotel, the Kamloops Towne Lodge. They have a package that includes weekend passes and dinner theatre show tickets. There is an early bird special too; book before January 15th and save! You can find their contact info and information about other area hotels and Festival packages on the Festival page, under Accommodation.

Like the poster art? It was supplied by Shannon Lawlor. Thanks Shannon, we love it. Read more about her on her web site: www.shannonlawlor.com Once again a big thanks to Pollard Banknote for donating the printing of this wonderful poster - they really have become a sought-after collector's item!

Ticket Prices
We have had to increase our ticket prices slightly for 2010, but have kept the cost down so that we can still say that there's no where else you can get this much for this little.

• Weekend Pass - $60.00 - Includes everything (except the dinner theatre) all weekend!
  
• Evening Show - $30.00 - Includes regular evening performance and daytime admission!
  
• Fri or Sat Dinner Theatre - $30.00 upgrade - with a weekend pass - Includes dinner!
  
• Fri or Sat Dinner Theatre Only - $60.00 - Includes one evening performance and dinner!
  
• Sunday Dinner Theatre - $25.00 upgrade - with a weekend pass - Includes dinner!
  
• Day Pass - $10.00 - Includes all daytime entertainment, trade show, and seminars!

The 2010 Evening Only Performance Schedule!

All schedules are subject to change

March 12th - Calvary Church
Friday Evening - 7:00 PM!

(MC) Hugh McLennan
Mike Puhallo
Shirley Field
Frank Gleeson
Intermission
Hall of Fame Inductions
Michael Hurwitz
Kathy Moss
Joni Harms

March 13th - Calvary Church
Saturday Evening - 7:00 PM!

(MC) Dave McClure
Doc Hayes
Naomi Bristow
Mel Brown
Intermission
BCCHS Scholarship Awards
Joe Marten award
Curly Musgrave
Terri Mason
Belinda Gail

March 12th - Dinner Theatre
Kamloops Convention Centre
Friday Evening

5:30 Happy Hour - 6:30 Dinner!
Jinny Lowe, Dave McClure
After Dinner Show
(MC) Dave McClure
Dave Longworth
Tiffany Dowan
Debra Hill
Intermission
Matt Johnston
Diamond Doug
Tim Hus

March 13th - Dinner Theatre
Kamloops Convention Centre
Saturday Evening

5:30 Happy Hour - 6:30 Dinner!
Jinny Lowe, Dave McClure
After Dinner Show
(MC) Hugh McLennan
Camel Dave
Butch Falk
Larry Maurice
Intermission
Chris and Sharky
Ol Ugly
Lone Prairie

The Sunday evening dinner theatre show at Forsters Convention Centre will be for weekend pass holders only. This should be a spectaular show - here's the schedule.

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2010 Art of the West Show and Sale
Sponsored by Canadian Cowboy Country magazine

Once again Canadian Cowboy Country magazine has agreed to sponsor the Art of the West Show and Sale! Last year we saw the show double in size from the year before and it was a terrific show. The room was full of flatwork, sculpture, saddles, and, photography.

We have had saddle makers and photographers expressing interest already this year. Last year David added a section for amateur saddle makers in the saddle show and I think this could be a very popular part of the show!

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The Festival Tradeshow

We would like to give a real warm welcome to Helen and Red Allan, the new chairmen of the Festival Tradeshow. They say they're looking forward to looking after this very important part of the Festival and are encouraging exhibitors, both new and old to book their booths before it's too late!

Neither Helen, nor Red are new at the game as they have both spent countless hours the last couple of years helping David with the tradeshow ... there's no doubt that if you're a past exhibitor you'll know Helen and Red.

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Red and Helen Allan

A message from Red and Helen:
It is hard to believe it is less than four months till the Kamloops Cowboy Festival. We are already busy with registrations from last year's exhibitors as well as inquiries from new exhibitors and we are looking forward to another great year.   Red and Helen Allan

For information on the Festival Tradeshow see the Trade Show page. If you're interested in exhibiting then click on "Exhibitors Information" - you'll find all the info including an application form.

If you're a past exhibitor - we can't hold you're booth spot after December 1st so if you haven't got your application in yet, and want the same booth as last year, then you'd better hurry!

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Volunteer Coordinator Message

Volunteer Message December 2009

Another year almost at an end, Christmas season and all the festivities nearly upon us. We're looking forward to our final festival meeting of this year and the new annual Cowboy Christmas Concert at Calvary Community Church on December 5th. Volunteers are in place, everyone is ready to enjoy the full slate of great entertainers for what will be our final event of the year. We look forward to welcoming everyone and appreciate so many willings volunteers at this busy time of year.

As we head into the new year we will be recruiting actively both through our organizaiton and Volunteer Kamloops. Pass the word along to interested folks, let them know we would love to have them join our team. We so enjoyed the 2009 volunteers and know most will be on board again in 2010. Jane and I would like to wish everyone a healthy, happy, safe holiday with family and friends and please don't hesitate to call us anytime if you have any questions.

Cheers!

Jane Kerner, Volunteer Coordinator, 250-577-3727
Marg Cordonier, Assistant Volunteer Coordinator, 250-573-3270

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The 10th Annual 100 Mile House Cowboy Concert

Martin Exeter Hall, Saturday, February 13th, 2010, 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

It started as a fund raiser for Danny Lytton when he broke his back in the year 2000, and the event was so popular we thought we'd try it again the next year. Now ten years later it seems it's just as popular if not even more so. In 2005 everyone was bugging us to do two nights in a row because we were always sold out. Well that meant keeping the entertainers over for an extra night, and basically doing all the work twice.

It was in 2006 that we decided if we needed to do two shows lets do them on the same day, and we added a 2:00 matinee. Not only did this make room for double the number in the audience, it also allowed people that travelled from father away to be able to get back home the same day, and it allowed the seniors homes to be able to come and watch the show.

The problem - we were still sold out - on both shows. Well, I guess that's not really a problem, except for those that were not able to get a ticket. There's a saying though, and it's very appropriate here, "You Snooze, You Loose" - sorry ... anyway the point is get your tickets early. We actually sell most of the tickets in December as people want them for stocking stuffers.

I must say here that one of the biggest reasons this concert has been such a success is the fact that we have two very supportive major sponsors - both terrific at getting the word out to the public for us! I'd really like to thank the 100 Mile Free Press, and the Wolf Radio in 100 Mile House, for all their years of support. Click on their banner below and they will enlarge!

What's in store for this year?

2010 looks to be another great show in 100 Mile House. There are four new faces on the program. Actually let me rephrase that because Gary Fjellgaard's face is not new! This is the first time that any of these performers have been at the 100 Mile House Cowboy Concert. Two of them have performed in 100 Mile before and two of them haven't. Lets start with the two that have.

Gary Fjellgaard is a well known name in 100 Mile and I don't have to tell anyone anything about this Juno Award winning entertainer. I've always wanted to ask Gary to be part of the line-up but I knew we couldn't afford him. Well this year, as a special bonus to the audience for their ten years of support, I asked Gary if he could make it. I was thrilled to hear "YES" as his response! And I'm also happy to be able to say that we can afford the funds this year! I would bet you've seen him before, but if not - I know you'll love him!

Now we always try to mix the performers every year - two cowboy poets and two singers, and two males and two females. Well this summer I was thinking my line-up was looking like a male showcase and I knew I'd get flack from the guys in the audience. I needed a female, I needed a singer, and I needed a strong performer. Well guys you'll be happy because the girl I chose is all of the above - and she ain't hard to look at either!

Jessica Noad has sung many a song in the 100 Mile House area and I'm sure most of you know who she is. Her Grandpa is BC Country Music Hall of Famer Bud Webb. She's performed on main stage at the Merritt Mountain Fest and the Kamloops Cowboy Festival as well as many other places. Her stage presence, smile, and good looks make her as easy to watch as she is to listen to. She has a terrific, powerful, natural voice and you're going to love her!

Corky Williams now a resident of Williams lake, was a rancher at Anahim Lake, BC for over twenty years. For the past ten years he has made his living as a professional live stage actor with the Greater Tuna Theatre Co. out of Austin, Texas. He did 21 performances at the 1986 World's Fair with the Ian Tyson Cowboyography show. He does Poetry and Stories of what he experienced living with the Chilcotin and Carrier Indians and Cowboys that live there in that big land. He can make you laugh and he can make you cry.

Dave McClure has lived the cowboy life and uses the experience to shape his cowboy poetry and song writing. He can make you laugh and cry with the stories he portrays of the cowboy way of life and at the end of his performance you will either be glad you are a cowboy or wish you were one. He has, these last few years, melded his love for composing piano music in with his cowboy poetry. He claims it is only because he wanted to prove that cowboys can play instruments that have more than six strings. Their home is North Central Washington State on the Colville Indian Reservation near the town of Nespelem, about 30 miles east of Omak.

Ticket are available now. If you'd like more information on the concert or would like to purchase tickets phone Mark at 250-456-2425 or email: msprings@bcinternet.net

The 100 Mile Free Press
Click to enlarge
The Wolf Radio in 100 Mile House
and Williams Lake, BC

Gary Fjellgaard
photo by Jerry Stainer
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Jessica Noad
photo by Bal Dosanj
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Corky Williams
photo by Jerry Stainer
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Dave McClure
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Concert Poster
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The Horse Barn

A big thanks to the Horse Barn for once again sponsoring the Kamloops Cowboy Festival

We really appreciate their support and hope that you will support them - head on down to pick up a new cowboy hat, new jeans, a new western shirt, some new jewelry or a belt buckle, and/or a shiny new pair of boots!

Thanks so much you guys!!

Check out the Horse Barn's web site at: www.horsebarncanada.com.

We are so glad to have the Horse Barn as a major sponsor for the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Kamloops Cowboy Festival.

The Horse Barn
517 Mt Paul Way
Kamloops, BC, V2H 1A9
(250) 374-3511

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The Country 103 Rising Star Showcase

The Country 103 Rising Star Showcase is already drawing the interest of some pretty darn good talent and I'm really looking forward to hearing them all. We have applications from Alberta, Houston, and the Lower Mainland.

This year you'll notice two names on the main stage line-up that were in the Rising Star Showcase last year, which shows the kind of talent that we have enter every year. In the past few years we've found some great new hidden talent and I'm sure this year the contest will once again leave us with some new main stage performers for 2011, at the 15th Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival.

If you can sing cowboy songs, are a cowboy poet, or know someone that is, check out the web site Rising Stars page. All the info is there including and entry form. It's a great opportunity to not only showcase your talent and be heard, but six people will walk away with a pretty nice sized cheque!

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Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association - ACPA

Now here's a group that's going Gung Ho! We talk about promoting and preserving Cowboy Heritage, and I think we're doing a good job at that, well these guys are stepping up to the plate and are looking good!

Honouring the History & Tradition of The West with Poems, Songs, and Stories is what they are boasting. Their web site has a list of gatherings, festivals, and other coming events, it has reviews on events, and it has a super list of performers with their bios and contact information.

I think the main thing the ACPA is trying to promote is their members and their products, and they seem to be doing a great job of it. If you're looking for an entertainer for any kind of function or event see the "Entertainers" page at www.albertacowboypoetry.com.

Looking for Christmas present for someone? Head on over to www.albertacowboypoetry.com and check out the "General Store" you'll find a huge list of CDs, books and DVDs.

Editor's note:
In my editor's column I mentioned that I was swamped with web site work ... well this is one of them. Keep your eyes on the site as one day, in the not too distant future, you'll find a new web site!

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Restoring Vintage Western Saddles

According to Alain Eon's Method

A book review my Mark McMillan

This extremely well put together book is loaded with information and very well detailed. The photos throughout the book are excellent, sharp, colour photos that make it easy to follow Alain's method.

Now I'm not a saddle maker, nor am I a saddle restorer, but I have done a lot of saddle repairs - when you own a dude string, repairs seem to never end. I found the book interesting and useful, and although I don't plan on restoring a saddle, I picked up a lot of helpful hints for every day repairs ... from replacing the horn cap right down to replacing a whole sheep skin.

There's 64 pages printed in full colour on 170g paper with over 340 pictures showing the progress of restoration step by step, from the initial disassembly to the final results. The finished size is 8.25 inches wide and 11.75 inches high. Even if you don't restore a saddle this book would make a great coffee table book as the pictures are terrific.

When I look at the photos of the numerous saddles that Alain has restored I start to drool, wishing I owned just one of them. The only disappointment to me is the English (not that mine is very good), but then again this is a book on restoring saddles and not an English novel. In fact

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I really have to give him credit because I sure couldn't imagine trying to write a book in French! The translation definitely needs some work but I had no trouble understanding anything that was said anywhere in the book.

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So if you've got an old saddle that needs fixing up and want to have a crack at doing it yourself, even if it isn't an antique or even old, I think you'll find "Restoring Vintage Western Saddles" very helpful. Now because the book is written and published in France, and the quality is so good, the cost is a little high - $45 plus $15 handling (USD). It is however, said to be the only book available on old time saddle restoration, and probably well worth the cost if indeed you are wanting to fix up an old saddle ... just think what a mistake could cost you!

To order a copy of "Restoring Vintage Western Saddles" directly from Alain write, phone or email. He will accept cheques and/or money orders and his English is great.
Alain Eon
168, rue Maurice Arnoux
92120 Montrouge
France
Phone: 33 146 54 36 41
Email: alain.eon@free.fr

In the photos, although they don't do the pages justice ... above - an example of the detail. Below - two pages back to back showing before and after photos. Below right - some of the saddles Alain has restored.

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Joe Marten Memorial Award
for the Preservation of Cowboy Heritage in BC

We have picked the recipient for 2010, another very deserving Saddle Maker, Andy Knight.

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Andy Knight has been building custom saddles for over three decades and since 1991 he's been building and using his own saddle tress. When asked how many saddles he has built Andy's reply was, "I am not sure but around the 700 mark." He also says this about his everyday job as a saddle maker, "I am so blessed to be able to earn a living working in a trade that I still find enjoyable and challenging. Going to work is still fun".

With his credibility in the world of saddle makers Andy could build, and has built, saddles for anyone; movie sets, professional horse trainers, clinicians, dignitaries, etc, but he still says that he enjoys making working cowboy rigs the most. I think this is probably because he knows that it's these saddles that will be used and appreciated the most.

Andy Knight was born in England in 1956 and immigrated to Canada with his family in 1968. He discovered western Canada (Alberta) in 1973 and moved to the Calgary area. Here he spent his early days working for Tex-Tan Kenways on the saddle making assembly line, where he learned his basic saddlemaking skills. The Calgary area was also where Andy built his first custom saddle ... for then Canadian Champion calf roper Jim Gladstone. While living in Alberta Andy had the privilege to spend some time with saddlemaker Ernie Polson who would critique his saddles and also let him use his sewing machine.

In the summer of 1975 Andy moved to Pink Mountain in northern BC where he worked on a ranch. That was the beginning of a love affair with the north that continues to this day. He continued to build saddles and work on different ranches and even found time to get married, in 1977 to Ruth Roes.

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At this time Andy was building saddles under the "Evergreen Saddle Co" name. He got his first trophy saddle contract in 1982 for the NRA year end saddle awards. He was supplementing his income by spending the winters in the bush working as a faller, while the whole time dreaming about opening his own saddle shop in the south.

1986 saw the young Knight family (Andy, Ruth, Tracy, and Tania) move to the Nicola Valley where Knights Saddlery was officially established in the back of D & G Western Outdoors. Local cowboys and ranchers started ordering saddles.

In 1987 the saddle shop expanded to its own space in downtown Merritt and in 1989 Knights Saddlery bought its own premises. The saddle shop now had lots of space and started selling western wear and horse gear. The sign outside read "Knights Western Emporium". Here the demand for Andy's saddles was so great that he had to hire two other saddlemakers.

During this period Andy had the privilege of getting to work with some of North Americas top horseman ... and continues to do so today. This helped him immensely with both his horsemanship and saddlemaking.

Having trouble getting quality saddle trees made Andy look into learning to build his own and in 1990 he went to Oregon to learn how from Todd McGiffin. Since 1991 all "Knight" saddles have been built on Andy's own trees.

January 1st, 1992 a third daughter, Tessa, was added to the.

1999 Andy started to get weary of the retail business and the hassle of having employees. He also found that it was taking too much time away from saddlemaking so he moved the shop to his home. With the shop attached to the house Andy finds it almost too easy to "go to work"!

Andy's drive to improve and hone his skills as a saddlemaker are stronger today than when he started. He has made saddles, and continues to work with, quite a number of professional horse trainers and clinicians; Harry Whitney, Josh Nichol, Kevin Pole, Jonathan Field, and Glen Stewart, to name a few. Quite a few of his saddles have gone to Europe and now it seems about half of his saddles go to the US.

He has shown and attended the Cowboy Symposium in Ruidoso, New Mexico; has shown, by invitation, at the Elko Museum, in Nevada; and recently he was invited to Switzerland and Germany to show and give saddle fitting demonstrations.

When asked if he considered himself a traditional saddlemaker he replied, "I am not sure what you mean, however, I believe that everything I do relating to saddlemaking needs to be subject to constant review to consider whether it can be improved.

To see past recipients of the Joe Marten Memorial Award go to the Heritage Award page. Here you can also find details on nominating someone and a nomination form.

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The Mane Event

• Equine Education & Trade Fair
• The Trainers Challenge
• Western Canada's Premiere Horse Expo
• October 23-25, 2009 at Heritage Park in Chilliwack, BC
• April 23-25, 2010 at Westerner Park in Red Deer, AB

Since it's inception 6 years ago we've wanted to head down to Chilliwack to take in the Mane Event Horse Expo. Everyone that we knew that had been kept saying: "ya gotta go - you'll love it - it's super!". Well it's hard for us to get away in October because we have hunters in our cabins and we're usually doing some fall farming or bringing cows home and weaning, etc.

This year just happened to work out better - our house sitters, Judy and Harry Van Eaton, knew that we weren't heading south this winter and they started to bug us to go away - they wanted to stay on the ranch again! "Hey take our travel trailer, too!" they said. Well ok! No guests staying, lets see what we can do ... (you can read a paragraph at the bottom of this article on how our week before went).

The Heritage Park buildings as scene from our RV site. A great location and right ouside our door!

On Thursday evening, October 22nd, we set up the trailer in a camping area the Mane Event folks had ready for us - pretty much right outside the doors of the event. It was great as we could walk back and forth and not miss anything.

Friday when the doors opened we did a quick tour and soon realized that it was going to be pretty tough to be able to see everything. There was close to 200 trade show booths and over two and half days of seminars happening in two different arenas, by about 9 different clinicians - and this is all over and above the Trainers Chellenge which is the main thing that we wanted to see.

If you own a horse, or even like horses, but especially if you're into horse training, for your owns horses or for others, the Trainers Challenge is a must see. In fact Red and Helen joined us for the weekend and although Helen has nothing to do with horses, she still thoroughly enjoyed watching the Trainers Chellenge ... she was glued to the bleachers with us all weekend.

For those of you who don't know about the Trainers Chellenge - Three unbroke colts from Douglas Lake Ranch are brought in one at a time. Three horse trainers (and they pick three of the best in North America) have four sessions each in a round pen (at different times) for a total of about 3 hours and 45 minutes. At the end of this time, during Sunday afternoon, the three trainers have to show their horses in the big arena. They are judged on:

• Horse stands quietly to be tacked
• leads with respect
• picks up all four feet with control
• stands quietly for mounting and dismounting
• must walk, trot, and lope in both directions
• stop
• backup
• jog through a serpentine
• step over ground poles
• walk over a bridge
• drag a pole 25 feet
• a rope must be swung above the horse's head while mounted

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Bruce Logon, one of the three trainers, working with a rope. Note the sign behind Bruce - presented by Canadian Cowboy Country magazine!

Optionally a trainer, if time permits, may do some free style work and/or load in a trailer.

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Ken McNabb, another of the trainers. Note the head set and wireless microphone, and the fact that Ken is indeed talking to the audience as he works.

One of things that we really like about the way they run this Trainers Challenge is the fact that the trainers not only have to train, but they also have to speak to the audience and explain what they're doing, and why, throughout the whole time they are in the round pen, and arena. This is part of the what the judges are judging.

It's truely amazing to watch the three trainers as they work these colts. They may have three different methods, and they definitely have three different horses, but they all end up with results - in fact in looking over the score sheets after the event the tallies were incredibly close.

The three judges - Not sure how they come up with three judges that are this qualified but they do. All three were very experienced with horses, and you could see by the results that they were all thinking along the same lines. Here they are with the three trainers. You can tell who won the Trainers Challenge by looking for the biggest smile:

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Left to right - the 3 judges: Wendell Stoltzfus, Mark Grafton, and Miles Kingdon.
The 3 trainers: Martin Black (winner), Bruce Logan, and Ken McNabb.

A great exhibition by all three trainers - good job guys! Once again I say: if like horses you'd like the Trainers Challenge!

The rest of the weekend ... the only complaint that I have, and it really isn't a complaint, is the fact that you really can't see everything! We'd unstick ourselves from the bleachers, grab a quick bite to eat at one of the concessions, and try and see as many of the trade show booths as possible. I guess over the three days we did get to see all the exhibitors - quite a show - it would be hard to name a horse related product that wasn't on display.

The clinians and demonstrations were by some of the best in the industry, too. Because we didn't want to miss any of the Trainers Challenge we weren't able to see any of the clinics or demos but they had hunter, jumper, competitive trail, bits, dressage, breeding, driving, and horsemanship - something for everyone (almost anyway) that has anything to do with horses - even cowboy dressage!

We did take in the Saturday night show and that was great as well. I guess the incredible demos by Jonathan Field were the highlight for most, but the breed parades and the drill teams all added up to a fantastic show.

I thought putting on the Kamloops Cowboy Festival was a big job but after seeing the Mane Event my hat goes off to Gail and Ron Barker for putting on a truely memorable weekend - and I sure hope we'll be able to attend again next year - in fact we've already marked the cabins as rented for that time frame!

If you missed the October 23-25, 2009 Mane Event at Heritage Park in Chilliwack, BC, then be sure to take in the April 23-25, 2010 Mane Event at Westerner Park in Red Deer, AB, you won't be sorry!

A friend of ours, Dave Reid, lives next door to the event in Chilliwack and says he's never seen so many cars in the parking lot ... and they say Red Deer is bigger! Wow!

For info on the Mane Event see their web site at: www.maneeventexpo.com, phone 250-578-7518, or email: info@maneeventexpo.com

From Meadow Springs Ranch
This is how the week before went ... First off we were supposed to visit the Island the week after the Mane Event but my sister changed our plans and asked us to come the week before instead - now we would have been rushed anyway, but moving things ahead a week?

Thursday the 15th we had dinner at Harry and Judy's and picked up the travel trailer. Friday the 16th we had a BCCHS meeting in Kamloops - we also rented a no-till seed drill and hauled it home. On the 17th, with the help of friends, we rounded up the cows and hauled them home, then got in a couple of hours of seeding. The next day the rental company had arranged for people to come and watch this no-till seed drill work so there were people everywhere. We finsihed up the seeding, loaded the seed drill, grabbed our suit cases, told the people sitting at our kitchen table to lock the door behind them (they said "where are you going?"), and we headed south! To relax!!

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BC Cowboy Hall of Fame

There is a complete list of all the inductees,
with a photo and bio on each, in our Hall of Fame Archives!

Who do you know that should be in the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame?
You can find out what's needed to nominate someone and find a printable nomination form on the Nomination Information Page

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Ralphs Back Porch

Live Internet Western Radio Show!

It's the talk of the town ... I've heard so many people talking about Ralph's Back Porch! So what is it? It's a live Internet Radio Show brought to you by Ralph and Tamara , three nights a week.

Ralph Hampton & Tamara Boatright launched The Back Porch LIVE radio show two years ago with the intentions of helping spread the word that COWBOY music and poetry is COOL! The internet had allowed the Back Porch to read through it's broadcasts a truly global audience with listeners in all fifty states, Canada, and twenty-three foreign countries all across the planet!

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Ralph Hampton & Tamara Boatright

You can join them for the show, just log on to www.blogtalkradio.com/ralphsbackporch you'll be glad you did! The show works like this - Ralph and Tamara visit on the phone with stars who sing, write, and play the Western Music of today and yesterday. Stars like Don Edwards, Red Steagall, Baxter Black, Juni Fisher, Joni Harms, Dave Stamey, and many more. Sounding good? Sounds good to me, and I've talked to a few people who listen and a few people that phone in - they have all enjoyed the show.

Here's what they say: Bringing the best of the West to the whole planet three nights a week! We're INTERNET radio so we are FREE, EASY to use, and Western is COOL! Just LOG on & TUNE in every Monday, Wednesday, & Friday night 7:00 til 9:00 PM cst @ www.blogtalkradio.com/ralphsbackporch for good talk, Western music and cowboy poetry and GREAT RADIO! Thanks neighbors, we'll see yall on the RADIO!

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The Annual Spirit of the West Cowboy Cruise

You can still book for 2010!

Join Billie and Hugh McLennan
and a group of Spirit of the West Listeners on the Brand New Celebrity Equinox!   January 4th to 15th, 2010

• Ft Lauderdale, USA
• Georgetown, Grand Cayman
• Cartagena, Columbia
• Colon, Panama
• Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
• Roatan, Honduras
• Cozumel, Mexico

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This holiday package starts out by flying to, and over nighting in, Ft Lauderdale on January 3rd (what a perfect time of year to leave home). January 4th is the first day of an 11 day cruise, that takes in seven different countries! See the map above.

Here's one of the many testimonials from last year:
"Thank you for another Spirit of the West Cruise (this is their sixth cruise) - what a great group! It was nice to catch up on everyone's news and meet still more industry related folks. Coming home with a bit of tan is not bad either."
You can find a list of comments from other folks on the cruise page of Hugh's web site - www.hugh-mclennan.com

To join the 2010 Spirit of the West Cruise and Conference book now - Call Toll Free 1-866-530-0131. See Hugh's web site: www.hugh-mclennan.com for more details.

You can also read the on-line diary, complete with photos, of the last two Spirit of the West cruises on the following web sites (they are both different): www.meadowsprings.com and www.hugh-mclennan.com.

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The 14th Annual Will Rogers Awards

presented by The Academy of Western Artists

The Academy of Western Artists and the Will Rogers Award program were brought to life fourteen years ago through the tireless efforts of Bobby Newton. Bobby is the founding publisher of Rope Burns, a cowboy entertainment and western heritage newspaper. He has been president of the AWA since it was formed in 1995. It was Bobby's goal to create an organization and awards program that included and recognized the wide range of entertainers, artists and artisans who work to preserve and celebrate our western heritage. The AWA Will Rogers Awards cover 30 categories, from saddle makers and cowboy cartoonists to western singers, poets and radio announcers.

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Group photo
(Mike's on the far left)
submitted by Ralph & Tamara
at The Back Porch

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Mike making his acceptance speech - photo submitted by Ralph & Tamara

The 14th Annual Will Rogers Award Ceremony was held in Garland Texas and was very well attended attracting artists and fans from throughout the USA and even a few from Canada.

The 2009 Will Rogers Award Ceremony was hosted by California cowboy poet Larry Maurice and featured performances by; RJ Vandygriff, John England, Amber Digby, Kimberly Murray, Bill Barwick, Liz Masterson and The Texas Gypsies.

If you wish to join the AWA, you can contact Kathy Camden at: ckcamden@yahoo.com.

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JoLynne Kirkwood and Mike - photo by Mary Crawford
Knaphus (Mary Kaye Music)

We're pretty pround of the fact that our "El Presidenté" received the Will Rogers Award for Male Cowboy Poet of the Year - he definitely deserves the award! The only other award given to a Canadian was for Braider of the Year which went to Wayne Bevan, Glenwood, AB. Congratualtions to both of you!

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At a jam session after the Award Show - photo by Mary Crawford Knaphus (Mary Kaye Music)

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The Peruvian Gelding

I got a call from a neighbor lady,
"Could you please bring your rope?
my gelding's been running loose all summer
and I aint got a hope".

The little brute was halter broke,
he'd been hauled and shown a lot,
he would eat grain from her hand,
she just could not get him caught.

She tempted him with the bucket,
as I stepped out to the side,
punched a hole in my old lariat,
and threw it high and wide.

He only took a jump or two,
before he laid down and quit,
them Llamas aint too hard to rope
but the buggers sure can spit!

Mike Puhallo

Email Mike at: mikepuhallo@direct.ca
See his NEW web site at: www.mikepuhallo.com

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Home of the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame!

BC Cowboy, Ranching, and Rodeo Museum The Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin is located in Williams Lake, BC and is the Home of the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame. Its located at the corner of 4th Avenue and Borland Street. Phone (250) 392-7404 E-mail: mccwl@uniserve.com

We highly recommend a visit to the
Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin in Williams Lake!
Check out their web site - BC Cowboy, Ranching, and Rodeo Museum

Cowboy Classifieds:

For information on placing an ad contact Mark at:
Ph (250) 456-2425 or fax (250) 456-2429 or email: cowboys@bcchs.com

Need a New Web Site
or web site updates
MSR Web Design
msprings@bcinternet.net
www.meadowsprings.com

	BCCHS Coffee Mugs $10.00 BCCHS Pins $5.00 These are both nice, useable, and good looking Christmas ideas! E mail: cowboys@bcchs.com or Phone 1-888-763-2224

Interested in joining the BCCHS?
Just send us an email and we'll let you know the details! E mail: cowboys@bcchs.com
or Phone 1-888-763-2224

BCCHS Shirts and Caps!
denim shirts, t-shirts, and ball caps, all with the Kamloops Cowboy Festival logo!
Blue Jean Shirts - $45.00
T-shirts - $15.00
Ball Caps - $12.50
Email: cowboys@bcchs.com
Phone 1-888-763-2224
US phone: (250) 579-5667

Kamloops Cowboy Festival

Annual Lapel Pins

10th Anniversary Pin (2006) $5.00 Cdn
2007 Festival pins sold out
2008 Festival pins - $5.00 Cdn
2009 Festival pins - $5.00 Cdn
cowboys@bcchs.com
Find all the BCCHS products at this years Kamloops Cowboy Festival General Store!

Advertise Here!
Ph: (250) 456-2425, Fax: 456-2429
E mail: cowboys@bcchs.com

Click on the above banner for their free email newsletter
or read it on line at www.cowboypoetry.com/news.htm!

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Upcoming Festivals and Events:

If you wish to see more coming events
then have a look at our "Calendar of Events" page.
If you have an event that you want listed just send 'er on in by email: cowboys@bcchs.com Ph (250) 456-2425, or Fax 456-2429

If you have an event that you would like listed then send us an email!
Email cowboys@bcchs.com     It's hard to promote a secret!

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