Home 

About Us 

Festival 

Hall of Fame 

Heritage Award 

Scholarships 

Newsletter 

Poet's Page 

Coming Events 

Trade Show 

Western Art Show 

Rising Stars 

Our President's Report
From the Editors
BC Cowboy Heritage Society
From the Volunteer Coordinator
Kamloops Cowboy Festival
Art Show & Trade Show
Joe Marten Award
Rising Star Showcase
Two Society Raffles
Cariboo Cowboy Injured in Rodeo

Christmas CD - Jeremy Willis
Christmas CD - Ed Peekeekoot
Two Familiar Clowns!
The Mane Event
The Spirit of the West Cruise
The Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin
100 Mile Cowboy Concert
Western Music Association
Upcoming Events
Mike's Meadow Muffins

This web site built and maintained by MSR Web Design!

From the Editors

Kathy and Mark McMillan

This is the last newsletter before the program for the Kamloops Cowboy Festival - hard to believe eh? We have to have all the entertainment and most of the other Festival stuff in place within about a month from now, as we're away for a good part of January on the Annual Spirit of the West Cruise (read more) - nothing like a little pressure to keep us focused! We are pretty much there though, and tickets are already on sale - ready for Christmas. (details here)

The Museum has called the annual meeting to decide who goes into the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame for December 11th so we'll then know who the inductees will be in 2011. There's quite a pile of pretty eligible cowboys lined up so it will once again be a tough decision. The induction ceremonies will be Friday night March 11th, 2011, at the Cowboy Festival or at the Williams Lake Indoor Rodeo in April.

Speaking of the Museum - they now have a brand new web site - see the details here

We've picked the line-up for the 100 Mile House Cowboy Concert and tickets are on sale now - it's not till February 12th but we actually come close to selling out each year before Christmas! See the details in this newsletter click here!.

As usual the Mane Event in Chilliwack was a wonderful weekend - we thoroughly enjoyed the whole event and you can bet that if at all possible we'll be there again next year! They allowed us a booth there this year too, which was great! Read the review in this newsletter click here.

The Joe Marten Award for the Preservation of Cowboy Heritage - to me this has become one the best things the Society does, after all, it is our mandate - to promote and preserve cowboy heritage in BC. This year the award will once again be presented on Saturday night at the Cowboy Festival and the recipient has been picked. see the details here.

Mark McMillan, Editor
msprings@bcinternet.net
www.meadowsprings.com

From the Desk of El Presidenté

Mike Puhallo

BCCHS El Presidente’s Report
December, 2010

Prit Near Done
All the cows are off the mountain.
I've just got one bull left to find,
Before I turn the horses loose.
'cause I've got other things on my mind...
After seven months in the saddle,
Huntin' cows and fighting flies,
It's time to shift into my winter job,
Spinning tales and writing lies.

It's been quite an interesting year for this little cow person. Linda and I had a great time at The National Poetry Gathering in Elko last January. I got to follow that up with performances at The 2010 Olympics and The World Masters Track and Field Competition. The Kamloops Cowboy Festival in March was well attended. In spite of a shaky economy, we actually ended up in the black, thanks again, to our dedicated; fans, sponsors, and volunteers (and a grant from the Canada Council for The Arts).

In between chasing cows through the spring, summer, and fall I was gone nearly every weekend attending cowboy poetry events or judging rodeos. My summer schedule was disrupted a wee bit in July when a green filly decided to plant me in a rock pile. But I seem to have healed up pretty good.

It's hard to believe there's only a hundred days or so until the Fifteenth Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival. Not all of the acts have been confirmed yet for the 2011 Festival, but it is already shaping up to be another great year. There will be many favourites from past festivals returning (including a few who have not been here for quite a while). We have also confirmed some very exciting newcomers and are currently in discussions with a few more. (see the list)

As 2010 slips into the rear view mirror, I want to express my thanks once again to all the members of the BC Cowboy Heritage Society, the festival volunteers, and especially the committee heads and board members, who put in an incredible amount of time and effort to make this organization the success it is.

I also want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ... and try to get some rest because things are about to get real busy!

Mike Puhallo - President
mikepuhallo@direct.ca

Back to Index!

The BC Cowboy Heritage Society

You can read all about the BC Cowboy Heritage Society as well as find membership information on the About Us page. You can help support us here at the BC Cowboy Heritage Society by taking out a membership. There are no commitments. We have members all over the world and would love to have more.   It's easy - just fill out a BCCHS Membership Form.

You can get additional information at:
The BC Cowboy Heritage Society
Box 137
Kamloops, BC
V2C 5K3

Phone: 1-888-763-2224, or Email: cowboys@bcchs.com.

Back to Index!

Mark Your Calendar for next year's Festival!
The 15th Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival!
March 10th - 13th, 2011!

Our headquarters hotel, Kamloops Towne Lodge
Phone 1-800-665-6674 or (250) 828-6660
Email: info@kamloopstownelodge.com

Back to Index!

Need accommodation for the Festival? See the Festival page of this web site - click on "Accommodation" in the index and you'll find a complete list of our sponsor hotel/motels - please support them!

Live in Alberta? Want to come to the Kamloops Cowboy Festival but don't want to mess with winter driving? Carson Tours can bring you right to the door and also supply you with accommodation, weekend passes, and more!
Phone 780-986-7766 or Toll Free: 1-866-522-7766!

Back to Index!

Here's a sneak preview of the 2011 Festival

Things are looking good!!

Here's what Mike wrote:
Tickets and passes for the Fifteenth Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival are already on sale and it looks like we are headed for another great year.

In spite of a shaky economy, we still saw a modest growth in attendance over the last two years and the outlook for 2011 is looking pretty good.

Don't let predictions of a fierce winter spook you either! I have noticed over the last fifty years that when they have a really brutal winter on the prairies and US Midwest, weather around Kamloops is usually pretty darn pleasant! So when all them frozen folks from across the mountains, arrive here to thaw out in March, they will have the opportunity to bask in the warmth of our famous Kamloops sunshine and hospitality while they take in the best little cowboy festival in the West!

Once again the Cowboy festival weekend will kick off with three options for Thursday Night;

• There will be impromptu performances by many of our entertainers in the Kamloops convention Centre. This event is available only to weekend pass holders.
• The Plaza Heritage Hotel will feature the very popular cowgirl band Horse Crazy in their dining room Thursday evening March 10 ... further details yet to be confirmed.
• The South Thompson Inn and Guest Ranch is planning a repeat of last year's very successful Thursday night dinner and concert. Performers and ticket information yet to be confirmed... but it will be good.

As I mentioned in my President's report we already have a great line up of entertainers confirmed and a few more that are still on the tentative list. Once again the Kamloops Cowboy Festival will feature some fabulous exhibitors in our Western Art and Gear Show and make sure you take in the juried Western Art and Saddle Show sponsored by Canadian Cowboy Country magazine.

In addition to the four entertainment stages at Calvary Community Church and Kamloops Convention Centre there will be open mic stages at several locations in downtown Kamloops as well as at the Horse Barn. Our good friends at the Horse Barn are also sponsoring our festival shuttle service again this year so you can leave your car parked at the hotel, sit back and enjoy the ride! Of course if you are in the Kamloops area The Horse Barn is where you pick up your festival passes. Out of town fans can call me at 1-888-763-2224. Our Official Host Hotel, The Kamloops Towne lodge offers a complete package deal including accommodation and festival passes.

Check out our website or contact the BC Cowboy Heritage Society for a complete list of host hotels offering discount rates for festival fans.

Mike Puhallo

The performer list is nearly complete (we're still waiting for a couple of conformations). Here's a list of entertainers that will be putting on the show (tentative at this point in time). We'll probably be adding 3 poets and 4 pickers to this list.

On the poet side:
• Hugh McLennan MC
• Frank Gleeson
• Tom King
• Marshall Veal
• Doris Daley
• Jolynne Kirkwood
• Brian Salmond
• Mag Mawhinney
• Bryn Theissen
• Bj Smith
• Diane Tribitt
• Garry Gottfriedson

On the Musician side:
• Shirley Field
• Belinda Gail
• Stampede - Terri Taylor
• Dusty Dee Litchfield
• Eli Barsi
• Tom Cole
• Tammy Gislason
• Mary Kaye
• Horse Crazy
• Miss Devon and the Outlaw
• Ben Crane
• Naomi Bristow
• Ed Wahl

Now there's a couple of names you haven't seen for a while - Ben Crane and Tammy Gislason - wow! Repeats by popular demand Tom Cole & Brian Salmond and the cute little yodeller from Ontario, Naomi Bristow - great to see these faces back! New faces - Marshall Veal & Ed Wahl (although they did quite a bit unofficially last year), Terri Taylor & Stampede (we've been talking for a few years and finally things are working out), Jolynne Kirkwood (she won the poetry contest in Clinton way back when but couldn't come up in person), and Miss Devon and the Outlaw (Miss Devon is the singing / yodelling voice of Cowgirl Jessie in Toy Story and the two of them won the WMA Harmony Duo of the Year in 2009). We're trying to get the following performers, too, and they are on the tentative list right now. They want to come, they just have to work out the details and schedules - Willie Gustafson, and Tim Williams.

We have some great workshops lined up, too, thanks to the sponsor Country 103! Take note of these now 'cause you'll probably find something here that you want to take in. These are tentative but we're fairly certain this is what the list will look like:

• Doris Daley and her fantastic Poetry Writing workshop
• Belinda Gail and song writing
• Diane Tribitt - writing cowboy poetry
• Eli Barsi will do a song writing workshop
• Shirley Field - of course - Yodelling don't have to hurt
• Mike Puhallo will let folks know how to promote themselves & their product
• Andy Knight will do something on saddles and/or saddlemaking (hopefully)
• Gary Brown will do "Reel Cowboys of Western Film"

The last one, "Reel Cowboys of Western Film", is a new concept this year, and I think it will be pretty popular. Eli told us about Gary Brown and after reading his bio and talking to him, we figured we just had to give this a go! Gary said he'll talk about the cowboy heroes of cinema from William S Hart and Tom Mix, to Clint Eastwood and Kevin Costner, and tell a little about them, especially the ones that have some interesting stories to tell. Sounds great to me!

The admission prices ... we are going to include the 12% HST (tax) - now that's a bonus! We did have to raise some of our prices a tiny bit ... but only by $5.00 and only for the weekend passes and the Friday and Saturday Day Passes - so that's not bad. The Sunday Day Pass and the Dinner Theatre price will stay the same, although we'll have to swallow a little there (and I don't mean food).

Mark your calendars - March 10th to 13th, 2011! It will be another good Festival - See you there!

Back to Index!

BCCHS - Society Fund Raiser Raflles
tickets are available now!

1st Raffle
You could win this collectable, solid silver, commemorative, 2011 Kamloops Cowboy Festival Belt Buckle! Only one produced by Merritt silversmith Richard Tenisch.

Tickets are on sale now at $10 each and we will only sell 300 tickets in total. This is the third year in a row for the commemorative Festival belt buckle and it's becoming more popular every year - so tickets could go fast. Don't miss out phone 1-888-763-2224 or 1-888-763-2221 to find out how and where to buy tickets - or email: cowboys@bcchs.com. Tickets will be sold up until 8:00 PM on Saturday, March 12th, 2010. The draw for this one-of-a-kind buckle (value close to $500) will be at 9:00 PM Saturday night, March 12th, 2010 at the Dinner Theatre Show at Kamloops Convention Centre (formerly Forster's), Kamloops.

2nd Raffle
New this year ... our second raffle has three prizes that you could win! A custom made metal yard/farm/ranch entryway sign, a weekend for two at a guest ranch, or two weekend passes to the 2012 Kamloops Cowboy Festival.

Tickets are on sale now at $5 each or three for $10. The 1st prize has been donated by GreyWolf Metal Art and is a 4 foot by 5 foot custom made metal sign valued at up to $1000.00. The winner will be able to choose what they want on this sign. See their web site at: www.greywolfmetalart.com. The 2nd prize is a cabin rental for two people, for up to three nights, at Meadow Springs Ranch - value $300.00. See their web site at: www.meadowsprings.com. The 3rd prize will be two weekend passes for the 2012 Kamloops Cowboy Festival - value $130.00 (or more if we raise our prices :-).

Don't miss out phone 1-888-763-2224 or 1-888-763-2221 to find out how and where to buy tickets - or email: cowboys@bcchs.com. Tickets will be sold up until 8:00 PM on Saturday, March 12th, 2010. The draw will be at 9:00 PM Saturday night, March 12th, 2010 at the Dinner Theatre Show at Kamloops Convention Centre (formerly Forster's), Kamloops.

A little about GreyWolf Metal Art
Based in Lac La Hache, BC, we are a husband/wife team specializing in unique silhouette railings, indoor and outdoor furniture, custom ranch signs, overhead gate signs, fire pits, gates, and beautiful in house decor pieces. Custom silhouettes are designed by the artist Ron Sleeman and we can also create designs from your photographs or sketches. The ideas for many of our designs have come from our valued customers. All our artwork is in house powdercoated, protecting it from the different weather elements.

We take great pride in our intricate cutting style and we do our upmost to create new designs every few months to keep our line of product new and exciting. We travel extensively around British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, attending many western art shows to display our work. Over this last year, we are very proud to have shipped our work to 9 countries all over the world. We welcome previous customers and new customers to contact us. We look forward to designing and creating a custom silhouette or sign for you. There is nothing that we can't design or cut, so let the sky be the limit. See our web site at: www.greywolfmetalart.com.

Back to Index!

2011 Art of the West Show and Sale
Sponsored by Canadian Cowboy Country magazine

Calling all western/cowboy artists & photographers!
Calling all saddle makers - amateurs and professionals!

Saddle makers: The prizes will include the following: Best of show will receive a handcrafted solid silver custom made buckle (by silversmith Richard Tenisch) (value close to $500), plus $150, and a rosette. Second and third prizes will receive a rosette and $350 and $250, respectively. The prizes for the amateur division will be $300, $200, & $100 and a rosette for Best of Show, 1st runner up and 2nd runner-up respectively.

Flat work and Scupture: The prizes will include the following: There will be Best of Show, 1st and 2nd runner-up prizes awarded for sculpture and photography. Each will receive a rosette and $450, $350, and $250 respectively. For flat work two Best of Show prizes will be awarded, a Jurors' Choice and a Peoples' Choice. Each winner will receive a rosette and a $450 cash prize. First and second runners-up will also be awarded in each category and will receive a rosette and a $350 and $250 cash prize, respectively. Jurors' Choice will be selected by the three jurors while the Peoples' Choice will be determined by a viewers' ballot.

For more information see the web site Western Art Show Page. You'll find all the details and rules, as well as an entry form.

For more info email David Ciriani at ciriani@telus.net or phone him at: 250-374-9649

Back to Index!

The Festival Tradeshow

It's still pretty early to tell you much about next year's Festival tradeshow but the enquiries from exhibitors are coming in and a few booths have already been reserved and paid for. There is quite a bit of interest from new exhibitors, too, but past exhibitors have until December 1st to hold their spot. After this date we'll be able to give you a better idea of who will be at the Festival. It is already looking to be a really good tradeshow!

click to enlarge

Red and Helen Allan

If you have cowboy related products for sale and are interested in a booth in the trade show then have a look at the web site trade show page. You find information on the exhibitors that were there last year as well as an "Exhibitor's Information" button. The exhibitor's information includes an application form as well as all the info on the trade show.

Or contact the trade show chair people by phone at 250-828-1206 or by email at: redandhelen@bcchs.com

Back to Index!

Volunteer Coordinators Report - December 2010

Volunteer opportunities for the Cowboy Festival March 10 - 13, 2011;
Hosts / hostesses to greet Festival attendees and to direct to entertainment venues, art show, trade show, and work shops. Shuttle drivers are required to take attendees and perfomers to airport / hotel as well as events around town. Hosts / hostesses also needed at musical / poetry venues in the Calvary Community Church and Kamloops Convention Centre. Security positions available for the doors and the art show.

If you are interested and have a friend who would like to join you for this great weekend please call me at: 250-573-3270 or call the "Boss" at 1-888-763-2224.

Respectfully,
Marg Cordonier
Volunteer Coordinator

Back to Index!

The Horse Barn

Tickets are now on sale for the
2011 Kamloops Cowboy Festival

Head on down to pick up your tickets and while you're there grab 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!

The Horse Barn's web site is: www.horsebarncanada.com.

We are so glad to have the Horse Barn as a major sponsor of the Kamloops Cowboy Festival.

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

Back to Index!

Don't delay - we're filling up fast!

The Country 103 Rising Star Show Case is getting an incredible amount of interest and the number of entries we've already received is amazing! We have five cowboy poets and five cowboy singers entered so far and it's not even hardly December yet ... that leaves us with three spots in each category! For rules and an entry form see the Rising Star Show Case page.

Back to Index!

The 11th Annual 100 Mile House Cowboy Concert

February 12th, 2011

It's the 11th annual and I expect it'll be the 11th time that these concerts have sold out as I'm already getting people wondering when tickets will be ready! Amazing really, the concert isn't until February. The tickets do make wonderful stocking stuffers, though, as not only are they in demand, they're only $15 each!

There's two shows on February 12th, one is a matinee show at 2:00 in the afternoon and the other starts at 7:00 pm. The two shows will be pretty much identical but we have two shows because of the demand for tickets - and the fact that those travelling, or in old folks homes, don't want to be getting out of a concert late at night - the matinee works great.

Why are these tickets so popular? People don't even know who the performers are yet! I guess mainly because folks know what the entertainment has been like for the past 10 years and because it's always been good - that's what they expect again this year ... well they won't be disappointed ... lookie, lookie, at who's on the list:

click to enlarge
photo by Jerry Stainer

Ed Wahl

The first time I heard Ed Wahl at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival he just helped out at the Thursday evening jam session. When Kathy told me that she had been swamped in the General Store by people asking for Ed's CD I decided he'd be one of our future performers at Cariboo Country Night - and he was September 11th - and he went over so well that I figured I had to bring him to 100 Mile for the annual Cowboy Concert.

Ed Wahl has been playing the guitar and singing most of his life, growing up in a very musical family in Prince Rupert, BC. He loves to sing and has a very vibrant voice and stage presence. He has competed in various karaoke contests over the years and has taken first place several times. He entered, and did well, in the Country 103 Rising Star Showcase at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival and it was here that he got the bug - Cowboy Music!

click to enlarge
photo by Donna Smith

Alan Moberg

Now I probably don't have to tell anyone about these two guys. Alan Moberg sang the "Williams Lake Stampede" and everyone in the Cariboo hears it every year. Alan is also known for many BC songs which he wrote. He is now hosting his own radio show weekly on Salt Spring Island.

Ed Peekeekoot. So popular everywhere he goes and entertains! He plays the guitar like Chet Atkins but you might also hear him play his Native flute, or drum, or even a fiddle or banjo ... one never knows what Ed might bring onto the stage! Folks that saw him last time remember him playing both the guitar and the banjo at the same time in Dueling Banjos.

click to enlarge
photo by Jerry Stainer

Ed Peekeekoot

These two guys were so popular that we decided to bring them back. This makes them the first performers to have been invited back to perform for a second time at the 100 Mile House Cowboy Concert (other than Hugh who came back a second time but as an MC). If you haven't heard these guys before you won't want to miss this show!

Now speaking of MCs, almost anyone that's been at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival will know this Cowboy Poet. It's his first time in 100 Mile House and you'll love him! He's a lot of fun, his poetry is great, and if you want to check him out he writes a monthly article for Canadian Cowboy magazine. Bryn Theissen, from Sundry Alberta will be the guy running the stage at the 11th Annual 100 Mile House Cowboy Concert.

Don't miss out - get your tickets early ... and while you're at it, buy someone else a stocking stuffer - they'll love you! Tickets are only $15 each and available by calling Mark at 250-456-2425, or by emailing him at: msprings@bcinternet.net. All proceeds from this concert go towards the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame and the BC Cowboy Heritage Society Student Scholarships. See the Poster

click to enlarge
photo by Deanna Buschert

Bryn Theissen

Back to Index!

www.westernmusic.org

Back to Index!

A Prairie Christmas Ed Peekeekoot

Right off the press - a new Christmas CD
There's nothing like a good Christmas instrumental playing in the living room as you decorate the tree, wrap gifts, or sit around and visit ... especially if the instrumentals are done by Ed Peekeekoot.

Throw in Ed's great vocals, and his wife Gail's great harmony, on tracks one and four, and this CD makes for wonderful listening. My favorites? ... hmmmm ... that's a hard question to answer ... maybe one would be the good old favorite "Jingle Bells" as I could actually picture Ed playing guitar in this one. Or maybe it might be track four, Grandma's

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Gingerbread House, it's nice to hear new material at Christmas time, and this song adds a little humour, too! and I can picture Ed's face as he sings this one. Then again how could I not pick one of the last two tracks: "Winter Solstice" (an original) and "Huron Carol", when Ed brings out that ever so awesome Native Flute!

Ed Peekeekoot, most of you know his music and for $20 I'm sure you'll want to add "A Prairie Christmas" to your collection of Christmas music. I know I'm really looking forward to playing this CD, especially when my family gets here for Christmas! You can order this and Ed's other CDs at www.peekeekoot.ca or if you'd rather be in touch by mail, please send Ed a note to Box 438, Crofton, BC, V0R 1R0.

Back to Index!

Remembering Christmas Jeremy Neal Willis

Right off the press - a new Christmas CD
Jeremy has alternated 4 originals with seven traditional Christmas carols making a real nice CD. It's great to hear new material through the Christmas season, and those four originals, are a real treat. Jeremy says he misses the old days when Christmas was about family and friends and sharing and his choice of songs reflects this.

My favorite, if I had to pick one, would probably be the first track and it's one of Jeremy's originals. On Christmas day, when everyone's sitting around the fire, and I'm out feeding cows, I can relate to the title "The Cows Don't Know It's Christmas" although the message behind this song goes much deeper.

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

The other three originals include track #10, Christmas Afghanistan, which is a nice touch, track #4, Christmas at Midnight, is a typical country song with a Christmas twist, and track #8, Working on Christmas, is stuff that we never think about ... and should. I enjoyed them all, and Jeremy does a wonderful job of the traditionals as well. It'll be at the top of the Christmas CD pile here!

You can find the order information for this $14 CD at Jeremy's web site: www.willisentertainment.com.

Back to Index!

Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association - ACPA

Check it out at: www.albertacowboypoetry.com. If you're looking for a performer for an event, or if you are a performer looking to get booked for an event, then you'll find how on their web site. If it's a CD or book you need you'll find tons of them there, too! That's www.albertacowboypoetry.com.

Back to Index!

The 10th Annual Spirit of the West Cruise

The Mexican Riviera - January 5th to 15th, 2011 on the Sapphire Princess!!

Only five weeks left (boy that's scary when you say it like that) before we join Billie and Hugh and a bunch of cowboy / ranch type folks as they set sail for the warm waters off the west coast of Mexico on January 5th, 2011, for 11 days of fun and sun! Actually we'll be away from home for 13 or 14 days as we travel to and from Vancouver and spend one night in LA.

Are we looking forward to it? Man I can't wait! It's a little scary leaving the ranch at that time of year because of the cold and unexpected frozen water problems, etc ... but we do have our very capable ranch sitters, Judy and Harry Van Eaton - thank you guys once again for letting us get away!

click to enlarge

The Mexican Riviera

We'll be keeping an on-going diary of the cruise starting with a count down a bit before we leave. We try to update both Hugh's web site www.hugh-mclennan.com and our web site www.meadowsprings.com every couple of days (if we have Internet access). We write a paragraph on what's going on and up load a few photos so those of you that couldn't join us can follow along. So if you're at home in the cold and the snow check out our web sites - we'll try and cheer you up!

If you'd like to join us for 12 days away from home in January, on the Sapphire Princess, for the 10th Annual Spirit of the West Cruise as we head to the Mexican Riviera, just phone 1-800-530-0131.

Back to Index!

The Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin

presents the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame

The Museum is located in Williams Lake, BC. For information on the Museum, and what it displays inside, check out their brand new web site at: www.cowboy-museum.com

You can also visit them at their booth in the Festival Tradeshow at the 15th Annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival.

Home of the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame ... and we'll be meeting there on Saturday, December 11th, to go through all of the nominations, and to pick the next inductees. These cowboys will either be inducted Friday night at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival or Sunday afternoon at the Williams Lake Indoor Rodeo. We'll keep you posted on the Hall of Fame page.

Back to Index!

The Mane Event Horse Expo

Equine Education and Trade Fair

Chilliwack - October 22nd to 24th, 2010

A review by Mark McMillan

You know you're at a popular horse event when you see the likes of movie horse industry John Scott in the stands (John has supplied horses, wranglers, and stunt coordinators for many top movies including "Unforgiven". He hosted the TV series "World of Horses" and presently is the head wrangler and coordinator for the now ever so popular TV series "Heartland").

The weather in Chilliwack on the weekend of October 22nd to 24th wasn't the best but the approximately 26,000 people that came through the doors of the 2010 Mane Event didn't care - it was a good weekend to be inside the buildings at the Heritage Park, watching horse trainers and clinicians, or browsing through the 145 trade show booths.

click to enlarge

John Scott

click to enlarge

One of three areas containing
the 145 trade show booths

click to enlarge

Mike BSin' with Wayne Gardner at the BCCHS booth

click to enlarge

Saddle Up's Nancy Roman with helper Ruby Edwards

I can't possibly describe all that happened this weekend but I know I thought the Trainers Challenge was one of the best yet. Mike Kevil (Mike wrote the first Western Horseman colt starting book), Josh Lyons (won the "in a whisper" challenge against Pat Parelli and Craig Cameron), and Doug Mills (five times past Trainers Challenge winner), all competed for the title. The points total was amazingly close, but it was Mike Kevil that came out on top. Mike said, "I totally enjoyed the experience". Josh Lyons also commented that it was refreshing to see a trainer challenge that is 100% about learning for all involved. When the Trainers Challenge was on there was hardly a seat to be found ... except possibly when Jonathan Field was doing one of his totally amazing demonstrations.

click to enlarge

Josh Lyons

click to enlarge

Doug Mills

click to enlarge

Mike Kevil

Now speaking of Jonathan Field, he was one of the 21 clinicians and/or presenters that took part. There were two full size arenas and a demo area going just about nonstop all weekend. They included clinics and presentations by Charlotte Bredahl-Baker, Richard Crossley, Aaron Ralston, Jonathan Field, Marion Weisskopff, Michel Vaillancourt, Marci Powell, Robin Gollehon, Michael Richardson, Daryl Gibb, Marijke van de Water, The Northwest Aside Group, Judy Newbert, Bev & Murray Ohms, Donna Marsh, B. Lynne Hoff, The Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Gerard Laverty, Steve Dixon, and Lesely McGill.

click to enlarge

Jonathan Field doing a
demo - no bridle or reins

click to enlarge

Kathy trying a side saddle

click to enlarge

Bev & Murray Ohms & saddle fit issues

The tradeshow had 145 booths and there was literally something for everyone ... and a whole lot more. Tractors, trailers, horse associations, clubs, & societies, tack and saddles, blankets, trainers, art, stalls, panels, & gates, vets & medicine, clothing, feed, vitamins, and supplements, fencing, and so, so, much more!

Saturday night for the Equine Experience the bleachers were chalker block full. It was another great show with West Coast Thunder performing the grand entry. The other participants were BC Mighty Minis Drill Team, Southland Drill Team, Northwest Aside Group, Jonathan Field Spanish Dance, Double B Dressage Drill Team, Langley Riders Drill Team, Breed Parade (Saddlebred, Haflinger, & Irish Draught Horse), Icelandic Drill Team, West Coast Thunder, Jonathan Field Liberty & Bridleless Riding, and the finale in the pitch dark - the Cariboo Cowgirls Drill Team, with the luminous stripes on riders and horse, performed "A Shot in The Dark"! The crowd loved it and the organizers said, "it was amazing to say the least".

click to enlarge

Jonathan Field - again bareback and bridleless in front of bleachers that were chalker block full

click to enlarge

The Cariboo Cowgirls performed
"A Shot in the Dark"
which organizers said was
"amazing to say the least".

click to enlarge

Ron Barker (Mr Mane Event) passes the mic to Hugh McLennan who will announce the winner of the Trainers Challenge

This was our second year, and like I said last year, we will probably never miss a Mane Event in Chilliwack. It is such a fun filled, educational weekend that anyone with any kind of horse interest, and anyone else too, for that matter, would enjoy being there. I wish we could take in the Red Deer event April 29th to May 1st, 2011, but my accountant wife has "the" tax deadline. Next year the dates for Chilliwack are October 21st to 23rd, 2011 - see you there!

Back to Index!

The Joe Memorial Award
For the Preservation of Cowboy Heritage in BC

Mike, myself, and Sharon Henry met with Traudl Marten at her place on November 13th to pick the next recipient of the Joe Marten Award. There was a fair bit of discussion as there is a list of some very eligible nominees and it was tough to come up with definite answer. After a few cups of Traudl's wonderful coffee and a couple of her tasty treats we decided who the recipient would be.

Now I said that we'd had our meeting, and I said we had decided who would receive the award, but I didn't say that I would tell you who the person is ... sorry! We've decided that we are going to try and keep this person from knowing and are going to try and surprise them at the Festival. We're sure they'll be there, and we're sure we can get the information we need about them ahead of time, if we don't already have it. So join us at the Festival for the Saturday evening feature show in the Calvary Comunity Church when we'll finally let the cat out of the bag and present this person with the Joe Marten Memroial Award for the Preservation of Cowboy Heritage in BC. It should be fun!

Back to Index!

Anyone recognise these two clowns?

click to enlarge

Well the guy on the left is a real clown for sure - most will know him as Ash aka Crash Cooper (cartoonist in every issue of Canadian Cowboy Country magazine), or as a rodeo clown or bullfighter, or possibly you've seen him clowning around with Barb & Dave Poulsen in the kitchen in the cooking segment of Cowboy Country TV ... the other guy ... well he's a bit of clown too! He sent me this photo taken at the Trade Show at Farmfair in Edmonton - Festival goers should recognise him as the video guy! He stands quietly at the back of the room and videos the Cowboy Festival - sending us some great footage after the fact - he's Norbert Stoll, from Fort St John, BC. Thanks Norbert!

Back to Index!

Small Pleasures

Finding pleasure in simple things,
that's just part of a cowboy's way,
of shrugging off the hardships,
and getting through the day.

Riding circles through the timber,
just searching for some sign,
of a half dozen missing cows...
I found their trail by nine.

I tracked them 'til darn near sunset,
through the cold and drifting snows,
finally knew I was gaining ground...
when I found a turd that wasn't froze!

Mike Puhallo

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

Back to Index!

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 Email: 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
2010 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!

Back to Index!

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!

Back to Index!

This Newsletter brought to you by

If you like this newsletter and would like us to send you a notice when the next issue is out "click here!" Its FREE!

Hope that you've enjoyed our newsletter - see you next issue!

Top of Page

Home       About BCCHS       Kamloops Cowboy Festival       BC Cowboy Hall of Fame       Heritage Preservation Award
Scholarships       Newsletter       Poet's Page       Coming Events       Trade Show       Membership
Links to Other Sites       Rising Star Showcase       Western Art Show       Festival Entertainers

This website built and maintained by MSR Web Design at Meadow Springs Ranch