Keeping Stories Alive
There is much beauty in the world that gets overlooked, and I’m especially grateful for people like Andra Erickson who devote their God given talents to illuminating that beauty and preserving it for the days when the world seems dark or the work overwhelming.
When land grant universities were founded in the 1800s, many had a special clause in their charter to allow for research to be shared with …
Cody Brewer is the kind of guy you’d want to have a beer with. As down to earth and humble as he is talented, his …
If you’ve ever seen Ranch Bronc Riding, you may have thought about the talent of the rider, the strength of the horse, or the adrenaline rush that both are surely feeling. But if you’ve never thought about the way in which each ride shapes the horse, then you’ve never met Brittany Miller.
The things we learn in childhood have a way of providing a platform for future dreams to take shape. This has certainly been the case in the life of Kelsey Owens and her husband Matt as they have taken their collected wisdom and paired it with their own ideas to shape a life connected to the land for their three children.
Growing up on a California ranch that had been in the family for over 130 years exposed her to the lifestyle of being a steward of the land and animals, and also helped her develop her feel for horses. Her father and his close friend, Tom Dorrance, served as an early wealth of wisdom into the language of horses. As she got older, Erickson-Noe took this strong foundation of Spanish-influenced horsemanship and built on it through her own instincts and pursuits.
When it comes to handy women, Lana Stromberger and her friends have few rivals. Together, these women (Dusty Henry, Lana Stromberger, Lora Andersen, Megan Vosburg, and Rebbeca Corfield) make up the No Bull Breeding Services Team. As versatile as the sport demands, these cowgirls compete in both the Women’s Ranch Rodeo Association (WRRA) and the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association (WSRRA) competitions. Although each woman has their own special aspect of the competition in which they excel, their talents blend, and their heightened skills allow them to cover each other across tasks whether it’s roping, mugging, or dragging calves.
Elora Swann is one of those individuals whose quietness speaks loudly. It tells of dedication, compassion, and hard work, all of which make up her lifestyle looking after animals and pursuing her goals as a barrel racer.
By day, Swann manages a pet resort in Wake Forest, North Carolina known as the Cobble Hill Bed and Biscuit. She keeps things running smoothly by handling everything from grooming to payroll and has helped make a menagerie of animals from birds to potbelly pigs feel welcome. When not offering hospitality to local critters at the resort, she is either taking care of her own horses and foster animals or hanging out with her husband
Like many folks, I enjoy seeing pictures of handsome horses’ flash across my social media feeds. Several caught my eye, and I began to notice a trend in the account they were being shared from Clay Ranch Quarter Horses. As I began to learn more of their story, as told by Dan Mullin and family, I was even more impressed with this family’s devotion to producing quality quarter horses that serve as partners for riders in both the United States and in the ranch’s home country of Canada.
I learned about Katie through seeing her kind offer to help a mutual friend getting started in the world of breakaway roping. I was later able to chat with her some, and discovered the many talents and passions of this Colorado cowgirl.
The ranch and the lifestyle have trickled down through the generations in the Jolly family, but Katie has made another name for herself while competing in barrel racing, team roping, and breakaway roping competitions. In addition to competing, she trains horses and manages her own herd of cattle.
