Keeping Stories Alive
In a world where good horses and good people are in high demand, it is gratifying to see the perfect pairing of life and business partners in Roadey and Brooke Wilson. Out of their shared passions and talents, they have created a new industry standard with their company Wilson Cattle Co.
If Mark Harrison was a superhero, his staying power would be his ability to reinvent himself. He is a man who has crossed continents, conference rooms, and cattle ranges in pursuit of a more authentic way of life for both cattle and people.
Lana Reynolds came by her nickname “the cow whisperer” the honest way– through years of hard work and learning bovine behavior.
Reynolds is a multigenerational ranch hand who considers it a privilege to carry on this cowhand legacy. Although she was born in California, she spent her childhood in Rapid City, South Dakota, seeing how life could be lived alongside four legged friends. Her grandfather was the type of man who was more often horseback than he was on foot. She never forgot these lessons and found the desire to take care of animals even after a stint in the city, she heard the ranch world still calling and soon returned to the industry full time.
When J. Storme was an infant, her grandpa was put in charge of watching her for a few hours. Unsure of how to handle the situation, he took her to see what he knew best: his cows. As they rode around in the pickup truck, he held her up to the window for her to take a look. This moment seems to have embedded itself in her heart, as she has been watching cows and working alongside her grandpa ever since.
Sterling Drake made his initial music debut with several covers of classic songs. His talent was apparent, as was his authenticity. He crooned in smoky rooms across the country as old cowboys and young buckaroos, waitresses, cowgirls, and children all listened to the guitar man’s song. His music was stripped down and honest, and yet guarded, as though there was something still to be unleashed.
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.
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.
