Keeping Stories Alive
Kelsey Gascon and Shelby Epperson are the women you know as the Trixie Chicks Trick Riders. They can navigate the air space around a horse’s back as though there is an invisible jungle gym that they are simply climbing upon. They bring speed and shock to audiences everywhere.
If you’re involved with western riding or rodeo groups on Facebook, you’ve likely seen the name, Lori Busch. The ultimate connector, cowgirl Lori Busch has taken her love of horses and people and combined the two to help folks engage their passions.
Kyle Lamon is a young army veteran devoted to providing quality entertainment to rodeo fans of all ages. Hailing from the hills of Tennessee, Lamon began his rodeo journey as a bull rider. His rough stock days took him across the country, climbing in and out of chutes and seeing the best bulls each state had to offer.
Canadian-born cowgirl Shelby Boisjoli has made her mark on the foundation of the breakaway roping industry, gaining acclaim with quick catches, hard stops, and fast times.
Growing up in a rodeo family, Shelby was riding alongside her sisters at a young age. No stranger to hard work, her father never bought her and her siblings’ expensive finished horses, but instead taught them the value of making their quality mounts through lots of wet saddle blankets. Perhaps the most impactful of these childhood horses was Flop, who carried Shelby and each of her sisters to provincial titles from grades six to twelve. This amazing gelding taught her what a good breakaway horse should feel like and provides the standard for what she looks for in horses today.
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.
If you’ve ever wondered what Hollywood stunts, bull riders, team ropers, leather workers, and whiskey have in common, the answer is a California cowboy named Bobby Conwell.
So often in life when we find something we are passionate about, we dwell inside its existing realms, rather than envisioning new ways to pursue it. Yet on occasion, our experiences allow us to dream of something new and expand the industry.
Several years ago, sisters Dana and Tracy Eklund were working at a therapeutic riding program. Like many service-oriented groups, the center was operating with a $400 tack budget, and yet responsible for procuring and maintaining working tack for around twenty horses. Taking into consideration the cost of quality tack, the need for special therapeutic equipment, and the desire to ensure horse comfort and proper fit, it was very difficult to keep things running with the minimal tack budget. In addition, neoprene cinches would sore the horses, the saddles were small children’s saddles, and the horses were large draft crosses.
I had the opportunity to meet up with my friends at the Lazy H Ranch this past weekend. I arrived early and had a few moments to look around. The arena was freshly dragged, and the field mowed, leaving fodder behind for snacking horses. The cows in the pen swatted at flies, and the goats paced unaware of their impending summons.
Dominique and Jack Allen are a couple whose story is full of pride and commitment to quality and craftsmanship. The high school sweethearts own JAD Custom Engraving, where they produce heirloom quality sterling silver jewelry designed for the modern cowgirl.
