Keeping Stories Alive
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.
Some folks are born with rodeo in their blood. Maybe it is genetic, or maybe it is a God-given surprise. Perhaps it is both. From the first glimpse of the arena lights, a stirring happens deep inside. When this is paired with a love of horses, passion is born.
Occasionally people have the opportunity to act on this innate passion from childhood, but many grow up in neighborhoods removed from the rodeo world. These individuals have to work extra hard and burn up the highway to make their goals and dreams come true.
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.
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.
