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Dwayne Erickson photographed at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo infield late December, 2012. Photograph by: Gavin Young, courtesy Calgary Herald.
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Forever In Blue Jeans

COWBOY CULTURE, FASHION, SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 27, 2012

by guest blogger Deanna Beckley

Aww blue jeans. Dark wash, acid wash, worn out, boot-cut, straight leg, fancy pockets, relax fit…so many styles to choose from! You can never have enough blue jeans!

Photo courtesy of Krista Kay Photography

I will admit, I have enough jeans to get me through several weeks without wearing a single pair twice. I firmly believe they are a must have staple that should be in everyone’s closet.

We couldn’t have a fashion steal without giving away a pair of jeans. This week’s giveaway item is sponsored by Cavalier. Thank you Cavalier for giving away a great pair of Iron Horse Jeans.

Cavalier is a privately owned Canadian company based in Stratford, Ontario. The business was founded in 1975. Cavalier has three operating divisions each focusing on a distinct segment of the equestrian market. The Cavalier division focuses on English riding equipment and apparel. Select Distributing focuses on the needs of the western rider and the Equine Advantage division represents the most comprehensive selection of Equine animal health care products. Be sure to check out their facebook page.

I actually interviewed Christi Simoneaux of Iron Horse Jeans last year. Here is what she said about Iron Horse Jeans and western fashion.

WHR: What influences Iron Horse design?

IHJ: “We really don’t look within the jean industry per say for design but we center ourselves on vintage heritage and then we explore fashion products in other categories’ such as women’s accessories to find design inspiration.”

WHR: What is the biggest jump we’ll see western fashion take in the next two years? Or what has been the biggest jump it has taken?

IHJ: “For years now western retailers and some manufactures feel as though western fashion is two years behind main street and slower to react to current trends. I think thats changed and western is following much closer to main stream, especially the younger crowd. I wouldn’t be surprised to see more straight leg fashion and possibly a softening of the bling on jeans in the next few years to come.”

WHR: What trends are we seeing for 2012?

IHJ: “In denim, lighter washes are starting to gain a little presence while deep dark washes with bright contrasting stitching is coming on fast. Low rise for gals has settled in at 7” and is the norm in the market with 8” rise following close behind. For guys its dark washes simple pockets minimum distressing and in a low rise offering.”

WHR: Is there one item that is timeless that will never go out of style?

IHJ: “Absolutely it’s called denim and boot leg cut, its been here from the start and for the most part has stayed the same just maybe with a little bit more flare!”

So the question for this week’s giveaway is…
What equine event are you most looking forward to this summer?

 

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Fashion Shoot Steal, Giveaway 3 Winner

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 26, 2012

The “Quarter Horse” purse we featured in last weeks Fashion Shoot Steal, Giveaway 3 attracted a justified amount of interest and comments. It really is a sweet western vintage gem. We happened across it at a photo shoot of a western home we’ll be featuring in the Sept/Oct issue of Western Horse Review. I’d love to share some of the other rich western finds in that shoot, but I had better save them for the issue.

Photo by Deanna Buschert

Here’s what I found out about the purse. It was made by Texan handbag designer Enid Collins. She opened Collins of Texas in Medina in 1959 and produced hundreds of handmade whimsical and original purses, up until 1970, when she sold the company to Tandy Leather Corporation, which took over the production of the purses. Most were canvas bucket style, as is the Quarter Horse purse and others were wooden box purses.

Thanks to reader Deseri Tammie Cooper who also filled us in with a bit of detail on the bag:

[It's a] Collins Horse-Themed Bag. 1960s. Maker: Collins of Texas. Linen-type fabric bucket bag featuring a horse print that makes playful puns. “Ol’ Paint” has a painter’s palette, “Appaloosa” has three-dimensional apples, the “Quarter Horse” has a real 1966 quarter sewn, via a plastic patch, to its rear, and the “Strawberry Roan” has three-dimensional strawberries. It’s an adorable Collins bag that I haven’t seen before.

Enid Collins in her Texas studio.

Collins hand decorated her purses with sequins, buttons, feathers and rhinestones. I’ve come to think of her as the original Queen of bling. When I try to imagine what kind of woman would carry a EC handbag back then, sassy, stylish, particular and fun come to mind. I bet Enid Collins purses made just as many trips to the grocery store as to social functions.

This particular EC handbag is a western treasure, I was hard pressed to find another for sale online. I did finally track one down on eBay, though the quality was questionable.

If your curiosity about EC handbags is still peaked, Cool Old Stuff has an informative piece on the collectibility of the Enid Collins purses. If you’d rather just view more handbag eye candy, Enid Collins Collection is a site which celebrates her style with hundreds of collectors sharing photos of their EC handbags.

Thanks to everyone for entering the contest we held last week on Screen Doors & Saddles and Western Horse Review Facebook. We asked you to guess what year the purse was made. So many near-on guesses and great comments. As I suggested above, from the research and markings on the purse, we’ve nailed it as an Enid Collins original, produced sometime in the ’60s, though we couldn’t pin down the exact year.

We just did a random draw amongst all the entries on the blog post and Facebook and drew Susan Gail Jenson Sjogren’s name out of the bag. Susan wrote:

“It looks new! But I will guess 1976.”

As promised from the onset, you didn’t have to guess the year correctly, just enter!

Susan Gail Jensen Sjogren, you’ve won a $100 gift certificate from a modern-day bling and western purveyor, Cowgirl Finesse. Please contact us at advertising@westernhorsereview.com to claim your gift certificate.

Thanks everyone for taking part in the contest, loved all your comments. Look for Fashion Shoot Steal, Giveaway 4 later this week, when we’ll be giving away another fabulous piece from our 2012 fashion shoot. Hint for this piece – it’s demin!

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A Stunning Gift

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 20, 2012

In the July/August, 2011 issue of Western Horse Review, Darla Rathwell visited and wrote about the historic OH Ranch near Longview, Alberta. At the time, three of the four individual ranches belonging to the OH had been sold following owner Doc Seaman’s death in 2009. One remained, the original ranch, a foothills paradise in southwestern Alberta. On the ranch stood a few historic buildings – the 1885 ranch house, the old cookhouse and a replica Northwest Mounted Police cabin. It was acquired by philanthropist, rancher and businessman Bill Siebens later last year, and on June 19th, Siebens did something incredibly remarkable. He gifted the entire almost 8,000-acre southern portion of the OH Ranch – along with the historic OH brand – to the Calgary Stampede Foundation for continued preservation of its environmental and cultural heritage values.

OH Ranch, photo courtesy Calgary Stampede.

The vision and generosity shown by Bill Siebens is stunning. All westerners have received a beautiful gift this week, for the gesture now ensures the preservation of the ranch and land for future generations.

According to a Calgary Stampede press release the Foundation will work with the Calgary Stampede to develop a management plan for the ranch that “furthers the organizations’ shared mission to preserve and promote western heritage and values.” In operation as a ranch for close to 130 years, the OH ranch consists of deeded (private) and leased (public) land. Siebens’ gift is valued at more than $11 million and is the largest private gift ever received by the Stampede Foundation.

Bill Siebens, photo courtesy Calgary Stampede.

“Alberta has been my home for 54 years. I made my career in the oil business, raised my family here and have a deep attachment and love for the Foothills country west of Calgary,” said Bill Siebens, who also owns the neighboring Tongue Creek Ranch. “Things turned out well for me and I want to make this gift to the Calgary Stampede Foundation for a few reasons. The Stampede is 100 years old this summer. I’ve been at 54 of those Stampedes. I know that in their hands the southern portion of the OH Ranch will be well cared for for the next 100 years,” noted Siebens. “This is my gift to the people of Alberta. The Stampede is way more than 10 days of rodeo, corporate parties and fireworks. It is an important link to Alberta’s past – the ranchers, the homesteaders, the cowboys and the Aboriginal people. This land will give Albertans a big, beautiful connection to their past – a connection that will endure for many future generations.

“I know this corner of Alberta very well. I have ranched out here for over 33 years. My kids and my grandkids and I ride out here, fish, chase cows and enjoy the wonderful scenery. I want my kids and grandkids to remember that, and I want other Albertans to have that as well. I want people from all walks of life to be able to bring their kids out here to see a working ranch with working cowboys and horses and cows and all that,” said Siebens. “Thanks to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the OH Ranch will always be protected against development. That is, of course, what I want for the part of the OH Ranch I am keeping, and that is what I am most excited about for the land I am giving to the Stampede Foundation.

“The Calgary Stampede – the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth – was and is run by volunteers. I know that the volunteers now, and the next generation of volunteers, will honour my wish to encourage and allow Albertans and others to come out and enjoy this special place. That is what is important to me. That is what the Calgary Stampede Foundation and I have agreed to. The Calgary Stampede has celebrated Alberta’s culture for the past 100 years, and this gift will encourage that for the next 100 years,” concluded Siebens.

At an announcement held Tuesday morning at Calgary’s Stampede Park, Siebens also handed over the OH branding irons, thereby giving the Stampede Foundation the rights to the OH brand – one of the oldest brands that has been continuously registered and used in Western Canada. The ranching property given to the Stampede Foundation will continue to carry the OH Ranch name.

OH Ranch, photo courtesy Calgary Stampede.

“The OH Ranch is an authentic, living embodiment of Western Canada’s ranching heritage,” said Steve Allan, vice-chair, Stampede Foundation. “This historic land will further the work of the Calgary Stampede Foundation and the Calgary Stampede –to promote and preserve western values.”

The OH Ranch is Alberta’s second ‘heritage rangeland’ protected area, and operates under an easement agreement with the Nature Conservancy of Canada for the purposes of the protection, conservation and enhancement of the environment, biological diversity, natural, scenic and aesthetic values, natural habitat and similar purposes. As a historic rangeland, the ranch is not focused on recreation opportunities and the area is under grazing lease – with hunting and access restrictions.

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The Small Town Horse Show

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 19, 2012

While Calgary celebrates its centennial Stampede, there is a lesser-known anniversary set to unfold on the same opening Friday as the World’s Greatest Outdoor Show. Just 50 kilometers up the Queen Elizabeth Highway, far from the neon lights, midway frenzy and high-end horsepower, the Didsbury Agricultural Society will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of their annual Horse Show on July 6-8.

A lot of horse show people don’t think much about the concept of the open horse show anymore. Indeed, much like the quintessential country fair, they are fast disappearing from our landscape. A shame, I think, for they keep alive the identity, and showcase the lifestyle of rural Canada.

We gathered a few old-time shots from the Didsbury show’s history and have a feature about it in our next issue. Pick it up if you have a chance, but in the meantime, here’s a few shots I thought you might enjoy.

These grassroots shows have it all – from draft horse, showmanship, halter, western and English pleasure, equitation, versatility, dressage, jumping, lead-line, trail to . . .

hunter, equitation, dressage  . . .

and specialty classes for ponies . . .

and breeds such as Arabs and Saddlebreds.

There’s almost always a cross-representation from local 4H and Pony Clubs, and you’ll find all age groups and demographics represented. Herein lies the old time nostalgia of the small town horse show – everyone can attend, and find a class that they will do well in for less than the cost of a night at the movies.

Family showing is encouraged and you don’t need a high-end specialized mount. So go ahead and pull out that horse you’ve got in your paddock, work hard, show well, and be proud of the ribbon you earn. Just like these two!

Note: Thanks to Didsbury Horse Show Committee member, Kim Dampier for helping me with this post and the feature in the July/August issue of WHR. 

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Fashion Shoot Steal, Giveaway 3

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 16, 2012

This last week, on Thursday, the skies cleared long enough to enjoy a drive through the foothills to the home of our photo subject for a piece we’re working on for the next issue of the magazine. At this time of year, verdant as it is thanks to all that moisture, the countryside can take a bit of your breath away.

While we were shooting I came across an item I decided would work in beautifully with the next Fashion Shoot Steal giveaway, which happens to be a $100 gift certificate from our friends at Cowgirl Finesse! We featured a few of the products from this sassy and stylish Canadian company in our 2012 Fashion Shoot – which is coming ‘atcha soon in the July/August issue. As you might already know, Cowgirl Finesse is known for their unique purses, so I decided to tie in this vintage handbag we found on the photo shoot with the contest.

 

photo by Deanna Buschert

All you have to do is guess the year this vintage (hint!) purse was made in the comment section below, and you’ll be entered to win a $100 gift certificate from Cowgirl Finesse. Don’t worry, there isn’t really a right or wrong answer, the key is participation.

Sometime next week, I’ll let you all in on the age of the purse pictured, and we’ll do a random draw from all of the comments and declare a winner.

Thanks for joining in and good luck!

Fashion Shoot Steal 2 Winner

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 13, 2012

We’ve finally wrapped up our July/August issue and sent it off to press. Here’s a sneak peak of the cover; it’s all I’m allowed to give you. If you haven’t had a chance to subscribe, you absolutely don’t want to miss this issue. We’re running a Father’s Day Subscription Special right now. Use the promo code WHRDAD2012 to receive a great deal.

Typically, there’s a quietly composed lull after each issue. It’s not on the agenda, it just happens, possibly because we’ve been so busy for the past three weeks that we’ve neglected to plan to this week. It’s entirely what’s called for – a time to catch up on work that’s been cast aside during the frenzy of production – waiting e-mails, cancelled appointments that need rebooking, a lawn to mow, weeds to pull, gardening and flowerpots and beds. . . And then riding, the horses that need to be legged up and lessoned for upcoming shows. Going on here too is the tail end of school activities, exams, high school graduation and new territory for this family – university preparation for Teenager. The times are a changing at the log house.

But today, we’re talking about boots.

photo by Krista Kay Photography

Ferrini boots. The boots we’ve been promising to give away for the past two weeks or so as part of our 2012 Fashion Shoot Steal. The moment has arrived and we’re ready to name the winner of these gorgeous boots, complements of Irvines Tack and Trailers. 

Congratulations, Toby Lukiwski, you have won the Ferrini boots pictured above. As part of the contest entry, we asked participants to name their favorite pair of boots. Toby’s reply:

“Favorite boot to ride in, Justin crepe sole square toe. I’m having a difficult time retiring them. Dress up boot… I have a pair of vintage Tony Lama boots with butterfly inlays. They are beautiful! This pair would look perfect next to them!”

Toby, contact advertising@westernhorsereview.com within 14 days to make arrangements to receive them. And congratulations!

Thanks everyone for participating in this Fashion Shoot Steal. We’re not finished yet, stay tuned to this blog for another giveaway item in the coming days!

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Marketing Mondays: Groupon & Such

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 4, 2012

It’s no secret the daily deal craze is in full swing across North America. Groupon, Offeron, Wagjag, Dealathons – these are just a few of the purveyors of the daily deal: a special one-time offer usually suggesting an offer of 50% off retail rates. Prospective buyers are able to see these deals by signing on to the e-list of the purveyor. They all work a little differently; some require a certain amount of buyers for the deal to be “on,” others contribute some of the dollars to charity, almost all are a time-limited offer. Commonly, the offers are for restaurants, hair stylists, auto detailers, dry cleaners and such.

Occasionally I’ve noticed someone in the western world test the waters of the daily deal, such as the California trainer above who offered nearly 60% off on western riding lessons and sold out of them. His “deal” ran in the Los Angeles Times LA Deals. 

It’s unlikely we’ll see the top trainers of the nation moving towards daily deal offers, their barns are likely full with waiting lists, but for those trainers just starting out, or perhaps, wanting to reach out to more of an urban demographic to encourage new involvement this could be a an interesting marketing venue to test.

Incidentally, Western Horse Review has a Groupon subscription effort running June 6-12. Our marketing circulation director thought it would be interesting to test it; so we are. Our test region will be Alberta – primarily the Edmonton and Calgary region. If that shows significant return, we’ll look at a national effort. Since we’ll be promoting our July/August issue with a special cover, it’s a good opportunity to invite new readers to see what Western Horse Review is all about.

The incentive for us is the low cost of entering the agreement. The client (WHR) needs to only agree to offer a product at 50% off. The downside is the payback. Each subscription is offered at $12.00, or 50% off the regular rate of a subscription. Groupon takes half of that, and the other half comes back to WHR. Which means we realize $6.00 out of every subscription sold. Certainly not a profit in this scenario, but we do it for two reasons: 1) to introduce new subscribers to the product and; 2) for the renewals on year two, assuming these new subscribers will be back for year two.

And, of course they will be!

I’ll let you know how it went in a future post.

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