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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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Kid Spurs

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES July 19, 2012

Wee’s been having a time transitioning to spurs.

Her short little legs need a little more effectiveness for Blue to respond to her cues. The kid spurs we have are quite soft-roweled, still, the move from sans-spurs to full spurs proved to be too much of a leap for her. Since she’s still getting a feel for leg pressure cues she more often poked than pressured, and Blue went from unresponsive to jumpy, not the desired result.

Coach proposed a neat solution I hadn’t even thought of.

She suggested I wrap them up in tape for the time being, until Wee achieves a better feel for using them properly.

 I used masking tape, but I’m sure other varieties will work just as well. You can also try English spurs which have a smaller point to them, but in Wee’s case they weren’t long enough to be effective.

The kid is a lot more comfortable wearing and using them now, and Blue seems to approve as well.

Besides, it makes squatting on your spurs when you stop for a cat cuddle plenty more comfortable.

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100 Years of Thunder

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES July 12, 2012

Not long ago I received a wonderful gift in the mail. An advance copy of a brilliant compilation dedicated to the rich Alberta ranching heritage and the Calgary Stampede.

Four Calgary-area artists, each an award-winner in their respective fields of historical writing, music, photography and western poetry, have collaborated on a CD project called 100 Years of Thunder: a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede.

If there is only one 100 year Calgary Stampede Anniversary memento to collect, this would be it.

Singer songwriter Bruce Innes, author Wendy Bryden, photographer Neville Palmer and poet Doris Daley have produced a fantastic collection of stories, poetry, music and photos.

The CD itself features 10 original poems (Daley) and 10 original songs (Innes) that salute iconic Calgary Stampede themes like pancake breakfasts, Guy Weadick and Flores LaDue, the white hat, Outlaw the Bucking Bull, chuckwagon races, Indian Village, cowboy fever, the Big Four – it’s all here and then some. Bryden has written historical essays based on each of the past 10 decades of the Stampede, illustrated by Palmer’s breathtaking photographic art in the CD liner note booklet.

100 Years of Thunder photo by Neville Palmer.

Innes aptly describes it as a “power-packed, emotional and entertaining ride through 100 years of Stampede history. Wendy’s essays and Neville’s photography add an historical and visual element not typically found in your average CD project.”

It’s true – this is so much more than just a CD. The voices within and visuals combine to fashion a whimsical and beautiful work of art, capturing the essence of the heartbeat of the Calgary Stampede. One hundred years of western spirit and rodeo history is worth celebrating, and 100 Years of Thunder serves it up with history, art, music, stories, emotion and cowboy spirit all rolled into one.

100 Years of Thunder photo by Neville Palmer.

Here’s the great part. We have a special offer just for the Western Horse Review audience. Order either the CD or the limited edition boxed set (only 200 copies: first come – first served) and enjoy a 20% discount on your purchase. Just enter WHRFRIEND and automatically score a 20% discount when you order at 100 Years of Thunder.

As one viewer writes: “This is such a wonderful CD! A storytelling masterpiece of historical significance that will stand the test of time. EVERYONE that has ever been to the Stampede and experienced the greatest outdoor show on earth should get a copy.”

Calgary Stampede Posters

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES July 6, 2012

At the log house, the first day of the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede is decidedly quiet. Still, even, after the thunderous lightning storm which flowed through this part of the prairie for most of last night. In complete juxtaposition, downtown Calgary, at this minute is likely an organized mayhem of music, cheering and visual delights, as the Calgary Stampede Centennial Parade is winding its way through the streets, led by our own western icon, Ian Tyson.

If you didn’t catch the Screen Doors & Saddles post yesterday revealing the 2013 Calgary Stampede Poster, be sure to have a look at it. It features a working cowboy many consider another icon of our Canadian West, Vern Lonsberry.

So many little surprises at this year’s event.

We had a chance to gather up some shots of past Calgary Stampede posters, which we intended to run in our July/August issue, but didn’t have a chance to, so I thought I’d share them with you today.

Still thinking of iconic westerners, the 1912 poster was of course, painted by Charlie Russell. This one, two years later in 1914, featured less of a Wild West look and more of a cultured theme.

The Australian National Band and newly constructed Banff-Windermere Highway, as well as the famous chuck wagon races were the highlights showcased in the 1927 poster.

Although it was only 1935, this poster claimed a half century of the show. I’m sure there’s a story behind this.

Full color photography, depicting the “famous chuck wagon races” was introduced in 1946.

I love that rodeo and agriculture is true to center of these older posters.

One more vintage poster – Canada’s Centennial year. These posters are fantastic works of art, but each also gives us a snapshot of history in a fashion, often chronicling what was matter most to the culture of the day.

What I found really interesting is the fact there are a number of years for which a poster is unavailable. According to Aimee Benoit, archivist at the Calgary Stampede, we are missing posters for 1922, 1926 and 1930. The Stampede didn’t establish their own archives until 1999, so everything they have has been acquired since then. Incredible to think these three links to the Calgary Stampede history may never be found.

The art itself is a huge aspect of the poster and we’ve been granted so many artists vision for the event; it’s always an awe-inspiring surprise to see the next one, and so difficult to pick favorites, but this would have to be one of mine.

Finally, the millenium poster.

Whether it’s Stampede-flavored or not, hope you enjoy the beautiful weekend. Be sure to enter the Iron Horse jeans giveaway if you haven’t already. We’ll be drawing and announcing a lucky winner later on this afternoon.

 

Calgary Stampede 2013 Poster

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES July 5, 2012

GUEST POST BY DAINYA SAPERGIA

Icon noun \ˈī-ˌkän\ A person or thing regarded as a representative symbol of something.

Calgary Stampede Poster 2013

The 2013 Calgary Stampede poster honors the working cowboy.

It seems as though icons are thing of days gone by. As the days go by faster and the world speeds up exponentially, it becomes increasingly difficult to find those people that we relate to as deserving to represent an entire culture. But in the newly unveiled 2013 Calgary Stampede poster, one such individual is cemented in history as just that: an icon of the cowboy culture.

Vern Lonsberry

Southern Alberta iconic cowboy, Vern Lonsberry. Photo credit: Lindy Lonsberry.

Vern Lonsberry is the cowboy’s cowboy. A man who has spent his life making his living on the back of a horse. He has epitomized the qualities that we look up to and expect in the western culture. Rugged, resilient, tough and dedicated to his craft, these would be the qualities that attracted Duke Beardsly to capture Vern’s likeness for the equally iconic piece of Stampede history.

Duke Beardsley is a fifth generation Colorado native, raised on his family’s ranch in the eastern part of the state. Growing up drawing and painting cowboy images, his unique blend of modern art styling and traditional western iconography reflects his upbringing and has made him a popular favorite among fans of contemporary American western art. A perfect candidate for the face of the 2013 Calgary Stampede.

“I took one look at Duke’s work and made up my mind,” says Bob Thompson, incoming chair of the board, Calgary Stampede. “Duke is someone who truly understands the western lifestyle.”

This is evident in his taste of subjects. Beardsley’s original artwork was unveiled last evening during the Stampede’s Showcase Stir,Up! event, depicting Vern about to swing a ‘houlihan’ loop. We don’t know where he was roping or what he was swinging to catch, but just by looking at Beardsley’s work, we can feel the authenticity that makes Lonsberry the icon that he is.