We’re currently on deadline with the Jan/Feb issue of Western Horse Review, so before I get into anything else I want to let you know what we’re finalizing in this issue.

World champion bucking horse Airwolf's clone, "Wolfie." Photo by Deanna Buschert.
• A fantastic and may I say, cutting-edge piece on cloning by our own Deanna Buschert. I have to say, this was an article which challenged my stand on the issue of equine cloning. Don’t miss it, much has transpired in the past two years.

Sneak peek at one of our profile western weddings. Photo by Krista Kay Photography.
• Western Wedding Style. Wow, I’m in awe of the new generation of cowgirls and guys who embrace their unique western tradition, with a twist of modernist. Fourteen pages of amazing photography, and three gorgeous western weddings.
• Nearly two years ago, we ran one of our very first contests on The Barrel Patch blog. The swag was Petrol jeans and the question was: If you could pick your all time favourite barrel racer to go out to dinner with, who would it be and why? One of the most mentioned competitors was Deb Renger. Hence, the article idea. Hey, it ain’t dinner with, but it’s a fabulous profile of arguably, Canada’s top longstanding barrel racing competitor.
• Results, pictures and interviews from both the Team Roping Futurity and the Canadian Snaffle Bit Futurity, both held during Northland’s recent Farmfair.
• Profiles of competitive riders and horses remain a core mandate in Western Horse Review. This issue we also interview an up-and-coming cow horse trainer from Saskatchewan, and an Ohio Congress champion.
• Winter chores the old-fashioned way is the theme of the photographic essay in this issue’s Out West.
• Dainya Sapergia’s sweet interview with the modest Blake Schlosser – on his final days as pick-up man, and his heartfelt reasons for giving up the rodeo trail. I love the photo. So much, I’m not about to reveal it before the issue.
• Our health feature follow up on EHV – what top equine health professionals are advising as move-forward strategies. And leading Thoroughbred breeder and therapeutic equine care center – the impressive Bar None Ranches is featured in Horse Farm.
• My interview with Katie Tims, who is scheduled to appear this mid-January at the annual Horse Owners and Breeders Conference in Red Deer, Alberta. Fantastic insights from Katie on the trends we in the horse industry can expect over the coming years.
By the way, if Red Deer is too far for you to travel in the dead of a Canadian winter, there are two equally inspiring educational seminars on our radar in the New Year: the Horse Council of British Columbia’s Equine Education Conference, and Saskatchewan’s first annual Equine Expo.
• Speaking of equine education, we host a section of equine schools in Canada in this issue as well.
• Don’t let me forget – Deanna Beckley also profiles six amazingly talented spur makers in Product Showdown, and one barrel racer determined to meld her passion with her business in Storefront.
And . . . more, so much more. If you’d like to make sure you receive this issue by subscribing, you can do so here.
This week, I admired these photographs by Montreal photographer, Irene Suchocki. Currently the top-selling photographer on Etsy, I’m in love with her series capturing the gentle nature and graceful power of the wild horses of Camargue, a region in the south of France. Visit her Etsy store here.
I’m impressed by the new Equine Lameness Online Lab, brought to us by Pfizer Animal Health and the Equine Guelph, particularly the Video Challenge, which shows a video of four different horses, allowing viewers to identify which horse is lame, and which leg is lame. Make your assessment, and then view the incredibly insightful audio commentary version from equine veterinarian, Dr. Nicola Cribb. Resourceful idea!
In case you missed it Bobby Kerr and Poncho were clearly the fan favorite of the 2011 Extreme Mustang Challenge.
And finally, it’s a bit of a lengthy view, but Emma Massingale’s Synchronicity with Horses is all about peace, understanding and love. We can always use a little more of that.
Thanks for tuning in to today’s post, I hope to be back with one final post prior to Christmas Day, with some last minute Christmas ideas and links.





. . . attending the
. . . and the seasoned cutting horse sale on Saturday.
You might remember this horse. The six-year-old Pepto Taz gelding, ridden by Randy Holman, which won the Classic Challenge at last year’s Canadian Supreme with an amazing 150 run, and returned this year to capture the championship again on the Saturday night with a 146.5. He sold at this sale for $54,000.
Saturday morning was also the Stallion Avenue, always a barn aisle-packed event and a great way to start off the final day of the week. I apologize for the photo . . but I just couldn’t help including it. I’d love to meet the creative brain behind this artwork, hilarious!
Earlier in the trip, we headed out to Weatherford, Cutting Capital of the World. . .
. . . and visited with Ian Chisholm at his place. Ian and Peggy have a beautiful ranch, just up on a rise a bit, incredibly functional, with gorgeous views of the Texas hills. The horses at Ian’s always seem content and quiet to me.
On our way back to Fort Worth, we stopped at
Just to change it up, we rented a house on
We headed to the historic Fort Worth Stockyards for some shopping.
And dinner at
And then, there was the cutting.
Incredible cutting.
I have to thank my friend, Karyn for taking these photos. I was being lazy about hauling my camera around so she stepped in and snapped some fine shots of the action.
What a finals.
When RFD-TV bought Roy Roger’s original stuffed Trigger for $266,000, back in the spring at the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum auction, I didn’t expect I’d run into him here. It was a cool display, fun photo op, and I’m glad Trigger is still getting out and thrilling modern day crowds.
The Hipstamtic, with it’s old-fashioned analog feel will remind you of your old Polaroid. Sort of. It’s much more, actually. With it’s wide range of film and options, be prepared to transform your shot into whatever mood or vintage flavor you’d like to impart it with.
I took both of these Arizona shots within a minute of each other while riding.
. . . and, I’ve tortured countless teenagers with it . . . including my own.
I love this effect, but I haven’t quite mastered it, this being my best try at it thus far. Here’s 
I’m sure you’ve heard by now southern Alberta experienced record-breaking winds yesterday leaving many facilities damaged, power out and fires raging. As I surveyed the damage – photos and comments posted by Facebook friends – I was amazed and grateful that animals and humans seemed to have escaped serious injuries or worse during this freakish storm.
When you live in the boondocks, you can spend a lifetime feeling both humbled and awed by the power of Mother Nature.
There are so many sweet Christmas ideas to share, I’m running out of weeks, and now that I’m actually on track with my week count (give or take a few days, it is five weeks to the big day), I have a few interesting sites (as in web), and views (as in sights), to share as we head into the weekend. If you would like to catch up with all of my previous ideas, you can begin the stream
Beginning with views, I’m heading to Texas next week, and while I won’t be anywhere near this location
Sometimes I’d just prefer my very own place like this to write, read, paint, walk and ride. Oh, and the time to engage in these activities.
At yesterday’s sales meeting Charmayne showed us the western-themed iphone sleeves available at
My favorite, this vintage old leather reminds me of a small leather case my father used to keep his passport in.
For those who feel the need to broadcast a love of the equine in a whimsical fashion, perhaps these
Find this and many more vintage kiddie rides, sure to please many a grandchild, and if you’re so inclined, raise some extra cash for the horses, at 



I like the analogy and visual the above headline gives me, particularly in regards to the magazine. We do “swim” in magazines, don’t we? We envelope them, cuddle up with them, and spend a great chunk of time with them.

So, the story was we were gathered at the Wrangler Calgary Futurity on the Saturday night of the Futurity. Bill had brought in one of his many lifetime championship saddles to be auctioned off.
Something about a vintage saddle, isn’t there?
A lifetime of rides here.


While it may officially be six weeks or less until Christmas, I’m still running a bit behind on my great gift ideas series. Before we begin with this week’s suggestion, I’m happy to announce the winner of last week’s
Recently, at the
Like this vibrant wine-colored paisley pattern.
Or, this brilliant blue.
Can there really be such a thing as too much paisley? I think not.
Definitely not.
Such as this elegant beauty.
Or this. You can see the entire selection of Young Gunz wild rags at their Facebook page.
Just one more. Polka dot delight.









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