A Tribute to Jerry Ridennoure

Thanks to Barb Bowerback for reaching out to send in this lovely tribute to B.C. horseman, Jerry Ridennoure. Writes Barb, “I, and many others in Northern B.C. would like to pay tribute to Jerry, he was a great man and made a major contribution to the horse world in Northern B.C., and in particular introduced the north here to Paints, with his good quality horses.”

Jerry Lynn Ridennoure

November 24, 1939 – July 17, 2011

Northern B.C. lost well respected horseman, Paint Horse supporter and breeder, Jerry Lynn Ridennoure in July of this year to cancer. Since 1982, he bred, promoted and helped to educate equine enthusiasts on the Paint Horse breed. In 1986, he took that passion north to Canada to fulfill a lifelong dream by settling with his wife Jan, in Smithers, British Columbia. There they operated Ridennoure Paint Horses, standing two stallions and most notably created a dynasty of ranch, pleasure and performing Paints in Northern B.C. from their herd sire Cowboy Bandit – son of APHA champions Cowboy Bar and Silly Illusion and grandson of Supreme Champions Cowboy Ranger and Silly Filly. Jerry also was an avid supporter of local 4-H, The Bulkley Valley Exhibition, B.C. Paint Horse Club, Three-in-One Open Breed Show, Northern Saddle Club, Back Country Horseman and the Pleasant Valley Horse Association to name a few. Jerry and wife Jan owned and operated a custom blind business as well as bred, trained and sold Paint Horses, Australian shepherds and Katahdin sheep.

Jerry was born in La Junta, Colorado to rancher Lawrence “Cuddle” Culbertson and Etha Lynn (Taylor) Ridennoure. He was the youngest of eight children and no stranger to the back of a horse since he was 4-years-old. As an adult, Jerry farmed and ranched in the local area including Kim and Timpas, Colorado, raising some good Quarter Horses along the way. In 1982, he made the move to breed Paint Horses. At this time he invested in a young stallion, Skips Mr. Sunup, owning him from 1982-1986. When Jerry headed north, he sold the good stallion to Virgil Lawson who furthered the his successful show and breeding career, being sure to retain a few of his mares as a foundation for his breeding program.

Jerry is survived by his current wife,  Janice (Hendrickson) Ridennoure, sons Jake (Naiomi) Carroll of Smithers, Jamison Carroll of Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Faron Jay Ridennoure of Los Angeles, California, Cody (Tammy) Ridennoure of Rocky Ford, Colorado, sisters Lois (Fred) Freidenberger of La Junta, Colorado, and Ruby Marshall of Pahnert Park, California. Grandchildren include Codi Golder, Austin Carroll, Jamie Carroll, Ashton Poitras, Courtney Carroll, Rae Lee Carroll, Kelsey Ridennoure and Colby Ridennoure.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother’s Larry, Ben and Ted, sister’s Betty Jo Hart and Pat Bataglia.

Jerry was most proud of his grandchildren and his horses. He touched many lives and will be missed dearly by his family and friends.