Canada’s Greatest Western Town: The Winner!

LIVING WEST, SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES August 13, 2014

The votes have been tallied and Canada’s Greatest Western Town Contest has reached a fitting end (see the entire bracket of towns here), with Old Cowtown . .  aka. . . Maple Creek, Saskatchewan the final winner!

As it happens Wee and I passed through Maple Creek just a few weeks ago.

MChorses Along with these two.

I love that place. Rifts of country and cowboy woven throughout its streets.

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Admittedly, some on the corny side.

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Others fun. All pose-able.

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We studied some historic black and whites.

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Bought an old-time country cookbook with recipes like salted beef and jelly rolls. My mom had these identical cookie cutters. I loved seeing that.

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Sat street side. . . .

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And visited with passer-bys in the heat of the afternoon. All of whom were so friendly!

Congratulations, Maple Creek, well deserved!

But especially thank-you to everyone who participated. This contest shone a light on so many remarkable western corners of our country, we look forward to covering as many as we can manage in future issues of Western Horse Review. 

 

 

Canada’s Greatest Western Town: Final Two!

LIVING WEST, SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES August 7, 2014

CGWT

Here we are – the final two!

CGWT-Bracket---FinalTwoResults-Western-Towns-Bracket

Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, also known as the Old Cowboy Town faces off against Ponoka, Alberta, a town rich in rodeo and western heritage.

The Final Two round is now underway with only two days to cast your votes and round up a posse of supporters for your town. The rules remain simple. Vote ONCE for ONE town, and your vote must be cast in the Comments section of this blog post. Get the word out by sharing our Facebook posts, or using the hashtag #greatestwesterntown. Do it soon, as voting for this round ends very quickly – midnight August 9.

July/August Sneak Peek

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 25, 2014

This issue is about to hit the stands. Here’s a sneak peak of what you’re about to receive in your mailbox. (If you’re not a subscriber, you’re really missing out – subscribe here, and in the meantime look for it on your local newsstand.

JULYcover2014Our cover. Brought together by our own Dainya Sapergia, art direction by Kendra Roberts and featuring Niki Flundra and her fabulous trick horse, Ace. This talented duo will be performing at this year’s edition of the Calgary Stampede and succinctly represented on the cover, our feature piece on the Greatest Show on Earth.

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Photo by Dainya Sapergia Western Lifestyle Photography

Within the Calgary Stampede feature, regular contributor Ted Stovin of Everything Cowboy takes a critical look at the rise of stand-alone rodeos such as the Calgary Stampede and the American.

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Photo by Deanna Kristensen Photography

Still within the genre, Deanna Kristensen’s interview with with this issue’s chosen maverick, produced some candid thoughts from one of the most influential rodeo producers of all time, Winston Bruce.

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Photo by Jenn Webster

Owner of the Rona store in Black Diamond, Alberta and shelter expert, Robbie McKay offers exclusive inside tips on building one.

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Photo by Ingrid Schulz

Dr. Mike Scott, of Moore Equine, helps us decipher the real story behind stem cell therapy.

Photo by Dainya Sapergia Western Lifestyle Photography.

Photo by Dainya Sapergia Western Lifestyle Photography

Deanna Kristensen tackles the controversy behind this year’s government-driven cull of Alberta’s wild horses.

spwilljamesOne of our favourite photographers, and a true western folk herself, Mary Williams Hyde illustrates our Getaways guide to the Will James Round Up Ranch Rodeo in Hardin, Montana, with her spectacular photographs of the event.

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Photo by Dainya Sapergia Western Lifestyle Photography

They say she’s an old cowboy soul in a young body. Extreme cowboy competitor, Obbie Schlom tells us about her favourite gear in this issue’s edition of Freeze Frame.

Photo by Rod Honig.

Photo by Rod Honig

Vaquero aficionado, Rod Honig takes us through a historical tour of the origin of the spur. 

spscarfslideThese nifty scarf slides by Tom Balding are just one of seven new pieces of western gear featured in our regular Magnificent Seven western product profiles.

Photo by Dainya Sapergia Western Lifestyle Photography.

Photo by Dainya Sapergia Western Lifestyle Photography

Cutting horse trainer Dustin Gonnet continues our cerebral tour through the year of a cutting horse prospect with this issue’s discussion of keeping the minds of his three-year-olds in futurity training fresh and sharp for the aged event season just around the corner.

spkirstyKirsty White discloses her own, personal favourite barrel bloodlines in our Bloodline Buzz column.

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Photo by Krista Kay Photography

A Texas-inspired recipe for rib rubs.

Amanda Brumley talks about the success of executing the runaway success of such shows as Reining By The Bay, a full recap of show scenes from the late spring, a horse called Red Hot Jade who’s taking the cow horse world by storm – just a few more hot items in the issue.

Photo by Krista Kay Photography.

Photo by Krista Kay Photography

You might think of enjoying our Wild West cocktail of the month, the Bakon Vodka Caesar, as you peruse it.

Canada’s Greatest Western Town

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES June 19, 2014

CGWTOur idea of West much less geographical, than it is a mindset. No matter where we live in this country it is about a life that is engaged with western culture – appreciative and honoring the land, from the cowboy tradition to current views. It’s modern, but respectful and mindful of tradition and history. It’s photography, books, gear, travel, music and food. It honors the cowboys, competitors, artisans, musicians, authors, photographers and artists who spend their lives devoted to keeping our idea of the West in Canada alive.

For most who embrace this idea it includes the horse in some respect. At home, in our pastures and barns, on the magnificent trails of this country, and certainly, in the competition arena. Also in our accruements and passions. In our appreciation of the majesty of the animal, in the subtle nuances of the horse’s work and our various sports.

One could say, in our identities.

Which is why, when we think about where to live, we think Western. And, living the Western way, recognizing its authenticity, and celebrating how it enriches our lives.

Now is your chance to help Western Horse Review unfold the real West. Many of Canada’s greatest western hotspots aren’t just great places to live in the western lifestyle: they’re Canada’s best-kept secrets. And its time we celebrated them!

THE BATTLE FOR THE GREATEST WESTERN TOWN IN CANADA IS ON!

We’ll begin this competition with a nomination period from now until June 27th.

Then the voting begins!

For this purpose the moniker “towns” can refer to towns, cities, hamlets, really, wherever there is a great gathering of western culture. So think small. Think city. Think your corner of this great country. Just keep it Western.

Send us a short (50 word or less) nomination for your western town now. E-mail it to [email protected] with the subject line of CGWT, or just go ahead and comment right here.

Remember, the nomination period ends June 27th, so be sure to get your favourite western corner of this country in on the action!