Equine
Your Not-So-Average Joe
By Corsi Martin
If ever there was a cowboy to swing a leg over a horse in the Great State of Texas who worked hard, worked smart, and reaped the ultimate rewards for his sowing, that cowboy would be none other than the multi-faceted Joe Beaver. You may recognize him today as one of rodeo history’s most renowned calf ropers.
From earning eight national titles and being inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, to winning the All-Around Title at the NFR and receiving countless honors and nominations, this audacious cowboy is anything but your average Joe. Born and raised in the rural town of Victoria, Texas, in 1965, Joe was merely a toddler when he first began swinging a rope. With his father’s encouragement and coaching, Joe took a liking to the sport of rodeo at a young age. Roping goats from a horse in his pastime as a small child, it was evident that this cowboy would eventually make a name for himself.
Of course, back in those days there weren’t any electronic devices to refer to for inspirations as there are today. There was no social media to scroll through. There were no hashtags or multi-channel rodeo events on television. Inspiration came in the form of pure passion. “Back then we didn’t have all the TV and Rodeo TV,” Joe says. “I learned everything I knew from my dad and watching other people.” The hands-on experience involved early on in Joe’s life helped mold him into the surefire talent he transformed into.
At only eight years of age, Joe was already competing in rodeo events. By the time he was 10, he would win his first championship roping.
To read more pick up a copy of the August 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
Beaver has earned himself eight national titles, been inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, won the All-Around Title at the NFR and received countless honors and nominations. (Photo courtesy of Joe Beaver)
By Krista Lucas Wynn
Each year, when the professional rodeo season wraps on Sept. 30, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association announce the Nutrena Horse of the Year, presented by the American Quarter Horse Association, in each event. This is a prestigious award, voted on by the members of the associations. To be named Horse of the Year by fellow competitors is a high honor only a few achieve.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Krista Lucas Wynn | Copy Editor
The name, “Daddy of ’em All,” instantly brings to mind the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration. Cowboys and cowgirls from all across the country dream of competing on the iconic Cheyenne arena dirt.
Every July, pro rodeo contestants travel to Cheyenne, Wyom. to vie for the title of champion of the Cheyenne Frontier Days. The rodeo is steeped in western tradition and celebrated the 125th year this summer. With nearly two weeks of rodeo action, fans watched bareback riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, and steer roping.
Steer roper, Tuff Hardman, knew winning “the Dad” was a tall order, but with a good horse and a few prayers he left no doubt who the best steer roper at Cheyenne was when it was all said and done. After two rounds, Hardman qualified back for the finals tied for ninth place with a time of 30.8 seconds.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Utilizing the horse to human connection.
By: Hannah Claxton | Editor
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
Deep in the heart of Texas, both humans and horses at Stable Strides Farm in Pilot Point, Texas aer demonstrating just how big their hearts really are. Founded by Mandy Cleveland in 2001, Stable Strides Farm serves dozens of Equestrians with Disabilities and Veterans each week.
“My boys have been riding since they were 18 months old, and for the first 17 years they had a leader and sidewalker. When we moved here, and Mandy started teaching them, she just said, ‘Let’s see what they can do,’ and they ride independently now,” Danielle Frank explained, whose two sons, Adison and Aiden, ride with Stable Strides Farm. “Mandy is amazing beucase she doesn’t place any limits on them, she always wants to see what they can do.”
It is her dedication to never setting limits that earned Cleveland a spot as a national finalist for the NSBA 2024 Dianne Eppers Cowgirls Reaching-Out-to-Community Award. The award was established by the NSBA Foundation to recognize cowgirls across the industry for their selfless contributions to the equestrian community.
To read more, pick up a copy of the September issue of the NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
(Photos Courtesy of Hannah Claxton)
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