Equine
Behind the Chutes — Thoughts of a Rodeo Wife
By Lacey Corbett
The Cheyenne Frontier Days: it’s known as the Daddy of ‘em All, and it’s one of the biggest professional rodeos of the summer, much less the entire year. It was also the one big rodeo I had planned to go to that year and I wasn’t going to let anything keep me from it, not even getting stuck at the Denver airport.
My husband, Logan, had entered this rodeo long before it was time to compete. I had planned to fly into Denver from El Paso and meet Logan’s traveling partner Tim O’Connell’s wife, Sami, and their son at the airport. From there, Sami and I would load up our babies and luggage and hitch a ride north to Cheyenne where we would reunite with our husbands after a long summer. Sami and I had been talking about this trip for weeks. We had planned out all of the details, and I was so excited to catch up with her after a summer of phone conversations.
All was going well—until I got that dreaded text telling me my flight had been delayed, then another, then another, and then yet another! Before I knew it, my Denver arrival time had gone from the evening to the wee hours of the morning, while Sami’s flight would arrive at the normal time. There was no way in the world I would ask her to wait for me with her infant child into the midnight hours. I sent her on to Cheyenne, while I scrambled to find another ride to the rodeo. I felt like I was trapped in a Chris LeDoux song. I was in full-on mama-panic mode, coffee in hand and toddler in tow.
To read more pick up a copy of the December 2018 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
Equine
Tuff Enough: Tuff Hardman Wins Big At Cheyenne Frontier Days
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.
Country Lifestyles
Mandy Cleveland & Stable Strides Farm
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)
Equine
Beat the Heat
By Krista Lucas Wynn
The month of August is smack dab in the middle of summer. When in the thick of the hot summer days, it is important to keep horses, livestock and yourself cool, whether leisurely riding, competing or traveling. Texas temperatures, along with the humidity, can be extremely draining on equine athletes and riders alike.
The 100-plus degree days should come as no surprise. It happens routinely every year, and in true Texas summer fashion, it does not cool off much at night either. Horses cannot get much relief from the conditions, unless provided by a responsible owner. Sweating day in and day out can be detrimental to horse health.
It is vital to have fresh, cool water in front of horses at all times. Stalled horses should have at least two buckets in front of them. Electrolytes can help replace any lost hydration after riding. Fans are an important item to have on hand as well. They keep air moving, and now that it is dry and dusty, air movement is even more important.
To read more, pick up a copy of the August issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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