The Beauty of the Big Hole Valley

Hello again friends! I am thrilled to introduce you to the baddest of bad cats. I’m talking about the only girl I know that can out rope most men when it comes to ranch roping. I’m talking about the girl who could make every good team roper look like a klutz in the branding pen.  I’m talking about the handiest of all hands. I’m talking about my dear friend, Justine Reynolds Munns. Justine grew up in the heart of my favorite place on God’s green earth, the Big Hole Valley in southwestern Montana. If you don't believe me that this is the most wonderful place on earth, look here: 

She grew up with cowboying and ranching running deep in her family, being the great niece of the late World Champion and Hall of Fame Cowboy, Benny Reynolds. Justine and I first met while we were going to college at the University of Montana Western in Dillon, Montana. We became instant friends. Justine is a humble, no nonsense type of person. She can outrope you just as fast as she can tell you to ‘get bent’, and that’s why I love her! 

During our college days, we rode and roped together quite a bit as Justine was training a sorrel mare named Jazzy. I begged and pleaded her to sell me the mare and she finally agreed. I immediately jumped at the opportunity to buy the mare that I had longed for. She was everything I hoped for. Justine made Jazzy the horse she is. Not me.  

Jazzy and I in 2012.

Justine has a way of training horses to do just about anything, and she isn't afraid to belly kick one either, another reason I admire her! She’s the toughest, hardest working girl I know.

 

Happy wedding day! Justine and I, along with our former college rodeo coach, Iola Else.

Mr. & Mrs. Caleb Munns ~ tied the knot in July of 2012

Justine's interview:
1) Tell us about a normal day working on the River Bend Ranch?
Justine: A normal day....it's hard to say what a normal day would be so I will tell you what a normal day during the summer time would be because summer time is my favorite season! Caleb runs horses in at 6:00am and we saddle our horses. Then we head over to the cook house and have breakfast. The rest of the the day we are riding through grass calves and heifers doctoring. I love being able to do this stuff with my husband!

2) What's the main quality you look for in a horse?
Justine:  A good mind! I like one with a ton of heart and willingness! I've been on some horses that were very physically able and put together perfectly but they just didn't want to work for you. And I've been on some that weren't put together as nice and maybe not so physically able but they would try their guts out for you. I would pick brains over beauty any day!
3) Tell us about the best horse you've ever rode?
Justine: Well....this is a tough one! I will start by saying I'm a mare rider! I truly believe mares have more heart. And they are strictly business all the time! Also, horses are like people, they are all different so it's hard for me to peg a best one! But right now my favorite horse is a bay mare I raised from a baby. Her mom still has colts for me. She's by a son of First Down Dash. This mare is bred only to run but she's still the cowiest horse I've ever rode! Since she's bred so hot I work really hard constantly to keep her quiet but that's my style of riding so we fit together really well! She has a fantastic mind. She loves to work. She wants to go 100mph all the time but I love the enthusiasm! I think it's safe to say she tries too hard a lot of times. I also have a young horse coming up that's by a son of Peptoboonsmal and she is by far the most physically capable horse I've ever ridden. She has a fantastic mind also!
4) What's the one piece of tack you can never be without?
Justine: This one's kinda tough too! I'll avoid the obvious such as a saddle. I really love to rope...I live to rope! So if it counts I'm gonna say a rope! Or I'd say my favorite snaffle because I know I could ride any one of my horses in it...if I didn't have anything else.
5) What's on your bucket list?
Justine: Going places for vacation is flattering but it's not really my thing. It would be cool to see the ocean one day but right now I can say if I never did, I wouldn't be too upset over it. Ever since I was young starting out roping I've always dreamed of being a fantastic heeler. I just think it would be so awesome to be able to hold my own against the best of the men out there. I want to get to the point where I can hold my own against the really great men out there as a whole! I mean as far as roping goes. That's the one thing I care most about and I constantly work very hard at.  
6) And finally, the handiest person you know is...
Justine:  There are a lot of people I look up to out there! And I can't pick one of them out so I will say my childhood hero, my great grandmother "Brownie". (She would be Benny's mom). I heard when I was really young how tough that lady was and how she could stick the rankest of horses! She was everything! A hell of a hand, a mother, and a wife! I still look up to her! I've always wanted to be just like her! Brownie passed way when I was 14, so fortunately I got to know her pretty well and I can still remember her really well.

And that, my friends, is Justine ~ isn't she a sweetheart?

 

Happiness and All That.....

“Oh I am SO happy for you."

 How many times have we said that? I’m betting that most of us could agree that we’ve used this phrase often. Ok, how many times have we said that and meant it? Truly being happy and celebrating someone else’s happiness is rewarding and humbling. We, as women are traditionally, ‘happy for ourselves’. But yet when a friend gets a better man, a fancier house, a newer vehicle, or a faster horse, we instantly have the jealousy factor. We can smile and say “oh that’s so great” and in the back of our minds think “how did SHE afford that?!” Don’t sit here reading this thinking you’ve never done that. We all have.

Celebrate others achievements. Jealousy is a powerful thing. And unfortunately, jealousy leads to the demise of friendships. Instead of encouraging and congratulating, we tend to focus on either: 1) feeling sorry for ourselves because we don’t have what he or she has, or 2) trying to get the next bigger and better thing so all of our friends can pat us on the back. I challenge you to share the joy in others endeavors. Stop worrying about what others have accomplished before you did. Your time is coming. But yet, don’t lose sight of your dreams just because you don’t succeed the first time or because somebody else achieves them. They are still your dreams and all your hard work is still yours. The most rewarding thing you can do is invest time and effort into someone else and see them succeed. It’s amazing how things can fall into place for you when you stop worrying about what someone else has accomplished. Instead of worrying about how you can out-do someone, GENUINELY share in that person’s joy and happiness. Trust me, you will feel much better about yourself.

When I Grow Up I Want To Be Like Mesa Pate

 If you have picked up the most recent issue of the Western Horseman you saw a striking brunette gracing the cover. Mesa Pate is a household name among the top bucking bull stock contractors in the PBR business. She burst onto the scene launching her career several years back with a bull by the name of Highway 12. This bull went on to be a contender for the PBR Bucking Bull of the Year, PBR Finals bucking bull, and PBR short round bull.  

This Montana raised cowgirl comes from a long line of horsemen and cattlemen. She is the daughter of the renowned horse trainers and clinicians, Curt & Tammy Pate.  She has a genuine appreciation for the ranching lifestyle and in my mind is the true definition of a cowgirl. Mesa Pate is the type of girl that knew what she wanted, so she did it. She started into the bucking bull business as a fresh teenager barely out of high school and within a short time was a name that was well respected in the PBR stock contracting business. She’s humble, she’s gorgeous, she’s handy and she’s the epitome of a wicked woman of the west. 

Mesa was kind enough to answer a few questions for my first blog interview, thanks Mesa!

 

1) Why bucking bulls?

MESA: Well, I don't have a very good answer for that.  I've just always really liked rough stock, both bulls and horses.  But once I had the opportunity to be around bulls a little I just loved them.  Then I ended up having a decent eye for them, so sometimes it actually works out!

 

2) What has been the biggest challenge in life and how did you overcome it?

MESA: I can't think of a certain period of time that was more difficult than another.  I think we are all faced with challenges constantly.  Right now I'm going through figuring out what direction to go with my business, and it's hard.  I'm also dealing with some personal things that are hard.  But the great thing about having livestock is that they don't care if you are so stressed, embarrassed or sad to get out of bed.  They still need to be taken care of.  And as corny as it sounds, the little things like a horse understanding something you have been trying to teach it, or a bull bucking and kicking across the pasture when they feel good just make it alright.  I think as long as you realize how blessed you are, even if things aren't going exactly right, then there's no reason to quit.

 

3) Who has been the most influential person(s) in your life?

MESA: My parents and grandparents for sure.  I have a bunch of handy, strong, smart, awesome people in my family.  

 

4) What's the greatest piece of advice you've been given?

MESA: I've been given a lot of great advice that I definitely can't remember word for word, but I think the best and for me the most memorable quote I've heard is "don't let success get to your head and don't let failure get to your heart."

 

5) You work in a primarily male dominated sport, how did you 'break through' and earn respect as a female stock contractor?

MESA: I try to never think about being a female because it honestly doesn't matter.  You don't deserve any more respect than anyone else just because you are a girl doing what people look at as a man's job.  If you act respectfully you will be respected.  If you are good at what you do you will be respected.  If you are kind to people you will be respected.  Just be humble.  And sometimes they won't respect you no matter what you do or how well you do it.  But as long as you always try to do the right thing, be respectful and put your livestock first, you can at least respect yourself.    

 

6) Do you ever feel pressure being in the spotlight? If so, how do you handle it?

MESA: Yeah, I do.  I'm a pretty private person, more so now than a couple years ago.  To handle it I just think about how important it is to share our industry and that I need to do my part to do that.  

 

7) What's on your bucket list?

MESA: Go to Europe, which I am doing in June!  I also want to see Alaska and Patagonia.  I love traveling.  I also want to write a book. 

 

8) Tell us about the best horse you've ever rode?

MESA: I've been lucky to ride some really good ones.  The one I'd probably pick over any is my little bay horse, Dakota.  He isn't anything fancy, but he is honest and will do whatever you ask of him.  He's the one I feel comfortable going out and roping anything on.  He's taught me more than any other horse. 

 

9) What's your favorite movie or tv show?

MESA: My favorite movie is All the pretty horses.  My favorite TV show is probably Friends.

 

10) What's on your ipod?

MESA: Oh man, I'm such a music freak.  And I like such a variety.  In the span of about ten songs I will have artists like the lumineers, George Jones, Beethoven, Ian Tyson and Lil Wayne.  Music is probably my only big hobby outside of anything to do with horses and cattle. 

 

11) The most interesting place you've ever visited?

MESA: Probably Hawaii.  The culture there is so cool, the country is amazing and the food is outstanding.  I've been really lucky to spend time with locals when I've been there and see the ranching heritage and visit places away from the white sandy, tourist beaches..

 

12) What's your favorite fashion statement?

MESA: Creased jeans for sure.  And a great pair of boots.  I'm really not a fashion person.  I like cute clothes as much as the next girl, but I just never get to dress up.  But as long as I have a pair of creased jeans on I feel professional and classy.

 

13) And finally, the 'handiest' person you know is?

MESA: My dad for sure.  He's the best hand I know with a horse and cattle.  My boyfriend, HD Page, is the best hand there is with bucking bulls.  I'm lucky to have been able to learn from both of them, and continue to!  My mom is the handiest woman I know, and who taught me you can be a lady and a hand at the same time.