The Legend Of Ann Secrest Hanson

Ann picking up at the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale

 

"Actually, 'Cowgirl Hall of Fame' could be considered pretty tame for Ann. 'Top Hand Hall of Fame' might be more fitting. In these times when you hear comments like 'she can do it just like a man', Ann can do it BETTER than most men when it comes to cowboying.....I know, because she has picked me off a lot of bucking horses." - Wally Badgett

I am thrilled to be writing this story about a cowgirl's life in a cowboy's world. There are few women around, quite like Ann Secrest Hanson. Ann is the type of woman I could only hope I could be half as handy as. Ann is a lady of many talents: wife, mother, horsewoman, poet, musician, National Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee, and one of the only women to pick up at PRCA Rodeos.

This past January I traveled to the Fort Worth Stock Show and was honored to tour the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. I am not a museum lover, but I was enthralled with the Hall of Fame and it's rich history. The members of the Hall of Fame and their stories were fascinating to me. Pictures of the old cowgirls made me realize that they were just flat out tougher back then. The clothes they wore, the horses they rode - they were proud to be respected in their trade. Visiting the Hall of Fame inspired me to write this blog; To highlight and honor women that I respect and admire.  

 

I came across a picture of a lady picking up a bronc rider. The caption read 'Ann Secrest Hanson from Jordan, Montana picking up at the World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale'. I was fascinated by this picture - a female pick up man! I thought to myself, 'you have to be some kind of hand to be a pick up lady!' I, oddly enough, had never heard of Ann. I immediately called my husband, who was raised his whole life in Jordan, MT. He scoffed and said "you've never heard of ANN SECREST?" I am apparently the only person in this area who didn't know about the handiest gal in Montana, (or anywhere in my opinion). When I got home from my trip I started trying to get in touch with Ann. I had to meet her. I had to find out who this gal was. Lo and behold I find out, she only lives a short distance from me. I called her, un sure if she would be willing to sit down with me for an interview. She gladly agreed and we met up for 4 plus hours, laughing and visiting. I learned so much in those 4 hours about rodeo and life in general. I knew immediately, I had never met a woman quite like Ann.

 

Anna May Fitzgerald, the second of eight children was born north of rural Jordan, Montana, and raised most of her life around the Fort Peck reservoir. She was brought up in the ranching lifestyle and developed a love for horses and western way of life. Team roping and barrel racing were some of her favorite events growing up. However, in a 1977 article published in WORLD OF RODEO, Ann said that barrel racing wasn't nearly as satisfying as snagging cowboys from the backs of snorting, bucking broncs. Upon graduating from high school, Ann attended Miles City Community College to study bookkeeping. Ann married in 1960 and has one son, Cotton. The Secrest family settled south of Jordan, MT at the small town of Cohagen, where they leased and eventually bought three different ranches and one farm. Walt Secrest was a pick up man that worked PRCA rodeos in Montana and surrounding areas, as well as the World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale. The Secrest's also hosted rough stock schools at their ranch where they awarded buckles and college scholarships to the winners. Ann helped with the pick up duties during the rodeo schools they hosted. On a rainy weekend at the Bucking Horse Sale in 1962, the committee was short one pick up man. Walt volunteered Ann to pick up that weekend, which started her pick up career that lasted over 30 years. Ann would pick up at the Bucking Horse Sale for the next 25 years. Her expertise would not only serve at the Bucking Horse Sale, but also at PRCA Rodeos, Indian Rodeos, bronc matches (including the legendary Home On The Range match in Sentinel Butte, ND) amateur, college and youth rodeos, as well as rodeo schools. Over the years, Ann and Walt picked up for stock contractors including Sonny Linger, Reg Kesler, JJ Smith, Harry Knight, and many others.

 

Did Ann experience discrimination as a female pick up lady? Absolutely. The only barrier she couldn't break was obtaining her PRCA card. "I tried to get a card, but they wouldn't sell me one," Ann said. "When I picked up at PRCA rodeo's, the stock contractor would have to call in to the PRCA to get permission for me to work their rodeo. The PRCA never turned me down and I appreciated that, but I would have liked to have been a member. Today they would have to sell me one or not let me work PRCA rodeo's. It would be called discrimination." Ann also experienced discrimination when she first started picking up at the Bucking Horse Sale, where the first two years she worked for a lower rate of pay. Eventually it was negotiated and she was paid equally as the male pick up men from that time on.   

"The best way I found to get along was to always ride a good horse, do a good job and don't say anything."

Ann was always known for riding good horses. Most of her good pick up horses came out of the Jordan, MT rancher and legendary Las Vegas gambling icon, Benny Binion's string of

Quarter Horses. "Benny was a good friend of ours. He was always real good to me," Ann explained. "Back then, it was nothing for them to have 500 head of horses come through that Bucking Horse Sale," Ann said. "So for two months before the sale, I would condition 20 head of horses for Walt and I to pick up on."  I asked Ann what one piece of advice she could give to pick up men these days and she replied, "ALWAYS have control of your horse!"

"I had a desire to pick up and I worked hard at it. I was tougher than hell back then."

 Besides picking up, team roping and barrel racing, Ann always wanted to learn how to bull dog. "I wanted to learn to bull dog in the worst way, but I was always two strides late getting down! The kids that hung around at our ranch for those rodeo schools, they always got a kick out of watching me try to bull dog. They were always trying to get me bucked off," Ann laughed. Although she watched many good bronc rides over the years, she never did want to try bronc riding for herself. "Oh hell no," she laughed when I asked her if she ever rode broncs. "I couldn't even ride a saddle horse when they bucked, let alone a bucking horse."

 

Wrecks? Yes, she's had a few. "In Towner, ND, a bucking horse ran under my pick up horse's neck and tipped us over," Ann recalled. "At the Crow Fair one year, a bucking horse came back out of the stripping chute and hit my horse broad side knocking him down and knocking me out for a little while. And one year at the Bucking Horse Sale, I had just picked up Larry Kane when my saddle turned and my pick up horse bucked us both off." Note: Star Photographer Mark Kron got a series of the photos in spite of Ann's begging him not to, the photos were published in the Monday morning paper! 

In the 1980's Walt and Ann would later divorce. In 2001, Ann married Robert Hanson and moved to the Logging Camp Ranch on the Little Missouri River in the Badlands of North Dakota. In 2003, Ann was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. "I'm sure picking up was the biggest reason why they selected me. I've always lived the cowboy life - lots of women have - but the pick up work is unique for a woman," Ann said. Ann had a surprise at the Hall of Fame induction. Multiple time World Champion saddle bronc rider, Dan Mortenson was on hand for her induction and gave a speech about Ann picking him up off his first PRCA rodeo bronc. Dan presented Ann and Robert with front row tickets to the NFR that year where they got to watch Dan not only win his 6th world title, but also tie Casey Tibbs for the most world titles in saddle bronc riding.

"Ann has the ability to do a man's job on horseback in the arena, yet can and does dress and act the feminine lady she is at the party at night." - Cy Taillion 

Ann does not disclose her age. When asked she replies as "I'm retired!" Nowadays, she enjoys watching barrel racing and studying bloodlines of barrel horses. She and her husband Robert have two stallions, a son of Sun Frost and a son of Fire Water Flit, that they run with their 20 head of ranch mares. She is an accomplished cowboy poet and enjoys writing western themed poetry in her spare time. 

"I've lived an interesting life and have a lot of aches and pains because of it. I think back on the many things I've done that others would have loved to do but didn't have a chance. There are women who are as good of hands, but they weren't able to exercise their potential. I thank God for all of my successes and overlooking my failures." 

In closing, I asked Ann if she had any advice for the readers:

"Always do your own thing, but not to the detriment of your family. Be yourself. Never let anyone make you be the under dog so they can glorify themselves. If you have a desire, work for it."

Grandma Ann, son Cotton and baby Jimmie Lee

"One of the craziest things I ever saw happen at one of the earlier Bucking Horse Sales was when Walt Secrest jumped from his horse onto a bucking mule. He rode him around the arena a little while and finally Ann came over to pick him up. Walt jumped onto the back of Ann's horse and sat back there, crouched on his knees. Then he began kissing and smooching Ann and the crowd loved it. Ann got mad and gave Walt an elbow in the ribs that knocked him off the horse and flattened him in the ground." - Owen Badgett

"I had the opportunity to see Ann in action in the arena picking up broncs and saving cowboys at the famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale for a number of years and other top rodeos in Montana. She earned herself the respect and reputation as one of the best in the business, and she can ride and rope as good as any cowboy that I have ever known." - Jay Harwood

"It wasn't until I left the ranch to rodeo on my own that I came to realize just what a "hand" my mother is. It was always a comfort to know that one of the best pick up men in the business was in the arena at my home. This accomplishment was often overlooked because she was just "Mom". She always had a home cooked meal or a bed for anyone who came home with me from a rodeo. The names of these young men, many of whom have gone on to rodeo professionally are too numerous to mention. Yet she will always be "mother Secrest" to all of them." - Cotton Secrest 

Article written by Bailee Murnion - author of Wicked Women of the West

 

The Wagon Wheel's Woman

Hello again friends! I apologize for not posting in a while, I have been working on some new interviews that I think you will all enjoy! Today we shall head down south (as us northerner's would call it) to the Wagon Wheel Ranch located in Lometa, Texas where Miss Kelsey Mosby works and trains horses. I first met Kelsey when I attended a team roping clinic when I was in junior high. Kelsey was one of the instructors at the clinic that I attended. That summer I traveled to some USTRC Roping's with Kelsey from Nebraska to Colorado to Montana (which was a long ways away from home for a little home schooled kid from Buffalo, SD). Kelsey is a kind hearted gal who I always admired as a kid. She could rope good and put a fancy handle on a horse - my kinda woman!

Kelsey grew up in California and now calls Rising Star, Texas home. Among many of her accolades is the 2013 Women's Ranch Rodeo Association World Championship where she and her ranch rodeo team, Push Hard Cattle Co., claimed the title in Dodge City, Kansas. Take note here boys, you could probably learn a thing or two about ranch work from this little lady!

I think while you’re riding, you’re always training – Kelsey Mosby

Kelsey & Gin Beam Merada

For more information on Kelsey, her horses and training, check out www.kelseymosby.com. And in the meantime, read this interview :)

1) Who do you credit your horsemanship/training styles to?

Kelsey: I can’t credit it to any one person, I am always trying to watch & pay attention to what other people are doing, especially people that I have admiration for and/or people that I think are a really good hand. I try to watch what they’re doing - some right ways, some not-so-right ways and I take note of all those ‘ways.’

2) Tell us about a typical day working on the famed Wagon Wheel ranch?

Kelsey: I have a string of Wagon Wheel horses that I’m riding, some to get them ready to start showing in RHAA and Ranching Heritage Challenge, while others I’m preparing for the annual Wagon Wheel Ranch sale on September 13, 2014. On days where we’re working mares, cattle or activities such as branding, I spend the day horseback. We start off in the morning after feeding the horses, we break for lunch around noon & finish up after lunch.

3) You have had a great deal of success in the Women's Ranch Rodeos, explain to the readers what a Women's Ranch Rodeo all entails.

Kelsey: It consists of four women on a team and there are five events: sorting, trailer loading, doctoring, branding & mugging. The team I’m on, Push Hard Cattle Co., we’ve never really practiced together but we all really think like-minded, so when it’s time to go compete we all pretty much just fall right into our spots & get our jobs done, while all riding pretty handy horses. In 2013 we won the WRRA World Championship for the year-end & also won the finals average at the WRRA World Finals Rodeo, in Dodge City, Kansas. My favorite event is… whichever one we win! Kidding aside, I really enjoy the sorting& the two roping events, mugging & doctoring… it’s hard to pick a favorite, I like them all!

 

Kelsey and her Women's Ranch Rodeo Team

 

4) What are the main traits you look for in starting young prospects?

Kelsey: I look at their papers – I like knowing how they’re bred. Of course, there are some cases one might not recognize anything on the horse’s papers & it turns out to be a good horse, but It’s always a good place to start. I look at conformation, a horse that’s put together well will hopefully move well which will transfer into a good riding horse. When I’m riding a horse, I want a horse that seems like he wants to get along with what I’m asking, instead of wanting to fight me.

5) How important are bloodlines to you?

Kelsey: Bloodlines are a great indicator of what the young horse could potentially be & what to expect from that horse. Bloodlines showing on papers are definitely helpful in resale. In breeding, it’s especially important, knowing which mare & stallion to pair up with one another to produce exactly what you’re wanting out of a foal. I think a good horse is still as valuable today as it ever was…

I’ve started a colt, I’m now training under saddle & my goal is to show it and win! It’ll be interesting to see if the experience I have with the colt is what it’s pedigree/bloodlines predict; for example, if the colt shows a high percentage of hybrid vigor, is the colt really [that] athletic…?

 



Kelsey roping at the USTRC National Finals in Oklahoma City



6) What's your favorite part of 'ranch life'?

Kelsey: Definitely it’s getting to work outside, getting to work with the horses… I joke with my friend that I don’t care to be known as a ‘cowgirl,’ but more so as a Horsewoman. Cows are good, but I wouldn’t enjoy working them, unless I was horseback - I don’t care to do it on foot! I enjoy being around animals & when people pay to get to do it on their weekend retreats, I get paid to do it daily and I LOVE IT!

7) I know you have traveled all over the country, but where is the coolest place you've ever visited?

Kelsey: I’m from the central coast of California, the weather and food are wonderful there, but I really love where I live now, in central Texas. When I travel, it always seems to be for horse-related events and there are so many close-by!

 

8) The handiest person you know is?

Kelsey: Several people come to mind that I look up to…

I compete in several different events like team roping & ranch horse shows. In each event, there are three or more people that I look up to & try to learn from… for example, in team roping – Lari Dee Guy, she’s really tough & extremely consistent & she wins a lot! Trip Townsend, he’s a really good hand, he rides well, he’s a tough competitor, consistent & he also wins a lot! I compete to win & I learn from all of those who win! While riding colts, I often ask my fiancé, Dylan Squires [a cowboy who day works], for advice on handling horses & working cattle – he’s a pretty good hand!

Kelsey & I - circa 2001? Maybe 2002?

 

Stay tuned ~ the next interview here at Wicked Women Of The West is on a National Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee originally from Jordan, Montana, any guesses?!

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.

 

The Best Never Rest

What get's you fired up? Where does your passion come from? What makes life interesting? My entire life I have grown up riding horses, living on a ranch and rodeoing, so naturally horses are my passion. I am inspired by "handy" people and great horses. And when I refer to handy people I am not talking about the ones that are blowing up your Facebook newsfeed. I'm talking about the ones that did enough winning in their day that they didn't have to brag about it. They let their winning speak for themselves.

We can all be inspired by ones that were different or the ones that lead interesting lives. Growing up, I had many opportunities to learn from some truly great horsemen and women. True "hands" fascinate me. The ones that have had to make their own horses, the ones that put the blood, sweat and tears into making a horse into a true winner. My inspiration comes from the ‘rags to riches’ stories or the true perseverance stories about the trainers never got defeated and never let their emotions dictate their training capabilities. I am motivated by the ones that came before us. Let's face it, they were tougher than we are. Life was harder back then. We could all learn something from their stories.

I will be quite honest here. I don't even follow a single blog. But I'm working on changing that! I love to read stories about fascinating people. This blog will cover a variety of areas and storylines. But I will warn you,  I have a full time job and am still raising a child (a.k.a. the guy I married) so, trust me, I don't have all day to sit down at my computer and write whatever comes to mind, but I will try not to neglect this blog :) I shall leave you with a quote that we should all remember on a daily basis:

THE BEST NEVER REST.