Ranches , Rodeos , and Steelers

Ronald Sikes · From: Corsicana, Tx

I am curious as to how many steel players grew up, or still live on a Ranch. How many may have participated in Rodeo events ?
I grew up on a 1600 acre cattle Ranch. I stared riding horses around the age of 4 or 5. Always participating in Horse Show events , and later , when I was old enough, Rodeos. Here's a couple of pics when I was a lot younger , and in much better physical condition, lol.

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Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Did you make the 8 seconds?

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I've been known to ride a ZB for 8 seconds.
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Tim Herman · From: Alberta, Canada

Used to get on some bulls many moons ago. I still live on a ranch in southern Alberta. Run some cows and teach guitars lessons. Ex road guy. Still get to play some steel from time to time as well.

Jana Lockaby · From: Kaufman, TX

Hey, Ron, now your just making me feel old. I didn't grow up on a ranch, but I've been sitting on horses since before I could walk. . I showed horses for years, until I lost my sight. Wish I could see those pics. James says you lookk a little different now. Was that at Cowbell? Takes me back to my younger days, but I had more sense than to get on one of those bulls.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

This Summer in Medora, ND I began to realise why people get so attached to horse. They're such beautiful animals.

Here I am backstage at the Medora Musical with my favourite - Cricket. No bronco riding or anything but I had a wonderful time just getting to know them a little bit.

Now I wish I had my own!

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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Larry Allen · From: Kapaa, Kauai,Hawaii

Cool Roger..I grew on a farm 25 miles from Medora. I was the ist guitar player on that show before Phil in the 1960's!!. Don't miss the horses or the horse***t...Larry Very Happy

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Ronald Sikes · From: Corsicana, Tx

Erv , lol , I did in fact make the 8 seconds. I probably got on over 300 bulls in my short riding career and had a blast. However , I think the Bulls won more times than I did. Lol.

Tim , That's a great pic. Thx so much for posting it. Of course the Calgary Stampede is still the Grandaddy of them all and Canada is such a beautiful Country.

Jana , The first pic was in Corsicana and the other one was in FairField , Tx. I used to ride at the CowBell though. Even back in the day when World Champion Donny Gay used to ride there. Although he was much better than I was. Sort of makes me feel old too knowing that was over 40 yrs ago.

Roger, that's a great pic with you and Cricket. Beautiful horse.
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Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

Did a bit of team roping in my younger days. Never good enough to rodeo.

Dave Grothusen · From: Scott City, Ks

I am a retired farmer/rancher. Started out in Little Britches. Never was worth a damn at it. Always landed on my head. Enjoyed team roping for a time. Now my right shoulder is giving me fits. I see a lot of guys in my area getting rotator cuff surgeries. The price we pay................

Chris Brooks · From: Providence, Rhode Island

Not a horseman at all (the horses know it, too!). But I enjoyed playing in the band at the Oral Zumwalt Memorial Rodeo in Missoula two years in a row. You know, "Wheels" as they all ride in . . . a memorable spectacle.

Chris

Jana Lockaby · From: Kaufman, TX

I don't know, ron? For some reason, the ground seems to be a whole lot harder now. don't you think?
If you're feeling a bit nostalgic, I have an appaloosa gelding that hasn't been ridden in a while. He's old, but I have no doubt, he'd give you one heck of a ride. Ask me how I know? James can verify it. He's been given a ride or two, on him, as well. lol
See you around.

Ray Harrison · From: Tucson, Arizona, USA (deceased)

Ron, great form, the toes turned out and all.
I grew up around Atkins and LaVernia, TX and chased a lot of cattle while growing up. Usually had 6-8 horses to choose from but always had a favorite.
When my wife and I were back in Branson a few years ago Moe Bandy and I were talking about the Blandford Rodeo Area outside of San Antonio where we used to ride as youngsters. Lots of fun..
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John De Maille · From: On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.

Back in 77', I worked the Painted Pony in upstate NY, doing their rodeo weekends. We played Friday and Saturday nights. Saturday nights were the liveliest because we played in the rodeo arena first, then, we played in the bar afterwards. I rode several broncs, when, the roster was short of a few cowboys. Luckily I never broke any bones, but, I sure ate my share of dust. They are fond days to look back on.

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

That is a beautiful horse, Roger. Horses do get to you; the most noble of animals.

For some reason, 'Someday Soon' has been on my mind lately, speaking of back in 'the younger days.'
'He loves his damned old rodeo...' as much as he loves steel. Just the thought of breaking fingers... I admire the courage of youth.

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Cricket says 'Thanks!', Charlie.

I'm home in Florida now (have been for nearly three weeks) and I do miss all of the horses backstage at Medora. I'd feed them sunflower seeds (which they seemed to love - probably for the salt content) and it was so much fun when they'd see me at a distance and walk over to get their treats.

I know I only bought their affection but I came to appreciate their dignity and beauty in a way I hadn't before. I'm still not comfortable sitting on them - too high off the ground for me! - and my riding skills remain derisory but I can easily understand how one can grow to love them.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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Gary L Reed · From: Castle Rock, CO

I have rodeoed and cowboyed most of my life. Was on the OSU rodeo team in the old days, worked on ranches and ran commercial feedyards for years. Team roped till I turned 70, gave it all up to play the PSG. Been 3 yrs playing now and having a ball. What little I have learned has been thanks to a lot of good folks, all whom are members of this forum. I still do some judging and will be judging at the WRCA finals in Amarillo in November. If any of you pickers happen to be there, look me up and we'll swap some stories.

Barbara Berg · From: Washington, USA

Hi I've done Omoksee's, barrel racing at the local rodeo's here in Washington, for 40 years.

Bo Borland · From: South Jersey -

I rode most all of my life, had a couple thoroughbreds that i raced back in the 80's and played polo locally until about 10 years ago.

I live about 8 miles from the Cowtown Rodeo Arena part of the First Frontier Circuit of the PRCA.
They claim to have to a oldest WEEKLY rodeo. It runs every Saturday night from May thru end of Sept.

Tommy Detamore · From: Floresville, Texas

It is a little known fact that steel guitar master Dicky Overbey was also a consummate horseman. He used to raise and break them, and loved doing that almost as much as playing steel guitar.

There is a legendary tale that Johnny Bush recounted at Dicky's memorial service (which was exactly one year ago today). It involved Dicky getting off the bus at a stop only to get left behind. The story goes that Dicky, realizing he had been left, took off on foot. Somewhere along the line he line he reportedly happened upon a horse and rode it bareback to the next town. Bush claims he got to the gig before they did!
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J R Rose · From: Keota, Oklahoma, USA

Looking GOOD Roger up their on Cricket. Almost looks like you know what you are doing. A whole lot of us are Drug Store Cowboys. I did grow up on a little farm/ranch and rode horse's for years but I never considered myself a True Cowboy. I do know some though.
J.R.
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Rich Upright · From: Florida, USA

I was born in Hell's Kitchen, and grew up in the bowels of New York City. People still can't believe I became a country musician & steeler.
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Duane Brown · From: Reno,Nevada USA

I grew up on a small (10,000 acre) cattle ranch in northern New Mexico. I never wanted to rodeo because I had more cow horses buck with me than anyone really needs to. The idea of getting on a horse or bull whose only purpose is to buck you off and/or hurt you never seemed particularly intelligent to me. I hope I never have to ride another horse, but I still have my saddle just in case.

Bo Borland · From: South Jersey -

I don't have a photos from my younger and wilder rides but I do have some more recent ones and even some WIN photos from my racetrack days.
Although I have played a looser, less formal game or 2 of "cowboy polo" on western saddles with giant mallet heads and softball and volley ball sized balls, these pix are of USPA regulation polo. English style polo saddles and all.

Ronald Sikes · From: Corsicana, Tx

Great stories and pictures. Thank all of you for sharing.
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