I found this article on the WEB this morning, I was asked by a friend, as few years ago to see what I could find out about the history of this association. Its mentions in the immediate paragraph below that … Continue reading THE EUROPEAN RODEO COWBOY ASSOCIATION (ERCA)
I was visiting with Pat Taylor this morning about making the move from Loving, Texas where he has spend the better part of five decades, back to Burnet County. He mentioned all the stuff you can accumulate in that length of time. He was telling about his many saddles that he has acquired over the years. He mentioned of all the saddles he has the Dee Collier Saddle he got back in 1965 was his all time favorite. I told him that I would check around and see what I could find out about Dee Collier Saddle Maker. Sure enough … Continue reading Pat’s Saddle
What Do You Mean It All Started As A Joke ? The first known felt hats were narrow-brimmed affairs worn by ancient Greeks and their gods. J.B. Stetson fashioned the prototype of the cowboy hat to entertain his hunting companions … Continue reading Some History Of The Cowboy Hat
When I was 18 years old I hauled a Ford Backhoe for a friend, Donnie Mullins from over at Simonton and dropped it off at a place on I-10 west of Houston, out near Katy. There was private landing strip … Continue reading She Said: “My Son’s Are Bull Riders”
Some of my first cowboy boots were bought at Capitol Saddlery in the late 50s. The sign still remains, even though the business has long since relocated. I think I was told that the location on Lavaca, between 15th and … Continue reading Buck Steiner and Capitol Saddlery
Early Rodeo Promoter and Ranch Hand on some of the big Ranches. He also went by “Cowboy” and “King“. http://cowboyandarenachampions/ Continue reading Austin F. Doolittle
Alpine, Texas – Sul Ross College at the base of that hill. It was established just 7 years earlier, as Sul Ross Normal College. The Difference A Hundred Years Can Make !! The Model T’s circled up in 1924 to form an arena for a rodeo. I took this photo in March 2017 from down in the flat where the rodeo was held. Continue reading The Early Years Of Rodeo – 1924.
A Great Part Of History With Roots From Right Here Under Our Feet. This Narrative From Frank Stiles. Born in the Miller Community, also known as Jenks Branch, midway between Leander and Liberty Hill, Texas. . Performed for royalty in europe, in madison square garden, starred in movies, and much more. Was eulogized by Will Rogers on his national radio show. Will Rogers also served as Bill Pickett’s hazer in his earlier days in rodeo bulldogging events. Bill Pickett mentored Will Rodgers, Tom Mix, and many others that went on to become motion picture stars and entertainers in the movies … Continue reading Bill Pickett – Invented Bulldogging
Mansfield, Texas For 45 years (1959-2004) the Kow Bell was the place to go for an indoor rodeo. There was something going on there almost every night. When in the early 1990s we were living in Waxahachie our 2 older sons, Matt & Mike rode for the high school rodeo club there. They participated all around north Texas against other young fellows riding rough stock. Matt rode bulls, while Mike rode bareback horses. For practice they would go to Kow Bell and for $10 they and several of their buddies would ride on certain nights. It is a place of … Continue reading Kow Bell Arena
I was the kind of kid that wanted to ride a donkey while everyone else rode horses. Tar Baby was an average donkey to most but he was my pride and joy. We rode in rodeo parades with me dressed as a clown. Tar Baby & Me Kenny, my older bother was quite the horseman. He lived to break and train horses. I was made to help with the horse breaking, but it was something that I could have done without. By the time I was 7 or 8 years old our spending money came from working with Shetland Ponies. … Continue reading The Sound of Hoof-Beats
Angora Chronicles 