Ropers Sports News - November Issue - "Roping Dreams"

"Roping Dreams"

Since they were young buckaroos, they’ve watched the legends make their way to the National Finals, dreaming of having the opportunity to someday compete for a world championship. Now, two young cowboys have roped their way into making their dreams into a reality.

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Photo: Kirt Steinke

Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Ryle Smith was the champion. He won second at Rodeo Houston winning over $27,000. The Oakdale calf roper won a round at the Calgary Stampede. At the California Circuit Finals, they crowned him king of the Calf Roping and the All-Around Champion. And now, Smith is seated 12th with over $65,000 won in tie-down roping as he heads to his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. 

Although he has had a successful year, Smith was dealt a few bad cards that challenged his year as he strived to rise to the top. This summer a freak accident caused his horse to injure out for a month. He not only had to borrow a horse, but of course in the same time frame another issue occurred. With all the miles and hours of wear and tear on a vehicle, he began to experience truck issues. Although these were definitely stressful times, they didn’t keep Smith from trucking on to the next rodeo. He’s proved that through hard work and dedication, dreams will come true.

“I’ve calf roped since I was 13, I love it. I feel like I continue to get better the more I rope and that’s what motivated me to continue.”

How do you feel about making your first NFR?

Excited, and really happy to have the opportunity. Its been a life long dream of mine and really, the ultimate goal for me since I started roping professionally. 

Do you have a game plan going into your first round of the NFR?

I’m going to be third out, I’m going to ride my horse and because we get to break the calves in prior to the Finals I will be able to get a feel for what they will be like. I just want to rope to the best of my ability and to rope the way I know I can. I’m not really trying to drastically change my current routine, just do what got me there.

Who or what inspires you?

California calf ropers and cowboys inspire me, guys like Johnny Jones and Tom Ferguson – these were the guys that I looked up to when I was growing up. But, some of my biggest inspirations have been in my family, my grandpa, my dad, my uncle, and Ed Hirdes (my sister is married to his son).

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Photo: Kirt Steinke: Cody Snow and Dugan Kelly split the second round at Pendleton this year and that win of $4,064 helped ensure the team a trip to the 2016 WNFR. This will be Cody’s first trip. 

This year Cody Snow won over six California rodeo championships. From Oakdale to City of Industry, he’s dominated the team roping. From Preston, ID to Deadwood, SD, no matter how far he travels, you will hear his name at the top of the leader board. The 20-year old Los Olivos cowboy fell short last year, placing in the 20th spot for the world standings. But this year, with over $69,000 won and 10th in the world standings, Snow will be turning steers at his first Wrangler National Finals. 

How does it feel to qualify for your first National Finals?

I’m pumped about it. I’ve always wanted to be here since I was a little kid, so it’s pretty awesome to achieve that goal.

What’s your favorite rodeo and why?

My favorite rodeo is San Antonio because there are no fees and it pays so well.

Favorite win this year?

My favorite win this year is probably winning the second round at Pendleton because that was a much needed win that time of year.

Tell me about the horse you will be riding at the NFR.

I am going to ride my buckskin mare, Annie who is eight years old. I bought her as a 4-year-old and trained her myself. 

We are proud of you cowboys! You represent California well!

Western Horse & Gun - Rising From the Ashes - October/November 2016

In 1994, a successful upholstery shop was one of the eight businesses victimized in the well-known Seattle, Washington arsons. After the devastation from the fire, owner Ernie Apodaca lost his business, his money, his home on the lake and all the things he worked hard to acquire. Losing everything, Apodaca turned to alcohol to wash down his sorrows and began binging.

After realizing he needed to make some changes in his life, Apodaca prayed for guidance and answers to help start a new journey. His prayers soon guided him to a 28 day treatment program that he successfully completed and has maintained his sobriety for 22 years.

Apodaca is no stranger to challenging obstacles in life. He was born into the Black Foot Nation Indian tribe located in Browning, Montana. As a young child he experienced many health conditions that left him in the hospital. Shortly, he would find out that his mother disappeared and he would be a young Native American foster child.

“When I came out of treatment, everything was gone. So, I re-created Ernie.”

When Apodaca graduated from the program, he walked out as a new man but would soon realize he had nothing. His wife had left, he had no home and no money. But something significant happened while he was in the program. A vision to create furniture that was more than furniture. He would build furniture that was functional works of art. Furniture that would tell stories, incorporate culture and history and would be of the finest quality furniture and art combined.

With nothing to lose, Apodaca had a plan – he would propose his vision and ideas of the furniture to the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED). A component of this program is to support and provide resources for individual Indian businesses. A counselor, Patrick Curry, proposed an idea. The Seafair Pow wow at the Daybreak was two weeks away and Apodaca would be exhibiting his potential business and furniture. At this show, his booth traffic would be the deciding factor of how successful his business would really be.

In two weeks, with no money, no materials and no furniture, Apodaca needed to fill the space of his booth. He graciously accepted the challenge set out by the NCAIED and began using materials from his neighbor’s deck, scraped up a little money for hides and used foam from his past upholstery side jobs. He then visited Roger Fernandes, storyteller, Native American artist and painter, as well as a member of the Lower Elwha Band of the S’Klallam Indian tribe. Fernandes would hand paint the furniture. Odin Lonning, a traditional Tlingit Artist and carver would also begin collaborating with Apodaca and Fernandes, incorporating a combination of three different tribes and three different types of art.

The three artists created two chairs to fill their booth at the Seafair Pow wow. With an overwhelming amount of traffic and reaction to the furniture, Apodaca began to quickly blossom into his now, 6 year business in Tucson, Arizona as Apodaca Native Designs.

As business exploded, so did his need to create bigger, better and more beautiful pieces of art. He began incorporating saddle makers, Lisa and Loren Skyhorse to combine leather work into the decoration of the furniture. Also working with Pendleton Wool Mills, Pendleton fabric began to adorn couches, chairs and ottomans.  With a mixture of high quality leather, furs, hides and intricate handmade designs, wildlife, Native American designs and various wood carvings began to turn into art that came to life.

“For inspiration, I pray for guidance and let the material and the pieces speak to me.”

Apodaca’s furniture is unlike many others. He takes pride not only in the quality of presentation and art, but with a focus and sensitivity to his clients’ comfort and fit which is customized for the customer. With 45 years of furniture building, Apodaca’s furniture show no seams. He takes extra time with his customers asking specific questions about height and weight for custom fitting for seat depth and foam resistance, along with getting familiar with the customers’ personality and style of their home.   The highest quality foam is of extreme importance for comfort and every chair includes a lumbar for added support. It can take roughly four days to create his masterpieces.

Apodaca Native Designs is always evolving, thriving with passion and collaborating with the best artisans around. Currently, master craftsman and leather carver, Brian Esslinger, painter Karen Smith and painter, Pat Wasneac have joined Lonning and Fernades on Apodaca’s mission to produce marveling functional furniture art.

Courtesy: E. Apodaca

Courtesy: E. Apodaca

Confessions of a Cowgirl - Volume IX

“Read on,” says Grand Daddy as I look up and stare at him after reading the poem.

 “If Bat is still hanging upside down and immersed in darkness, you have met its contrary medicine. The position leads to stagnation of the spirit and a refusal to acknowledge your true destiny-which is always to use the talents you have to the fullest. Is there some area of your life that is dammed up and therefore stopped your destiny to create? If so, look at surrendering to the death of that stagnation.” [i]

I look up from the book and Grand Daddy and I meet eyes. His kind eyes smile at me while he gives me a nod to proceed. 

 “Bat can also imply that in the reversal of your natural cycle of rebirth you are trying to go at life in a backward mode. This is breech birth in a sense. This type of occluded understanding of how to go about freeing yourself can lead to a stillbirth if you struggle long in the birth canal. The final outcome can be death of the body. Some people think themselves into a corner with obstacles that are illusionary. By the time they decide what to do, the opportunities are gone and old age is upon them. All of their dreams have passed them by. Reserved Bat says to use your mind, courage and strength to insure an easy labor and quick delivery into your new state of understanding and growth. Surrender to the new life you have created from though and desire and bravely greet that dawn.” [ii]

 I felt like I had been slapped in the face. How was this so realistic and connected with my life? I look up again from the book with glossy eyes and wet lashes.

 “A paragraph more, you’re almost done,” Grand Daddy says.

 I continue on to the next page, “If you are concerned with today and tomorrow but not much further, you may forget to see further down the road. Tribal teachings say that you are responsible for future generations. Every decision, every thought, is to create a state of stagnation or rebirth for those that follow you on the Good Red Road. If you are blocking yourself, you may be blocking the generations to come. Bat flies at night, and in the night are born your dreams. These are the dreams that build future civilization, so nourish them well.” [iii]

 The air had been taken out of my lungs. I didn’t know what I was feeling because I was drowning in my life’s catastrophes. I lay back down on top of the log as the book lay open on my tummy.  

 “So cowgirl, tell me how do you feel about drawing the Bat?”

“Well,” I say with a deep sigh, “About a week ago Jimmy shot a small bat that was flying around the barn with his .410. For some reason, I thought it was weird. Then, the other day, I noticed Pablo picking up a big bat with a shovel that was lying in front of the house. And earlier, amongst these animals trying to eat me, I looked over and saw a bat…but it disappeared,” I responded.

 Grand Daddy smiles, “You are special and have such amazing gifts and talents you fail to use or even know you possess. It’s not your fault, but you need to learn. Now, let’s return to the contrary medicine of the bat.”

 Continuing to lay back, I nod and listen as Grand Daddy begins to explain.

 “It’s not coincidental that you drew the Bat cowgirl. It is not coincidental that you saw three bats and you pulled the upside-down Bat card. You must understand that everything is connected and if you look deep outside of yourself, you will realize and begin to listen to nature. You will begin to learn from the signs that are all around you.” Grand Daddy explained as he continued on.

 “Hanging-upside down Bat is a symbol for learning to transform yourself. It allows you to transform your former self into a newborn being. Since Bat has appeared in your cards today, it symbolizes the need for ritualistic death of some way of life that no longer suits your growth pattern. This can be a time of letting go of old habits and of assuming the position in life that prepares you for rebirth, or in some cases initiation.  In every case cowgirl, Bat signals rebirth of some part of yourself or the death of old patterns. If you resist your destiny, it can be a long, drawn out, or painful death. The universe is always asking you to grow and become your future.” [iv]

 I sit, speechless. I stare up at the sky, I don’t respond. 

 “So, what you need to do is really dig down deep. Who are you cowgirl?” Grand Daddy asks.

 And as I hear the crack of brush and voices in the distance, the ground vibrates and Grand Daddy, his card and books are gone. 

 I hear familiar voices yelling my name and I yell back.

 Yote is the first to arrive, his voice heightened, “Oh my gosh, JIMMY,” he yells. The brush gets louder as Jimmy runs through the tree line and straight towards us. 

 “Are you okay? What’s going on? I mean…” Johnny is shaking and panicked. 

 “I’m okay you guys, I am just so happy you are here. How did you find me?” I ask.

 “Well, Yote showed up at the house and said we had bad news. I was unsaddling the three year olds and was headed to go find you when I was done, but Yote came first,” Jimmy says with a cracked voice.

 “Did you see Moon?”

“Yes, she was standing by the trailer when we pulled in. It appears as her tail had been ripped or pulled nearly completely out. What the hell happened?” Jimmy asks.

 “Well, by the looks of it… you’re lucky to be alive,” Yote responds in a stern tone. “What were you doing out here anyways?” he asks.

 “Can you help me get up off this log and we can talk on the way home?” I say.

 “Oh, yes, of course but you’re not going home,” Jimmy says as he scrambles to my side. 

 “Be careful please, I think my legs are paralyzed,” I respond as my eyes meet Jimmy’s.

 “What…no, what…” tears start to stream down Jimmy’s check.

 “Alright,” Yote interjects. “Now, cowgirl can you move your legs or any part of your lower body?”

 “No.”

 “Okay, Jimmy squat down and hook your arms underneath hers and cradle her and carry her, lifting her slowly up,” Yote demands.

 Jimmy immediately straddles my legs, squats and gently hooks his arms underneath my armpits as he picks me up.

 “I am going to carry you to the truck.”

 “Hey, where are my dogs? Did you see my dogs?” I suddenly ask frantically.

 “Yes, they’re on the flat-bed. They were lying under a tree on top of a knoll when we found them.”

 “They didn’t go too far then, are they okay?” I ask.

 “They’re, great” Yote responds, “But we will all be better as soon as we know what’s going on. Now, let’s go we gotta get you to the hospital.”

 By the time we got to the truck it was dark. A big dog bed had been left in the back seat of the flat bed. Jimmy had put it out for my dogs to lay on. They looked content and were happy to see me.

I sighed with relief and smiled as I greeted them. I couldn’t even imagine how they felt, what they saw or heard and how scared and worried they were. I was surprised that Cookie hadn’t sniffed me out, but I am glad she didn’t because she probably would’ve been dead.

To be continued.

**If you wish to read previous stories click here

[i] Sams J.,  & Carson D., (1999). Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power                Through the Ways of   Animals, 204.

[ii] Sams J.,  & Carson D., (1999). Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power              Through the Ways of   Animals, 204.

[iii] Sams J.,  & Carson D., (1999). Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power             Through the Ways of   Animals, 204.

[iv] Sams J.,  & Carson D., (1999). Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power              Through the Ways of   Animals, 204.

"Women of the Wild West Collection" - Ropers Sports News - October Issue

               They’re the women of the old Wild West. Making statements is their name. Short tops and high tops, high heels and bright colors, Calamity Jane, Belle Starr and Prairie Rose are back! But this time, these cowgirls are here to help make statements in and out of the arena!
              Let’s start with flowers. You can’t ignore vibrant beautiful flowers. And fringe. You are always dying to have more fringe. And how about embroidery? Embroidered roses, embellishment, leather and vintage details. Now, how about all of those perfect details designed and created with such quality and class? Those romantic little details all combined into the perfect cowboy boot you have been day dreaming about!
             This fall, Rodeo Q brings to you, “Women of the Wild West Collection!” Inspired by the badass cowgirl’s of the 20’s and 30’s, boots will range in color, top height, heel size and various styles and designs. Prairie Rose, the champion bronc buster, this time will be turning heads as a short topped boot, decorated in roses and small colored details, with a nice under-slung heel. Fringe adorns Calamity Jane, the taller topped, brown boot with orange roses and orange scallops, paired with turquoise details. This cowgirl was known for her sharpshooting skills with the Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. Belle Starr, the notorious outlaw and horse thief, returns as a stunning tall topped brown cutie, decorated with cream roses. Leather toed tooling, a high under-slung heel and a vintage coin, illuminate the boot. Isabella, a style from last fall, will also be returning to the collection. The low topped black beauty showcases vibrant embroidered flowers on the tops and toes, with some light fringe detail. 
               For a better feel of the collection, I caught up with designer and cowgirl fashionista, Quincy Freeman, “We are currently offering the Prairie Rose boot which is a short top high heeled boot. It’s reminiscent of the 20’s and 30’s. The Calamity Jane and the Belle Starr are a tall top higher heel boot. Calamity Jane is a fun and fiery boot with details of embroidery and fringe. The Belle Starr is a bit more conservative with its brown color scheme and its cream embroidered roses. My favorite parts of the design are the silver dollar Conchos which takes you back in time. All styles play tribute to the Cowgirls of the Wild West!”
              Along with the “Women of the Wild West Collection,” Rodeo Q will be launching “Mucho Dinero,”a classic tack line. This line will feature various styles of vintage coin breast collars, headstalls, belts and dog collars.  National Ropers Supply (NRS) will be selling some of these pieces as well.
              These high quality, show stopping and statement cowboy boots and tack  will be on top of everyone’s must haves list!  No matter your style or mood, Q has something for you.
Visit www.rodeoquincy.com for more details.