There’s little question that when cowboys converse, it may take a translator for the uninitiated to understand. In celebration of the puncher parlance, here’s some entertaining cowboy idioms and slang terms of yesteryear, pulled from the wonderful book, Cowboy Lingo, by Ramon F. Adams.
► “pet makers” | ...
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He doesn’t climb walls or swing from skyscrapers, but Singleton Ranches’ Thorn Doc Bar (barn name, Spider) is a superhero in the eyes of Wesley Gugdell. And now, everybody who's watched the WRCA’s World Championship Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo knows too.
For the first time, the WRCA named the top Ranching Heritage ...
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In 1948, Howard Hawks released Red River starring John Wayne. Though not his breakout role, critics argue that it was in this role as Thomas Dunson that Wayne began to show his range as an actor. In honor of the film’s 70th anniversary (ok, we're posting this article a little late!), we rank Duke’s top 10 Western ...
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Justin Peterson’s only goal at the 2018 World Championship Ranch Rodeo in Amarillo, Texas, was a world title for the Haywire Cattle Company. Any other accolades would be incidental.
As it turned out, Haywire came close. After winning both the bronc riding and the calf branding averages, Haywire finished second to ...
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One of the most unique elements of ranching culture is the brand. The idea of identifying one’s livestock by burning letters, numbers or objects on them is at once peculiar and unavoidable. From the days of the Old West until now, branding is the only surefire (no pun intended) way to claim ownership. Down through time, ...
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One of my favorite songwriters, Guy Clark, wrote a tune called “South Coast of Texas.” As with all his work, it’s smart and evocative. The song opens, “The south coast of Texas is a thin slice of life. It’s salty and hard, it is stern as a knife.”
I don’t know if Guy Clark ever visited the King Ranch, but ...
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If there’s one thing that life as a cowboy gives you, it’s lots of stories. When you’re dealing with wild cattle and snorty colts—as well as the characters who live their lives as cowboys—you’re sure to stockpile some good tales.
At the World Championship Ranch Rodeo on Saturday, Nov. 10, two legendary ...
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What time is it? It’s rodeo time!
The 23rd Annual World Championship Ranch Rodeo kicks off in Amarillo tonight and runs through Nov. 11 at the Amarillo Civic Center, so it’s the perfect time to outline the ultimate visitor’s guide. Based on attendance to the event both as a spectator and fan, here’s my list of ...
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Another regular season is in the books, and with that, here’s the official list of teams that have qualified for the WCRR!
Detwiler Cattle Co./Heck Cattle Co., Childress and Clarendon, Texas, qualified at the Coffeyville Interstate Fair & Ranch Rodeo, Coffeyville, Kan.
Haywire Cattle Co., El ...
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As the summer winds down into fall, cow works are cranking up. Some folks are shipping yearlings off summer grass. Others are weaning calves and pregging cows. No matter what the individual operation’s pace is, a change in season almost always means a change in the works for the American agriculturalist.
For many—...
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