Soapweed
Well-known member
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323916304578400503374361938.html
This Ain't No Bull: Nary a Cowboy Can Ride 'Em These Days
- Thread starter Soapweed
- Start date
A
Anonymous
Guest
mmmkay...I read the article backwards and forwards, it's cool...I'm all well and good with all the 'moxy' it takes to step-up and climb-aboard a bull and try to stay on, yadda, yadda, yadda....but to label oneself a 'COWBOY' while doing it....NOT so much.
Cowboys WORK for a living....bull-riding ain't 'work'...at least not by what I've seen written in the same Bible which that kid was so comfortable quoting from.
If that kid wants to EARN the title of 'cowboy', then why isn't he working for his folks, on their ranch (assuming they have one) ? ? ? at the very least, then they wouldn't have to hire some 'loser' waste his life away, slogging through irrigated-fields, or baking under the hot-sun digging post-holes, while 'Prince Charming' (ranchers-son) is off globe-trotting, chasing his short-lived dreams of fame and fortune under the arena lights ?
DISGUSTING.
'Cowboy' my ash.
What the hell is HAPPENING to the West anymore ? ? ?
Cowboys WORK for a living....bull-riding ain't 'work'...at least not by what I've seen written in the same Bible which that kid was so comfortable quoting from.
If that kid wants to EARN the title of 'cowboy', then why isn't he working for his folks, on their ranch (assuming they have one) ? ? ? at the very least, then they wouldn't have to hire some 'loser' waste his life away, slogging through irrigated-fields, or baking under the hot-sun digging post-holes, while 'Prince Charming' (ranchers-son) is off globe-trotting, chasing his short-lived dreams of fame and fortune under the arena lights ?
DISGUSTING.
'Cowboy' my ash.
What the hell is HAPPENING to the West anymore ? ? ?
Faster horses
Well-known member
ltdumbear, from your post I would be you have read 'the time it
never rained', except that ranchers son was a calf-roper. :?
BTW, that is one tremendous book. I thought it should be required
reading in schools. By Elmer Kelton. It's one you would never forget.
never rained', except that ranchers son was a calf-roper. :?
BTW, that is one tremendous book. I thought it should be required
reading in schools. By Elmer Kelton. It's one you would never forget.
ltdumbear2 said:
If these kids would have stayed home you most likely would'nt have a job.And if you were such a top hand you would'nt keep bounceing from one to the next. Sure their Rodeo Cowboy's but most of these guys are pretty handy in all aspects of ranching. It's their career path yours is to be a day worker.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Who told you I 'bounce' from one job to the next or that I consider myself to be a 'top hand' ? Do you even KNOW me ?
No...you don't; and even if what little you know about me was gleened from 'heresay', then I'm here to tell you that there's a lot more to me than meets the eye.
People know what I WANT them to know about me.
As for the 'bouncing-around', truth be told, I just don't feel like being a 'farmer'. There's more than enough of you around to keep the grass and feed growing, I don't feel the need to step away from what I ENJOY doing for a living, and re-invent myself doing something that I know for a fact I'm NOT meant to do.
If you have a problem with that, then that's YOUR affair, not mine.
No...you don't; and even if what little you know about me was gleened from 'heresay', then I'm here to tell you that there's a lot more to me than meets the eye.
People know what I WANT them to know about me.
As for the 'bouncing-around', truth be told, I just don't feel like being a 'farmer'. There's more than enough of you around to keep the grass and feed growing, I don't feel the need to step away from what I ENJOY doing for a living, and re-invent myself doing something that I know for a fact I'm NOT meant to do.
If you have a problem with that, then that's YOUR affair, not mine.
The story about modern bulls and bull riders was interesting. Personally, they pretty much took away my interest in the sport when the tied it to extremely loud rock music.
It has long been moving toward being a sport for both rider and the bull, rather than a true rodeo cowboy event, IMO.
The rest of rodeo events have so many contestants and such a rigorous schedule it is hard for 'real' ranch cowboys to participate, let alone excell, it seems to me. Maybe that is why Ranch Rodeo has evolved.
Maybe real ranch jobs are scarce enough that the ranchers' son doesn't have one, in many cases, rather than being some 'spoiled ranch kid' who doesn't have to work..........or maybe he has other work to support his 'passion' of bull riding. In any case, why does it cause such a vicious outburst? It's not as if there aren't plenty of 'wannabe's who use, or are given the "cowboy" label with no just cause!
Nor is that a good reason to criticize the guy with no real knowledge of facts, if that is the case, is it?
Makes me wonder, how many different definitions of "real cowboy" are there.....and my guess, it quite a few, and maybe more than one is accurate! Doubtless there are quite a few who seek, and even use, that title who do not deseerve it.......as well as probably more who truly deserve it, and they have plenty of observers who don't know how to recognize one!!!
It has long been moving toward being a sport for both rider and the bull, rather than a true rodeo cowboy event, IMO.
The rest of rodeo events have so many contestants and such a rigorous schedule it is hard for 'real' ranch cowboys to participate, let alone excell, it seems to me. Maybe that is why Ranch Rodeo has evolved.
Maybe real ranch jobs are scarce enough that the ranchers' son doesn't have one, in many cases, rather than being some 'spoiled ranch kid' who doesn't have to work..........or maybe he has other work to support his 'passion' of bull riding. In any case, why does it cause such a vicious outburst? It's not as if there aren't plenty of 'wannabe's who use, or are given the "cowboy" label with no just cause!
Nor is that a good reason to criticize the guy with no real knowledge of facts, if that is the case, is it?
Makes me wonder, how many different definitions of "real cowboy" are there.....and my guess, it quite a few, and maybe more than one is accurate! Doubtless there are quite a few who seek, and even use, that title who do not deseerve it.......as well as probably more who truly deserve it, and they have plenty of observers who don't know how to recognize one!!!
ltdumbear2 said:
Just how many of these cowboys do YOU KNOW? Obviously not very many to make the comments you did earlier. You also have posted in the past that you were unemployed, and looking for a job. To me that means you were bouncing around. You also IMPLIED that you were a top hand, and that the bull riders aren't. How bout I set up a little competition between you and about anyone of the bull riders on tour? Maybe a little roping, sorting, and just plain old ranch work? You just let me know when you are ready, and which one you want to take on.
A
Anonymous
Guest
I don't 'compete', nor do I feel the need to 'keep up' with anyone else.
I DO MY JOB, I do it well (ie: I don't leave 'loose ends' behind me for someone else to pick up behind me) and I go home to the bunkhouse at the end of the day.
I'm in bed early, so that I can wake up early and do it all over again the next day.
That's me, that's my 'life'.
Not sure what YOU people are thinking, but the 'posturing' doesn't impress me very much; quite the opposite.
People who embellish in 'pissing contests' when in the company of their peers, mentors or 'subservients' tend to bore me, to be completely honest with you.
I find that kind of wasteful posturing to be 'tedious' at best...sounds like the rantings of left-wing 'entitlement' if you asked me.
I may not be working right now, but at least I'm not on the Gov't Teat, and proud to admit I never have been, nor will be....EVER.
I DO MY JOB, I do it well (ie: I don't leave 'loose ends' behind me for someone else to pick up behind me) and I go home to the bunkhouse at the end of the day.
I'm in bed early, so that I can wake up early and do it all over again the next day.
That's me, that's my 'life'.
Not sure what YOU people are thinking, but the 'posturing' doesn't impress me very much; quite the opposite.
People who embellish in 'pissing contests' when in the company of their peers, mentors or 'subservients' tend to bore me, to be completely honest with you.
I find that kind of wasteful posturing to be 'tedious' at best...sounds like the rantings of left-wing 'entitlement' if you asked me.
I may not be working right now, but at least I'm not on the Gov't Teat, and proud to admit I never have been, nor will be....EVER.
Congratulations for being able to live life on your own terms, beholden to no one else!
Maybe it is different in different place, but it has been very rare to hear cowboys bragging on themselves, in my somewhat limited experience.
What seems to be the case is they all are bragging up, generally with considerable respect, others they know or have seen over time.
The admired ones run the gamut from old time cowboys to most current ones either on the rodeo circuit, or on the range.
mrj
Maybe it is different in different place, but it has been very rare to hear cowboys bragging on themselves, in my somewhat limited experience.
What seems to be the case is they all are bragging up, generally with considerable respect, others they know or have seen over time.
The admired ones run the gamut from old time cowboys to most current ones either on the rodeo circuit, or on the range.
mrj
Faster horses
Well-known member
Personally, it's my thought that the professional rodeo cowboys are
ATHLETES. Some are cowboys, some aren't. What difference does it make?
I sure uphold cowboy athletes like Trevor Brazille who always presents a good image for kids to look up to.
Yes, ranch rodeos are more for true ranch cowboys...however I saw
some at the BHSS Ranch Rodeo qualifying round in 2012
that were gunsels and should not have been there. I'm not talking about those that made
the finals, I'm referring to some of the ones in the
competition earlier in the day. They were pathetic; hard on horses and cattle.
It was so bad that Jan Swan Wood even mentioned it in her column in the Tri-State News.
They may have thought they were cowboys cuz they carried a rope and
rode a horse, but they are the only ones who thought that.
There were some good ones that made every thing look easy. They
were really smooth and enjoyable to watch. They rode good horses, too.
Carry on.
ATHLETES. Some are cowboys, some aren't. What difference does it make?
I sure uphold cowboy athletes like Trevor Brazille who always presents a good image for kids to look up to.
Yes, ranch rodeos are more for true ranch cowboys...however I saw
some at the BHSS Ranch Rodeo qualifying round in 2012
that were gunsels and should not have been there. I'm not talking about those that made
the finals, I'm referring to some of the ones in the
competition earlier in the day. They were pathetic; hard on horses and cattle.
It was so bad that Jan Swan Wood even mentioned it in her column in the Tri-State News.
They may have thought they were cowboys cuz they carried a rope and
rode a horse, but they are the only ones who thought that.
There were some good ones that made every thing look easy. They
were really smooth and enjoyable to watch. They rode good horses, too.
Carry on.
flyingS
Well-known member
I did not read most of the post on this topic, just enough to see through the crap. I am not 100% sure but I think the whole darn post was taken out of context. The gentleman and rancher/COWBOY quoted in the article is from Hyannis, Nebraska. Steve Ravenscroft was born, raised and lived his whole live in the Sandhills, as well he raised a couple pretty darn good girls here. He is a top hand and COWBOY among COWBOYS. He has worked hard and developed a very successful bucking bull business. My guess is that may be the reason for sharing the article. Am I speaking out of turn maybe so. I grew up with Steve's daughters and have known them most of my life. I am familiar with his bucking stock and have fought his bulls. I have also worked along side him at neighboring brandings. A stock contractor he may be, believe me he will get it done with the best of them and he is making a heck of a living doing what he is doing. It is hard to argue with success.
I bought a bucking bred bull off of Steve one time. A Rapid Fire son out of a Whitewater Skoal daughter. I drove out there from SW Iowa, jumping on highway 2 at Grand Island to see the sights on the way out...then I-80 home. Julie wasn't there. Steve offered for me to stay the night in their guest cabin, but I had to get back to chore....I think it took 20 some hours with the looking out every window on the way out, tour of his stock, chatting a bit watching bull riding on t.v. and drive time.... 
. It was fun!
edited: all message boards should have spell check, AND, the right word used check.... ....or I could just pay more attention to what I'm doing...
. It was fun!edited: all message boards should have spell check, AND, the right word used check....
....or I could just pay more attention to what I'm doing... Soapweed
Well-known member
jigs said:did not read the whole article, but you point out he is a Sandhills Cowboy..... does that mean he has a Polaris Ranger, camera, and some pretty women doing his work ?? :wink:sorry Soap...devil made me do it
Steve is the real deal when it comes to being a top hand. It is born and bred in his family, as he and my wife, Peach, are first cousins. Steve's dad was a brother to Peach's mother. In my own case, it's not what I know but who I know. :wink:
flyingS
Well-known member
I went back through and read these post again and re-read the article. Ltdumbear2, sir I mean no disrespect put I find your post to be one of the most ignorant post I have ever read. I am sure this will ruffle some feathers but I thought I would educate you a little bit so that you may understand these young men. It is true that very few of the young men that ride bulls to day are cowboys, matter of fact lots of them don't even come from an agricultural background. A good share of them were raised in Urban areas and are chasing a wild dream. There is nothing wrong with physical labor and doing what you love, there also is nothing wrong with following your dreams and being paid extremely well for being successful at it. Justin McBride is a personal friend of mine and attended high school at a neighboring town. He is a few years younger than I am. After his success in the PBR and a world title Justin bought his folks a ranch. He accomplished 2 dreams and used a career to make a dream come true for himself and his family. Many of these kids are living their dreams and have had to pay their dues to get there. It is not an easy road and you have to make a lot of sacrifices to get to a point where you can make a living at it. They are not so different from yourself. You don't like being judged by your piers, yet you are quick to judge a group of young men you know nothing about and obviously know nothing of the sport. I have been involved in rodeo as well as being ranch raised and spending a lifetime in ranch country, as many others here. It is not my place to pass judgement on you, nor is it my place to speak ill of something I do not understand because I don't believe it is an admirable trade. Sorry to be so matter of fact, but I feel you are out of line Sir.
gcreekrch
Well-known member
flyingS said:
Eloquently spoken. :clap:
LazyWP said:
Thanks!, LazyWP! I grew up by where they are from in Iowa. I think a big part of what I am all into now actually started in a short time period when I was around kindergarden or maybe hadn't started school yet. They were a part of it in a way. All part of my earliest childhood memories.
For a short while, we lived on a little acreage north of them. We had a lamb, bottle calf, chickens and a couple dogs. My dad got layed off from his factory job and helped them out with their feedlot and cow herd until he got called back. I think Chad was already out in Neb some where at that time.
Dub had a big Limousin bull named Okeechobee. I would sit there and watch him while my dad and every one worked. He was in with a Charolais bull. I've been obsessed with bulls every since and had having a ranch, feedlot, cowherd, etc was a good thing planted in my brain, as well as the small critters were fun too at our own house. We moved to town shortly after and I was a town kid until I graduated. I happened to move out of my grand parents house into a house 2 miles from their feedlot. Dub was gone, his house was gone, no cowherd...all row crop, but the feedlot was still going. They always kept their grounds looking very nice! I stopped and talked to their dad one day while he was mowing, but I don't know if he remembered me.
Thinking back now I guess, I loved that time period! I was lost and unhappy the whole time in town without knowing why and am happy again! ...
. Funny how life works out sometimes.
