Wednesday Mini Mag

Training Kids and Horses By Erin Glassman

The past 18 years have been quite an adventure. I started with brushing up on riding skills with lessons (I wanted to have a better knowledge base on riding than just my previous experience of hopping on family and friends’ horses before I owned one) to co- owning a small breeding operation and training business and having an accumulation of competitive miles on the trail into the 4-digit range. One thing I learned early on with my horseback riding was that communication is key--learning to “speak” to these thousand-plus pound animals in a way that they could understand through pressure and release was a primary importance, followed closely by the consistency necessary to make sure what I was “saying” to them was clear. I also learned early on that every time we get on a horse, we are training them for something.

Partway through the journey the kids showed up. These little adorable beasties that melt your heart, steal your attention, and vie for your mind every waking hour they are around you were somewhat of a mystery to me. I knew horses far better (and even like the smell of the horses better sometimes!) than I knew kids--sure I’d babysat and been around them, but having your own is a whole new can of worms. Not a lot of time passed before I found some similarities in horses and kids. With both you’re hoping to establish a good working relationship and respectful interaction so that your horses and your kids are pleasant to be around at home and away. While there are some days that round penning the kids sounds like a fantastic idea in more ways than one, I haven’t been able to consistently apply that training device. The principles of consistency, patience and learning how to communicate however, have applied nearly on a daily basis. Like horses, kids need to know their boundaries. For horses this applies a lot when I’m establishing some space for safety and respect. While I often am unable to enforce space for safety and respect with the kids, limiting their screen time and teaching them

how they are expected to behave in public are some forms of boundaries I have put in place. As mentioned before being consistent with these ideas helps to form that overall, back and forth.

Like horses, kids need clear communication. If I’m going to ask something, I better be able to follow through with it, whether it be for my horse to stop every time I sit deep and say “Whoa!” or if I ask my kids to pick up the living room. If I don’t follow through and allow them to get away with not meeting my requests, both the horses and kids are liable to run over me! Like horses, kids respond well to a strong leader they know they can trust. Either way, if I can keep my cool and help guide horses or kids through stressful times, they can learn that staying calm and thinking their way through problems is a better choice than allowing their reactive sides to kick in. As with all our paths, none of us are perfect and these are just a few of the things that horseback riding has taught me that I hope to keep trying to apply to my parenting. I hope that I can keep moving forward in horsemanship and parenthood, even when they’re old enough to drive!!!

- Erin Glassman

National Finals Steer Roping At Mulvane To Highlight Kansas Father And Son Competing Against Each Other By Frank J. Buchman

It’ll be a father and son battle yet a happy reunion when two Kansas cowboys rope this week at Mulvane. The “Top 15” steer ropers in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) will be at the Kansas Star Arena They’re qualified for the Clem

McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping (NFSR), Friday and Saturday, November 6-7. At the facility in Mulvane since 2014, the 10-round competition determines the next world champion steer roper. All eyes in Kansas and around the world will be tightly focused on Rocky and Cole Patterson of Pratt. For the second year, the Pratt County ranchers are both qualified for the NFSR. Competing for the first time last year, Cole comes in leading the standings with regular season winnings of $55,597. This will be the 26 th trip to the NFSR for dad Rocky Patterson, a four time world champion steer roper. He’s ranked 14 th in the world this year with regular season winnings totaling $26,937. At conclusion of his first NFSR qualification last year, Cole was 15 th in the world with $44,045. Rocky Patterson concluded the 2019 season ranked ninth with $66,912 Cole would love nothing more than joining his dad as a world champion steer roper. “I’ve been around steer roping my whole life with my dad,” the six-foot-one, 180-pound, 25-year-old cowboy said.

“I’ve known all of the top steer ropers and look up to all of them just like I do Dad. To have my name in the same category is pretty rewarding. It’s every kid’s dream growing up to put on that world champion buckle,” Cole admitted. However, the second generation world class steer roper is most realistic about his championship outlook. “It’s a 10-head marathon at the steer roping finals,” Cole emphasized. “If you look back to just about everyone who has had good finals, they had a good first round.

“That first round sets the pace for the next nine head, it seems,” Cole analyzed. “You can’t put all the weight on the first one, but last year I got off to a bad start. When your game plan goes out the widow right after starting it usually is not a good thing.” The clock was stopped by Cole on only three steers at last year’s finals worth $5,420. Rocky collected $26,098 at last year’s finals to be 13 th . In his 26 th trip to the NFSR, Rocky, 55, was the world champion steer roper in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2016.

The five-foot-11, 190-pound cowboy was the PRCA Steer Roping Rookie of the Year in 1992. Cole matched his father’s feat as the Steer Roping Rookie of the Year in 2019. Horsepower is key to rodeo arena success and the Pattersons have one of the best. Mr. Blackburn Chex 113 “Dunny,” owned by Rocky Patterson, was the Steer Roping Horse of the Year in 2019. Ridden by Cole throughout this year and at last year’s finals, Dunny is expected to see action limelight this weekend. “That horse doesn’t ever do anything to just drop your jaw, but just always stays out of your way. He never hurts you,” Cole said.

In his 2020 campaign Cole won rodeos at Bellville, Texas; Kadoka, South Dakota; Coleman, Texas; Deadwood, South Dakota; and Douglas, Wyoming. In his first year as a professional cowboy in 2018, Cole was 109th in world steer roping standings. This year, Rocky won the Ron Ross Memorial Steer Roping at Liberty Hill, Texas. In 2016, Rocky placed in eight rounds setting a record for most earnings at the NFSR with $70,651. He was first in the 2016 world standings with $142,350, a record for most steer roping earnings in one season. Still tough NFSR competition is faced by the Kansas cowboys. Three-time world champion Scott Snedecor is second with $53,210. Vin Fisher Jr., last season’s runner-up, is third with $49,797. Last season, Trevor Brazile notched his PRCA-record 25 th world championship claiming the NFSR gold buckle winning the average in Mulvane.

Brazile enters this year’s competition in fourth place with $48,387. His brother-in-law Tuf Cooper sits in seventh with $35,655 "The standings are pretty close," Cooper evaluated "Cole is roping really well. He had a great season and congratulations for him going in first place. “But you have to finish it, and with nearly $10,000 for round winners it is anybody's ballgame,” Cooper rationalized. “There are many very good steer ropers so it is any gunslinger's game." Rounds at the NFSR pay six places: first, $9,155; second, $7,577; third, $5,998; fourth, $4,420; fifth, $2,841; and sixth, $1,579. The average also pays six places: first, $27,347; second, $22,632; third, $17,917; fourth, $13,202; fifth, $8,487; and sixth, $4,715.

Welcoming spectators to the NFSR, Jeff Babinski, Kansas Star Casino manager, said “We feel like the home of the NFSR. We’re so excited to have it back again.” “The National Finals Steer Roping has certainly found a home in Mulvane,” PRCA executive George Taylor said. “Our steer ropers love competing for a gold buckle in the friendly confines of the Kansas Star Arena.” CUTLINES Cole and Rocky Patterson, professional steer ropers from Pratt, have qualified for the National Finals Steer Roping at Mulvane November 6-7. Cole is ranked first in regular season standings while his dad Rocky is 14 th .

At the Coleman, Texas, rodeo this year, Cole Patterson, Pratt, showed his winning steer roping form taking home the first place check.

A four time world champion steer roper, Rocky Patterson, Pratt, won a first place check when he roped at San Antonio, Texas, in 2016. That year he placed in eight rounds setting a record for most earnings at the NFSR with $70,651. Also in 2016, Rocky Patterson was first in the yearend world standings with $142,350, a record for most steer roping earnings in one season.

Counterfeits Always Show Through

“He actually turned out to be a real counterfeit.” The evaluation wasn’t said with harsh feelings, but with sincere honesty. A longtime cowboy friend gave his opinion when asked about a horse he’d purchased. Presented by a young rider in the auction ring, the horse performed well and was credited to be outstanding. When the buyer got his new horse home, it wasn’t as good as he’d expected. Possibly not even of the caliber as had been touted by rider, seller and auctioneer. Certainly there are going to be similar outcomes if and when all ballots are counted and election results announced. No debate or question about it, there is going to be some counterfeits elected. Which is which and who is who will not be known immediately and perhaps not for a very long time. That is always the problem with making a bid on a horse or marking the election ballot. Everybody wants to make the right choice, but fact is that just isn’t possible all of the time. Even when there are no shenanigans, everything is said on the up and up, the facts are true. Things just don’t always turn out right, or the way expected, wanted or needed.

Having sold and purchased hundreds of horses, it is certainly a two way street. What a horse is believed to be and has been doesn’t mean it’ll be that way another time under different circumstances. Top horses have been sold that didn’t work as well for new owners. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to know who to vote for and everyone has some pros and cons. The situation this time seems to be difficulty in deciphering exactly what one offers and another doesn’t. Advertising for this year’s candidates are frequently senseless. It is almost impossible to know which candidate is being advertised to be elected. Opponents have spent more backbiting than informing voters why they’re the one to elect. There are false accusations without question, yet determining what is true and not has become impossible. Like has been heard many times in the past week, it’ll sure be good when the election is over. Reminded of First Timothy 1:6: “The whole point is simply love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit. Those who fail to keep this point soon wander off into dead ends.” +++ALLELUIA+++ XIV--44--11-1-2020

Saturday, October 3rd was KHC Region 3 Trail Ride at Historic Lake Scott coordinated by Alisha Owens. The weather was beautiful for this event and the 18 riders who attended. It was a delightful surprise to meet some horse enthusiasts who came to ride on their own but quickly joined our band of merriment!

YES, this IS Kansas! Lake Scott is like an oasis on the plains. For those who have never visited Lake Scott State Park, it is about 30 miles south of Oakley. Just to the north lies the newest addition to Kansas State Parks, the Little Jerusalem Badlands.

Imagine driving along and seeing all flat crop ground until you turn off the main highway, then descend downhill to this unique setting of sandstone rock bluffs, a lovely little lake and varied riding trails of trees, grass and cacti on sand. The trails were not difficult to navigate which made for a pleasant conversational ride and yet often it was easy to find quietness as the riders were taking in the unique beauty of the surroundings. It was a great day for this Region 3 Ride!

--- Join the fun, come ride with Kansas Horse Council!

Kansas Pioneer

President’s Salad 9X13 pan

6 c.

Salad greens in bite size pieces

2 ribs

Celery chopped small

1 bunch

Green onions chopped. Use green and white parts. Small colored sweet peppers chopped small

5

1 small pkg.

Frozen peas thawed

Dressing: 1 ½ c

Miracle Whip

½ t. ½ t, 2 T.

Salt

Black Pepper

Sugar

Topping: 1 ½ c.

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

2 ½ oz. pkg. Read Bacon bits Mix dressing ingredients in small bowl. Layer ingredients in pan in the order listed. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.