May 2020
On The Cover
Champion reined cow horse Sparktilion, owned by Cannon Quarter Horses and shown by Jake Telford, wears a traditional spade bit with romal reins. Read more about the gear on pages 10 and 28. Photo by Kate Bradley Byars.
In This Issue
CALL TO CATTLE BARONS
Ranchers demonstrate and celebrate their Western heritage at a grassroots event in Oregon that aims to foster the future of cowboy trades. By JENNIFER DENISON, Page 70
THE WRIGHT TREE
For decades, working cowboys across the American West have relied on saddles built on Warren Wright’s saddletrees. Few realize those trees come from a workshop on New Zealand’s North Island. By CHRISTINE HAMILTON, Page 76
MAD ABOUT MOUTHPIECES
Jim Edwards’ background as a cowboy and a horse trainer guides him in building bits. He has held firm a design approach that sends more signal than pressure and functions based on the horse’s point of view. By ROSS HECOX, Page 62
RIDE WEST
The Family Ranch A South Dakota family is committed to raising top ranch and performance horses. Page 16
How-To Texas horseman Joe Wolter offers advice on being a helpful member of a branding crew.Page 24
Arenas Cutting Edge Retirement Foundation offers former show horses a new lease on life. Page 36
Craftsmen Saddlemaker Nancy Martiny of Idaho designs saddles and gear to be functional for working cowboys. Page 41
Products Carry a firearm safely and securely in the saddle with a scabbard designed for the job. Page 52
In Every Issue
Leading Off | Baxter Black
Get your copy here.
