Wow, travel. What an interesting topic this year, after a winter that made many of us pause before loading horses in the trailer.
As I write this, I am nearly to Wickenburg, Arizona, having just returned from the National Finals Breakaway Roping in Fort Worth, Texas, where the event landed temporarily due to concerns surrounding equine herpesvirus (EHV-1 and EHM). One of the privileges of my job is experiencing events that showcase the highest caliber of horsemen and -women across the country.
The NFBR’s move to Cowtown Coliseum was a one-year adjustment, but the atmosphere at the Fort Worth Stockyards felt anything but provisional. The Stockyards, decked out in holiday decorations, were bustling with a mix of tourists and real cowboys and cowgirls in town for the roping. The seats in Cowtown were sold out both nights, and the roping was exceptional. When the final rounds were tallied, Taylor Munsell held strong through the final five rounds to earn her first world championship.
This winter, equine herpesvirus has remained part of nearly every conversation ties to travel, from the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo onward. While I did not encounter issues during my recent trips, the awareness lingers, especially for those of us hauling horses.
Like many others, I’ve paid attention to the equine herpesvirus situation and will continue to do what’s best for my horses on the road. One piece of advice I return to time and again is simple: find a veterinarian you trust and can reach when it matters. You’ll find more helpful horse health information in our upcoming April Horse Health issue.
With that in mind, this travel issue is meant to take you farther down the road than your own plans might allow. I hope you find stories that let you experience places you may not reach on your own.
From Belton McMurrey’s Living the Dream, showcasing striking imagery at the King Ranch, to Della Watters’ article on Estancia Alinco, where American Quarter Horses are bred in the extreme landscapes of Patagonia, this issue is packed with stories from the road. Along the way, we revisit John Wayne and the horses that defined an American icon, and spend time at the R.A. Brown Ranch, where the sixth generation is carrying a storied operation into the future.
We also mark a historic milestone, with a look at the Dude Ranchers’ Association, which for 100 years has linked vacationers to the true Western experience, the dude ranch, connecting guests to horses at various destinations.
Whether you’re planning your next vacation, dreaming of a getaway, or simply reading along from home, I hope this issue inspires you to explore new opportunities with your horses.
Safe travels, and I’ll see you down the road.
