As Reported in Canadian Cowboy Country…
Nothing goes by faster than time. It was fifteen years ago that Canadian Cowboy Country magazine was launched. To celebrate this milestone we are taking a look back on some of the people, places and events that have graced the pages of our favourite magazine …
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March 1997
? Canadian Cowboy Country magazine launched by Publisher Carla Dornan and Editor Sherril Siebert. Headquartered in Kamloops, B.C., the inaugural cover featured the editor’s father, working cowboy, John Siebert.
? Hugh McLennan launched his column, The Spirit of the West, featuring an interview with Roland Larson, a one-armed working cowboy from Preeceville, Sask.
? Kamloops hosts their first Cowboy Festival.
August 1997
? Alberta rancher Roy Clark made honourary Life Director of the Western Stock Growers Association.
Fall 1997
? Douglas Lake Ranch in B.C. is put up for sale by the Woodward family for $75 million.
1998
? National High School Rodeo Association celebrates 50th anniversary.
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1999
? A 30-horse hitch, dubbed The Last Great Hitch of the Century, paraded at Pioneer Acres near Irricana, Alta.
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June/July 2001
? Tanner Young Publishing takes over the reins of Canadian Cowboy Country.
? Williams Lake Stampede celebrates 75th anniversary.
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2002
? CrAsh Cooper’s first regular cartoon is published.
? Trail Blazers, featuring the late Grant MacEwan is launched.
? Western Vacation Guide launched.
? Alberta suffers drought; 600,000 cattle sold.
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2004
Oct/Nov
? Living Legends debuts; horseman Bill Nugent is featured.
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2005
April/May
? Reflections columnist Bryn Thiessen joins the magazine.
June/July
? Road to the CFR with columnist Tim Ellis is launched.
Oct/Nov
? Farmfair launches Heritage Ranch Rodeo.
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Dec/Jan 2005
? Edmonton kicks off the Canadian Finals Rodeo with a cattle drive through downtown Edmonton.
? Alberta and Saskatchewan begin a year of 100th Anniversary celebrations.
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2006
Dec/Jan
? Television series, Cowboy Country, is launched on Access TV.
? Century Ranches is launched; featuring Canadian ranches whose brand has been in the same family for a century or more.
Apr/May
? Wheel to Wheel, a column by Billy Melville about World Professional Chuckwagon Association, is launched.
June/July
? Alberta featured at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC.
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Aug/Sep 2006
? Living Legend horseman Bill Collins inducted to AQHA Hall of Fame.
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Oct/Nov 2006
? Calgary Stampede celebrates 25th anniversary of Western Art Show; launches 2007 poster featuring the original art of Paul Van Ginkel.
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2007
April/May
? The Mane Event, an equine expo of education and trade show begins. CCCM sponsors Trainer’s Challenges.
? Canadian Professional Rodeo Association announces barrel racing is now a major rodeo event.
June/July
? Cowboy Country TV’s Ash Cooper won for Best Host, Rick Bremness for Best Cinematography and Van Wilmott and Louis Sedmak won for Best Original Music Score at the Alberta Motion Picture Industry Association Awards.
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Dec/Jan
? Cowboy Tom Three Persons from the Blood Reserve is first Canadian inducted into the National Cowboys of Color Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas.
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J BC’s oldest outfit, the Alkali Ranch is sold to the Douglas Lake Cattle Company. |
2008
Feb/Mar
? City of Kamloops celebrates 150th anniversary.
June/July
? Carl and Mary Ellen Wilson of Central Alberta were presented with the “50 Year Breeder” award by the AQHA?—?the only Canadians.
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Oct/Nov 2008
? Franklin Rodeo’s legendary bucking horse, Airwolf, was cloned. The colt was born August 4 and nicknamed Wolfie.
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2009
June/July
? Cowboy Country TV wins Best Lifestyle Series at the Alberta Film & Television Awards.
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2010
Feb/Mar 2010
? TV series Heartland’s star, Amber Marshall, featured on the cover. Highest selling issue to date.
June/July 2010
? Jerri Duce is the first cowgirl inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
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Aug/Sep 2010
? A life size bronze of rodeo legend Kenny McLean is unveiled in his hometown of Okanagan Falls, B.C.
? Calgary Stampede retires six-time World Champion Bareback Bronc Grated Coconut.
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2011
Feb/Mar 2011
? Edwin and Ruth Mattheis gave their 12,300-acres Three Walking Sticks ranch to the University of Alberta.
Aug/Sep 2011
? Prince William and his bride Kate officially open the Calgary Stampede.
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2012
Feb/Mar
? Barrel racer Lindsay Sears wins her second World Championship.
? CrAsh Cooper, six-time Canadian Contract Act of the Year, is the first Canadian barrelman at the 2011 National Finals Rodeo.
? Canadian Cowboy Country magazine celebrates 15 years.