Wow! There is a lot going on this weekend. Whether you are looking for a horse to buy, a barrel race, rodeo or roping to go to, you can find it this weekend. Check out the following events and don’t get left out of the action! Just click on the thumbnail of each ad to view. Hoofbeat Express will be at in Ruston, Louisiana on Monday at the Run For the Diamonds. Come by and visit us at our table. We will have papers to hand out and some beautiful handmade jewelry to sale. Thanks, Tammy Randall
There are still some rodeo cowboys around that held cards in the Rodeo Cowboy Association and in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association Jim Peters is one of those. Peters and his wife Connie live a quiet life in Kirbyville, Texas. If one is fortunate enough to visit with Peters, he will give you a history lesson in “Rodeo 101” by just relating his experiences.
Peters was born in Jenks, Oklahoma March 25, 1934, “cowboy” was a way of life in those days. After his dad died Peters took whatever jobs he could to help his family. One job was delivering the local paper on horseback. His horse “Lady” was the love of his life. Years later a small mule would be his almost constant companion on the rodeo circuit. Peters and the mule “Side Kick” would become a legend in Southeast Texas rodeo.
Records in the PRCA office show that Peters first rodeo was at the age of 15, in 1949. Peters’ last bull ride was in 2009 at the age of 75. The 60 years between those two rides is a rich record of life on the rodeo trail. Peters was a competitor in the years when there were no circuits in professional rodeo. If he wanted to ride in Texas, he rode in Texas. If he wanted to compete in Kansas or Oklahoma, he rode there. His events were bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback, and steer wrestling. He became friends with cowboys like Freckles Brown, Clark McEntire, and Jim Shoulders. The shared everything from baloney sandwiches to information about the stock they would ride at rodeos.
Peters rode on a permit for eight years and as a card holder for another eight years. After those years he shifted his focus from competing to performing. He decided to become a clown. This was in the time period when the clown entertained the crowd with comedy acts and also did the bullfighting. First he bought a barrel and next he found Side Kick.
In 1965 Buck Steiner brought a small mule colt to a rodeo in Fort Worth. “That mule was so small I took him home in the back seat of my car,” said Peters. Peters had found an animal that was as unique to him as Trigger was to Roy Rogers. Side Kick developed a vocabulary that was remarkable, it was almost as though he could read Peters mind. “That mule would even follow Jim up into the bleachers when he would go up to pass out candy,” said Connie Peters.
“I would be on the road and decide to stop for the night and would look for a town that had some kind of ballpark. I would close all the gates at the park and then let Side Kick out of his trailer. I would open both doors on my truck and stretch out on the seat and go to sleep. Next morning I would put feed in his trough and rattle the chains on the trailer and Side Kick would come running. I’d shut him in the trailer and we would go down the road,” said Peters.
Side Kick suffered a stroke and had to be put down. He and Peters had been together for 28 years. “It was a loss that was hard to get over. I still miss that little mule.” said Peters.
As happens with so many rodeo cowboys, there was a time when Peters had to get a “real job.” He settled in Beaumont, Texas and worked as a welder in a local shipyard. His time on the road changed to going to shows he could work on the weekend and be home by Monday to go back to the shipyard.
Peters worked rodeos in southeast Texas in arenas that are long gone. Several arena locations are now housing subdivisions. There is not a rodeo contractor in Southeast Texas and most of Louisiana that Peters has not worked for.
“Jim Peters was one of the most agile and quick bullfighters that I ever saw,” said Coleman Peveto. ‘I do not know how many rodeos that Jim and I worked together at. Jim was always ready to go and always did his best to entertain the crowd and protect the bull riders.”
Peveto is a longtime rodeo announcer and now works as the Rodeo Director at the Texas Longhorn Entertainment Complex in Vinton, Louisiana.
At a recent bull riding with 48 contestants and a large audience, Peveto and Longhorn owner Ray Cotton honored Peters before the show. Peveto read a short biography that listed Peters many rodeos as a competitor and entertainer and Cotton presented Peters with a custom buckle, personalized with his name. The buckle is the same Broken Arrow buckle that is given to each series champion at the Longhorn.
Emotion was evident on Peters’ face; he is a modest man. It was an honor that was long overdue. Peters brought a large bag of candy and passed it out to the kids in the crowd as he used to do in his entertaining days. He even got a hug from a cowgirl or two.
In October, 2009 the Jasper County Cowboy Church in Jasper, Texas produced a small rodeo as a fund raiser. The star attraction at the rodeo was Peters. Peters decided that he would ride a bull. There was a little concern about a 75 year old man riding a bull. There were a few precautions taken, but nothing major, just an extra bullfighter or two. The gate opened and Peters came out on a small black bull that had a few coals in his furnace. It looked like Peters was going to make the buzzer, but he lost his grip with slightly over seven seconds on the watch. A lot of 25 year old cowboys would wish they could do so well. “I was pretty sore for a few days, but I enjoyed it” said Peters. After the show at the Longhorn Peters was heard to say, “I really wanted to be out there.” Once rodeo is in your blood, it never goes away.
Peters never won any major championships or won at any large rodeos. He was a consistent rider and won enough money to go from show to show and come back with a little in his pocket. He competed with seven time world champion Jim Shoulders and later worked as a clown/ bullfighter for Shoulders when Shoulders became a rodeo producer. He kept a relationship with Shoulders until Shoulders death several years ago. “I was hurt that I couldn’t go to Jim’s funeral, but I was not able to, I was down at the time” said Peters.
Peters stayed with rodeo until he was 53 years of age and decided it was time to put the barrel in the barn. He has a special place in the heart of anyone who knew him. Those that only knew him a performer with Side Kick saw what a special person he was in the arena as he led the little mule around and did so many tricks.
Peters’ legacy is one of a dedicated rodeo cowboy. He is a modest, generous man who would jump the fence to untangle a bull rider any time he was needed. It may take him a little longer to jump the fence and he may have lost a step or two over the years, but the desire is still there to help a rider in trouble.
“Of all the people I have done in rodeo, I am proudest to have worked with Jim and to have become his friend” said Peveto. “If you could measure friends in dollars, Jim would be a millionaire.”
by Mike Louviere
We have a new advertiser this month. We would like to welcome Nutty Jerry’s. Make sure to check out his ads. See the Back Cover. He has a nice facility and some good entertainment. Coming up later this month is Dwight Yoakum and Stoney Larue. Just to name a few are Asleep At the Wheel, Doug Stone, Lee Ann Womack, Exile, Marshall Tucker Band, George Jones and for some of you rockers… Grand Funk Railroad. Now I haven’t heard that name in a while. The Futurity and Classic Series starts up the last weekend of September. Lots of excitement for bull riders. Also new this month is the $1,500 added Open 4D and Team Barrels produced by Triple Cross Team Barrels. This is a benefit for St. Judes. T & N Productions jumped on board last month and again in this issue. If you are looking for team roping this is the place to go.
Speaking of benefits, it is so nice how our rodeo folks help others. Last month we had Southside helping out two families in need in the Ark-La-Tex. This month several of the clubs have come together to help out barrel racer Chelsea Easley. She was seriously injured in a horse related accident last month. There are two barrel races this month to help raise some money for her. Make sure you try to attend these benefits.
If you haven’t bought your hay for the year, it’s time. I like to get mine by July or August. It has been so dry this summer. It’s hard for anything to grow. We were able to get 180 bales on the last day I was finishing up the paper last month. When you have horses, hay is always on your mind. That sounds like a country song!
From time to time we will feature poems by Derek Duncan. We had his poem “The Cowboy’s Last Epistle” on the website back in June. It is really good. He has a remarkable voice. Go to the website to listen to the poem. You can read his biography on page 9.
ATTENTION BULL RIDERS: There are some nice bull riding events coming up. Make sure you see the ads in this issue! Lots of MONEY!!
Until next month. Tammy
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The Lone Ranger (TV series)
Don’t you just love this quote. It brings back the best of memories. I guess I have always quoted it wrong. I’ve always said, “Hi-ho, Silver and Away”. This is awesome, I found this video on youtube!
I took this picture a while back and I don’t think Ginny will mind me using it. This is a good horse having a bad day!
Tammy Randall
Dear Ms. Mare,
I know you are old, or maybe I should say, you have a lot of experience that goes back to the olden days. I have a leg problem and my cowboy is calling it “windpuffs”. Now I have not been out in a big wind and I don’t have a clue what he is talking about. He’s not a youngun himself, so I thought you could help me understand what he is talking about. He’s been wrapping my legs and its summer time. What is his problem?
Not a Windpuff
Dear NAW
A windpuff is a collection of fluid into a natural pocket that is located posteriorly to the cannon bone…just above the fetlock of any of your legs…or all four legs. Any increased circulation to the legs could cause fluid to accumulate in the pockets. Like after a hard workout, if you are left to stand in a stall a windpuff could form, and that is nothing to worry about. If it occurs after exercise, it doesn’t mean you are unsound. But if you have an injury that becomes inflamed, a windpuff could result and then it would be wise to have it checked. Sometimes horses that have arthritis in their hocks or fetlock joints will develop them. Horses that must be kept in small stalls after exercise frequently have special leg wraps applied and they help prevent windpuffs. There is also meds to help reduce their size. So your “old” cowboy seems to know as much as I do…and that is a rare thing for this old gray mare to admit.
Ms. Mare
I know you are sick of me talking about the heat, but wow is it August or what? The heat index has been so high, it’s ridiculous. Last winter I was so cold I said I wouldn’t complain when it got hot. Well, I’m not really complaining, just talking. lol By the time you read this we should be half way through with our vacation to Galveston, Texas. We were supposed to go to Dauphin Island, but due to the oil spill out plans changed. My husband doesn’t really like the beach, but we manage to drag him to it occasionally! It’s so nice just being able to relax with no cell phones, fax machines or computers!
I sold my horse Doxie and she went to a great home. In fact they actually got two new horses. As they were loading Doxie, her husband mentioned they were looking for an older horse for their niece and did I know of one. I didn’t even have to think twice. I told him about a horse we had borrowed a few years ago that was an all around horse. She was older and needed a little more care than the people were giving her. I told him I would contact the owner and see if she would let her go. Fortunately for the horse, her owner agreed and she is now in East Texas grazing on 100 acres and getting fat again. It always warms my heart when you can do something for an animal in a bad situation.
Our July 4th was a huge success. It was the largest show we have put on to date. We ended up with 225 contestants. I thought that was great, considering Martha had 300+ on Friday night and 500+ on Saturday. I know everyone was wore out. The weather was nice although somewhat hot. I would like to thank all that helped Venetia and I on Sunday. I hope I don’t forget anyone! Sonia Tindel, Lee Caudle, John Greer, Martha Reyenga, Missy Durbin, Mary & Laura Ann Carter, Courtney Durbin & her friend, Patty & Rachael DeSoto, Haley Rath, Lindsey Randall and Neeley Caudle.
The Southside Benefit show had a great turnout on July 17 despite the rain. We had to move the show from Southside to Double R Arena in Stonewall, Louisiana. Sixty-six competitors showed up for a competitive run for the $500 added money. There was also a silent auction and chicken char-broil to raise money for the Smith and Basinger families who lost loved ones in the Arkansas flood earlier this year. For those interested you can view and purchase the photographs at www.hoofbeatexpress.com under photo gallery or just go to www.tammyrandall.com.
Until next month. Tammy
For years, the Theriot name has been synonymous with the world of rodeo. In September 2005, the Theriot family lost two beloved members, Ernest and Evan Theriot. Although there was a 71 year age difference, they both loved the Lord and the sport of rodeo very dearly.
Mr. Ernest was a long time cowboy. His dedication to the Lord was evident in his daily walk through life. He was an extraordinary and honest man with strong beliefs especially in regards to good sportsmanship. His voice still echos through the hearts of those who spent time under his guidance.
Evan was a 5 year old cowboy who dreamed of being a World Champion Calf Roper. His favorite toy was his rope. In his short life span, he touched many lives and managed to win his first competition at the USCRA Finals in Stephenville, Texas in the dummy roping at just 4 years of age.
In honor of their memory, the Theriot family established The Ernest and Evan Theriot Memorial Calf Roping Challenge which is held annually in August or September. (This year’s roping will be held on August 28 & 29, 2010) As friends who knew and loved Ernest and Evan we would appreciate any donation you could make in their memory. Without your donations it would be impossible for us to continue the scholarship fund.
All of the proceeds raised at the roping are placed in a scholarship fund. Seniors who have participated in the Mississippi High School Rodeo Association that year are encouraged to remit a scholarship application by the May deadline. The applications are received by the Theriot family. In addition to the completed application, the selection is based on the values, character, and perseverance portrayed throughout the year both inside and outside the rodeo arena. $500.00 scholarships are then awarded to seniors at the Mississippi High School Finals held in Jackson, Mississippi.
Thank you for your contribution. Thank you for honoring the memory of Ernest and Evan Theriot. Thanks, Angie Theriot
Items donated and contributions can be mailed to:
Angie Theriot
184 Sunflower Road
Perkinson, MS 39573
601-310-2329 Ernie Cell#
601-446-0548 Angie Cell#
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Y’all know by now that I ain’t gonna be movin’ anywhere. Anytime. This has been my home all my life and my papa’s home and his papa ‘fore him. So I’m pretty much dug in here till they take me off in the old pine coffin I built for myself about twenty years ago when I was feeling low down and thinkin’ I might start my journey anytime. Course I got better as most of us do when we’re on the downslope of life and sliding without no brakes, so to speak. I sauntered out back a few days ago and had a look at that old coffin where it’s been gathering dust and hay out in the old barn and sorta guffawed at the fact that it will have to be added on to. You see, I been eatin’ so good outa my garden all these years since that I won’t be able to fit into it. Consarn that!
I been noticin’ of late how many folks are movin’ around. I find that a sad state of affairs that most of those movin’ aren’t doin’ it for a change of scenery, but because of the state of the world. Losin’ their jobs to go look for another, losin’ their homes cause they can no longer afford the big notes, movin’ to another area cause they get all fed up with the natural disasters in their home places. Parents separatin’ from one another and dividin’ the kids…stuff like that.
I don’t figure that is good for the younguns that have no part in the deciding factor of their movin’, cause they naturally got to go where their parent goes. And it set me to thinkin’ that it must have been doubly hard back in the day for folks that came sashaying across the country to claim land, to homestead agin all odds of a foreign area to keep their families together in the best place they could find.
Many pioneers joined the move westward in the 1800s for some of the same reasons our folks are havin’ to move around in this day and age. They wanted a better quality of life for their families. A lower “mortgage” so to speak when they built their homes out of what was available wherever they landed. Most of them traveled by covered wagon. Usually the wagon was made out of wood with a large canvas fastened over a metal frame to provide protection from the wind, sand and weather. It was usually about ten feet or more in length from what my grandpop remembered. Some were pulled by oxen. Can you even think about headin’ out into the unknown under those circumstances?
Not me. I sit here a lucky heir to what my forebears left for me. What a wonderful thing to have what you have and be happy for it.
The pioneers slept in their wagons or out on the land if the weather was permittin’. My grandpop told me they would put their cured meat products up on top of the wagons at night to keep the wolves and other predators from comin’ in to have a meal of all of their food stuffs.
Some of the things they suffered in their bravery to find better lives was a lack of fresh water, supplies for fixin’ anything that broke, etc. It was not easy for them in a very different way than it is not easy for folks these days havin’ to cope with hardship. But today’s folks, in their own ways are havin’ those same difficulties. It’s hard to have things go wrong in your lives, but havin’ a solid place you can count on to be there when you get off work every day is a blessin’, no matter if it is a mansion or a hovel.
I’m just sayin’ we all need to be thankful for what we have and helpful to those that are in need. In fact, I know a family down the road that could use a big bunch of okra and tomatoes about now. And my garden is cryin’ out to be picked.
That’s all I got to say about that.
Stretch