The Great American Cowboy Series....
Black Hills Stock Show Foundation Creates Collector's Series As Part Of
Fundraising
"In the dawning of a new century, we do well to remember
the old. And while we embrace a coming of age in this the Millennium
Year, we celebrate the timelessness that is captured in the arena of
rodeo .... With The Great American Cowboy."
Rapid City, SD -- The Black Hills Stock Show Foundation and Farm
Credit Services of America announces the offering of the first, in a
series of 26 commemorative prints that feature the people, the stock and
the spirit of the American Sport of Rodeo. Developed in cooperation with
world champions, this signature print will be presented during the
Foundation's Western Auction, held January 31 during the Black Hills
Stock Show Stockman's Banquet & Ball at the Ramkota in Rapid City.
Titled Artistry In Motion: MILLENNIUM COWBOY, this rendition
of World Champions marks the beginning of the signed series to be
offered annually, with proceeds used to fund the Foundations Scholarship
Program, that to-date has awarded 31 scholarships to students in a five
state region, among them recipients of the Foundation's annual high
school rodeo scholarships.
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Artistry In Motion:
Millennium Cowboy 2001
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"We share an 84 year history with the builders of agricultural
businesses and communities," says Doug Theel, Financial Officer
with Farm Credit Services of America. "Just as our partners - many
of them second and third generations - have withstood the challenges of
not only surviving but thriving in the business of agriculture, so too
have we stood firm in our resolve and commitment. And also in
recognizing that a way of business and a way of life are tied to one
another, in meaningful ways."
Selecting the three individuals who personified `The Millennium
Cowboy' were life stories of perseverance, the daring to dream, the
taste of failure .... and the courage to dream again.
The historical perspective in this year's print, beautifully pictured
& framed with inset, engraved plates and hand-carved accent
illustrations, is made possible through the cooperation of the Casey
Tibbs Foundation, of Ft. Pierre, SD, releasing the use of a photo of
World Champion Casey Tibbs. Titled The Champ, it captures the 9 time
world champion in the early days of his career.
In the rough stock visual, Clint Johnson, four-time World Champion
Saddle Bronc athlete lends his support to the effort and in the
performance arena, another two-time World Champion, one in Calf Roping
and the other as All Around Cowboy Paul Tierney, puts his stamp of
approval on the Foundation's mission of "Preserving The Legacy.
Investing In The Future."
THE CHAMP: CASEY TIBBS
"If there was ever an effort that Casey would have gotten
behind, it would be this one," says Dayle (Tibbs) Angyal, Ft.
Pierre, president of the Casey Tibbs Foundation. To her, `Uncle Casey'
(as she remembers him) was always there for the kids, encouraging,
coaxing, helping them to believe in themselves.
But he didn't reserve that just for youth. "There was many a
time when Casey gave a cowboy down on his luck, a hand up," recalls
Dayle. "He was like that; he loved rodeo, life and the people that
went along with it.
"The photo we've released to be a part of the Great American
Cowboy Series is special in that it shows all of that in him; young,
vibrant, going all out with the horse Easy Money, making the ride of his
life - that's how Casey saw life and the sport of rodeo all the
time."
He saw other things as well.
Among the first to promote rodeo as a true sport, Casey believed that
it too, should have a `world series' of its own. And the National Finals
Rodeo was born. He saw the need for a more disciplined judging criteria
for horse and rider and the scoring process still used today is a
reflection of his innate understanding of what happens between the
cowboy and the horse - what makes for a world-class ride.
"We're proud to be a part of the Foundation's effort to raise
funds for youth in agriculture and grants that help build and attain
people's visions for a better life," says Angyal. "It matches
our own philosophies, and Casey's too, as we continue in efforts to
complete the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center, at Ft. Pierre."
From the arena to Hollywood movie sets to home on the plains of South
Dakota, Casey Tibbs celebrated the roughness of rodeo as art, shaped it
into a recognized sport .... and became a legend.
CLINT JOHNSON
In Cowboy Halls of Fame across the country, hangs a picture of South
Dakota native Clint Johnson. The four-time PRCA World Champion Saddle
Bronc Rider had his start in high school rodeo arenas. Now living in
Texas, he sees involving himself in furthering the Foundation's mission
as a way to insure that the places and people; the philosophies and
lifestyles that shaped and influenced his life, will remain in
place for ongoing generations to learn from. "The foundations from
which kids build on, plays a big role in determining the choices they
will make," says Johnson. "As I see it, the Black Hills Stock
Show Foundation is serving as a cornerstone to helping young adults grow
and stay involved in agriculture and rural communities. That's a worthy
cause by anyone's measure and I'm proud to be a part of it."
PAUL TIERNEY
Early on, Paul Tierney, a farm and ranch boy from Nebraska, showed an
aptitude for the feel of a rope. He did well as a young roper. And
eventually would come to know self-confidence.
But there was something missing in him. It would hold him back time
and again.
Until two people, "spoke the words into me and I was at a place
in my life where I could hear."
For Tierney, getting his professional card in 1975 was a step - a
decision to, "see what I was made of." Followed by the next
level - to make a calculated approach to qualifying for the national
finals, which he did in 1977. Still, he struggled.
Then, in 1978, "two things (actually two people) happened to
me," he recalls. "Two individuals who I respected so very
much, spoke to me about what was missing - the belief in myself. I had
self-confidence but I didn't believe. It's two different things."
Those conversations broke the ties that bound him and in 1979, he
would win his first world title. "God works in mysterious ways,
sending the messenger at the right time, at the right place." He
would go on to win the ultimate in the sport of rodeo - the all around
world title - the best of the best.
His decision to support the Foundation's efforts in raising funds for
young adults to continue their education comes from knowing what it
means when others show, in various ways, that they believe, "even
in those times when you don't know what it means to believe in
yourself," he adds.
"My message is if the dream is big enough - the facts don't
matter. Failure isn't failure unless you quit what you're doing. Failure
is feedback.
For Paul Tierney, it's a matter of keeping your eye on the right
prize. "Be persistent .... and consistent and you'll have your
dream some day."
For more information on the Foundation, visit
them on the Web at
www.blackhillsstockshow.com, and look for
the Foundation link. Or visit them at The Stockman's Club during
Stock Show and find out how you can become a member.
The Black Hills Stock Show Foundation is a non-profit
organization. As part of its mission of "Preserving The Legacy,
Investing In The Future", the Foundation is dedicated to supporting
youth in higher education and organizations, programs and projects that
enhance services and education to the public.
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