Archive for the ‘On the Ranch’ Category
North Thompson Fall Fair & Rodeo
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010The North Thompson Fall Fair & Rodeo started back in 1950 as a celebration of agriculture, livestock, western country living and community spirit. Still going strong, this was it’s 61st year and the focus remained the same. Guests and staff of Tod Mountain Ranch spent Saturday morning at the Fall Fair touring the various displays and exhibits including visits to the sheep, goat and dairy barns; visits to the heavy horse barn to see the teams of draft horses and then watched some show jumping in the light horse arena.
After lunch, we headed to the Rodeo Arena to watch the Cowboys and Cowgirls participate in some of the toughest sporting events.
Sometimes known as the world’s shortest workday, a day on the job for a rough stock cowboy is 8 seconds long. The rough stock events consist of bareback, saddle bronc, and bull riding. Cowboys pull their hat down low, grit their teeth and hang on for 8 seconds of bone jarring jumps, spins, and spills. Scoring is based 50% on the cowboy’s style and 50% on the performance of the animal. Judges are looking for control and spurring technique from the cowboy. A cowboy can be disqualified for getting bucked off before the 8 second whistle, or touching the animal, himself, or the equipment with his free hand during the ride.
In the timed events it’s a race against the clock to see who can finish fastest. The timed events consist of steer wresting, tie-down roping, breakaway roping and team roping. Steer wrestling and the roping events start from the chutes. The animal is given a head start; and if the horse and rider leave the chute too soon they’ll “break the barrier” and be given a time penalty.
In addition to these traditional Rodeo events, we also got the opportunity to watch some Chariot Racing and the Pony Chuckwagon race. This was edge of your seat thrills as the horses raced around the racetrack at breakneck speeds.
We had a blast! Roll on next year!
‘For The Love Of The Land’
Monday, August 30th, 2010We are proud sponsors of the ‘For the Love of the Land’ benefit concerts taking place in Nanaimo, Kamloops and Victoria during September. These fundraising concerts will support the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s efforts to protect native habitats and iconic wild spaces across British Columbia.
At each of the concerts, Valdy, Tiller’s Folly and Hank Cramer will showcase music that honours the land and our history. The evening will also feature a live auction of eco-travel and nature tourism packages, including all-inclusive stays at Tod Mountain Ranch.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is a private, non-profit organisation working for the direct protection of Canada’s biodiversity through the purchase, donation or placing of conservation easements on ecologically significant lands. For further information on the NCC, and the work they do in your Province and across Canada, check out their website at www.natureconservancy.ca
For information on the benefit concerts then click this link
Meet Ruben
Thursday, July 8th, 2010
Ruben is currently spending time at Tod Mountain Ranch on a work placement programme in which he gets to experience all aspects of ranch work. Just ask him about rock picking! However, on a rare day off, he got to experience his first trail ride and you can see him here riding Rusty. Look out for more pictures of Ruben over the coming weeks as he learns more about ranch life.
Returning Guests - Jane & Iain
Thursday, July 8th, 2010
It was great to have Jane & Iain return to the ranch for a repeat visit. Jane & Iain were among the first guests to visit the ranch when we opened last year and we were delighted to welcome them back again. If they look familiar to you, that’s probably because several photographs of them are featured on our website and in our brochure. Hope to see you both again next year!
Ranch Hand For The Day
Friday, June 25th, 2010
Guests Helmut & Robert, visiting from Austria, got down and dirty on the ranch last week when they opted to spend the afternoon working with our Wrangler Dan to clear the deadfall from one of our horse pastures. Dan’s dog Spike drove the tractor, whilst the boys did all the hard work! Thanks for your help guys, we sure appreciated it!
