Photo courtesy of Cowboy Up! participant and photographer Keith Coronel. Following another great session with our combat warriors, Johnny, Sterling and Keith we headed out to the Galisteo Rodeo where we were guests of Amy Sena Rogers. Amy and her family have been producing what is probably the best little rodeo in the USA for 39 years. One of our staff Carl Hawkins of Hawkins Chuckwagon fame provided a delicious smoked brisket for sandwiches while Nancy De Santis made her grandma's redcabbage coleslaw. Rick, daughter Cris and Teal Hawkins tended the grill with hot-dogs and we didn't run out of sweet tea until the end of the day. Several of the contestants stopped by to say hello to our group which included the Director of the New Mexico Wounded Warrior Project, Terri Kreuger and her husband Dave, Cowboy Up! instructors Wes Studi and his wife his wife Mora, Mike Housholder, Thomas Wingate, Kenny Tomlinson and Brenda Niekirk. Silver and Saddle maker extraorinaire Clint Mortenson and Amanda Lange,Bonanza Creek Ranch Manager Steve Price and Jacinda Witt and fresh off of the Cowboys and Aliens set, lead wrangler Ed Pickard. From the Governors Rodeo Council Debbie & Bobby Borrego stopped by to see who was screaming their lungs out for daughter Shania as she competed in both breakaway roping and barrel racing...well, it was us! With the US and Military Order of the Purple Heart flags flying above our tent we all agreed that the highlight of the day was when 4 young "mutton busters", spurs, chaps and all, walked up to our combat warriors and one by one stretched a hand out and said " thank you for your service. sir".
Photo courtesy of our good friend, photographer and author of "Making a Hand", Gene Peach. Thanks for stopping by!
