Ranch Roping Practice, Clinics, Stallion auction/raffle, Skijoring, Chariot Races
I’m appreciating the uptick in the thermometer, as I’m sure most of you are too. I’m also liking the lack of snow here. My Dad always said that January is by far the best month...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Stock dog warning, banquets, BHSS events, clinics, practices
It’s sure been a crisp week for most of us on the northern plains. I think all the hayfields should be firmed up enough that you can get the rest of the hay hauled out...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Brrr, ranch roping clinics, team roping in Bowman, ranch roping, BHSS events
The spell of nice winter weather we had sure took a tumble the last few days. I was really enjoying the days in the 20s and 30s, as were the cows and horses. I know...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: New Year, ropings, Miss Rodeo S.D. coronation, packing class, skijoring, BHSS events
A New Year. Almost 365 days to start anew, live a better life, and fulfill promises to ourselves. Or…as many, like me will do, continue on, head down, leaning into the collar, maintaining the expected...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Entries upon us, ranch roping benefit, S.D. horseracing, SDQHA banquet
Christmas is behind us and the new year is looking right in the window at us all. I think I’d better go through my checkbook and put 2020 on a bunch of checks as I’m...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Christmas Time
I don’t know how it happened so quickly, but Christmas is here. As I am now over the ridge past middle age, it seems to go faster and faster. Everyone around my age tells me...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Lots of congrats, ranch roping, team roping, jumping, skijoring
I absolutely can’t believe that December is half over already! The weather has been nice here, cold nights but nice days and not much additional snow. I’m good with that. I’m still sick of last...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Breakaway practice, Big Sky Ranch Roping, ranch sorting, team sorting practice, team roping
This has sure been a beautiful week, weatherwise. After the storm last weekend, it’s nice to have the sun shining and days up in the 30s and 40s. Winter is tolerable when it’s like this!...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Brazile’s 25th gold buckle, Bronc Bash entry deadline, barrels, ranch roping, team roping
There are storms blowing in all over our country. With snow in the northern plains, rain, snow and wind on the west coast and horrific winds in the southern plains, it must indicate that winter...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Ropings, barrels, family fun events, ranch roping, Sundell benefit
Fall is marching right along. Folks are getting the fall work done whether the weather cooperates or not. My cows will be preg checked by the time you read this and the heifer calves weaned....
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: P.A.C.T. Act Trojan Horse warning, update on Sundell, Lockwood wins PBR
It’s finally warmed up today and it feels like fall at last! We sure had a big taste of winter for a while though. This will make the fall work go a little smoother without...
Outside Circle for Jan Swan Wood: Miss Rodeo South Dakota ladies, bucking horse futurity, barrels, youth rodeo, school
Well, I got my calves sold and didn’t have to actually pay anyone to take them away. It was sure no runaway though. It’s good to have it over with at least. The weather always...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Timed event bonanza, barrels, team roping, banquets, American SW qualifier
I’m preparing to sell my calves this week as I write this. I’ll admit, it makes me a bit queasy to think of the prices right now. Hopefully it has crawled back up a bit...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: SDHSRA membership, horse sales, horse games, jackpots, team roping, WRCA finals
It’s sure a busy time of year in the ranch country. I see bullracks daily on the highway, first going by empty and hours later, loaded, taking calves to market. Everyone’s calves I’ve seen just...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Sundell update, Lockwood #2, Cowboy Reunion, ropings, clinics, shows, horse teeth
In typical northern plains fashion, it was 75 one day and snowing and 20 degrees the next. It’s a blustery, cold day here, but not as much snow as predicted, which is fine by me,...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Sundell update, Lockwood #2, Cowboy Reunion, ropings, clinics, shows, horse teeth
In typical northern plains fashion, it was 75 one day and snowing and 20 degrees the next. It’s a blustery, cold day here, but not as much snow as predicted, which is fine by me,...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Sundell update, Lockwood #2, Cowboy Reunion, ropings, clinics, shows, horse teeth
In typical northern plains fashion, it was 75 one day and snowing and 20 degrees the next. It’s a blustery, cold day here, but not as much snow as predicted, which is fine by me,...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Snow, WNFR timeys qualify, JJ hurt, camps, schools, clinics, ropings
That was some storm that hit northern Montana. It’s an awful mess and there’s reports coming in of livestock losses. Some of that snow will stay through the winter too. Other areas got some snow...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Barrel races, Alzada poetry, music and art, roughstock school, iron cowgirl
I’ve sure been enjoying the beautiful weather. Folks are finally making some real progress on getting hay put up with the less frequent rains. It’s been quite a summer. The Ethel Whitcher Memorial Barrel Race...
Outside Circle by Jan Swan Wood: Sundell needs our help, fall series of all sorts, inductions
I took a little drive around the area this week and am just amazed at how green it still is out on the prairie and in the Hills. I only remember one other year that...