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and stay involved with fundraiser ideas that you may be able to help with . A donation fund "Wheel Chair for Chad" has also been set up at Vernal's Zions Bank.

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Sunday Drives - July 2010

by: Russ Grant
Hey Uintah Basin! Russ Grant here. This is great, I actually get to write about something that I really enjoy now. We have some of the most unique and stunning roads, two track, slickrock , mountain road, dirt road and scenic byways in the entire world. There is everything from high mountain passes to flat desert and everything in between.
    I was thinking hard about what trail or road to write about and I have been truly stumped. Sure, I could tell you about my favorite trail in Moab (Fins & Things) or the drive to Monument Valley, but they don't hold the memories that our wonderful local drives do.
    This month will be about a few different things, not just the scenery and all the things that have been written about already. Don't worry everybody, that stuff is coming. There are a few ideas to follow when heading out into the unknown that can help everybody have a great time and get home safely.
    One of the first things to consider is your choice of wheels. Four wheel drive is great for getting to the more unexplored places and a car or van can get the whole family up to some amazing places that are a bit more civilized. Before any adventure off road, check the condition of your vehicle. If you know that something is wrong with your ride, take care of it before you go! Check the tires, fuel, coolant, first aid kit, water, suspension components, weather gear and anything else that you can think of (food for this guy).
    I drive a Jeep, and even though the repair adventures aren't as fun as the wheeling, it gets me anywhere I need to go in this Basin. Okay, here comes the first actual trail to drive. This one has been around since long before I was old enough to drive and offers everything from insane rockcrawling, sand running, and mountain biking, to ATV riding, horseback riding and hiking. GPS coordinates are included at the end of this story for exact location details. I'm talking of course about "The Cedars". This is a wonderful area that is owned by BLM, oil interests, and private land owners. Just head toward Bluebell and you can't miss it. Anyone is welcome to come and enjoy, as long as you follow the most important rule of enjoying The Cedars.: Take out what you take in. If you see a piece of trash out there, pack it up and bring it back. We need to take care of the nice places we have to use.
    About fifteen miles North of The Cedars is one of my most favorite drives in the whole world, Uintah Canyon. This canyon has some of the most beautiful scenery and is accessible during all four seasons. Take any of the little side roads that are up that canyon and you are sure to see all manner of wildlife, huge mountain streams, plants that are native to Uintah Canyon and new forest growth from the aftermath of the Neola North fire that happened a few years back.
    Just remember, even if you can't make it to some of the more famous destinations this summer, you can always enjoy this wonderful Uintah Basin and its world class drives.
    Lots of roads and trails are still waiting to be written about, so be sure to pick up the next copy of The EDGE for more great drives for the whole family.

The Cedars 40®19'04.05'' N 110®04'11.18'' W Elevation 5312 ft.

Uintah Canyon 40®29'16.77'' 110®02'15.35'' W Elevation 6522 ft.

 

Just A Little "BIT" more - July 2010

by: Jennifer Oleen-Rook
Fred Hunter does a little bit of everything that has to do with horses, horse training, showing horses and rodeo. Aside from training his wife's barrel racing horses, he is also known internationally for his training skills. Serious horsemen will fly him to their locations to ride and school their horses. His reputation for turning out horses with consistent performances is renowned. His wife, Nancy, stated, "People comment that my horses look exactly the same on every run. We don't always win, but we're consistently in the top 3 or 4, and we always get a check."
An award winning horse showman since his teens, Fred Hunter has many titles under his belt but, one of his most recent successes is in bit making. He started tinkering with bits he uses on his wife's barrel horses and from there has designed quite a few different bits for not only professional riders but training and general purpose riding bits as well. His customers are happy, but until recently he didn't have the resources to make large quantities.
While at a rodeo in Fort Worth, the Hunters met Martha Josie, who is probably the most well-known woman in rodeo. Now in her 70s, Josie is still known for her winnings years ago, but she has done a lot for rodeo since, such as building big schools and marketing bits and saddles. Josie liked the Hunters from their first meeting and invited them to stay at her ranch in Marshall, Texas. Eventually, Josie had Fred riding her world-champion horses with his custom-made bits. Josie chose four of Fred's styles to market and those bits will now be made in large quantities and will have the Josie name to back them. The Hunters are excited about the new partnership and the Josie-Hunter bit line.
 

The Lead Rope That Binds - July 2010

by: M. Michelle Spencer
Thomas Moore once said, "Family life is full of major and minor crises -- the ups and downs of health, success and failure in career, marriage, and divorce -- and all kinds of characters. It is tied to places and events and histories. With all of these felt details, life etches itself into memory and personality. It's difficult to imagine anything more nourishing to the soul." And so is the story of Deb Wilkins and her family. From personal sacrifice, to heartache over health concerns, to the overwhelming joy of success and personal growth, there are not many things that this family has not had the chance to emotionally experience.
    Deb is the president of the Uintah Basin Can Chasers, also known as UBCC, and is proud to boast that this one of the best family organizations here in the area. Not only has this barrel racing club been a source of comfort for her own family but out of the approximate 51 members currently active in the club many of them are mother daughter duos.

    Deb herself is the proud mother of five children. Her oldest two children, twins Randy and Brandy, have been riding horses and competing in rodeos and horse shows since they were kids. Randy is the proud father of two members of the UBCC, Sequoya and Chandler while Brandy (Alcantar) currently lives and competes successfully at barrels in Texas. Deb's next daughter, local resident Christi Cook, was a competitive barrel racer in high school as well. Son Jake Wilkins made sure to find a bride who sat right in the saddle and married barrel racer, Sue Vincent, daughter of longtime UBCC member, Tamara Vincent. Deb's youngest child, Jessica Petty, also chases the cans and is mom to Hagen, current barrel racer, and Emmee who desperately wants to be a barrel racer NOW but was told no until she is older than 3.
    There has been heartache, bad news, tragedy and tough trials in their lives, but through the highs and the lows the one constant that made it possible for this family to pull together and keep those blood bonds strong has been barrel racing. Some might giggle just a smidge at the thought of such a highly competitive sport being the glue that holds this family together but as Deb would say, "It gives us a reason to work!"

    These bonds were really tested when 15 months ago Deb's youngest girl, Jessica, was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. During this time Jessica faced two surgeries and countless hours of recovery but her biggest support system was her family and Jessica's family helped to encourage her recovery by encouraging to get back in her barrel saddle and run.

    Can you say family affair?!? Well that is the point of this club. UBCC was started back in 1968 and is open to all ages. There are members as young as 7 years old like club Vice President Angie Freeland's daughter Kamryn, to women who are mature enough to not state their age but will tell you that they are older than 50. The club meets every Tuesday to run and it is a year-long series where competitors earn points in the D time classes. At the end of their year the club then compiles the points to determine who wins and the overall high point winner earns a saddle. Not a bad way to spend a Tuesday night, eh?
    UBCC is always excited to have new members and encourages you to come out and see what barrel racing is all about. For more information check out UBCC's website at http://ubbradebwilkins08.googlepages or you can email Deb herself at plus5not@yahoo.com.

Another Kind Of Green - July 2010

by: M. Michelle Spencer
WHACK! Nothing sounds better than hitting a small white ball off of a little yellow tee right in the sweet spot of the driver your holding in your hands.
    For many who golf, the links can be hours of enjoyment or torture depending on your handicap. For the members of the Uintah Basin chapter of the American Petroleum Institute, these lush fields of green translate into another type of green...CASH!
    The American Petroleum Institute, also known as the API, is an organization that is dedicated to the education and ongoing training for members of the petroleum and gas based industries across the US. One thing which just happens to be of abundance here in the Uintah Basin.
    The Uintah Basin chapter was started back in 1975 when the Basin had its first big boom and currently has a local membership of approximately 30 members. From almost the conception of this chapter, the men who make up its membership knew that they wanted to have the opportunity to give back to the residents of this area. It was with this thought in mind that the Annual Uintah Basin API golf tournament was brought about.
    "We just figure that it is important for us to try to help the people in this area they way that they help us," one API golf committee members states, "If we have the ability to help others than why not?"

    The unique thing about this golf tournament is how so many aspects of it are open to the general public and that local residents are encouraged to come up and enjoy the camaraderie that is typically reserved for paying golf tournament participants. Sure this golf tournament may have the typical hole sponsors and even the chance for a player to win a new vehicle if they can get that elusive hole on one but those who participate in the API tournament know that the this is about so much more than what they take home...it is about what they can give back to the community.
    One great example is that of the food stands set-up at a couple of the different holes. Hole 4 is probably one of the most popular at the event simply because of how excited the guys, like Dick Farmer, serving you up are. BALON sponsors a bratwurst food station where every year over 1,500 brats are grilled up and served (with or without the kraut) to both golfers and residents alike in just two days.

    "We figure that because the Uintah Basin is one of the biggest purchasers of our, needle valves, and check valves that we should do something good for them. If we were to give out hats we could only do that for a select few but if we give out a bratwurst we can feed anyone AND WE WANT TO FEED EVERYONE!"
    The great food and fun couple of days on the greens is not the only thing that is so impressive the API golf tournament. The most important factor in all of it is the fact the money that is raised from this golf tournament goes back to the Uintah Basin in the form of charitable donations. The chapter has a monthly meeting where they can vote and decide on the causes that they want to support and help out. The local API chapter has had the chance to help out causes such as Con Amore school in Myton, shop with a cop, the Children's Justice Center, the Family Support Center, high activities of all kinds, and so much more.

    These guys love what they do and they are so excited about how they are able to help others through the API. Anyone can come and talk to the chapter about their charitable cause and they encourage people to come and see them. If they are able to help you then they definitely will and it helps them to continue on their mission of striving to make the Uintah Basin a better place for all.

In The Bull Ring - July 2010

by: Jennifer Oleen-Rook

When asked why he switched to handling rough stock for a living instead of sticking with dairy farming, Bluebell cowboy Eldon Monsen replies with a smile, "Well, I don't think bucking bulls make all that much money, but they're a lot more fun than milking cows." And fun is definitely the name of the game for this cowboy, but there is more to raising good bucking stock than meets the eye. If you watch the way Monsen handles his stock, you'll see he has a gift for working with these massive and sometimes dangerous animals, and he's got an eye for a good bull and a great bucker.
    Eldon Monsen grew up around cattle. He milked cows alongside his brother and father for years, but it was the big, tough bulls at the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo in Vernal that caught the young man's eye. "Ever since I was a kid I went over to the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo. I was just a kid from Bluebell, we didn't go too many places, but we went to Vernal to the rodeo and I'd see Swany Kirby, the main stock contractor for the rodeo, up on a big palomino horse leading the grand entry. Everyone would ride in behind him and I remember thinking to myself, "Wow. He takes care of the bulls. What a cool way to make a living." That memory stuck in Eldon's mind and eventually led him to the path he's on today; Eldon Monsen, Stock Contractor, owner; EMJ Bucking Stock.
    Eldon tried a few other occupations first. "I've done a lot of things. I've milked cows, raced horses, even played in a band, but this whole thing started coming about when my oldest son, Justin, started working for the Professional Bull Rider's Association when the PBR was just starting to expand. Justin and I got together to put on a PBR event in Vernal and that was the start of the Lane Frost Challenge. We were about four years into the Lane Frost Challenge when I decided I could actually get a herd of bucking bulls going and become a stock contractor."
    Monsen began networking through his Lane Frost Challenge and met several stock contractors. After visiting with several successful contractors, Monsen soon made his first bull purchase. His herd was officially started with three bulls he purchased from the first ever televised bull sale. The small herd grew quickly as Monsen added some prize cows and began starting his bulls from calves. "When they're calves, that's when the training begins. You can buck them out and see which bulls have potential and then you work with them to get them used to your touch and being handled. They need to buck, but they've also got to come into the back pens and be herded around and that's where knowledge of your stock comes in." Monsen says.
    Working with the bulls from the time they're young also gives Monsen a chance to get to know each individual animal. "A good contractor has to know his stock. Some bulls start out spinning left and when they're put in a right opening chute they might not have as good a trip. So it's up to the contractor to figure out if a bull's got a left or right delivery and to get them in the right chutes at events so the cowboys get a good ride." Half of the cowboy's points come from the bull's performance so it's important to enter stock that will perform well. "One of the first things that catches my eye with a young bull is whether or not he kicks high with his back feet and spins. Some naturally spin, some pick it up later, but better bulls usually kick and spin from the get-go. A lot depends on the bull himself though. These bulls have to have enough heart to keep going and like to buck."
    Upon observing Monsen with his bulls, you'll notice a calm demeanor he keeps with his animals. Monsen thinks patience may be a contractor's greatest asset. "The calmer you keep your bulls the easier they will be to handle and that makes them less dangerous. I've got one bull, Little John, he's maybe 13, 14 years old and I can do whatever I want to him in the back pens. My wife, Janet, can even feed him hay out of her hand, but when he gets in the arena he knows it's time to buck and he does his job. If he has people poking at him and stirring him up he'll get pretty mad and they'll pay for it."
    EMJ Bucking Stock and the Lane Frost Challenge are now a traveling outfit, going from town to town giving cowboys from all levels: high school riding champs to pro cowboys, a chance to ride, win some money and do what they love. Eldon has big goals for the Lane Frost Challenge. "We used to be affiliated with the PBR, then we switched to a CBR event and one of the reasons we changed was because we got to be on TV. I liked that a lot. The first year we went independent with the Challenge I was on Bull Riding TV- broadcast on American One Sports. I liked being on national TV so my goal for the Lane Frost Challenge is to get all our events televised." The Lane Frost Challenge has been televised by VTV and can be viewed on the internet now by going to strata.tv, local sports and watch the 2009 Vernal Lane Frost Challenge.
    As Monsen's bull herd grows and becomes more skilled, so does his Lane Frost Challenge event. Eldon Monsen is striving to push his show to a pro-level show and to breed and train some of the top bucking stock in the nation. He's got the determination and he's got the motive; fun. It's a fun job and he's just a guy having a good time, doing what he loves.
    Look for the Lane Frost Challenge and EMJ Bucking Stock at Altamont Longhorn Days on July 23^rd.

Pow Wow Dance Categories and Event Schedule - July 2010

42nd Annual Northern Ute Indian Pow Wow - July 2010

The 42^nd Annual 4th of July Pow-Wow at Fort Duchesne will be held on July 1^st through 4^th. This will be an amazing weekend filled with dance, drums, the circle of friendship, free fishing, a fun run, rodeo, golf tournament, softball tournament, and many other competitions. There will be lots of food, dancing, give-a-ways and most especially a lot of fun.
    This is a great family event that is open to the public. Thursday and Friday nights are set to begin at 7:00 p.m. and Sat. and Sun. at 1:00 p.m. The pow wow grounds are located 7 miles east of Roosevelt so make sure that you take a short drive out to Ft Duchesne and enjoy the culture that is all around us.
    For more information Contact Alvin Longhair, President at 435-724-3758 or 435-353-4665 or you can e-mail him at (ute_powwow_08-09@hotmail.com) If you are interested in being a vendor than you can contact Quanah Poowegup at 435-724-3749. Come enjoy one of the basin's premier events and share in the rich Native Culture that is the Northern Ute Tribe.

  

Altamont Long Horn Days: Living in the Promised Land - July 2010

Altamont Long Horn Days: Legendary Rancher Howard Jenkins - July 2010

Howard Jenkins has lived in Bluebell longer than any other resident there, but that's not what makes him legendary. Jenkins has made a name for himself through his hard work and dedication to working the land, raising cattle, and being an honest man.
    The fifth of eight patriotic kids, 80 year old Howard Jenkins began working the cows in Bluebell when he was just five years old. "I started milking when I was five, and then when I was six I took the cows out and herded them all day and milked them at night. I've ridden a horse all my life." It was all good experience he'd need when his five older siblings went off to serve our country during World War II or moved away and got jobs and the bulk of the chores fell upon Howard's shoulders.
    Howard met his wife, Fontella of Mt. Emmons, in the fourth grade. He married his high school sweetheart in 1950 and together they've raised three children, Gary (Paula), Sherri (Ron Giles) and Bruce (Toni), fourteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Howard started out milking cows, but eventually switched over to beef cattle. "Everybody had cows when I was growing up. That's just what we had and what we did. It's a changing world we live in now."
    Like most ranchers, Howard worked off the ranch a time or two when it was necessary. "Raising beef cattle is good, but it's barely a living some years so I did what I needed to feed my family. I've worked on an oil rig for a couple of winters and I worked for the creamery in Altamont for a lot of years as well."
    Howard loves to raise a big garden, irrigate and raise hay and run cows on the 800 acres he still owns in Bluebell, just one mile south of where he was born. He also loves to get out on his horse and ride and spend time in the mountains. "I've spent quite a bit of time up in the mountains. We ran cattle on the mountain for years and up in Wyoming. I've fished a lot of lakes and streams in these mountains." Howard and Fontella enjoy ranching, but also take time for trips to the Vernal temple and spending time with family.
    Howard Jenkins is honored to be named Longhorn Days Legendary Rancher of the Year and is happy to represent the only home he's ever known and the land he loves.

Altamont Long Horn Days: Grand Marshalls Harry and Beverly Fieldsted - July 2010

As original as Longhorn Days themselves, it's only natural that Harry and Beverly Fieldsted be honored as Grand Marshalls of the Altamont Longhorn Days celebration this year. Active members of the community, Harry and Beverly Fieldsted are well known and much loved in the tight knit community they grew up in.
    Born in Boneta, Harry Fieldsted grew up farming and ranching. World War II was raging by the time he turned 18, so he enlisted and served in the South Pacific on an ammunition ship in the Maritime Service. When he came back, he re-discovered an old childhood friend, Beverly Holder, who had grown up in Mt. Emmons. She was Beverly Shiner by this time, but the war had made her a widow. Her husband, soldier Burke Shiner, was killed in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and Beverly also had a small son, Bill Shiner. Since they were out of high school now and Harry was no longer "that snot nose kid who was a year younger than she was", Harry and Beverly hit it off and soon began dating and were married in 1946 and added three more boys to the family over the years.
    Bill, Terry, Gary and Tony all four kept the Fieldsted's busy and involved. Harry worked hard milking cows and eventually got a herd of his own and began running them on his dad's land. He taught his sons to work hard and enjoy life. Harry and Beverly spent a lot of time in the mountains with their sons and taught them life's lessons as they worked side by side on the family land. Bill, Terry and Gary raised their families in Altamont and still live on family owned land in the area as well. The Fieldsteds have about 80 grand, great and great-great grand children with more on the way.
    "We've had a very good life here in Altamont." Harry says. "We've both been involved in the community as much as possible, we've always taken an active part and been involved in everything. We feel it's a huge honor to be named Grand Marshalls for Altamont Longhorn Days 2010." The Fieldsteds sold all the cows and retired in 2003 and went on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They have always been very active in church serving in many leadership positions and enjoyed their mission to Nauvoo, IL. in 2004. They recently retired as temple workers after 16 years as well.
    Harry says he enjoys retirement, but he's not quite ready for senior citizens groups just yet. He is proud to represent Altamont as Grand Marshall and with his bride of 63 years at his side, he is sure to enjoy every minute. "We know some of the best people in the world here." Beverly gushes. "This is an easy place to live. It's quiet and country, yet it's not too far from the mountains one way and the store the other way. We're sorta centered between the mountains and the shopping and I like that. I love this community and have enjoyed serving any way I can."
 

Tabiona Celebration: Git-R-Done!! - July 2010

Tabiona Celebration: Grand Marshall Nina Gines - July 2010

The location, scenery, and faces of the Tabiona 4^th of July Celebration may have changed over the past 80 years, but the true rodeo spirit of old West Americana lives on and thrives in this mountain community thanks to longtime residents like 4^th of July Grand Marshall Nina Gines.
    Nina Sizemore Gines was born April 3, 1928 to some of the original settlers of Tabiona. She has lived in Tabiona her entire life, was married to Ferron Gines in 1950 and has raised three children in Tabiona; Tex, Levaughn, and Irene. She's now got 17 grand children, 35 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grand children to pass down her love of her hometown to.
Nina has always enjoyed a good rodeo and has volunteered countless hours to the Tabiona Rodeo and 4^th of July Celebration as rodeo secretary, made hundreds of pounds of sloppy joes, and even lent the use of her property for 40+ years for the rodeo. Ferron was a fan of rodeo as well and would probably be sitting in the front seat of his red and white Chevy pickup waiting for the cook shack to open so he could have a rodeo burger if here were here today. Ferron passed away in 1996, but while he was here, he loved to keep time for all the rodeo events and practices they attended just to make sure the official timer keepers were correct.
    Nina remembers good times, "We really used to have fun on the 4^th of July. We'd gather up the cows and horses from the fields and that was our bucking stock. Uncle Tob had a horse that he rode all the time and used to plow the fields. On rodeo day that horse became a bucker. Nobody ever made the 8 second ride on that horse and Uncle Tob finally sold him to a rodeo stock company. I also remember Grandpa and Grandma Gines would bring ice from the ice house and we'd make homemade ice cream. Everybody pitched in and brought food and we had a great time. Everyone dressed up in their best clothes for the parade too, and everybody walked and marched in the parade. Now days everybody rides."
Many of the old elements of the Tabiona rodeo have changed. There are no more horse races, they don't do the same kinds of programs they used to and the rodeo has become a bit more refined, but there is still a lot of fun to enjoy in Tabiona and you can bet that Nina Gines will be right there in the middle of it all, enjoying every second of the excitement.

Neola Celebration: Home Of The FREE Because Of The BRAVE - July 2010

Neola Celebration: Grand Marshalls Max and Alice Warren - July 2010

Max and Alice Warren's priorities are summed up in their answering machine message: "You've reached the Warrens, where we fix everything, feed everybody, and love everyone. So, if you're in need of fixin', feedin', or lovin', or whatever, leave us a message, and we'll get back to you!"
    Max and Alice have been working together, fixin', feedin', and lovin', since they married 54 years ago, but Alice remembers admiring Max's "curly hair, blue eyes, and quiet disposition" long before that as the two grew up together in Tridell. Although they didn't date until years later, Alice reckons their relationship started when she gave Max an "I love you" conversation heart as he got off the bus one day in the seventh grade. If you ask Max about their courtship, he simply declares, "Alice chased me until I caught her!"
    The Warrens raised five children on their ranch in Neola: Lana, Deanne (Quick), Blane, Kenneth, and Shelly (Turner).
    When the children were no longer in need of her full-time feedin', lovin', and correctin', Alice decided she needed to pursue a college education. On her 50th birthday, she enrolled in a nursing program at Weber State University, and less than two years later, she graduated as a Registered Nurse (RN). Since then, she has worked at the hospital in Vernal, and, at age 70, she still works as an RN in Surgical Services at Ashley Regional Medical Center.
    In addition to caring for patients, Alice says another of her passions is cooking. Max states that she is also talented at sewing and quilting.
    Max served our country from 1955 to 1957. He finished basic training in Fort Carson, Colorado, and was so well liked that they kept him there to train new recruits for the remainder of his service.
    Max then worked as a mechanic and welder for most of his adult life, and Alice says that he can fix anything. "I once complained to Max about that," she said. "I told him I thought if he wasn't so good at fixing things, maybe I could get something new once in a while. His response was, 'No, Alice. If I couldn't fix it, you probably wouldn't have one!'" Alice has appreciated his repairman skills ever since then
    Max served on the Board of Directors of Uintah Basin Telephone Company for 12 years, and he has been serving on the Board of Directors for the Neola Water and Sewer District since the couple settled in Neola in 1974. A few years ago, he received a Golden Shovel award for his outstanding service to the community in that capacity. Alice has also been recognized for her outstanding service at the hospital where she is employed.
    Max and Alice have served diligently in their church their entire lives. "God is the foundation of everything we do," Alice stated. The Warrens have proven their devotion to God by serving as volunteer workers in the Vernal LDS temple for the past 10 ½ years. During her younger years, many of Alice's church assignments entailed caring for children, but "[I] didn't tend them, [I] taught them," Alice said humbly. "And I still love having a baby on my lap," she added. "We love it when our family comes to visit."
    The Warrens have been blessed with 24 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

 

Beginning in the summer of 1974, the Warrens spent many years helping to organize and run the Neola Rodeo, and the town of Neola is grateful for the opportunity to honor Max and Alice at this year's celebration.

 
 

Dinosaur Round-Up Rodeo's Legendary Cowboy: Floyd Massey - July 2010

Nobody gets the title "Legendary Cowboy" by sitting on his duff, even though he's nearing 90. Floyd Massey, this year's Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo Legendary Cowboy, is 87 years old, and he's definitely earned that title. He may not be out on his big, tall horse as much anymore, but he sure isn't slowing down a whole lot. There is a lot of work to be done on a ranch, and Floyd Massey is legendary when it comes to outworking anyone.
    A lifetime rancher in the Jensen area, Floyd still runs the family ranch with his wife of 61 years, Geneva. Floyd started out working and ranching. It's what he's done all his life and it's what he loves. Born in 1923 in Dry Fork (then called Mountain Dell) as the eighth of eleven kids, Floyd was thrown up on a horse when he was just a baby and began doing chores not long after. His father was a government trapper and was often gone in the mountains on trapping jags. The Massey kids were left with the farm and ranch work, and each kid learned the value of good, hard work, and gained a strong work ethic. During The Great Depression the Massey family ran a dairy. There were no electric milkers back then, so the milking duties fell to the Massey kids and they worked hard all day long.
    When he was 16 years old, Floyd ventured to Steamboat, Colorado to work on a ranch, putting up hay for the summer. He returned and headed towards Ogden, working in the Hill Air Force Base area until he was old enough to enlist. He served in the US Coast Guard during WWII for four years, then came back home to the Basin and began working, farming and ranching.
    Floyd wasn't in town long before a pretty girl caught his eye. It was at a basketball game, "Probably Uintah vs. Union." says Geneva, when Floyd saw the girl he instantly knew he was going to marry. It was the girl in the red dress with great hair who tickled his fancy, and that night, after Floyd was introduced to Geneva by mutual friends, he said to himself "I'm gonna marry that gal.". "He says he just liked the way my hair looked." Geneva teases, but it didn't take her long to fall for the cowboy who was also a good dancer. She nearly missed the bus home that night, but it wasn't long before they were an item and were married a year later. Floyd and Geneva raised one cowboy, Hal, and one little cowboy-girl, Linda. They've ranched and farmed with their children by their side ever since.
    Floyd had always dreamed of having a cow ranch of his own, so soon after they were married, Floyd and Geneva started their herd with 15 Hereford cows. After a few years they went into the business of raising registered Herefords and sold bulls. When the market changed, so did the Massey herd, Floyd began cross-breeding Salers, French cattle, with their Herefords and kept selling bulls. When red was out and black was in, the Massey herd mixed in black Salers and bred on into Angus, the popular breed in the cattle market today. In addition to acreage in Jensen, the Masseys have a ranch up on Diamond Mountain, a little slice of heaven measuring 1540 acres on Pot Creek.
    Through the years Floyd has done all manner of farm and ranch work and sometimes side jobs as well. In the 1950's he was one of the first to own a hay baler so he began doing custom hay work. Floyd took a job in the oilfield a time or two, but Geneva ultimately decided it would be easier for her to work while he ranched, so she took a job with the Park Service and even worked at a saddle shop before settling in with the Uintah School District as a Special Ed assistant for 20 years.
    A true cowboy in every sense of the word, Floyd even broke his own horses. He's stayed in the saddle ever since, but in the last year has decided it might be time to let his horse have a break while he rides something with four wheels instead of legs. It's not slowing him down a bit; it's just different, and a little fun. Massey is honored to be the Legendary Cowboy for the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo this year, especially because in all the 61 years they've been married, Floyd and Geneva have never missed a single Dinosaur Roundup. Hal used to say that going to the rodeo was the Massey family vacation. When the time came, they'd just shut everything down and go roedoing. They'd go to all the little local rodeos as well. Floyd and Geneva have also delighted in watching their grandchildren, Brett, Corey and Lance Stubbs, rodeo and wrestle for Uintah High. Geneva said when Corey graduated in 1992 she was a little sad and kinda missed going to all those rodeos. But, not one to sit idle, Floyd soon found some fun action in team penning. Floyd, Linda, Brett and Corey were some of the first team penners to get involved when Vernal started up a club. "Rodeo is a way of life for us around here." Geneva says. "Riding horses and working with the cattle have just always been Floyd's life. It's what he's always done, and I can't imagine him doing anything else."

The Edge Magazine salutes Floyd Massey- 2010 Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo Legendary Cowboy.

 
 

An Unlikely Destiny - July 2010

Nancy Hunter's pedigree may not have dictated her course as a rodeo champion, but something inside her did! Nancy was born in Lehi to a mother who was terrified of horses and a father who didn't know a thing about them, yet Nancy loved horses from her very first encounters with them. She recalls, "I was that kid who would beg everyone to let me ride or even just pet their horses. I'd clean stalls, mow lawns, and do just about any other dirty job for the neighbors if they'd let me ride their horses."
    Nancy's grandpa, a dairy farmer, found an old horse for Nancy to ride, and her parents eventually bought her another older horse and enrolled their persistent daughter in 4-H. In high school, Nancy bought herself an old horse and participated in every "play day" (riding club) event she could pay someone to haul her horse to. "I was pretty determined," Nancy said. Sometimes, Nancy couldn't find someone to haul her horse, so she'd slide the horse rack into the back of the family pickup, load up her horse, and head down the freeway toward an event.
    Fortunately, Nancy met Fred Hunter when she was 16. He had graduated from high school and had shown several horses, including some world champions. He found Nancy a "horse that ran" and began transporting her to rodeos, and, as you might have guessed, Fred has been doing similar favors for Nancy ever since.
    Although back then Nancy teased Fred that she was only dating him because he had a truck and trailer, there was clearly something more to their relationship; the couple married after Nancy graduated from high school. To this day, Nancy gives Fred credit for all of her rodeo successes: "Everybody knows I'm not a trainer. I just get on the horse and hang on! Fred is the best horseman I've ever met, and I love that he's light-handed with the horses; his animals want to work for him because they like him. He is also my driver. He loves his XM radio. I love to crawl in the back and sleep. I think I'm really spoiled!"
    Nancy was a state champion and qualified for the High School National Finals Rodeo both her junior year (in pole bending) and senior year (in polebending, goat tying and barrel racing).

    After their marriage, Fred continued to train horses for a living. "We had horses, we understood horses, so it was natural for rodeo to become a family affair," Nancy stated. The Hunters' four boys all participated in high school rodeo and qualified for the high school national finals, and some attended college on a rodeo scholarship. "Our lifestyle made it easy to raise good boys," Nancy added. "They never gave me a lick of trouble. If they thought about causing trouble, I'd just threaten to not let them ride their horses."
    Nancy supported her boys and stepped out of the limelight while they were in school. In the meantime, Nancy went back to college to become a Registered Nurse. Nancy explained, "I like to work fast and think fast. I have an addiction for speed. I'm somewhat of an adrenaline junkie, so naturally, I worked in trauma."
    About five years ago, Nancy realized how much she missed the adrenaline rush associated with barrel racing: "You're on your horse, and he's running down a pitch black alley as fast as he can. Suddenly, you enter a lit arena, and it's time to think fast. You have to have faith that your horse will instantly obey your cue. It's an amazing feeling. I think if I hadn't gotten into rodeo, I'd drive race cars!"
    About the time Nancy had the desire to reenter the rodeo scene, Fred had a horse sent to him to train. "He was just ugly," Nancy said with a laugh. "Fred put a lot of work into him, and eventually the owner called and said he'd decided to just sell the horse. He told Fred to look for a buyer." The horse was 6 years old by then, and Fred and Nancy couldn't convince a single person to even ride the horse. "He wants to be a barrel horse," Nancy would tell people, but still no one came. Eventually, Nancy decided to buy the horse, and that was a decision she has never regretted. "He was a great horse getting back into barrels," she said.
    Fondly known as "Fuzz", this horse, though not much to look at, entered the Wilderness Circuit in 2007 with Nancy in the saddle. Nancy explained: "We didn't enter many rodeos that year, around 25, but Fuzz got better and better, and Fred kept training him and riding him all the time. In 2007, Fuzz's first year, Nancy won the Wilderness Circiut, and Fuzz was ranked among the top 35 barrel horses in the nation."
    The next year, Fuzz and Nancy set several arena records, most of which still stand. They won the Wilderness Circuit again and were among the top 25 in the nation, an incredible feat considering that they only entered 28 rodeos on Fuzz (a lot of the other pro women enter 60 or 70 rodeos each year), 20 on her colt.
    In 2009, Fuzz and Nancy won $18,000 at a single rodeo in Denver, which was more than any of the cowboys! He set an arena record at the Snake River Stampede. "Fuzz has more than paid his way," Nancy said. "He doesn't owe me anything. Someday he'll enter the 'geriatric pen' with all the other horses we love. He's earned it." With the great risk for injury to the animal with barrel racing, Fred has begun training a younger horse for Nancy to ride to allow Fuzz to rest. "Big Gun" is much smaller, but he occasionally outruns Fuzz.
    Nancy stated that her goal for her future in rodeo is to "have some fun." She has entered the Wilderness Circuit again and hopes for another trip to the Circuit finals. "You never know what will happen, though," Nancy said. "You need healthy horses and some luck to make it to finals, and that doesn't always happen when you're asking your horses to run all the time. So I don't take it too seriously. I enter rodeos held at places I want to see.
    The Hunters enter more than one rodeo every week end but always return home late Saturday night or early Sunday morning so that Nancy can teach her primary class at church—another of Nancy's talents that has become somewhat of a hobby!
    One of Fred's most recent successes is in bit making. He designs bits for professional riders, and his customers are happy, but until recently he didn't have the resources to make large quantities.
    While at a rodeo in Fort Worth, the Hunters met Martha Josey, who is probably the most well-known woman in rodeo. Now in her 70s, Josie is still known for her winnings years ago, but she has done a lot for rodeo since, such as building big schools and marketing bits and saddles. Josey liked the Hunters from their first meeting (who wouldn't?) and invited them to stay at her ranch in Marshall, Texas. Eventually, Josey had Fred riding her world-champion horses with his custom-made bits. Josey chose four of Fred's styles to market, so now those bits will be made in large quantities and will have the Josey name to back them. The Hunters are excited about the new partnership and the Josey-Hunter bit line.
    Fred is also known internationally for his training skills, and serious horsemen will fly him to their locations to ride and school their horses. Fred is known for training horses to be consistent. Nancy stated, "People comment that my horses look exactly the same on every run. We don't always win, but we're consistently in the top 3 or 4, and we usually always get a check."

    Nancy is excited to find out what the future will bring to her and Fred. "I know my barrel racing days are numbered, so I'm just enjoying them. The day it's not fun and I think, 'I don't want to run down that alley,' I'll be done with it. Then maybe I'll open a clinic in a third world country or something. Maybe Fred and I will sell our house and live out of our trailer like gypsies. I don't know. The possibilities are endless, and it's all so exciting. I love thinking about my options. I'm glad that regardless what else happens, I enjoy nursing and taking care of patients so that I can always feel like I'm making a difference."