Biography of Cowboys

Howdy….

Here are some Cowboy's of the west and a short biography of their life. . . . 

The First Cowboy I would like to share is my father- Wally Bradshaw.

My father was born in 1939. He  grew up riding pony's at the fair.  When he was 6 years of age he rode his first full size horse.  I asked him if he remembered how he felt, this was his response:

" I was freaked out standing there looking up at my brother Del Reed's huge horse Star.  Star was all black except for the white star shaped mark on his face.  My father lifted me up onto his back and sent me on my way. He and Delreed watched me for a few minutes walking around the pasture, then all of a sudden Star took off.  He was running like the wind.  I was holding on for my life! As soon as dad got a hold of Star, I told him I was finished with this deal. 

Another tale my Father told was about a his horse named Rusty.  Dad said that his father got him this horse so he could pile 3 or 4 kids along on each ride. Dad said when Rusty would stop and eat some grass, one of the kids would inevitably slide down Rusty's neck, and that was always good for a laugh. 

The local Fair Grounds have been my fathers backyard since as far back as he can recall.  As a child grew up there frequenting rodeo's, fairs, and horse races.  In 1965 he joined the County Cassia Posse and over the years he was elected captain 3 different times. He was a riding member for 40 years.

Dad particularly loves hunting Trips to Sun Valley, Idaho where he can reconnect with nature on the back of a horse. 

In 1970  dad found another hobby, that was Chariot Racing.  For 5 or 6 years, dad and his best friend Arland Olson would take turns running the horses and they had tons of fun with that.  My father still gets a huge thrill out of racing horses but is generally happy to own the horses not race them himself.  In 2013 his horse "Running Away"  the World Championship in the 6th division, in Ogden, Utah.  He was a wonderful horse.  He and several other  horses of my fathers, has won over the years.  I can just see that huge smile that appears on my fathers face when his horse wins. The memories will never fade.  

My father has 6 kids, 10 grandchildren, 1 grate grandchild and many, many, many friends.    

My father is a great person. Always freely giving compliments and encouragement to others in words and deeds. He is quick to show compassion and caring for those who are sick or in need.  I admire him for his passion for knowledge and his quick wit.  

As I come to a conclusion, I look over and admire the collection of my fathers cowboy hats that has taken him on hundreds of miles through out the west.  Thank you Dad for everything and thank you for all the memories and being the true cowboy that you are.