He wasn't making any money in the completely-stalled out construction business of Oakdale, Calif. so the Best Header to Have Never Won the World decided to crack back out with Cody Cowden through Cheyenne. After that, if he had done any good, he'd decide if he wanted to keep going.

He's got his family's blessing to do what's best to put food on the table, a good partner and a solid horse: the roan mare he calls Marabell. So, that's it. It'll be fun to see what he gets done.

Also, here are a few links to horsemanship stuff I've enjoyed. Hope you do too.

I went to Road to the Horse and watched Tommy Garland start the colt in these videos. Here's the link to the first one, there are four, make sure you watch them all to see the progress of this little buckskin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVs2Hl2-C68

This is just simply amazing. Don't know anything about this guy, but he's pretty handy.

http://canecorso.com/lorenzo.htm

The rodeo season is a little slow right now, for whatever reason, May doesn't host as many big rodeos. It's lucky for me because it frees me up to do fun things like go to brandings and other events. In particular, I was able to go to Montana to a friend's ranch and help him move some cattle around. He had around 800 head of fresh yearlings that needed to go about 8 miles to a new pasture. We did that chore, then camped on Saturday. On Sunday, he gave us a historical tour of the ranch. It sits just west of the Battle of the Little Bighorn where Custer was wiped out. We drove the cattle right where Custer made his approach and camped where one of the other commanders, Reno, crossed what's now called Reno Creek to support Custer. I'm going to write an online exclusive story about the trip for Trail Rider Magazine coming up shortly. So stay tuned, in the meantime, here are some pictures.

The manager of the ranch, Dave Miller, used his completely authentic chuckwagon hitched to a four-up team to lead the way. The cook, Ed Anderson, is riding shotgun.

Behind the wagon we brought 782 yearling heifers to greener pastures. The drive went very well.

We put the cattle on Reno Creek to water. This is where they'll live for the summer.

We camped in this pretty little spot. Many historians believe this is where Reno crossed the creek (and the pack team got bogged down) on his way to support Custer.

A new development, however, is that the PRCA's attorney has broken his silence on the matter.

Here's what he had to say:

“The current state of the Warren litigation is that the PRCA is encouraging Mr. Warren to provide his proposed bylaw changes and agenda as ordered by the court. The PRCA asked him to provide his proposal by May 15, so that everyone who cares about the PRCA can finally see some definitive plan from him. Mr. Warren’s attorney has opposed that timing request,” said the PRCA’s outside general counsel Matt Barnett.

“It is frustrating for everyone involved that after over two years of litigation the PRCA and its membership still are forced to guess at what Mr. Warren is seeking to do. The time for vague and ambiguous promises is gone, and now it is time for Mr. Warren to put forth a specific plan so it can be judged on its merits. We look forward to commentary on that plan once it is offered.

“The PRCA is confident that the membership of the PRCA, when finally presented with Mr. Warren’s specific bylaw changes, will carefully consider those changes and will vote in the best interest of the PRCA.”

Let me know your thoughts. This particular issue has a lot of gray areas. Both sides are pretty upset with the other and have strong claims of wrongdoing and unethical dealings against the other. Who knows how this one will play out.

I'd love to hear what you think. Post a comment or drop me a line at rodeoblog@myhorse.com.

Best,
Bob

The weekend was a lot of fun. I've included some pictures.


Here's the new horse, Turkey.



In addition to cow work, I used the new horse, Turkey, to pony my 4-year-old son, Tate, around. Tate went on a short gather and helped brand all afternoon. His old pony, Frank, was as solid as ever.



Couldn't resist putting this one in. Even a guy who ropes as sorry as I do throws a nice loop now and then. It helps when your horse gives you a nice shot, too.



Not bad for a three-year-old.



Here's my brother, Andy, giving my daughter, Allie, a ride. Also pictured are Justin Cormac (left) and Chance Walter.



My brother Andy and my son, Tate.


The crew: Dave Prye, John Montgomery, Chance Walter, J.W. (Gooch) McQuiston, Jared Higby, J.T. Schalla, Amber Schalla, Andy Welch, Greg Benjamin, Todd McCaughey, Tate Welch, Bob Welch, Justin Cormac and Myles Culbertson. Not pictured are: Kristen Welch (the photographer), Rianna Welch, John Welch (flu) and Bonnie Welch (either cooking or wrangling kids).