"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if the can’t find them, they make them."
~George Bernard Shaw~

Happy 10th Anniversary to the Western Cowman Magazine! I’m still trying to come to terms with how quickly the last ten years have passed. Seems like just yesterday, when we began turning the gears to crank out the very first issue. Many people have asked me over the years how we conceived this magazine and what events led to its inception. Long story short, when things change, you make the adjustments you need to and never look back. We had been printing a magazine, which we were only responsible for the advertising. When that went away, it was time to begin printing a magazine for our industry that not only served the advertisers well but gave them editorial that folks could sink their teeth into as well as reflect on their lives and work. We did not want to print the same high school yearbook format that catered to a select group of people, we wanted a magazine that got past sophomoric mentalities and provided real facts, delivering interesting lifestyle features and could bring a smile on as well.

The Western Cowman provided something else which was sorely needed at that time, that was ownership. This magazine would be ours to either succeed with or fail; the choice would be ours and not left in the hands of others. So, yes we did change our circumstances to move on through life because the one thing I will never be is a victim and most certainly not a victim of circumstance forced on me by others. So taking the bull by the horns has gotten us ten years down the trail. Sometimes I’ve just hung to those horns for dear life while some of the trails have been a sheer joy ride. Some of the issues did exceed my expectations while others certainly didn’t meet them. I’ve had issues that brought accolades in from the readership and those that got me some butt chewing. With all of them, I’ve learned more about all of you and even myself. I know one thing is certain: I don’t enjoy the butt chewings.

Speaking of something to sink your teeth into is a great segue for me to begin telling you about this very special issue. We’ve come along way baby and this issue is going to be a special treat for everyone. The Pacer Awards 2007 will take you on the trail of the driving issues that have faced our industry in the past year, whether it is politics or Mother Nature, they’ve all had a hand in shaping the road we’re currently on. This is a road trip you won’t want to miss. We’ve provided a great summer management series, as well as some health related articles to help you stay on the cutting edge of what is taking place in our business. In our special features we’ve got the Top Dog, the Lucky Star Gallery and a Limousin Ranch in Colorado that all have something special to share. Keeping in mind that everyone needs their funny bone tickled on occasion, we’ve come up with our own version of the horoscope page for ranchers, and of course Hooter is still hanging in there.

A ten year success story doesn’t come on the back of just one or two people, it comes from teams of people who have shared a vision and have stayed the trail when it got rocky as well as level. The writers for this magazine are truly some of the most professional real people I know. Wes Ishmael began the trail with us at the start and has truly acted as my guide through many canyons along the way. I want to thank him and Sharla Ishmael for hanging with us for so many years. Joining the trail at the mid point were Heather Smith Thomas, Kindra Gordon, and Lisa Schmidt. They’ve been with us through moves, babies, tragedies and triumphs and we at Western Cowman count ourselves privileged that they are a part of our writing team.

The posse in this office is the gears that make everything work. Jason Sabourin and Steve Martinez are the creative oil that makes us look so good. Shiela Stamnas has the organizational skills of six people and manages to keep everything and everyone on task and on time. Tracy skillfully maneuvers four ringing phone lines at once and answers a tidal wave of questions daily. My thanks to all of them for their talents, their skill and the heart they bring to their jobs each day. Last and certainly not least is my publisher/spouse, he is the man that has guided, pushed and sold the advertising to keep this dream afloat and alive for the past ten years. Between firing one another monthly and staying married forever, I thank him for being the best business partner to trail with on the long distance haul.

Yes, I realize the trail has gotten pretty windy at this curve, but I can’t get out of the draft until I say thank you to our many advertisers over the years and a special thanks to our readership that make coming to work an adventure each and every day. So, grab a cold one, sit for a spell and enjoy the magazine. For myself, I’ve got just one more thing yet to do and that’s CELEBRATE!

Happy Trails……