Rodeo Interviews
Lets talk to Ed at East Hazel Saddlery… Part Two
If you missed Part One, please check it out here..
Do you keep things already made on hand, or is it by order only?
I hardly ever have anything on hand unless someone didn’t pick up an order. Usually have no problem finding a home for them though. I usually have several custom headstalls that I make for myself hanging around the shop.. Somebody will usually stop by and want them before I get a chance to use them. I usually have a few rope saddles on hand at all times to.
What makes your pieces different from other peoples?
I am a custom maker. If you get something from me it’s probably the only one. The great thing about making tack as it is ordered each item is different, they might be similar but you will never be at a rodeo and the person next to you will have the exact same gear on their horse! I make everything out of the best materials I can find and I don’t cut corners. If I don’t like it I will redo it until I do. The only drawback to this is that I’m slow. I can’t turn out tack fast. The main thing that make me different is that I’m accessible. If something happens to something I made for you I will stop what I am doing and get the issues fixed as soon as I can. I think customer service is sometimes overlooked in this business. My customers are a priority to me so it is important to get them back out on the Rodeo Road!
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
In five years from now I hope to be in a little stand alone shop instead of working out of my basement. I hope to continually build a happy and loyal customer base. I’m going to stay focused on my goal of producing simple, stylish, durable and affordable tack and saddles for everyone from beginners to world champions alike!!!
Everybody, thank you for your time and interest in what I do! If there is anything I can help you with or do for you, or if you have any questions please feel free to contact me!
Thanks again, God Bless, and Long Live The Cowboy!!!
Ed Rehmus
5357 New Providence Road
Hazel Ky 42049
fasteddie_26@yahoo.com
Here are some additional pictures from East Hazel Saddlery….
OTRR wants to give a HUGE Thanks to Ed at East Hazel Saddlery for opening up his tack shop to us and letting us show off his beautiful work! Thanks again!
Be sure and check back for more from Ed, he will be showcasing more pieces in the next few months.
Introducing East Hazel Saddlery………………
Hey OTRR Fans! Grab a cup of coffee, sit back and learn about East Hazel Saddlery, owner Ed Rehmus and see some pics of some GORGEOUS tack!! We are BIG fans and we know you will be too………
Ed, Tell us how long you have been in business and what got you started?
Well this all started about 14 years ago when I bought a calf roping saddle to bulldog out of. That thing was wore out, something was constantly breaking and getting me killed in the practice pen. After getting tired of picking dirt out of my ears from all the wrecks and no one around here that I know of that worked on saddles I decided to work on it my self. I went to the local western store and they have a VCR tape on saddle building. So I rented it and tore that old saddle apart. A week later i had a usable saddle with new fenders, stirrup leathers, and I narrowed the horn and re wrapped it. Fast forward ten years I really wasn’t making that much stuff. I made some split ear head stalls for friends for Christmas because I was broke and couldnt afford to buy them anything. They were simple copies of a Jon Isrel head stalls. After that Christmas the orders started coming in.
Tell us how you got involved in rodeo and how it has influenced your business now?
My rodeo career got started in an unlikely way, I didn’t grow up on a farm or ranch. We did have a horse for a couple years when I was little but never had any aspirations of being a cowboy. I was a freshman in college, and just got back from the 1992 Olympic try outs for Tae kwon Do. Man I got my but kicked out there and was really burned out. My room mate at the time Chuck Zickus, introduced me to some guys on the rodeo team at Murray State. They were the coolest people I have ever been around. So that is were I caught the Rodeo Disease! Rodeoing has influenced my business in a couple ways. First, it has made me strive to make a product that is rodeo tough. I always hated when something tore up right after I got it or between runs on my bulldogging horse. I only use the best leather and hardware I can find. And I make my tack a little heavier than needed. Secondly I make my tack to be simple, stylish and affordable! Affordable and dependable being the key.
What are your goals for East Hazel Saddlery?
The main goal is to make great leather goods that make my customers happy. Happy customers are who have made tack business a possibility to begin with. I want to continually hone my leather skills so I can keep making my products better!!
Are you all your products customized?
Right now everything is custom, except for the Isrel head stalls and sometime I tool those up too!! Everything is hand cut one at a time, tooled and sewn by me. Heck I even hand rub the edges of each piece for the best finish I can achieve.
What made you decide to begin working with leather?
What really got me interested in leather work were beautiful custom saddles. I know that sounds weird but that’s what got me interested. One of the guys that helped me the most with my bulldogging always had great horses, and custom saddles. At time I had no idea who Council, Barnes, Hogg, or Slone was but they were all there in his barn.. Every time I was over there I was going through his saddle racks looking at the saddles like they were works of art, and really they were!!
I am sure many of you are going to run to the phone to contact Ed about his goregous stuff! Here is his contact information:
East Hazel Saddlery
5357 New Providence Road
Hazel Ky 42049
fasteddie_26@yahoo.com
270-293-8675
Please stayed tuned for Part 2 of our interview with Ed from East Hazel Saddlery coming up later this week! Lots more to share and more pictures!
Brandenburg Equine Therapy comes to Kentucky
Last spring, On The Rodeo Road had the pleasure of interviewing Troy Brandenburg. If you missed this interview you will definitely want to check it out here.
Leigh and I have been fans of Troy’s for a long time. We have longed for the chance to have him work on our horses. We wanted to learn more about his technique. A date for him to come to the great state of Kentucky came with a promise of Derby tickets. Hey, a girl has to do what a girl has to do… just kidding. However, I did get him tickets because Troy and his lovely wife, Tiffany, were going to the Derby and I wanted it to be a great experience for them. Derby weekend it FLOODED and there was no way to go forward with our planned day. We were very disappointed but Troy promised to come back in 3 weeks….. IT WAS SO WORTH THE WAIT!
Troy really is amazing when it comes to his profession. We had lined up 10 horses. It was going to be a long day but that just gives everyone more opportunity to learn. First, Troy worked on Roanie and right off the bat before ever touching him could tell he was sore in his back. I was amazed that he could just SEE the soreness! He went to work on him, stretching, massaging, and showing me how to loosen him up. It was really an eye opening experience because I try to stay very tuned to my horses. They always get massages, liniment baths and their PHT blankets but this was so in depth. Troy pointed out some places to really work on since Roanie has some big muscling areas. I, now, focus on these areas each time I get on him. He showed me how to see the looseness in Roanie’s muscles and know when he is ready to work.
Troy Brandenburg stretching Roanie
Next, he moved on to Leigh’s horse, Dually. We have had some issues with Dually such as ducking barrels and just not being real happy this year. The vet route did not improve these issues. Troy, immediately, showed us how tight he was in his gaskins and all through his hips. He worked on Dually for a long time and you could see the relief by the time he was done! Dually was tracking better and really stepping up under himself. We are continuing our stretching regiment with him and Dually is coming back strong!
Troy is an asset to any program. We feel very strongly about his techniques and what he does for our equine friends. Not only does he help our horses but Troy helps the owner. He educates you on what he is doing and shows you how to help your horse in a way that many people overlook.Troy takes stretching maneuvers to a whole new level. I feel blessed to have gotten the chance to meet him and Tiffany.
If you ever have the chance to meet Troy Brandenburg and have him work on your horses, JUMP ON IT! He is definitely someone you want on your side!
That Once in a Lifetime Horse……….
-A little girl with big dreams and a horse that made them come true…….
Christy and Reetz
I was browsing through FB the other day and stumbled upon a picture that I couldn’t take my eyes off of. It was a gorgeous shot of a barrel horse getting ready to smoke a pattern at the PRCA Salinas, California rodeo. I thought the photo was gorgeous and wanted to learn more about this photographer. After doing some Facebook investigative work, I found out that the artist was a very talented photographer that takes beautiful pictures. I decided to look at her OWN photos..not photos that had been taken by her of other horses and people, but photos of her and HER horses. Something told me there was a story to be told as I looked at one in particular. It was of Christy and her mare Reetz running at the Salinas rodeo a couple of years ago. As soon as I saw it, I just got a feeling that this horse and Christy had a great story, so I did what any crazy person does…I simply emailed her and said “hey, tell me the story about this mare. I have a feeling it is a good one” and it was……
Christy grew up in Anaheim, Ca and had a love of horses from day one. She started out on a little Welsh Pony that her aunt owned. Every weekend Christy watched as all the little girls would load up their horses and go to horse shows. Longing to go and be a part of the fun, Christy would ask her Aunt why she couldn’t. Her aunt would explain that she didn’t have the fancy saddle or the silver headstall and she needed that flash to be competitive. Christy understood later in life that her aunt just wasn’t a competitive person but to a little girl that wanted to go show her pony, it was hard!!
At 15 years old, Christy found a showbill for a local Gymkhana that was just up the road. She made it to the show and won everything!! This is where the love of going fast and barrel racing came together. Christy quickly learned that flash had nothing to do with it, it was her and her horse and a clock.
Later on Christy met a man named Angel Crosthwaite and she would have no idea the influence he would turn out to have on her life. At the time, Christy had no clue who Angel Crosthwaite was. She would later find out that he was an avid teamroper and hung out with the likes of John Ward and Les Vogt. He told her if she would babysit for him, then he would teach her how to train horses. Christy immediately agreed and started to learn the “ins” and “outs” of the horse training world. One particular day, the vet showed up to take care of some horses and casually mentioned to Christy that a lady down the road wanted to sell a mare. Christy jumped at the opportunity to try the mare. Christy watched the mare shake her head hating the bit in her mouth when others rode her. When it was Christy’s turn she had very steady hands and didn’t touch her mouth at all. The lady that owned the mare was impressed with Christy’s ability and sold her the mare for $1000.00. Christy had to sell her saddle in order to pay for her, but she got her bought!
With her new mare , Reetz only have 30 days of total riding, Christy got to work. Christy went back and worked with Angel some and got the mare going. It was a lot of grit and hard work. She told Angel “I have a lot of determination, don’t tell me I am doing it right if I am not!” After a little bit of training, Christy headed out to her first jackpot and got 5th in the 2D!! Christy said she left so mad, “I was so upset that I didn’t win! I was so ignorant, I had no idea how great that was, in my mind, I didn’t win, so I didn’t do any good.”
Christy continued to haul Reetz and was all over the board with her. One weekend she would be in the 1D and the next weekend the 4D. After a lot of frustrating runs, she finally had an epiphany with her mare. Christy said “I looked at Reetz and said WE HAVE GOT TO WIN SOME MONEY! And I swear that mare looked right back at me as if to say LET ME DO MY JOB AND WE WILL!” Christy said the next time she rode her she did exactly that! They left that barrel race with a 1D check and never looked back. Reetz went on to consistently run 17′s on a standard pattern, was a consistent 1D horse and had a lot of rodeo wins. Reetz did have her issues, just like all good barrel horses, they do have their quirks. One big problem that Christy dealt with was her gate issues. Although, with the help of Performance Products (www.microbial.com), one of Christy’s sponsors, she was able to see a difference in her mare at the gate and soon she became more manageable. Christy hauled Reetz all over the west coast rodeoing and barrel racing and when asked what is the most valuable thing she has learned from all her experiences she doesn’t hesitate to say “Don’t go out there to win, go out there to make your BEST run. We get too caught up in the win and if we just go out and lay down our best run, the win will come”
Christy and Reetz at Salinas CA PRCA Rodeo, Photo Credit Gene Hyder
Christy said that Reetz had more heart and grit than any horse she has ever ridden. At one point, she took her to a vet because of soreness and the vets exact words were “I can’t believe she can walk…let alone run a barrel pattern” Horses like that are hard to find. Christy found a once in a lifetime barrel horse standing in someone’s field. The grit and determination that BOTH of them had got them up and down the road and a lot of wins under their belt. Just goes to show what hard work can do! What started out as the love of a little welsh pony, the want to go faster and a drive and determination of a horse and rider……brought many beautiful things to Christy’s life. Christy is now a professional photographer (www.christyburleson.com) and resides in Riverside, Ca. Reetz is retired and Christy is bringing along a gelding out of her. We wish you the best of luck Christy, keep us posted as you hit the rodeo road!
Reetz and her colt Mr. Dashin Pep Cat
-About the Author
Leigh Walkup resides in Georgetown, Ky with her two barrel horses and her Australian Shephard. She works for an Equine Health Care Publication and loves running up and down the road to barrel races!
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You asked Tana Poppino….We got the answers..
A few weeks ago we announced on our Facebook page we would pick 2 questions and have them answered by NFR Qualifer Tana Poppino. Here is question #1:
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to
enter the WPRA ranks and head down the professional rodeo trail?
My advice to anyone looking to go down the road is, “you better get
your big girl panties on,” cause these girls don’t cut you no slack! I
love what I do and I’m very blessed to get to do it, but it is a lot
more work than most people will ever know. You have to learn to be your
own truck driver, navigator, mechanic, vet, trainer, jockey and
waterboy.
Tana Poppino
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Tana Poppino talks with OTRR… Final part of our series!
When at the NFR do you keep your horses at the Thomas and Mack or do you keep them off the grounds?
I never like to keep my horses in little stalls so I keep them off site.
How do you mentally get ready for the July 4th rush? Cowboy Christmas can log a lot of miles, how do you prepare for that?
When we leave for Reno (third week of June), I plan to be gone until at least the first week of August when we go back to our circuit for Dodge City. I spend several weeks trying to get stuff caught up at the house, and I make a list of stuff to do and things to pack. There always seems to be more that I can get done before I leave. Once we get on the road, it’s just business. You take it one day, one run, at a time.
When you are off the road and have a break how much time off do you give your horses, or do you continue to ride daily?
I like to give them a break for a couple of days, but I keep them in shape. They need to have a couple weeks off from competition every so often, with two horses that’s much easier for me to do. I try to keep them fresh, but in top shape.
Of all of the horses you owned is their one you share or shared a special bond with that isn’t like any of the other relationships you have had with your horses?
Twister, my palomino that I rode growing up, and Amigo have very similar personalities. Both of them are/were tough, competitive, and the boss hoss. They each have a piece of my heart, but Goose is growing on me, too. When you spend as much time as we do with our horses on the road, you develop that special bond that you are talking about.
Who helps you up and down the road, lets give a shout out to your sponsors!
My husband, Marty, makes it possible for me to go. He encourages me and helps me with my horses, and my truck and trailer. My son Brodie is my biggest fan and encourager. Thanks to Cowboy Rigs, Total Health Enhancement, EquiPride, Professionals’ Choice and Rodeo Promotions have supported me through both the good and down times. Each of these companies are made up of wonderful people who have been great to me. I would also like to thank all those lift me up in prayer and cheer me on. The rest of my family shouldn’t be left out either, Mom, Dad, my brothers and their families, and Jean and Leonard Poppino, the best mother- and father-in-law in the world.
Discover your God-given talents, give your dream to God, work hard, trust Him, and never, never give up.
OTRR would like to give HUGE THANK YOU to Tana for being a contributor to our website! Thanks again Tana and Good luck On The Rodeo Road!
Be sure and check back for Rodeo Updates from Tana Poppino!
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Tana Poppino… Part 3…Funny stories to on the road care.
Be sure and check out Part One and Two
Tana what rodeo experience means the most to you?
There are many wonderful memories, but winning Calgary stands out. Outrunning three world and Canadian champions in front of thousands of fans was like a dream. When they handed me the $100K check, it was almost surreal, but the cheers of the crowd were real! On the inside, I heard a still, small voice say, “I can bless you more exceedingly abundantly more than you can imagine.” Wow, what a day!
When you first arrive at a rodeo and unload your horses what is the first thing you do mentally to prepare?
I go check out the arena and the barrel pattern.
What product is a must have when hauling your horses? Do you use magnetic blankets, poultice, soft ride boots? What is your go to product when loading your horses?
I use whatever necessary to keep my guys feeling good—magnetic blankets, boots, ice machine, soft-ride boots for concrete, Doc Antle’s rub concoction, electro-magnetic blanket, etc. Amigo and Goose get EquiPride every day to make sure they get the nutrition they need. I don’t leave home without my NutraWound, cause you never know when you might need it. My trailer has an air ride system on it from Cowboy Rigs, I think that’s a big part of the reason Amigo has lasted so long.
Do you have a beginning and end to each season, or does it all just roll together for you? Is there ever a moment where you say “I am not going this year”?
Odessa starts each year, and the NFR should end each year!
I’ve not ever had that thought, but everything depends on how my horses are feeling.
Give us one funny experience that happened at a rodeo that you still laugh about today?
The first time I went to Reno, I found out that we had to go downtown and park in a casino parking lot instead of staying at the rodeo grounds. At 6 am, there was a knock on my door, and when I cracked it; Jeanne (Anderson) was standing in the parking lot with clothes, tack and feed piled all around her and she had the most apologetic look on her face, when she asked if she could pleeease put her stuff in my trailer. Behind her in the parking lot, there was a homeless man with all his stuff piled around him, too. It struck me so funny that I just shut the door and started laughing. Mom asked me who it was, and I said it was just a homeless person. Her ride had just dumped her out and left her. We still laugh about it. That’s how our partnership started.
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Getting to know Tana Poppino…. Part two
If you missed Part One of this interview you can find it here.
Do you still get nervous before each rodeo? What is your routine before you run down the alley?
Nerves or adrenaline, whatever you call it, yeah. That’s the thrill of competing—putting all your hard work on the line and letting it all hang out.
My warmup routine differs with each horse. Right before the barrel race though I do follow the same routine: I get off, clean their feet, check their Professional’s Choice boots, check the bridle/tie-down, tighten my saddle, put my rubber bands on, then I try to take a deep breath, relax, think through my run one more time, then I relax and keep my horse relaxed. When the girl in front of my goes, I start making my way to the alley, so I’m ready when called.
Some girls perfer to haul with hauling partners and some perfer to haul alone? Which do you like? If you prefer to haul wtih partners, who do you enjoy hauling with?
Economics dictate hauling with someone. Jeanne Anderson and I have traveled together for several years, much longer than any of the team roping teams have roped together! Brenda Mays (and Brandie Halls) usually joins us for a couple of weeks in the summer. My mom goes with me when I have to travel by myself, usually in the spring and fall when she’s off work. She says that she is a professional passenger, but, of course, she is so much more to me!
What is one of the most frustrating aspects of rodeo?
1. Keeping your horse healthy and sound. 2. Keeping your truck and trailer sound and running down the road.
Biggest highlights so far this year?
Winning Guymon on Amigo. In 2008, we did surgery to take a chip out of his ankle (that had been there a while), and because of the damage, they didn’t give me a very bright prognosis. He is healthier now and feels better at 15 than he ever has; and topping the field of 160+ racers at Guymon confirmed that. (Last year I broke my ankle so he didn’t really have a chance to show what he could do.)
How do you stay fit out on the road, do you have a workout regimen? Do you try and eat healthy?
I don’t workout, I should. I do try to stretch. We walk so much that I figure that’s good enough. I am trying to eat healthier, and take vitamins. As I get older, I realize how important that really is.
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Get to know Tana Poppino….Part One
Tana Poppino is from Big Cabin, OK and fullfilled her life long dream of qualifiying for her first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2006. She made the top 15 again in 2007 and also won the famous Calgary Stampede on her beloved horse Amigo. With over 400,000 in career earnings, Tana is one of the top barrel racers around. Currently Tana is sitting third in the 2010 NFR Standings.
How do you keep your horses conditioned when you are hauling up and down the road? do you have a particular schedule that you live by? Do you try to get in a long trot session every day? What is your routine?
The one thing that is consistent on the road is inconsistency. Some days we run at 7 am, other times in the afternoon, or could be late at night, so I have no set routine. If we aren’t running hard, I try to ride for about an hour including 15 minutes of long trotting and at least 15 minutes of loping. If we are running every day, I will try to find somewhere to turn my horses out and just let them be horses and graze or whatever they want. My routine includes thorough examination of each horse, and then I work on whatever is sore or just basic maintenance.
What is the scariest thing that has happend to you while our hauling?
Several years ago when my son was young, I thought I lost him at Ft. Smith. He was supposed to meet me at a certain place as soon as the barrel race was over, and he misunderstood and waited somewhere else. I was terrified that the rodeo would end before I found him.
What is ONE safety measure that you recommend all ladies follow when out on the road?
Always be aware of your surroundings, and trust your gut. It’s usually God trying to warn you.
Favorite place to stop and eat when hauling?
Taco Bell for fast food, Applebee’s or Texas Roadhouse for a sit-down meal.
What rodeo do you look forward to all year?
Houston, because “Camp Houston” offers us such a great place to hang out and relax for several days. The Hospitality Committee is awesome. They make us feel at home. We have great Bible studies at night in the Cowboy Bistro tent, and let’s not forget, the great food provided by Ted and Linda Weisse. It’s kind of the unofficial end of the winter run.
Please stay tuned for more to come from Tana Poppino!
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Brooke Lane is back to talk more about the Lynn Mckenzie Clinic…..
Brooke Lane and A Royal Dash
Brooke Lane was nice enough to talk to OTRR about her experience at a Lynn Mckenzie Barrel Racing Clinic. This is Part II, if you missed Part I please click here.
Was there anything you were nervous or concerned about going in to this clinic?
The main thing that I was concerned about was forgetting something! :) My main focus was just to learn a lot, and to improve our time. Also, Lynn brought all kinds of bits to try as well as her saddles if you wanted to try them on your horses. Lots of people tried her bits, and everyone that I talked to that tried her saddle really liked it. Since I just bought a new saddle a couple years ago, I didn’t want to be tempted to buy another one 
After the clinic was over, what did you go home with? What was the one most significant thing that you learned?
I took a lot of notes during Lynn’s demonstrations, so that I could remember everything in a couple months. Lynn and Murray are both very down to earth people, and have such positive attitudes. Lynn’s story is very inspiring because she was a regular school teacher working, and riding horses as a hobby when Magnolia Missile came into her life. She had a regular job, husband, and family when she started to pursue the NFR, and I think most of us can relate to that.
The most significant thing that I learned was that straighter is faster, and smoother is faster. Lynn and Murray have really done their research. They count strides, and have figured out exactly how much time each extra stride is costing you. A short stride and a long stride take the same amount of time, but the long stride covers more ground so a long stride is faster. She said that barrel racing is won in the turn.
Their approach is different, but it makes sense and it’s been proven. Lynn and Murray said that their approach is all about trying to make it easier for the horse. Our horses aren’t made to peel the paint off barrels. They want to give them room to get around the barrel, and keep the forward momentum going. I think I will really focus more on positioning my horse, and lining him up for success. I don’t have it all figured out yet, but I have the foundation to keep working on it. The McKenzie’s also gave each of us a sheet with the dimensions of the cones and barrels on it so that we can set the teardrop up in our own arena for practice.
Would you recommend a Lynn Mckenzie Clinic to barrel racers?
I would defiantly recommend a Lynn McKenzie clinic to barrel racers. Come with an open mind, and you will learn tons. It will probably be different than what you’ve been taught, but I really believe that it does work. Both Lynn and Murray are very knowledgeable about horses and barrel racing. They have such a positive outlook, and really care for horses.
Okay, on a scale of 1 to 10 and 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, how much fun did you have?????
I had a 10 :) A weekend of meeting new people, learning, spending time with my horse, and barrel racing…does it get better??
Brooke, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk to us. We wish you the best of luck this summer!!
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