Earn Your Spurs: Exploring the Cowboy, Horses and All Things Western

If you are a PBR fan, you no doubt remember Ross Coleman from his days as a fixture on the Built Ford Tough Series. But today we're talking about the 4-legged stars of the PBR and the people who raise them. Ross represents American Bucking Bulls' Backseat Buckers program. With a little extra cash, you can own a PBR bucking bull, even if you live in a highrise.

Today I speak with Lyle Sankey of Sankey Rodeo Schools. Lyle was one of the few cowboys who qualified for the NFR in all three roughstock events - bareback, saddle brond and bull riding. Today he puts on schools across the country teaching future rodeo cowboys the fundamentals and giving those who are just looking for a one day adventure, the ride of their lives.

Al Sandvold has been a bullfighter for more than 20 years. Why would anyone want to fight bulls or a living, you ask? Well, Al tells us the answer, for him anyway. Learn the finer points of cowboy protection in this interview.

In this episode, I talk to "Buckaroogirl," Adrian Brannan about her cowboy music, her bronc riding days and why she thinks it's so important to pass our western traditions onto anyone who is interested in listening. Adrian is so much fun! You won't want to miss this episode.

Today, I have no guest on the show. It is just me talking about the number 1 thing that I think holds people back from living out their western dreams - fear. I talk about the inspirational Fallon Taylor and how she has made a promise to raise the bar for rodeo by welcoming newcomers into the sport. I endeavor to do the same, not just in rodeo, but in whatever western activity appeals to them. You guys can do this! Don't let fear stand in your way!

You may have heard I am developing a new podcast called Cowboy Q&A, but I need your questions in order to roll it out! Simply go to www.earnyourspurs.com/cowboy-qa to leave me a voicemail of your question. Today's bonus episode features two questions from my friend John Harrer of the Whoa Podcast and gives you an example of the format of the future podcast!

Christie Schulte is the director of the Time To Ride Program. Time To Ride is an initiative of the American Horse Council to make horses more accessible to newcomers, especially families with kids. Today we talk about this great program and how you can get involved, whether you want to ride or want to offer a place to ride.

Sam Finden is a 29 year old blogger, author, hunter, horseman, and all-around good guy who made his way from Minnesota to Montana with the intention of living the western lifestyle. He grew up with limited horse experience and came to the cowboy way of life later than most, starting at 24.

Shortly after moving to Montana, Sam published his first book, Saddle My Good Horse, a clean educational fiction about high school rodeo and teenage ranching life. Many of the characters in the book were inspired by people Sam met in his travels, and many of the lessons contained in the book were not so easily learned by the author.

This is the special Christmas edition of the Earn Your Spurs Podcast. I have enlisted my brother Bryce to be my co-host and share some of the dysfunctional traditions in our family. Hope you enjoy it and Merry Christmas!

Today I am excited to introduce you to Lori O'Harver. This lady knows her bronc riding and you can find out more about that on her Bronc Riding Nation Facebook page. But today, I asked her on the show to talk about the most colorful and inspiring display of cowboy culture you can find anywhere. The National Finals Rodeo, which just wrapped up in Las Vegas Saturday night. We talk about the world championship races, the goings on around town and some of rodeo's more colorful characters. I really think you guys are going to enjoy this one.