Looks like heaven & feels like home.
Three months before my departure from the Calgary Stampede I sat in my apartment downtown Toronto feeling hopeless. As I wrote out a list of what I still needed in order to pull off this journey, my heart sunk.
– 2 Horses
– Money
– Camera Equipment
With each new dash came a new problem. Less than 90 days separated me from my departure and I had nothing.
For the previous 9 months I had sent out sponsorship packages, travelled to Brazil’s capital to speak to the ministry of culture, met with consuls… Nada… The only support I had was from family, friends and 2 companies – Mellohawk Logistics and Brasil Remittance.
One day, while roping with my good friend Jason Thomson’s in Guelph Ontario, he gave me the contact of Brian Anderson the manager of Copper Spring Ranch. Jason knew his brother Bruce really well and thought Brian might be able to help.
As soon as I got home I emailed Brian with all of the information I had on the trip. He replied immediately saying he would see what he could do.
Three days later I opened my email to find a new message from him. With my heart racing towards my throat I opened it. This is what I read.
“Good afternoon Filipe, I am happy to inform you that the ranch has agreed to provide you with a very nice sorrel gelding named “Bruiser” for your adventure.”
I must have jumped up and down for 20 minutes celebrating! I couldn’t believe it.
Brian and Copper Spring were the one of the first to believe in my dream! And in doing so, I trully believe they opened the doors of the universe for me. A few days after learning about Bruiser, Brian sent me another email with the good news about Stan Weaver donating Frenchie for the trip. Then OutWildTV struck up a partnership with me, the Calgary Stampede allowed me to depart from the Centennial Rodeo and the RCMP Musical Ride Unit agreed to see me out… Everything fell into place!
When I rode up to the Copper Spring sign a few weeks ago it was a surreal feeling! I had always said that making it to the Ranch in Bozeman would be my first hurdle. And there I was. Turning down its long driveway with my beautiful horses.
I have never in my life seen such a spectacular horse ranch! Surrounded by mountains the property is gorgeous and home to state of the arc facilities. And the horses.. oh the horses… My jaw was on the floor the entire time I was there. Composition, bloodlines, training… Their Quarter Horses have it all!
During my week resting at Copper Spring I got the opportunity to hang out with Justin Marquez, a trainer at the Ranch. Everyday we would head down to the Barns and I would watch him as he worked with 2-year-olds. It was an amazing opportunity
“I have always worked with horses and I love it,” Justin told me as he sat on a colt.
As the week went on I got a chance to see what the Ranch’s day-to-day is like. Some mornings I helped Brian and Justin rope steers, then I watched Matt Rice work with yearlings and if Lisa Anderson was riding a Barrel Horse I would watch in awe of her horsemanship!
I can’t thank the Copper Spring Family enough for their hospitality and love. Klein and Karen Gilhousen, Lisa and Brian Anderson, Seth Crowl, Justin Marquez, Matt Rice and everyone on the team made my stay a true pleasure!
Unfortunately, my time at the Ranch ended with tragedy. During the week Bruiser kicked a fence and went sore. His leg swelled up and the next morning he was barely putting any weight one it. It was the worst!
Luckily, Copper Spring lent me another horse to ride through Yelowstone. Well, while crossing the last river of the park, Frenchie stifled his hind left leg… I couldn’t believe it. How unlucky could one be?
We trailered Frenchie back to the Ranch where him and Bruiser are currently resting. Brian Anderson AKA the saint of a man, found me another horse to pack for the time being.
I hated leaving my two ponies back there… But they need to rest in order to get better. And with winter lurking close by, I had to keep moving south.
Copper Spring Ranch & Brian and Lisa Anderson Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu from the bottom of my heart 🙂
