Women Riding in the Far West

by James H. Nottage

A correspondent to a saddle and harness journal in the spring of 1894 wrote about California women abandoning the side saddle to ride astride.  It comes as no surprise that independent minded women in the West might cast "aside" the proprieties of Victorian manners, and after all, even equestrian traditions had to adapt to the needs and environments of the American West.

The idea of women riding astride surely shocked some readers.  The article noted that "western women, intrepid and defiant of conventionality, have arrived at a solution of the question, which to them is practicable."  A horseback ride in California meant to them more than a jaunt in the park.  For a woman, the author noted, it might be a half day journey, jumping fences, finding her way along perilous trails "where it is necessary to make it as easy for her horse as possible, as well as to have a sure seat and a comfortable position herself."

 
Through his photos, award winning photographer Myron Beck (Los Angeles, CA) inspires us to dream and embrace the beauty that surrounds us in the people we see, the environments in which we thrive and the diverse cultures that enrich our lives.  www.myronbeck.com
 

Some People Will Do Anything For Cards, Flowers and Phone Calls...
Danny Verrier - On the road back with a vengeance!


There likely wasn't anyone in our High Noon family who didn't stop in their tracks when they received the news that our Danny had had a stroke. No, not Danny! He's magnanimous, larger than life - he's invincible. Well, as we all learn at some point, much as we may think we're invincible - oops, we're not, and that's okay too. But, what's even more okay than our non-invincibility is that Danny is on the road to a stunningly quick recovery (no, surprise there - he's not known for his patience). And speaking of patients, one can only imagine that the RN's who cared for him during his hospital stay will never forget him...

Prognosis? 100% recovery. He's already spending time each day in the office (can't keep a wild and crazy man down). The remainder of his day is spent with his fabulous wife Theresa who, shortly after his return home, had him practicing casting that fishing reel. They take walks, they go to the park, they play catch ...things we should all do with those we love for absolutely no reason at all other than to just enjoy it. A good reminder about what's really important in life.

We love you Danny and we promise we'll pay more attention to you so you don't have to go acting out like this☺

Lewis Bobrick
Lewis Bobrick Antiques

We just call him " Lew-Bob"

Lewis Bobrick, "Lew-Bob" to us at High Noon, has been an integral part of our family for a very long time (well, not that long, we're not old enough☺). While he's only been doing the High Noon Show for five years, we met Lewis over 15 years ago "setting up in Santa Fe" when he was just getting into the business, selling Indian rugs and jewelry.

How he even got into the world of collecting Native American was a bit of a fluke. As he tells it, he was originally a Persian rug dealer. Along his hunts he kept finding Native American rugs and realized "they were really cool." And the rest, as they say, is history.

Flash forward to 2009 and "Lew-Bob" is known nation-wide for his fine Native American and Mexican jewelry, and for the two things he is most passionate about - Indian beadwork and textiles. His gallery in Denver is filled with fine pottery, baskets, art, folk art and yes, that exquisite jewelry.

What started out by accident has become not only his livelihood but his life. Lucky for him for as he tells it: "The only two things I know how to do are build houses or be an antiques dealer - I'd be in real trouble if I had to be building houses right now."

When asked how he feels about the High Noon Show? "I always have so much fun and my expectations are always exceeded." Yes, we love you Lew-Bob!

Lewis Bobrick
Lewis Bobrick Antiques
1213 East 4th Avenue
Denver, CO 80218
(303) 744-9203
www.lewisbobrickantiques.com
lewis@lewisbobrickantiques.com

Each month, Smoke Signals will give a little insight into who makes High Noon happen. This month meet Robin Ireland - the extraordinary woman behind the beauty of the High Noon catalog, website and all that makes us appear so regal.



Robin Ireland
Designer Extraordinaire, Webmistress & High Noon Graphic Umpire

She's pretty amazing, our Robin Ireland, the person behind the richness and beauty of High Noon's advertising and auction catalog. Hard to believe that a biker chick from LA can crank out that kind of work...

Biker chick? Well, she grew up with a love of open spaces. A love she acquired on her summer cross country trips with her parents. How does a girl growing up in LA satisfy her thirst for the open range? Wind in her hair? She gets herself a motorcycle and hits the road...the perennial flower child with creative energy busting from her soul and a need to feel communion with the beauty of the world around her.

From the time Robin was a small child, she loved creating and building, combining both her artist and practical sides. From Tinker Toy skyscrapers to skyscraper web ads, if it needs to be built and built beautifully, she can do it. Truth be known, instead of designing websites, she'd rather have her hands in clay - instead of building databases, she'd relish casting bronze sculptures. When asked what her favorite job has been? Without hesitation, she replies the summer she spent working construction, building houses. She still drives by and sighs with pride that she helped create those structures. Lucky for High Noon, she decided to make a career using her artistic side in graphic design.  

That longing to build and create was the driving force behind Robin's course of study and degree in art and design. Her independent spirit led her to start her own design business in 1989 - Ireland Graphic Design. Happy 20th Anniversary Robin! Robin's repertoire of clients is national, from symphonies to summer camps - she makes the world a more beautiful place to look at.  Her independent spirit is expanded "giving back" by spending a great deal of her time teaching and mentoring young designers and artists. She's never too busy to answer a question or lend an artistic helping hand.

But what else does this crazy biker-chick-turned-designer do? Well, for starters, during baseball season, on any given Friday, you'll find her and her hubby of 24 years at a Dodgers game. Both passionate about baseball, one of their many mutual goals is to visit every baseball stadium in the country. They clipped off New England and New York last year and are looking toward the Midwest this year. To Robin, baseball reminds her of growing up - Dad always had a ball game on the radio. While an avid American League fan, Robin has compromised with her National League-preferring husband.

Robin, is a teacher, a friend and tireless, consummate professional and we are honored to have her in our High Noon family.

Robin Ireland
Ireland Graphic Design
robinireland@yahoo.com
www.irelandgraphics.com