Welcome to Part I of our Western History deep dives with our resident That Western Life historian Katie Surritt and co-host Katie Schrock. Make sure to tune in bi-monthly for all things western lifestyle on the That Western Life Podcast. 

Summary: Starting with the first arrival of cattle to the Hawaiian Islands, the That Western Life team take a deep dive into the history of the Paniolo and the Hawaiian ranching and rodeo culture. From feral, dangerous cattle, to their own style of shipping and being crowned the 1908 World Champion Steer Ropers, Paniolos have changed many of how we see America. Rodeo did that. 

In this episode: 

• Hawaii's Introdcution to cattle and horses
  • The first calf born on the island was recorded to have been fed fish (don't worry, the British were equally as horrified)
  • A kapu or Royal Edict was put on the cattle to protect harm or death from befalling them and were called the "King's Cattle"
  • Within 10 years, 20,000 head of feral cattle, the ancestors of the same breed of black coated longhorns set against grizzley bears in Alta, California, for sport were running feral killing people, ruining homes, and destroying agricluture. 
• Bullock Hunters brought to the islands to control the populations
  • King Kamehameha III employs vaqueros to teach the native Hawaiians how to use horses and to manage the cattle. 
  • Hawaiian horsemen and cattlemen name themselves "paniolo" 
• Paniolos create their own cowboy culture
  • Including equipement, tack and their own breed of shipping and tail horses
  • A unique situation, the paniolos had to drag cattle into the ocean to be handed off to boats that would take the cattle to the ships waiting out at sea
  • Make sure you listen to find out about how the sharks played into this portion! 
• From Island Cowboys to Cheyenne Frontiers Day Rodeo Competitors
  • How three paniolos changed history competing for world titles 
• Rodeo today
  • Their own unique events such as wahine wahine mugging
  • How you can watch 

Past That Western Life podcasts referenced in this episode for further information: 

• Hawaiian Cowboy Cody Cabral
• Coastal Cowboy & Wrangler 
• Rebranding the American Cow Boy 
  • Our previous history podcast deep dive about African American cowboys.

This podcast episode is hosted by: 

• Katie Schrock; Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok 
• Katie Surrit; Instagram 

This podcast is produced by Emilee Cole of Western Insights Media. Shownotes written by Katie Schrock of Western Insights Media. 

Interested in having a topic explored? Shoot us or one of our co-hosts a direct message on any social media platform! We'd love to hear from you! You can reach That Western Life on Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram!

It's time for the start of Season 6 of the That Western Life podcast and we are excited to bring back your co-hosts Katie Schrock & Rachel Owens-Sarno. Season 6 will also include co-hosts Saddle Bronc Rider Joe Harper & Western Historian Katie Surritt. 

In this episode: 

• Breakdown of the State of the PRCA Address by CEO Tom Glause
  • Number of members, permits, rookies, rodeos, performances and payouts
  • July 2023 Ransomware attack on the PRCA
  • 54% growth in PRCA Sponsorship 
  • New Secretary System
  • Rookie Round Up + Rookie Media Training
• PRCA Media Awards
• Animal Welfare Update
• Reno Rodeo Sponsorship Camp
• UNLV Campus Shooting & Subsequent NFR & LVE Impacts
• 2023 NFR
  • 2023 World Champions
  • NFR Moments: Austrailian Rodeo Romeo Ky Hamilton
  • NFR Fan Experience & Impacts of Las Vegas' Formula 1 Race
• 2024 Predictions
  • Breakaway Roping
  • WPRA vs. Rodeo Committees
  • The peak of "Country is Cool" 
  • Teton Ridge "takes over the world" 
• Season 6: 
  • Educational Pieces
  • Upcoming Guests
  • Historical Deep Dives

Past That Western Life podcasts referenced in this episode for further information: 

• Understanding What It Takes To Qualify for the NFR
• Jeff Medders & Putting Cowboys on Prime TV
• Former PRCA Animal Welfare Director Cindy Schonholtz
• Rodeo Photography with Matt Cohen

This podcast episode is hosted by: 

• Katie Schrock; Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok 
• Rachel Owens-Sarno; Instagram
• Katie Surrit; Instagram 

This podcast is produced by Emilee Cole of Western Insights Media. Shownotes written by Katie Schrock of Western Insights Media. 

Interested in having a topic explored? Shoot us or one of our co-hosts a direct message on any social media platform! We'd love to hear from you! You can reach That Western Life on Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram!

There’s been a new movement in the past year regarding rodeo athletes placing an emphasis on athlete as a big part of their budding career success. Natasha McCann grew up an athlete before a major injury sidelined her from her collegiate dreams. A resilient young lady, Natasha became a buckaroo riding colts and then, on the side, got her EMT license and worked in an ambulance. Her passion for fitness and the western life led her to become a 2023 COWGIRL Magazine 30 Under 30 Recipient, as well as an athletic trainer for some of rodeos top athletes and a training coach with Champion Fitness Living.

Read more on the blog HERE. 

Follow Natasha on Instagram. 

Send us a message @ThatWesternLife on any social media platform and let us know who you want to hear on the That Western Life podcast.