How to Be a Cowboy Read online

  Trophy Case

  Trophy buckles can be the size of a silver dollar but are usually much larger—some so large you could use them as dinner plates! Is it pretentious to wear a trophy buckle if you’re not a rodeo champ? Not really. As long as it is a buckle that says something about you, even if you don’t rodeo. It’s about the same as wearing cowboy boots if you don’t ride the range, which most boot wearers don’t.

  Cowboys are an inspiration: freedom is their motto. To dress and look like a cowboy is a compliment to them all. The first adornment, after boots, of course, is the buckle. A buckle with flair is one of the few choices men have in the accessories department. Actually number one!

  Buckle makers use a variety of metals, including sterling silver and 10k to 18k gold, German silver, coin silver, Damascus steel, copper and brass. Their creative imaginations in the designs and use of materials have pushed the limits of buckle making. The buckles can be accentuated with a variety of gemstones, such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds. Designs include flowers, hearts, crosses, brands, initials, longhorns and, more recently, skulls. Older companies like Bohlin, Comstock and Vogt, have been joined by current masters Clint Orms and Silver King in creating fabulous masterpieces. These trophy buckles are so elegant they are no longer a cowboy exclusive—they complement an Armani suit worn by a business executive or cowgirl Jane’s skin-tight sexy jeans. Ride ’em, cowgirl!

  Advice from Will Rogers

  From The Quotable Will Rogers

  Advice can get you into more trouble than a gun can.

  Photo courtesy of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore, Oklahoma.

  A man that don’t love a horse, there’s something the matter with him.

  Photo courtesy of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore, Oklahoma.

  There ain’t nothing to life but satisfaction.

  Photo courtesy of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore, Oklahoma.

  What constitutes a life well spent? Love and admiration from your fellow men is all that anyone can ask.

  Photo courtesy of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore, Oklahoma.

  We should never reach so high that we forget those who helped us get there.

  Photo courtesy of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore, Oklahoma.

  Live your life so that whenever you lose, you are ahead.

  Photo courtesy of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore, Oklahoma.

  You must judge a man’s greatness by how much he will be missed.

  Photo courtesy of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore, Oklahoma.

  I never met a man I didn’t like.

  Photo courtesy of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore, Oklahoma.

  When a fellow don’t have much mind, it don’t take long to make it up.

  Photo courtesy of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore, Oklahoma.

  You don’t climb out of anything as quick as you fall in.

  Photo courtesy of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore, Oklahoma.

  The more you know, the more you think someone owes you a living.

  Photo courtesy of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore, Oklahoma.

  Rumor travels faster but it don’t stay put as long as truth.

  Photo courtesy of the Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore, Oklahoma.

  A Cowboy’s Blessing

  May Your Belly Never Grumble,

  May Your Heart Never Ache.

  May Your Horse Never Stumble,

  May Your Cinch Never Break.

  About the Author

  Jim Arndt is a nationally recognized editorial and advertising photographer. He maintains studios in Santa Fe and Minneapolis and shoots for clients such as Wrangler, Chevrolet, Marlboro, Paris Match and Harley-Davidson. His personal work has also been exhibited in galleries in Santa Fe, Taos and Austin. He is considered one of the leading authorities on cowboy boots and collaborated with Tyler Beard on The Cowboy Boot Book, 100 Years of Western Wear, Art of the Boot and Cowboy Boots . He also collaborated with Mary Emmerling on Art of the Cross .

  www.jimarndtphotography.com