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R.W.’s New Chaps – guest post by Mrs. R.W. Hampton (aka Lisa)

July 31, 2011

By Lisa Hampton

It was R.W.’s birthday recently. I won’t mention how old he is now. He would like to think he is 35: old enough to know better, but young enough to still have lots of fun ahead. I think some of us would be happy with 39. Again.

RW’s birthday and Father’s Day fall so close together that he usually gets cheated on one end or the other in the gift department. (Creativity on my part only goes so far, you know.)

Ironically, our ten year old saved me this year from the struggle of coming up with the perfect gift. You see, C.D. is a big kid, and growing bigger. Last summer he had to go without chaps because he was growing so fast that he  grew out of his old ones and we never got time to find a new pair. For some reason, there weren’t any hand-me-downs from the big brothers around either. So this spring in his hunt for leggings (another name for long chaps), he discovered that he fit in R.W.’s. And R.W., being the loving Cowboy Dad that he is, let him wear them a few times – except that he never got them back. 

Now for the hard part. I just had to pick out a top quality chap maker that would please my husband.

Fortunately for me, we have one right here in Cimarron who does a fantastic job. Thank you, Casey Jeffers & Cimarron West!

The Chaps – which, by the way, are pronounced “The Shaps” – were very well received. We joked on Facebook that R.W. might not take them off. 

And then someone asked for a picture.

And so the next day, when the boys went down to the barn to ride, I tagged along with my camera under the pretense of taking pictures of the boys and horses. …

So here are The Chaps:

Aren’t they pretty? Okay, Cowboys probably don’t want their chaps called “pretty,” … but they are!

I feel a little like a secret agent on assignment. Secretly gathering evidence and stealthily snapping away. Yes, I was beginning to feel more like Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, every moment.

My target, unaware that my zoom lens is focused in on his derriere, goes about his job.

Zooming in closer…

Nice Chaps. Hmm, I think I got carried away there.

And off to the arena they went: my Cowboy, his horse, and his new chaps.

His horse, Hank, caught me. And posed.

And then it was time to ride.

Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. My assignment was to get good shots of those new chaps. Getting on Hank was the perfect time for some great shots, right? Gratuitous butt shots were just one of the perks of my job, right? Levis, Wranglers, Cinch … they all look pretty good with a pair of nice looking chaps. It’s the chaps we’re looking at, right? (Ladies, this is all you get … he’s mine and I’m not sharing.)

Aren’t those chaps pretty? Sorry… handsome? I think Casey did a great job.

He still thinks I’m taking pictures of the horse … Hank, you are a poser!

And off they go. To check the few cattle we have, to make sure the fence doesn’t have holes, or in this case it was just up to the house to find our youngest little buckaroo, who went back for a popsicle while Daddy was getting his horse caught.

Here is a close up of Casey’s workmanship. (Really, I just liked this photo and thought you might too.) R.W. still hasn’t discovered that his paparazzi isn’t just interested in his horse.

I liked this shot of the fringe and his spurs, I even like the tail of his rope hanging down. The spurs, by the way, were made by our longtime friend in Texas, Craig Danner

Cowboys and cowboy craftsmen seem to like to put their names or their brands on everything;  spurs, bits, saddles … I think it’s cool. Kind of their Izod of the West. My husband is no exception. I guess that is why it is SOOO important that your little cowboy children have names with great initials.

On a similar note, this bit was a Christmas/Anniversary/Valentine’s Day present from yours truly several years ago. It was also made by a neighbor and fantastic artisan, Gene Klein, who lives about a mile from our place. We are really lucky to have such great guys living right here. (And no, they aren’t even aware of this post. That is, until one of you spills the beans that I’ve shared my sources.)

Oh yes, back to “The Chaps.” My cowboy likes to haul all kinds of things with him wherever he goes. These chaps got rave reviews from him not only because they were well made and handsome, but because they have a pocket on both sides for handy things like fencing pliers, hoof nippers, extra saddle strings, some jerky, a peppermint (or three), his pocketknife and who knows what else!

Here he is still waiting for the little guy to come out of the house … 

And wouldn’t you know it … the cry from inside the house is that our littlest cowboy needs help with his boots and spurs. So, Cowboy Daddy is gonna have to go in and fetch the young one out. (This is it, my last chance to get that “perfect” shot … of the chaps … )

And then they are both back in the saddle. As they ride off into the sunset, waving to Mom as they go, I wonder, “Does he really think I would take that many pictures of his horse?” His smile tells me: my gig as a secret agent is up, I think he is starting to get the idea. I may not make it as his paparazzi after all. 

But it was fun while it lasted. I hope you didn’t mind me stealing his blog and “guest blogging”… Maybe next time I will sneak down and really get pictures of the kids and horses…

Thanks!

Lisa H

11 Responses

  1. Kelly says:

    Oh, you are a devilish woman! Can’t decide if your mother didn’t raise you right, or if she did. Kinda leaning towards the “did.”

  2. Happy Birthday R.W. what is the date of his Birthday any way even tho that dose not matter cuz I am wishing him a Happy Birthday And Congrats on his new Chaps that he got…I wonder if we get anything for our birthday from this Grate Cowboy Name R.W. LOL with a Very Good sounding Voice…

  3. Meagan says:

    Thanks Lisa! What a fun post to read, def made me smile and think of my own husband. He is always so proud when he gets new gear. I wish I lived closer so I could check out those craftsman they do great work.

  4. Jay says:

    R.W., man AKA Lisa is pretty sneaky with that camera! Being a red blooded American male all that I noticed was the leggin’s! Nice pair of batwings. If you’re looking for someone to pass those on down to give me a holler! I’ve been considering a new pair and looking at Big Bend Saddlery but I might have to consider Cimarron West. Nice tack and with old Hank you were mounted well too!

  5. Mason says:

    Nice chaps! No matter what type saddle you will be using, it is imperative that the saddle fits you and your horse. A poorly fitting saddle will result in saddle sores for your horse (and perhaps you) and a general dislike for riding or being ridden.

    You want to buy your wade tree saddle in light of what it will be used for – its intended purpose. If you are going to rope, buy a roping saddle which is designed just for that purpose. Buy a saddle that is designed for what you will be doing. Next, buy a saddle to fit your horse. And last of all; buy a saddle that fits you.

  6. Jay says:

    R.W. and Lisa, I had another thought. Seems it wasn’t too long ago you (R.W.) were perched on a 5 gal. bucket writing your 1st entry to this thing they call a blog (where’d that name come from anyway?). Now look! Mrs. R.W. (AKA Lisa) caught you off the bucket and sporting new leggin’s and all she can do is get pictures of your back side! Ha! All in a days “blogging” I guess! Thought I’d razz you guys a little. Oh, by the way Lisa, you made a good reference by saying you felt like Ree Drummond! You know, running around taking pictures of your own “Marlboro” man!

  7. Kaye Kuhn says:

    Hey, R.W., Happy Birthday!! Trying to figure out your real age, HA! You’re always going to be a kid to us!!
    Hope you had a great birthday, and Holidays, too!
    And Congrats on your induction in the WMA Hall of Fame! Proud of you!

  8. Lisa Hampton says:

    Contact Cimarron West at 575-376-2324 and ask for Casey Jeffers. He is the maker. Thanks for asking!

  9. Rachionsz says:

    handwritten by the author.

  10. Yamahaykc says:

    handwritten by the author.

  11. Independentemr says:

    elements (case, binding).

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