MOOSE JAW, Sask. – Les and Judy Cochrane never questioned their involvement in the activities and organizations surrounding their horse and cattle businesses.
“When you’re into these things and you want them to happen, that’s what you do,” said Judy.
“It was a hobby for us,” added Les.
Last week the couple was presented with an honour scroll from the Saskatchewan Livestock Association for more than 50 years of dedication and contribution to the industry. Their names join more than 100 others who have been recognized since 1927.
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The Cochranes said it was overwhelming being nominated by the Saskatchewan Horse Breeders Association.
“I’m more comfortable on the other end of things,” said Les.
The Cochranes fit their volunteer activities around raising their children and the farming and ranching operation they began on Rafter C Ranch west of Moose Jaw in 1956.
They still grow wheat, barley and oats, and raise Hereford-Simmental cross cattle and Quarter horses. At one time the cattle side included purebred Simmentals and Judy served a term as president of the Simmental Belles.
They bought their first registered horse in 1959.
Les had been showing horses before the couple married and Judy had always had a soft spot for the animals. At one time they had about 70 horses. Now they have between 40 and 50.
They have reduced their cattle herd but there are still quite a few animals around because their son, Wayne, who lives on the farm with his wife, Lesley, daughter Courtney and son Devon, has a herd of his own. Courtney is carrying on the family tradition of showing horses, while Devon is a 4-H beef club member.
The Cochranes’ two other adult sons, David and Gordon, are not directly involved in the farm.
As the couple’s SLA plaque acknowledged, the Cochrane fingerprints are all over the Saskatchewan horse industry.
They both served as directors of the SHBA, the SLA and the Saskatchewan Quarter Horse Association.
They are founding members of the Saskatchewan Stakes and Futurity, which is now known as the Saskatchewan Reining Horse Futurity, and of the Saskatchewan 50/50 Sale and Futurity. The reining horse futurity has been held annually for 32 years.
“I remember the first meeting like it was yesterday,” Judy said with a laugh.
They have sold horses around the world, and their horses have qualified for top shows. Ribbons, plaques and trophies throughout their 105-year-old farm home are a testament to their involvement and their success.
They have also seen many changes.
“The type of horses has changed,” Les observed. “They’ve gone to a more Thoroughbred style than when Quarter horses started. They’re better to look at and they’re more useful.”
Team penning and roping competitions are popular now but that wasn’t the case 30 years ago.
“People used them to make a living,” he said.
Judy said there used to be shows to attend all over the province but now most Quarter horse events are held in Moose Jaw.
“You can have four shows in one weekend in one place,” she said. “It cuts cost. And they have trouble finding people to run them.”
At the same time, they have stepped back to allow younger people to step in.
Les is a former president of the Moose Jaw Exhibition Co. and is still a director.
They look fondly at Regina’s Canadian Western Agribition as well. They took bred heifers to the commercial cattle show and sale for many years and still attend every day of the annual show.
For 25 years they had a horse sale at nearby Johnstone Auction Mart and for 23 years they held a bred heifer sale each fall. They continue to sell their livestock through private sales and some auctions.
While they have pulled back from some of the volunteer activity, they continue to break horses and do daily chores on the farm. They have no plans to move.
“We hope to stay here forever,” said Judy.
The two other couples presented with honour scrolls last week were Laird and Joyce Senft of Lipton, nominated by the Saskatchewan Angus Association, and Glenn and Vera Osborn of Weyburn, nominated by the Saskatchewan Draft Horse Association.
