Details
Wayne T. was born in Arizona up in the old mining town of Superior in 1964. When I asked him how long he has been a Workin’ Cowboy, he chuckled and said, “In 1968, at the age of 4, Dad set me on a horse after Mom stuffed me in a pair of cowboy boots, and the rest is history.” Wayne graduated from high school in Payson in the early 80s, and has worked for several ranches including the T U Ranch in Superior and the B T B Ranch in Payson. Several months ago he signed on with the Ash Creek as Foreman, In the Dewey area
Homesteaded by two families in 1880, the Ranch has fertile farm land, plentiful forage, mild climate and free flowing irrigation water from Ash Creek and Mulberry Spring. The present owners, since 2003, have been able to call Ash Creek Ranch home, while striving to be good stewards protecting the land, conserving water, and continuing agriculture in Arizona. They believe that by caring for the environment, they will be able to continue this legacy for many years to come. The Ranch has 35 sections, totaling 22400 acres, and is presently raising about 400 head of Black Angus Cattle.
Wayne agrees with their policy and has long days tending to Ranch duties, because something always needs attention. The day I stopped to talk to him, he was busy trying to corral a couple of “Pigs” that the owner’s daughter is raising. We had a “Mini Rodeo.” After getting them penned, we sat and talked on the tailgate of his Dodge. When I asked what he did for fun, he answered, “Team Ropin is my passion”. In August, when I went back for a Photo Shoot, he showed me two Buckles he had won this summer as a “Champion Heeler” in Team Roping Events at Cherry Creek Arena and at another location, that I failed to make note of. At that event he won “Champion Heeler” in the Amateur Class. Wayne does take team ropin seriously.
Away from the barn, “Romeo”, his Quarter Horse is his constant companion. His other 2 buddies “Oddie” & “Shey”, a pair of Ranch dogs that usually tag along as helpers or just company and Wayne always follows the advice from Old Cowboys when they say; “Boy if yer horse ain’t wantin ta go there, neither do you!” He sure as hell ain’t gonna lose that fine Resistol Hat he’s wearin.
