CowboyBootStories.Com

Well, I love being country. I have even been referred to as a “Bible thumping, gun toting redneck” but let me tell you growing up on a farm or ranch isn’t something to be ashamed of. This wasn’t always my mind-set though, it wasn’t always “cool” to be country. When others were sporting Adidas or Pumas I was walking around in my Ariats. For a while I was ashamed, and then my grandpa told me something that impacted me greatly. He said, “A country person could live in the city and be fine; but a city person could never come to the country and do what we do everyday. That’s something to be proud of.” From then on I wore my Ariats proudly and on my wedding day I decided to make a statement about who I am as a person. I wore my boots underneath my dress (and showed them off many times!) This one of my favorite wedding pictures!

A Little Work Goes a Ling Way by Verna Kosydar of Alaska wins the Cowboy Boot Story contest that ended on May 29th. Her story of hard work and earning her spurs.

Verna can spend up to $200 on her new cowboy boots, thanks to the fine people at bootcity.com. We hope you enjoy her story.

http://www.cowboybootstories.com/2009/05/27/a-little-work-goes-a-long-way/

When I was 13 years old, and having a girlish love of horses,I wanted a pair of black cowboy boots with fancy stitches on the tops.My Dad was not well and had to quit working as a logger in Oregon.Money was in short supply. My Dad and I made a deal, if I could peel enough chittem bark to make money to put towards my new boots,he would take me to Salem, the biggest town near my home and we would buy my new boots! I really didnt mind peeling chittem bark, fighting the gnats and flies was the most irritating part of the job, I actually enjoyed climbing and peeling the tree, especially rewarding when large 1 to 2 foot strips would slip off. Drying the bark took some time , more so when we would get a week of rain common for Oregon coast weather.After weeks of peeling, drying ,chopping then bagging the chittem in gunny sacks, I sold my chittem at the local Mom&Pop country store. Skipping happily home with money in hand, most likely a whole 15 to 20 dollars.Waving my money at Dad grinning from ear to ear, begging for him to tell me if I had enough money and when could we go to the big town for my new boots?When all things fell into place Dad took me to Salem and found my new black cowboy boots with fancy stitches! I wore those boots everywhere! I didnt have a horse of my own but whenever I got the chance to ride I wore my boots with pride! I had my longed and worked for boots into my mid twenties, when I lovingly gave them to my little sister when she was 13 so she could use them while showing her horse in horseshows,which made another dream of mine come true through her, I always wanted to be an experienced horsewoman .She was great and won many blue ribbons in her horseshowing years.I always kidded her that it was all because of my lucky boots!After 36 years of raising a family of nine children,I finally have a horse! I have had my heart set on a pair of ProBaby Boots with some red on them since my horse has a red saddle blanket and after all ,Iam old enough to be a red hat lady.With fancy boots I could once again ride with pride!!

My soon to be wife lost her job three months ago. I’ve been working part time and just landed a full time job. We are getting married in 11 days and can’t afford boots for my wedding. I’m looking for a pair of black nice western boots size 9 1/2 ee.

My name is River. I am a sorrel and white paint mare who enjoys long rides and participates in local team -penning events. My partner is new to equestrian activities, so fortunately I usually have enough horse sense for the both of us. I was rescued by my partner last April, and became her first horse. After alot of medical care and attention, we began riding about a year ago. She provided me with tack that would make any horse hold it’s head up with pride. I was eager to go…until I saw her sneakers. The other horses in our riding club whickered at us behind our backs. My white patches turned pink with embarrassment. We were riding WESTERN, for crying out loud! My horse-feathers didn’t stay ruffled for long. I gently explained to her she needed to wear boots. I then stepped on her toes, just for emphasis. She went to a second hand store and came back with a pair of gently-worn boots. I thought our problems were solved…until about a month later when went on a trail ride. The morning started out cool, but by lunchtime, it was sweltering. It was even to hot to flirt with the gelding beside me. I was proud of the way my partner pulled me up and dismounted like a pro…until I realized the heels of her boots had peeled off and were still in my stirrups!

I have a pair of no name cowboy boots that I wear for everything I do out side. I have owned these boots since I was 19 years old. They may not be the best lookin boots but they sure make my feet feel like they are at home.
When I was 22 years old I had a old car that was the same as my boots old looking but got the job done. I was driving home from helping a friend unload hay in her barn one night, 10 o’clock, when my car decided to take a fit and left me sit. I had to walk home which was about 6 miles. Those old boots didn’t seem to mind my feet felt like they were already home.
When I was 25 years old I was trail riding with friends and my horse got spoked rared up and threw me off. I wasn’t hurt but my pride was. My horse took off running all the way back to the barn leaving me to walk back about 2 miles. My same old comfortable boots took me all the way.
When I was 34 years old I was almost bit by a water snake the only thing that stopped the bite was my boots were high enough that when the snake struck to bite the boot got the teeth and not my skin, needless to say I wear high boots out on the trail. These boots have been threw the mill and back and it is time to retire them.
I am 40 years old and I can’t seem to throw them away so I decided to make them into flower holders that sit on my deck. they have served me well and I think they deserve a home for life with out a sole on the one, well it is there but it is paper thin. The sole is in need to be retired but can still tell a great story.

Well, I recieved my Ariat boots from my mother when I was 14 years of age. This was in 2003. She bought them for me as a birthday present. I loved my boots. I rode my horses in them, trail rode, little bit of barrel and I did hiking in them as well. Well, when I was 18 years old, I made a dumb decision to move in with this idiot who treated me like dirt. We would break up then get back, then break up, then get back. Well, the last time we broke up he would not let me take my boots! (Or any of my other things) I would call and he would hang up. Then I would drive over there and his grandparents would run me off! Then I would call and I would be hung up on. After SIX MONTHS of trying to get my boots back, his sister finally drove over and got my boots, my saddle and my guitar! I paid her $20 and was so pleased! That is the story of my 6 year old boots. Now I am 20 years old and I still wear them almost every day and ride in them too!

Divorced and lost, I had decided I was going to live my dream and become a cowgirl! Although I had never owned a horse, I found myself buying my most prized possession -My First Pair of Ariat Boots! Followed closely by a few horses. I started by cleaning off any mud that landed on my new leather boots, after a few days I had to let go of the idea that they were to remain in a prestige condition if I were going to play cowgirl. I wore them religiously, even to church although the barn smell probably had everyone praying that I would leave my boots behind, but they were a symbol of my new life. Thru the years, those boots, beat up and worn have been the First Boots for myself, my daughter, son, and step son. Thus the title given to them “Training Boots”. They now stand proudly displayed in my old farm house as a reminder of the first steps of my new life. Just waiting to inspire the next beginning rider to come along .. Thanks Old Boots! From All of Us!

I work on a goat farm and have about 200 goats. well one day i was cleaning it out and the goats all surrounded me and ate my boots. My boots were 4 months old and now i have a little bit of leather and the soles have many bite marks. There is one particular male that also eats my pants and shirts.

Hi my name is the left one. I have a sister named the right one. She’s a litle shy so I will tell you my story. About a year ago we were mailed to a lady in NY state. We wern’t even a week old and she’s trying to clean stalls with us on her feet. Mind you now we’re not a pair of those cheap plain boots. We are a pretty turquoise and brown sexy boot so cleaning stalls was not what we had in mind. After about 5 minutes of that we decided to give her a blister. She learned real quick and got a pair of muck boots for that. I thought we had it straight but then she went out in the pasture to get her pretty white horse. I kept yelling at her “Wait,watch out, don’t step in that.” It was too late. My sister and I were in it up to our calves. She couldn’t hear us ’cause she was to busy chasing after her horse. Green horn! Wasn’t long before she was using us for the purpose for which we were made. But wait there’s more. Two weeks ago she and some of her riding buddies went on the first trail ride of the year. Boy was that pretty white horse ready to act up or what. After trying to race across every field and kick at the other horses he managed to actually kick one. This shook her up so bad she decided to get off that awful horse and lead him back to the barn. I said wait,wait! Remember ALL that mud and water we rode through to get here? When we were safely in the stirups? You’re not thinking of—-Yep she is. This time she couldn’t hear us ’cause she was yelling at that horse. We were a brown mess when we got home. Luckly we are a good pair of cowgirl boots and we were cleaned and almost back to new. I’m sure we have more to go through before our days are done but our owner has learned a lot about boots and horses in the last year.