American cowboy: John Tilley — Part 2
The horse arena John Tilley works in is rectangular and encircled by old tires strapped together. You can’t miss it on the east side of West Rd. just across the RR tracks. “Foster’s Tire and Willits Tire Center saved em for me.”
The first obstacle Tilley demonstrated with his horse, Brewin’ A Breeze was the water box. Tilley introduces: “An obstacle horses don’t like, because they can’t see the bottom of the muddy, stirred-up water. They hesitate.” Brewin’ welcomes the challenge and waltzes through.
The next several obstacles called for precision footwork. They’re not tricks; they are actually difficult tasks required of horses on a ranch or in the wilderness with their rider. John talks to his partner; urging him on and scolding him if he becomes inattentive or careless. The raised (off the ground) 2”x 12” plank was a test of agility, focus, and compliance. “Wait, now wait; you cotton picker; you didn’t wait. One more step, one more; pay attention, one more now.”
Then the pedestal. John prodded his steed forward and up top of the standing small circle; about 2430” across. First the front feet, promenading around the circular object; then stopping and pulling its total weight up to the tiny but firm obstacle. Circuslike is all I could say to describe this one. His words were: “Come around,, come around, come around; stay up there; come on around; wait; atta boy, as Brewin’ walked his back feet 360 degrees around the pedestal.
And next was Brewin’s adored ball that he nosenudges and front foot kicks around the ring. Tricky stunt to be sure. And then through a gate with hanging “noodles” …. Styrofoam pieces hung vertically to agitate and freak- out a horse. A coverlet was in front obscuring the horse’s view; but he nonchalantly stepped through the menagerie.
We ventured down behind the barn for a quick series of bridge crossings. First was a suspended plank (a large timber) balanced teeter-totter like at each end with a D-8 tire over a ravine. It was a “piece of cake” and finally across a chain supported suspension bridge; the walking parts 10” x 24” planks that would wobble with the 1200 pounds of horse and rider as they moved forward. Incredible!
What else does Mister John Tilley do? He also is the teacher of a skillbuilding class during the Spring, Summer and Fall months on the Flying T Equine Ranch. His flyer says: “Come Challenge your Horse as well as yourself in these half- day sessions, called “Trail Obstacle Training Clinic.” No sessions are yet scheduled due to the health and safety disruptions that affect all of us this season; however, tune in to John’s FB page for updates. The sessions are $60 total for three hours of instruction with your horse. Three to five people may participate at any one time.
How else do you earn a living, John? “Well, I started out resurfacing roads and doing light work with a small dozer with a 7-8 foot blade and worked up to a 1150 Dozer (10 footer) when the head of ReTech, Max Slinger wanted me to do a job. I can do pretty much everything. He also takes care of dead horses which is a mighty big chore for folks to execute themselves. His back-hoe does the job and he’s on call for this emotional event in a horse lover’s life.
He evacuated 25 horses from Redwood Valley to the Mendocino County fairgrounds during the Mendo Complex- 2017 fires through Potter Valley and Redwood Valley. Fortunately, the Tilley homestead was left unscathed by that event.
He has done his share of team roping in rodeos and ropers gatherings, where 60-80 compete for prizes. At the Willits Frontier Days, he’s generally the header, and Don Fonsen was the heeler. “I won the all-around buckle in Willits, with a high enough score in milking,” he added.
Then, of course, there is Search and Rescue. “I got started in 1974 where we progressed from a unit to a posse and that lasted 20 odd years. It started shrinking due to old age and lack of interest. But, 18 years ago, all the groups combined together. Air patrol, feet patrol, horse team and the dive team. The sheriff encouraged us and now there are 50 in SARS- the search and rescue unit. We got 4 wheelers in there, too! Nobody knows where that girl is that disappeared up in Round Valley, but we’ve been up looking for her about 16 times.”
At last, I asked John about his health and particularly his back; we older fellas share ailments like backs! John responded: “Well, eons ago for 8 years or so, I tied reinforcing rods all over California. Each individual that was hired had to average 2.5 tons a day and make-up for other days with up to 3- 4 tons per day to even things up. In those days, I was a strong, strong individual. I had to have a lot of massage work. It started out in a chiropractor’s office but pretty soon I was going to a massage person; mainly Arnold Erickson who owned Vichy Springs. He kept me going for 25 years. He’s gone now. There was Arnold and his brother, Hank. Arnold went to massage school in Louisiana. He was a master masseuse. The last time he worked on me; he was 80+ years old and on oxygen. When my back snapped about 28 years ago, Del Porter helped me into the truck and I tipi-toed into Hank’s house, out there beyond Raleys. In 30 minutes, I was able to get my clothes on and get back to work shortly after. Since then; massage kept me mobile. I’m feeling quite fortunate.”
You might wonder where the Cowboy Capital of the World is these days. My friend, George Taylor noted that it used to be Oakdale, California; the entryway to Yosemite National Park. But, I found this semi-recent notation that indicates it has moved from Oakdale to Stephenville, Texas; to now it resides in Bandera, Texas. “Bandera now has an official claim to the title of Cowboy Capital of the World, according to the San Antonio Express News. Erath County Republican Party Chairman Danny Pelton reported House Resolution 2585 as having passed in the Texas House of Representatives.
“I think it is completed and over with,” he said. “There’s nothing we can do about it.”
He further referred to the impact he feels the measure will make upon Stephenville.
“That’s actually a big deal,” he added. “It’s on all our city’s stuff.”