Cowboy Christmas rounds up families
By Nick Hytrek, Journal columnist | Posted: Saturday, November 29, 2008
Jan and Greg Schiferl and their family will host the 7th Annual Cowboy Christmas at their home south of Yankton, S.D., this weekend. The event provides many activities for families of all ages. (Photo by Nick Hytrek)
FORDYCE, Neb. -- Few will argue that life today, especially during the holiday season, is full of distractions and can get more than a little hectic.
There are school concerts and sporting events. Christmas shopping. Everyone, it seems, is sending text messages back and forth. Parents and children head in all directions, racing to the next event, answering the last message.
With all those things going on, wouldn't it be nice to step back, get the family together and be reminded of a time that was a little simpler?
Greg and Jan Schiferl think so.
This weekend the couple and their four children will host the 7th Annual Cowboy Christmas on the 15 acres they call WJ Ranch, just off U.S. Highway 81 near here. Boots and hats are optional. For the Schiferls, it's more about family than cowboys.
"We're just trying to use our barn and place to bring people together and give them something to do as a family," Jan said. "We're kind of passionate about that. It gives people a place to get together in this fast-paced world."
As is the case with many endeavors, Cowboy Christmas started out small. The inaugural event in 2001 had only five craft exhibitors. But the free horse-drawn buggy rides, pony rides and the chance to pet the horses were a big hit with those who attended.
"We put sleigh bells on the pony, and people seemed to enjoy it," Greg said.
In times gone by, horses united friends and families, Greg said. Before the automobile, horses were the only means people had to get to town, to church, so they could gather with others.
"We believe the good Lord made horses to bring people together," Greg said.
The horses at WJ Ranch surely do that.
It's not unusual to see three generations of visitors pile out of a car. The children are excited to see the horses, Greg said. But if a family brings the grandparents along, it's that generation that seems to get the most out of the day. For many of them, it brings back memories of a time when horses and buggies were vital to everyday life.
Jan remembers an elderly lady in tears last year as she climbed out of the buggy at the end of the ride. She hadn't ridden in a horse-drawn buggy since she was a little girl, and the ride stirred many happy memories.
"That's one of those things that keeps you planning for next year," Jan said.
Make no mistake about it, the Schiferls are horse people. Aside from his full-time job working for General Electric, Greg starts colts to ride and teaches horsemanship. The two South Dakota natives both grew up around horses, and are ready to share their love of the animals with their visitors during the weekend. And with 40-45 vendors there to display crafts, artwork, music and food, there's enough to interest those who have a lot or just a little bit of cowboy in them.
"In this day and age, there is so much entertainment available. Life gets fast-paced. We get back to simple, homespun entertainment," Greg said. "It's fun to bring people together."
During the weekend, family members will probably whip out cell phones to take pictures and video of the horses and the buggy.
The Schiferls won't mind, and the horses certainly won't. After all, they'll have done their job. The families taking the pictures will be having a good time -- together.
If you go
What: Greg and Jan Schiferl's 7th Annual Cowboy Christmas
When: Today and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: WJ Ranch, along U.S. Highway 81, seven miles south of Yankton, or two miles north of the U.S. 81/Nebraska Highway 12 intersection
Admission: Free
Information: Numerous craft, art, music and food displays from more than 40 vendors will be set up. Horse-drawn buggy rides will be available, and children can have a pony ride and participate in crafts. Trick-roping demonstrations will be given throughout the weekend. For more information, see the Schiferls' Web site at www.schiferlswjranch.com.
There are school concerts and sporting events. Christmas shopping. Everyone, it seems, is sending text messages back and forth. Parents and children head in all directions, racing to the next event, answering the last message.
With all those things going on, wouldn't it be nice to step back, get the family together and be reminded of a time that was a little simpler?
Greg and Jan Schiferl think so.
This weekend the couple and their four children will host the 7th Annual Cowboy Christmas on the 15 acres they call WJ Ranch, just off U.S. Highway 81 near here. Boots and hats are optional. For the Schiferls, it's more about family than cowboys.
"We're just trying to use our barn and place to bring people together and give them something to do as a family," Jan said. "We're kind of passionate about that. It gives people a place to get together in this fast-paced world."
As is the case with many endeavors, Cowboy Christmas started out small. The inaugural event in 2001 had only five craft exhibitors. But the free horse-drawn buggy rides, pony rides and the chance to pet the horses were a big hit with those who attended.
"We put sleigh bells on the pony, and people seemed to enjoy it," Greg said.
In times gone by, horses united friends and families, Greg said. Before the automobile, horses were the only means people had to get to town, to church, so they could gather with others.
"We believe the good Lord made horses to bring people together," Greg said.
The horses at WJ Ranch surely do that.
It's not unusual to see three generations of visitors pile out of a car. The children are excited to see the horses, Greg said. But if a family brings the grandparents along, it's that generation that seems to get the most out of the day. For many of them, it brings back memories of a time when horses and buggies were vital to everyday life.
Jan remembers an elderly lady in tears last year as she climbed out of the buggy at the end of the ride. She hadn't ridden in a horse-drawn buggy since she was a little girl, and the ride stirred many happy memories.
"That's one of those things that keeps you planning for next year," Jan said.
Make no mistake about it, the Schiferls are horse people. Aside from his full-time job working for General Electric, Greg starts colts to ride and teaches horsemanship. The two South Dakota natives both grew up around horses, and are ready to share their love of the animals with their visitors during the weekend. And with 40-45 vendors there to display crafts, artwork, music and food, there's enough to interest those who have a lot or just a little bit of cowboy in them.
"In this day and age, there is so much entertainment available. Life gets fast-paced. We get back to simple, homespun entertainment," Greg said. "It's fun to bring people together."
During the weekend, family members will probably whip out cell phones to take pictures and video of the horses and the buggy.
The Schiferls won't mind, and the horses certainly won't. After all, they'll have done their job. The families taking the pictures will be having a good time -- together.
If you go
What: Greg and Jan Schiferl's 7th Annual Cowboy Christmas
When: Today and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: WJ Ranch, along U.S. Highway 81, seven miles south of Yankton, or two miles north of the U.S. 81/Nebraska Highway 12 intersection
Admission: Free
Information: Numerous craft, art, music and food displays from more than 40 vendors will be set up. Horse-drawn buggy rides will be available, and children can have a pony ride and participate in crafts. Trick-roping demonstrations will be given throughout the weekend. For more information, see the Schiferls' Web site at www.schiferlswjranch.com.
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