Local Heroes

Our local farrier, a man who is in constant demand for his horse shoeing skills all over the northwest, is Dan Lewis. Dan lives on the west side of the Kispiox River, a spot he chose many years ago when he decided that this was the place he wanted to settle. Dan has steadily improved his farrier skills, attending clinics throughout North America. He is a hot-shoer, making his shoes from bars of steel with a forge and hammer, an art that is centuries old and one that Dan has completely mastered. Dan is considered to be one of the top farriers in the province, but choses to stay in the valley, shoeing only as far away as Smithers.

Dan Lewis

The Hazelton's have provide some of B.C.'s top cowboys and and cowgirls. These people are like ambassadors to the area. Everywhere they compete, the place where they live is spoken over the P.A., and written into the programs. At the end of the year if they are lucky enough to have qualified for the finals, that same name will appear on the radio, T.V., newspapers, ect.

Some of area's top contestants include Sue Allen, 1992 Champion Goat Tyer in the British Columbia Rodeo Association Sue has won many other year end awards and zone championships.

Joy Allen was the first recipient of the Hank Vogel Memorial Award in 1992. The award is given to 'Rodeo Person of the Year' in the British Columbia Rodeo Association (B.C.R.A.) Joy has won many year end championships, and has been involved with rodeo for more than 30 years.

Ben Dubeau has been competing for years as a bullrider, a bronc rider, and a cowhide racer. Ben has slowed down a tiny bit in the last few years but can still run a mean cowhide race. Ben has rodeoed in the YRCA, the National Rodeo Association (N.R.A.), and the British Columbia Rodeo Association (B.C.R.A.).

Bruce Campbell, now retired, was a steer decorating champion and cow rider, and is a rodeo enthusiast.

Brenda Nelson was a National Rodeo Association (N.R.A.) champion cowgirl before moving to the valley. Her best events were steer undecorating and roping, and she has many buckles and trophies to prove it. She is an active member of the rodeo club.