Country Tough with Brandy Von Holten

Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today’s guest is international clinician and world champion horseman, Lee Hart! He is my trainer and is the longest returning clinician at Von Holten Ranch. Lee has a staggering list of accomplishments including WRCA World Champion Bronc Rider to WRCA Top Hand to the American Royal Colt Starting Champion to the EXCA World Pro Champion and EXCA World Futurity Champion. Lee Hart has also completed in the invitation only Calgary Stampede Cowboy Up Challenge where he won the Reserve Champion title!

Lee Hart has helped numerous people with their equine and helped even more equine with their people. His clinics are highly sought after and always have people giving him raving reviews and asking to sign up for his next returning clinic.

Lee recently was selected to compete in the Road to the Horse Wildcard Challenge. This competition is composed of six trainers. The person that wins the Wildcard Challenge will then go head-to-head in the Road to the Horse in March of 2023.

Lee is always a crowd pleaser and always does right by any animal. It is with great pleasure to introduce one of my greatest mentors and friends, Lee Hart.

Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today we have the pleasure of interviewing two cowgirls from West Virginia! Mary White, 84, and Alicia Stickel, 61, drove separately from West Virginia to attend a Big Boss Mare Production called Chix in the Sticks! Mary drove herself and set her trailer up herself! With owning a trail riding facility, it was refreshing to see an older cowgirl out there COWGIRLING!!! Mary had amazing stories about how she married her divorce attorney from her first marriage who later became a Senator! There’s not one cowgirl out there that doesn’t want to be Mary! She already has her next adventured planned for later this year. Alicia invited me to come ride with them in Utah, in Kentucky, and on the beach! Have you ever met someone and knew you would be friends until the end? I met two when I met Mary and Alicia!

Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today we have two of the five owners of Phantom V Distillery, Chris Groves and Mike Hammerly! Five friends came together to create an innovative alcohol that is closely related to Brandy (the alcohol, not me). Brandy is made from fruit, but cannot be distilled greater than 160 proof. Phantom V’s alcohol is coming in at 192 proof. When you reach numbers that are above the normal classifications, the alcohol becomes a “Distilled Specialty Spirit”. Now, they are also able to create other alcohols such as vodka by lowering the alcohol’s proof down to 80.

Phantom V Distillery built enough room for a restaurant to rent a space. Colton’s Steakhouse was the perfect restaurant. Both Colton’s and Phantom V benefit from this mutualistically beneficial relationship. Plus, the location of the distillery is filled with history and a connection with the 1904 World’s Fair.

You will have no problem understanding why people are tailgating to get into Phantom V! They truly are doing things differently. You would think that an alcohol that comes in as 192 proof would taste awful or make you grow chest hair. Nope! It is the exact opposite. Their Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookie Brandy will have you doing a double take to see how many bottles you can bring home with you!

Why is it called Phantom V? Guess you’ll have to listen to find out.

Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! Today’s guest does not need an introduction from me at all! Sarah Leonhard was worked for Purina for an extensive length of time. She is now an Associate Sales Manager and the Farm Consultant Team Leader. Sarah discusses Land o Lakes, the largest farmer owner cooperative in North America and its proud representation of the Purina brand and it’s feed division along with other products and services important to agriculture. The Purina brand has stood the test of time and multiple ownerships. Nestle also is represented by the 4-Square checkerboard on pet food and proudly represents its deep roots. Sarah is also a humble cowgirl. She and her daughter, Shelby Wells, barrel race together! Sarah also runs a cattle operation that focuses on an embryo transfer program. This podcast is proof that smart cowgirls are getting things accomplished now and were paving the way for others in the past. It is a great honor to have Sarah Leonhard as a guest of Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten.

Welcome back to Big Boss Mare with Brandy Von Holten! We have two guests today, Russ and Dina Brown, the owners of R Bar B in Topeka, Kansas! Their store is family owned with their three sons also working for the business. They sell saddles, tack, clothing, cowboy hats, trailers, bits, and everything in between! R Bar B is also hosts all sorts of clinicians and events in their outdoor arena. Russ and Dina also specialize in saddle fit. Someone can take their horse/equine to their business and find a saddle that works. You can even order a custom saddle if you want a new one. R Bar B is launching their online in February 2023! Check out their website at www.rbarb.com