Category: Blog

As part of his horseback ride through 48 states Tye Sturgeon is currently passing through Oklahoma. He had this to say on his Facebook:

Good morning America I’m up about to get some food in me and head out. It’s a good looking day in Oklahoma and should be a great day to ride. But in my book it’s always a great day to ride. Anyone can ride in good weather but it takes a special kind of person to ride in bad weather.

Your Cowboy
Tye Sturgeon.

Join us in wishing Tye the best as he travels across the country to raise awareness for Western Wishes.

See our previous stories on Tye here:

Ride Across America with Tye & Edward

Cowboy Lopes Across Nebraska Border On Mission For Western Wishes

Mama, it’s okay to let your babies grow up to be this kind of cowboy.

Tye Sturgeon may not be standing in the middle of the street at high noon with an itchy trigger finger, but he is on a mission just as serious – to raise awareness and funds for an organization called Western Wishes.

Western Wishes is a wish granting foundation for non-terminal individuals who are faced with adversity. Sturgeon has made it his mission to journey across the 48 states in order to tell people about Western Wishes.

Sturgeon said the most rewarding part of his journey has been seeing the smile on the kids faces.

“The kids who look up to me makes the whole ride worth it,” Sturgeon said. “They are who I’m doing this for.”

One Wagoner resident did more than just look up to Sturgeon – he rode part of the journey with him.

Kaleb Dorr, 7, has been the poster kid for Western Wishes for the past several years, doing rodeos in Oklahoma and even national finals in Nevada.

Kaleb’s mom, Kim Dorr, said she learned about the organization while at a team roping event in Oklahoma City. She called to see what she could do to help and ended up telling them about Kaleb.

Jessica Urban, managing director for WW called one day to see if Kaleb would be available to ride with Sturgeon on part of his route through Oklahoma.

Kim said they met Sturgeon just north of Drumright. Kaleb rode four miles to the stopping point where Sturgeon was lodging for the day.

“It was an honor for us to be asked to ride with him,” Dorr said. “He and Kaleb got to be good buddies! They talked while riding and had a good time.”

Kaleb said he was nervous about riding at first, but Sturgeon had such a good horse (named Edward) and that put him at ease.

“Kaleb was fun to ride with,” Sturgeon said. “It was just a blessing for me to be able to spend that time with him.

Sturgeon said the most challenging thing he has faced has been the weather.

“When it’s raining on you for three to four days in a row it’s rough,” Sturgeon said. “I got hammered during all the flooding rain. In this situation you are all alone dealing with the elements.”

Sturgeon said at first he couldn’t find any place to stay in Oklahoma and was camping out every night.

“Here recently, Oklahoma has really started to take care of me and I’ve had places to stay almost every single night,” Sturgeon said.

Sturgeon said he has traveled over 1,800 miles. His journey will take him at least 3.5 more years, but it is a sacrifice he will gladly make.

“My only motivation is to give the kids someone to look up to,” Sturgeon said. “I can do that by traveling the world and being that positive role model that I think the world needs.”

Follow Sturgeon’s journey across the U.S. by visiting his Facebook page and the Western Wishes Facebook page or checking out their website at westernwishes.org.

(Story and photo credit to: Wagoner Tribune)

Check out this video of Tye Sturgeon crossing the Mississippi River during his ride across the country for Western Wishes.

The video can be found via YouTube.

Western Wishes is an award-winning non-profit charity, dedicated to highlighting and rewarding kids faced with adversity who love the western way of life. Tye is riding across 48 states to raise awareness for Western Wishes and their mission.

For more info on Tye and his ride check out our previous article HERE.

Photo courtesy of L & C Photography

Hi! I just got back from a full week of trail riding in the Ozarks, Big Creek Trail Ride, this is our second time, but first time in my NEW Steele Wade Saddle, we did some pretty INTENSE trail rides and many hours. I was VERY comfortable and secure. My horse did well too. I am VERY happy w/my new saddle. It was a big improvement over my horse’s old saddle! – Sheila S.

Huge Thanks to Fred and Eric for creating the perfect saddle for me. I’m a paraplegic rider and I designed the most secure side to side balance modification I could for myself – then tried to find someone to make it. Steele said yes, and here it is ! Last night I took a real trail ride, advanced enough for the most seasoned riders – it’s so hot in AZ, that riding at night is the best choice. We were in deep desert, no moonlight and some hills and gullies I would never have attempted on a regular saddle. Two hours and a fast clip, and I felt as secure in this deep seat – so comfy. I don’t stand my weight in the stirrups, so I’m sitting flat on my keester the whole time and not even sore. Folks, that means a beautifully designed seat for anyone ! Thank You Steele Saddle – I can now ride anywhere my able bodied pals can go, and go at any gait, instead of just a walk. – Kathy R.

Cowboy Tye Sturgeon loped across the Nebraska border on horseback Tuesday to fulfill a vow he made to himself as a boy in Batesville, Ark.

Actually, he watched for traffic in front of a Fremont County sheriff’s deputy escort as his 12-year-old paint, named Edward, loped across the state line on the four-lane Missouri River bridge.

Nebraska is number six on his journey to 48 states to benefit Western Wishes, a non-profit organization that grants wishes to terminally ill and other children.

He said the inspiration for the ride belongs to a childhood trip to the rodeo.

Sturgeon: “I went behind the chutes and a lot of the cowboys wouldn’t have anything to do with me. You know? Ever since then, I said, you know what, if I ever get to the point where kids are starting to look up to me, everyone one of them I’m going to talk to. I’m going to say hi to. If they want to ride a horse, I’ll throw them on the back of my horse.”

“That’s the reason why I’m doing this for Western Wishes because I believe in what they’re doing.”

His trek began March 15 in Batesville and has included Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. He is currently heading in the direction of Western Wishes ‘headquarters in Weatherford, Texas.

He said Andrew is spunky, energetic horse that appears to be enjoying the trip.

Sturgeon: “He actually likes seeing the new things. He always has his ears perked up. You can read a horse pretty good if you’re on one everyday. He’s enjoying himself, I think.”
Sturgeon rides about 20 miles per day and usually rests on the third day.

After stopping in Nebraska City Tuesday, his first jobs were to introduce Edward to a pasture and mending a fence there. He asked host Cailyn Heye is there is more work to do. “You’ve got me for just one day,” he said.

While on the trip, he speaks at community events and churches. He’s even written a couple of songs, all about Western Wishes.

Follow Western Wishes on Facebook.

Follow Tye on Facebook.

 

SOURCE: http://94rock.fm/local-news/cowboy-lopes-across-nebraska-border-on-mission-for-western-wishes/