11/11/08 Wild Horse Annie

Entertainers, artists, ranchers, riders and now a horse advocate. I'm Jeff Keane, stay tuned,after the break you will find out what this diverse group has in common. They leave a legacy of legends, women past to present whose lives showcase the courage and independence that helped to shape the American West. These are the incredible women inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Susan this year one of your favorites was honored isn't that right. Jeff, my first contact with Wild Horse Annie was in Marguerite Henry's book titled Mustang Wild Spirit of the West. Like thousands of other horse crazy kids in the fifties and sixties I was captivated from the first sentence on that quoted Annie saying& "If God had a plan for all of us I like to think he coupled me with horses right from the start. All horses call to me". Boy I wanted all horses to call to me and I wanted to be just like Velma "Wild horse Annie" Johnston and save wild mustangs. This tiny tough lady inducted this year into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame is credited with bringing attention to the plight of wild horses and burros that led to the passing of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Jeff, Annie efforts taught me and a host of others early in life that one person is capable of changing the mindset of a nation. Because of Wild horse Annie , America's Wild horses are now known as living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West. I'm Jeff Keane