National Cowboy Day suited for Agoura Hills

CLASSIC COWBOY-Dave Thornbury, longtime Agoura resident, says he's been around horses, ropes, and tack gear longer than he can remember. The steadfast lives of cowboys and cowgirls have been glorified in television, film and books for decades, but an act of Congress has transformed the rough and ready cowboy into an American icon that should be admired, celebrated and acknowledged.

Agoura Hills Mayor Denis Weber read a congressional resolution at last week's city council meeting that proclaimed July 22 as the National Day of the American Cowboy.

Dave Thornbury, Buck Wicall and Sharon Brumnett accepted the proclamation on behalf of all of the cowboys and cowgirls that reside in the city.

The proclamation captured the many facets of the cowboy spirit. It stated that "pioneering men and women, recognized as cowboys, helped establish the American West," and the cowboy spirit exemplifies "sound family values and good common sense."

The decree also noted that cowboys embody honesty, integrity, courage, compassion, respect, a strong work ethic and patriotism.

Cowboy facts abound in the national announcement. Rodeos are the sixth most-watched sport in the United States, and about 800,000 ranchers conduct business in every state, "contributing to the economic well-being of nearly every county in the nation," the proclamation stated.

"To recognize the American cowboy is to acknowledge the on

going commitment of the United States to an esteemed and enduring code of conduct," Weber read.

Thornbury, Wicall and Brumnett exemplify the notion of cowboys as rock solid citizens.

Thornbury, 58, comes from a long line of cowboys. He and his father, J.D. Thornbury, performed in rodeos and Wild West shows in five Midwestern states prior to moving to California in 1970.

"It's pretty cool," Thornbury said of the National Day of the American Cowboy.

"I don't know any other way," he said of the cowboy life in Old Agoura where he and his wife, Julia, have lived for 26 years.

Thornbury is also known for creating custom chaps and saddles. He's worked at Calabasas Saddlery for more than 20 years.

For Wicall, 72, the cowboy way of life is multifaceted. "I live a cowboy's life," he said. He's worked at West Valley Horse Center in Agoura for 20 years and owns 10 quarter horses that he keeps on his ranch in Old Agoura, his home of 30 years.

In addition to riding his horses for the pure joy of it, Wicall said he competes in roping competitions and owns a race horse that he runs at Los Alamitos Race Track.

Wicall defines cowboys in terms of character. He said cowboys tip their hats when a woman enters the room, open doors for ladies, take a man for his word and rely on a handshake to seal a deal.

"It's clean, healthy living," Wicall said.

But he also recognizes the flip side of the cowboy life. "There are some rowdy ones, too," Wicall said of the younger generation of cowboys who make a fine living working the rodeo circuit. "Now they're athletes," he said.

Brumnett remembers Agoura when Morrison Ranch was actually a cattle ranch and Chesebro was a dirt road. She moved to Old Agoura in 1971, and considers the cowboy life "free and open."

Brumnett said she was proud to represent local cowboys at the city council meeting. She said she doesn't think that there are too many people who remember Agoura when it was primarily cowboy territory.

In some areas of the city, she said, there are still some original fence posts that remind her of the days of when cattle grazed under the shade of old oak trees.

Brumnett works at the West Valley Horse Center as the office manager, and has served as a 4-H Club leader since 1978, training youth to compete in horse shows.

Weber is a horse owner and told the three representative Agoura Hills cowboys that he hopes to maintain the cowboy ways in Old Agoura "as much as we can."