It was 1980 and a documentary about cowboys was being filmed. Kenny Rogers was the host. Mr. Rogers wanted his hat shaped so Hugh and another buckaroo took it to the water nearby and gave it a good dowsing. For their personal theatrical amusement, they also gave the hat a good stomping. Mr. Rogers was surprised but impressed when his expensive hat turned out just fine.
Buckaroo is the name for a cow hand, taken from the Spanish vaquero tradition.
The trademarks are silver ornamentation on saddles, bridles or other leather work, large rowels on spurs, and colorful neckerchiefs. Northern Nevada and now Eastern Oregon is seeing more of this ranch hand style. Unlike the long, dusty, trail drives of yesteryear, Hugh loads them up and moves them out in a white conventional Freightliner and a set of doubles. Ranches are not as large as they once were and land owners are consciencious of the needs of the land. This is when a larger number of animals are contained in a smaller area.