Cowboy Poet captures western prairie nostalgia

By Brandie Majeau

Bryan (Bj) Smith is not just known in his current capacity as a Cowboy Poet; he is

an incredibly versatile individual with a profound connection to the equestrian world.

Holding certifications as a riding coach from Equine Canada and the Certified Horse

Association, his expertise goes far beyond coaching, encompassing horse training,

packing, guiding, and survival skills. His extensive background in the Royal Canadian

Mounted Police has included service in the Arctic and equipped him with a wealth of

experience that he brought to his role as a supervisor for criminal investigations with the

Government of Alberta. In addition to his professional endeavors, Bryan has contributed

to education, having instructed for the Lethbridge College Criminal Justice and

Environmental Science programs. Furthermore, he has served as the President of the

Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association, demonstrating his commitment to the

community. Bryan’s deep-seated passion for wilderness travel has led him on a path

through his leadership of groups on extensive horseback journeys through the Rockies,

where he has showcased his exceptional packing and horsemanship skills.

Bj, in addition to his outdoor pursuits, is a captivating Western Entertainer. His

cowboy poetry and performances at Cowboy Poetry Gatherings and Festivals across

western Canada, the USA, and even on cruise liners, have left audiences spellbound.

As an author of three books and a frequent guest on radio and television shows, Bj’s

storytelling talent is undeniable. With his distinctive mustache and charismatic

demeanor, Bj embodies the spirit of a true cowboy, infusing his storytelling with genuine

warmth and humor. He is a remarkable Cowboy Poet who has answered his true calling

to travel the province and capture the moments in time and history and present them to

a crowd.

BJ Smith recently attended the Cowboy Fest in Vilna, AB this past summer and

left a lasting impression on the attendants as he took them on a humorous journey of

stories, but also took them on a walk-through western prairie history as he recounted a

time of rustic farming operations and a nostalgic vision of wagon loads crossing dirt

roads to reach the towering grain elevators that once stood proudly as a beacon of

western economy and success.