05/02/2026
He's Back and earlier than usual, for a very special reason!!
Early this morning before the fog raised, four of the men who work on my cousin's farm came to work extra early to help with this annual tradition.
The Look Out Horse has been a special part of my family since 1958 when my Dad exchanged my pinto Shetland Pony, 'Rob Roy', for the original wood, metal and paper mache horse (that had been in Connor's Saddle Shop, Water Street, St. John's as their display for tack).
2026 marks the 75th Anniversary of the beginning of Russwood Ranch. In fact, May 3rd 1951 was the first night my newlywed parents, Ed Russell and the former Clara Smallwood, slept at their then new farm.... So much has changed and yet so much remains the same. My Dad erected the original Horse in the spring of 1959 and as a young child I "helped" with the spring trip from his winter quarters (in my Grandfther Russell's front hall - another story!) and getting him safely up on his mounting for the summer atop the Look Out.
Why here? Well, it's the exact spot back in 1950 before Ed & Clara's November marriage that they climbed up to and from which they decided for sure this is where they wanted to farm together.
The Look Out Horse will welcome the spirit of my parents, and all who pass by, as has been done for 67 years. This new horse arrived from Montana in 1973 not long after my Father passed, and I've had the priviledge to carry out the tradition with my Family and now with the farmhands next door.
