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Arthur Cowan (“A.P”) was a horse breeder and trader, supplying stock to U.S. Calvary as well as farmers and ranchers. In the 1940s he developed a rough stock remuda for local cowboys. He then became influential in the establishment of the South Dakota Rodeo Association formed 1955. Art and Mary’s boys- Pat, Willie, Mike and Tim worked all ends of the arena. From 1955 to 1962 Pat and Willie Cowan accumulated six event championships including two all around titles, as well as eight reserve titles.
1959 South Dakota Rodeo Association Champions and Reserve Champions: Front row: Pat Cowan, Max Cornish, Buzz Bectold, Tex Fulton. Back row: Dick Wolf, Bud Day, Phylis Schlemme, Wayne Cornish and Willie Cowan
Without a doubt, the Cowan family has printed a stamp of its own on South Dakota’s agricultural history. Cowan Land & Cattle Company was affluent throughout central South Dakota during the mid 1900s, with Pat Cowan’s eventual induction into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 1990. However, even more predominate is their impact in the development of South Dakota’s quarter horse industry. Now going on the 4th generation, the Cowan Ranch continues to incorporate many of the same philosophies that have worked for the last century.
In the 1960s, Pat diversified into the horse racing industry, becoming one of the premier trainers of the time. Together with Elayne and children, brother Tim, and brother-in-law Tex Fulton, legendary horses such as Laughing Boy, John Red, and the Frenchmans dynasty came to forefront. The Jim and Frances Loiseau mare, Frenchmans Fox, became the first AAA two year old filly in the state of South Dakota while being named the SD Two Year Old Race Champion.
In the 1970s, Pat went to his long time friend, Stanley Johnston, to find horses for the boys. It would not be fair to talk about the Cowan Ranch without accrediting Stanley Johnston. Stanley and Frances Johnston owned Poco Speedy, Orphan Drift, and later on Sak Em San. In 1974 Stanley purchased Doc’s Jack Frost. Doc’s Jack Frost was by Doc Bar and a mare by the name of Chantella, a double bred Three Bars mare. He would prove to be both successful on the racetrack and the cutting pen.
Pat and Elayne Cowan purchased Runnin Gun and Quickdraw Cline from Stanley. These became Todd and Tigh’s primary rodeo mounts. Both were by Docs Jack Frost and the Driftwood Ike daughter, Prissy Cline. In 1979 he bought their full brother as a weanling colt- Sun Frost. To complete the lineup, Pat purchased Prissy Cline’s last colt in 1980, Marco Doc. The Cowan boys owned and excelled on 4 of the 7 colts produced from this cross.
The Cowan Cattle Company hosted its first horse sale in 1984. Colts were offered by Sun Frost, Tuff Time Peppy and Orphan Drift. High sellers included the likes of PC Sun Socks, PC Lady Frances who would go on to have earn $40,000 + in the barrel racing, and PC Lace N Leather who would go on to win the Dakota Cutting Classic Futurity in 1987. Pat was killed tragically the following fall of 1985.
Pat Cowan & Stanley Johnson
Runnin Gun and Quick Draw Cline
1983 SDRA/NRCA Bulldogging Horse of the Year
Clay Cowan at his first horse sale preview
In 1994 Todd and Beth turned their attention towards their own operation and raising their immediate family. Today they operate under Cowan Ranch. Todd’s brothers- Tigh, Tork, and Treg, along with their families are incorporated under Cowan Brothers LLC. Todd and Beth kept Boon Dox John while the Cowan Brothers promote Sun Frost. The mare bands remain an integral part to the program, with daughters of Sun Frost, Doc's Jack Frost, Boon Dox John, Docs Oak Sugar, and Tuff Time Peppy. We hope both horse programs compliment the Pat Cowan legacy and are something he would be proud of today
Prior to his death, Pat had purchased a brown colt from down south, which would become an integral part of the stallion battery- Boon Dox John. Pat purchased him as a colt because he liked the looks and pedigree of this own son of Boon Bar, and originally intended to take him to the cutting pen. The brown colt possessed all strength and intelligence predicted, but would go unproven. It was not until colts began hitting the ground that his true worth was recognized. Today he may possibly be one of the most under rated stallions in the state of South Dakota, but to the Cowan Ranch he is unparalleled.
This is the only photo ever take of Boon Dox John, pictured as a yearling.
These foundation bloodlines are a fundamental part of the Cowan Ranch program today. These are horses that have held up to the test of time and the stress of performance, horses who were built to do anything- including run.