CLAY COUNTY — While most people blessed to reach the age of 90 have a more laid-back lifestyle, such is not the case for Smokey W. Anderson, who released a book “Rodeo Crazy Cowboys.” The book, a sequel to “Kansas City Rodeo Cowboy,” is available in hard copy, paperback and on Kindle via Amazon.
In the book, Anderson, originally from the Ozarks but has called the Northland home for years, recalls his five decades of being a “rodeo- crazy cowboy,” and the excitement, danger and dedication that came along with the sport.
“I started ridin’ in pony races at 8,” he told the Courier-Tribune of his love affair with cowboys, horses and the rodeo.
“Smokey’s words gallop off the pages as he recounts spectacles that’ll make your heart race. Experience the rush of adrenaline as one stares into the eye of the beast, poised to unleash the exhilarating fury of the sport. But it’s not just about the action – the story takes you through the dusty arenas, the heart-stopping moments and the grit that defines the life of a cowboy,” reads the book description on Amazon.
As he pens in the book, Anderson’s story has more “twists than a bull’s tail.”
“I started rodeoin’ when I was 14. I always wanted to be a cowboy and God made my dream come true. God has always been there for me and got me through it all,” the author said, adding he was seriously injured in his early 50s and was well into his 60s when finally retired from riding. “It’s not easy, it’s tough, but I’ve been very blessed in my life thanks to God.”
As if being a cowboy wasn’t enough, Anderson was rookie of the year in horseshoe pitching in 1993 and worked on a Smithville area farm until he was severely injured after being kicked in the face by a horse at age 70.
“I was in the hospital for 45 days,” he said, adding his strong relationship with God got him through as it has all his life. “The closer you stay to God, the better you’ll be in life. I love talking about the glory of God.”
His path to authorship was certainly not a short one. In addition to being a cowboy, farm worker and horseshoe-throwing champion, Anderson is a disabled veteran. He was almost completely blind before receiving surgery through Veterans Affairs. After surgery, and thanks to medication he takes for brain function, Anderson said he writes a lot.
“I’ve always enjoyed telling people about my life and rodeoin’ and about cowboys. Someone told me I should write a book about my life and so I did,” he said. He wrote the book at age 89.
In addition to authoring a book, Anderson writes for two different magazines, is recording a song about the same subject matter and authoring another book, “From Cradle to Cross” about his relationship with the almighty.
“God told me a good way to keep my memory fresh was to write, so I write articles and songs,” he said. “I believe old people should write their stories down in books.”
