Art of the cowgirl 2025

As written for Saddle Up Magazine April 2025

Art of the Cowgirl

CELEBRATING THE COWGIRL

Wickenburg Arizona February 25-March 1 2025 at Rancho Rio the new home to Art of the cowgirl. An event solely dedicated to showcasing, promoting and educating the talent of woman in the western industry.

Cowboy-gals, artisan makers, silversmiths, leather workers, rawhide braider, saddle makers, trainers and educators all gathered for this remarkable event.

Founded by the late Tammy Pate, she was a woman with a dream that came true and a legacy that will live on to keep these founding traditions alive for generations to come.

It was my first time attending this event. This was actually my first time travelling anywhere by myself, away from my Children and husband. A sweet neighbour and friend invited me down for a few days as hard as it was to leave my boys I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by.

We arrived in a whirlwind of dust, giggles and excitement for what the event held. We started by watching the Colt starting with Tom and Trina Curtain. Over 3 hrs we watched Tom and Trina help 6students work their colts through their first saddling to their first ride. A calm and easy manner. No one got to worked up, it was very relaxed and easy to see how intuitive Tom and Trina are to both the horse and rider.

After the clinic we decided to venture to the trade show portion. With over 75 vendors of mostly woman owned small businesses it’s a dangerous place to walk. where budgets are thrown out the window with the feel of a beautifully handcrafted Bill and Teresa Black Bosal or a glance of a custom purse by Kristen Allen of Twisted K Leather or Headstall by Nancy Martiny.

Fellowship Program:

Art of the cowgirl is a huge supporter of makers and woman in the western trades. Each year they offer Fellowship programs for aspiring artists and horsewoman to work alongside and learn fromthe best Masters in the industry. These programs are fully sponsored by Art of the cowgirl and offered at no cost to the recipient.

We had the pleasure of meeting Maker Kristen Allen of Twisted K Leather. She was the 2024 saddle maker recipient working under Master Saddle Maker Nancy Martiny. To say Kristen’s work is stunning is an understatement. she worked with Nancy to create a custom saddle as well as tooled the 2025 Art of the Cowgirl saddle for auction that brought in funds $6500us to raise money to continue to offer fellowship programs.

Ranch Rodeo:

The all Wrangler all woman’s  Ranch Rodeo presented by Cowgirl Magazine was thrilling to watch, the ladies are punchy and they don’t hold back. They gave their all and dug their heels in to get the job done.

10 teams each team consisting of four horse/rider combinations. competed in 4 events; team branding, team roping, steer stopping. The winning team of 2025 was Bar G. Proving that woman in the ranching industry are not to be underestimated and can more than hold their own no matter what the job is, but really there never was any doubt about that.

Worlds Greatest Cowgirl:

Art of the cowgirl is also home to ‘Worlds Greatest Cowgirl Competition’

Where the top 10 rider/horse teams competed in reining, herd work, steer stopping and fence work. This years World Greatest Cowgirl was once again 4x defending champion Kelsey Love Thomas and her well known mare Kit Kat Jerrie.

Elite Horse Sale:

The week ended with the Elite horse sale on Saturday. With 75 horses to be sold. The invitational sale boasts talented horses consigned by woman in the industry. There’s a horse there for everyone from prospects, broke horses and ‘cow kids select’ the perfect partner for you little cowboy or cowgirl.

This year the high selling horse at the sale was owned by Keily Riata Stewart of High River Alberta Canada she sold a 2018 registered Canadian Bay Gelding “Soul Ridge Lamont Flame” for the sale price of $200,000us

One of the highlights for me was meeting a truly talented billboard topping singer/songwriter cowboy gal musician Adrian Brannan and her sister Liz. You may know Adrian as Buckaroo girl.

Having listened to her music for over a decade through the trials and triumphs of life. it was one of those surreal star struck moments for me. After her set Adrian and Liz took the time to meet me and sit down and just talk and laugh. They were both so sweet and kind. If you haven’t listened to Adrian’s music I would highly recommend she sings of the west, how it was, how it is and taking a stand to preserve the culture and the cowboys and cowboy gals that make their living doing the hard, surviving and loving the land and animals the lord has entrusted them with.

This was an event and opportunity I will cherish the memories for years to come. As in true western fashion the camaraderie among the woman and peers was prevalent through out the whole event. When I sat down with master horsewoman Lee Smith (and student of the Late Ray Hunt) she was telling me that she never stops learning. Her and her husband had a colt in the Tom Curtain Colt starting clinic that week, she said she never stops learning and is always willing to listen to someone else. Now that is a Cowboy I want to aspire to be like, kind, heartfelt, positive, humble and always a student.

I’m proud to be part of an industry where we lift each other up and cheer one another on.