The Legacy of Western Women
In celebration of International Women’s History Month, we wanted to take a deeper look into the women who shaped us: Western women. Throughout history, Western women have paved the way for the modern cowgirl through their triumphant display of strength, style, and courage.
The first ‘cowgirl’ of our time was notorious for her wide smile and daring acts such as steer roping and trick riding. President Roosevelt bestowed the term ‘cowgirl’ upon Lucille Mulhall, a Wild West performer, a little over a century ago. Since then, the term cowgirl has only flourished as ranching and cattle raising grew in popularity across western America.
The first cowgirls made their name through trick riding, sharpshooting, and the glamourization of the western way of life on the silver screen. However, as the sport of rodeo became more of a mainstream novelty, the cowgirls didn’t just follow, but led. Making history, a young woman by the name of Bertha Kaepernik Blancett became the first woman to ride a bucking horse at none other than the Cheyenne Frontier Days in the summer of 1904.
Cowgirls Rise in Rodeo and Competition
During World War II, the women took up the reins at home on the ranches and farms while their spouses were away at war. Tending to the herd and tilling the soil weren’t the only talents these women possessed: their horsemanship and ranching skills got their moment on the mainstage, rodeo.
During the golden age of rodeo, one name stood out from the rest: Mrs. Tad Lucas. Known as the triple threat, Lucas earned her winnings through trick riding, bronc riding, and relay races. The cowgirls of this time weren’t just known for their horsemanship, but also their fashion sense, sporting tall crowns and fringe from head to toe.
Shortly after World War II, what we know today as the WPRA was founded originally as the Girls Rodeo Association, GRA, by 38 women, standardizing the set of rules put forth for women’s contests and all-girl rodeos. Soon, rodeo queen pageants replaced the early days of women’s calf roping, and barrel racing became prevalent at major rodeos. The 60’s brought barrel racing to the most prestigious and largest show on dirt: The National Finals Rodeo. However, it wasn’t until the 80’s that women were awarded a prize pool equal to that of the men.
Sheila Varian made reining horse history long before the sport was even widely recognized. Varian became the first woman to win the Reined Cow Horse Open Championship in 1961. The National Reining Horse Association was founded in the late 60’s, and the women of the sport continue to break gender barriers, winning national titles.
One of the most prolific barrel racers of the 20th century, Charmayne James won over 10 consecutive world championships in barrel racing. Her achievements extended past those of the dirt and barrels. Charmayne was a pivotal figure in fighting for equal prize money for women competing in rodeo, even out-earning the men’s all-around world champion in 1988 on her famous horse, Scamper.
The women of the WPRA took a stand in the 80’s by refusing to approve PRCA rodeos that didn’t offer equal prize money, changing the sport of rodeo indefinitely by successfully securing equal pay.
The first lady of the cutting horse industry, Lindy Burch, paved the way for today’s women to not only ride in open divisions but also become influential in breeding and training within the NCHA. Burch was the first woman to win the NCHA Open Futurity on Mis Royal Mahogany in 1980, later serving as the first female NCHA president.
The Modern Cowgirl
Fast forward to the 21st century, and western women had but one more barrier to break in the western industry: breakaway roping. Following the WPRA’s efforts to integrate closer with the PRCA, the first-ever National Finals Breakaway Roping was unveiled in 2020. When it comes to breakaway, there’s one name that you simply can’t miss: Pam Minick. Former Miss Rodeo America and WPRA Breakaway Roping World Champion, Minick, not only competed but promoted the sport of rodeo as a TV personality.
Western women have come so far in the Western industry, and it's no surprise that they will continue to make history. So take this month to celebrate the western women in your life: the rodeo queen, the reigning champion, the cutting horse trainer, the barrel racer, the breakaway roper, and the everyday modern cowgirl.
Want to see more stories celebrating the women of the West? Follow our Western Women instagram to stay inspired by the cowgirls shaping the western industry today.
