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PrintCowgirls Historical Foundation: preserving Western heritage and our equestrian way of life
Photographer Charles Brooks gives his take on the Arizona-based volunteer organization.
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Ever since 1976, when my parents moved to Wickenburg, Arizona, I have been fascinated by the heritage of the Old West. Today, as a commercial and landscape photographer, I enjoy finding vestiges of our Old West and photographing them. When I learned that the Arizona-based Cowgirls Historical Foundation was appearing in their first Tournament of Roses Parade in January 2007, I took notice.
The Cowgirls Historical Foundation is a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving the "Western heritage and equestrian way of life." Their performances include rodeos, parades, charity fundraisers, youth programs, and a variety of special events. They appear in communities across Arizona as role models, educating, entertaining, and inspiring fans from 6 to 60.
The cowgirls are rich in equestrian tradition and style. Their Western wear ranges from contemporary fashion to vintage outfits by designers of the 1950s, including famous rhinestone tailors such as Nudie Cohen, who made Western outfits for Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Elvis, Judy Lynn, and Ronald Reagan; designs by Nathan Turk and Manuel are also represented. Among the most coveted combinations is the fabulous gold lamé and chocolate-brown leather costume made by Nudie Cohen for Western singing star Judy Lynn. This rhinestone masterpiece came complete with golden boots, belt, hat, and even a golden saddle; covered with literally thousands of rhinestones, the saddle is one of only two in the world made by Cohen.
Though some of these outfits are more than 50 years old, they haven’t lost any of their sparkle and crowd appeal. Even with all the rhinestone wattage on the valuable Western clothing, the tack hardly takes a back seat: The cowgirls ride on vintage saddles from the famed Ted Flowers and the Bohlin Company, both highly respected sterling-silver saddlemakers who flourished from the 1930s through the 1950s.
The CHF is not just pretty women in eye-catching outfits. Many of the cowgirls are rodeo champions and rodeo royalty with impressive stories of personal achievement, patriotism, and family values. Even with considerable riding in their backgrounds, candidates for the Cowgirls Historical Foundation do not become certified cowgirls overnight. Girls who apply and are accepted by the CHF must participate in a one-year internship before earning a regular spot on the team. Once they become part of the team, the cowgirls are part of a great group of women who seem to touch everyone who works with them or sees them perform.
"Since its inception, Cowgirls Historical Foundation has been a labor of love for all us on the board of directors," says CHF president Patricia Gomez, whose two daughters are part of the team. "Our cowgirls never cease to amaze me with their accomplishments, talents and ambassadorship of Western heritage. Working together to preserve our time-honored traditions and treasures, it is very rewarding to see how the cowgirls have used this platform to give back to our communities in a spirit that touches the hearts of young and old. I can truly say that our cowgirls are beautiful on the outside. But more important, they’re beautiful on the inside and true role models for our youth."
To learn more about the Cowgirls Historical Foundation and its event schedule, visit www.cowgirlshistoricalfoundation.com.
