The earliest cowgirls endured long, tedious days on isolated ranches where the horse was both best friend and work partner. They mastered rodeo skills almost by osmosis: breaking then riding their horses, roping, cutting. Something needed doing? They did it. These hardy women were tough, brave, smart, and strong, and unapologetic about any of it.

Cowgirls transitioned from the ranch to Wild West shows — which also played favorably in Europe and Asia — directly into rodeos, going head-to-head with men in marked contrast to the contrived and precious image of the “rodeo queen.” The tougher the action, the higher the take-home pay: Rodeo cowgirls liked money, too.

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