From being named Miss Rodeo Texas Teen 2024 to studying equine sciences at Texas Tech University, Katelyn Collins is showing ‘em how it’s done.
In celebration of the second annual National Day of the Cowgirl, Durango Boots, who founded the holiday in 2022, awarded one lucky cowgirl a $30,000 scholarship to help pursue her dreams. Prospective recipients of the scholarship were required to be enrolled as first-year students in an undergraduate college program specializing in an area within the Western lifestyle. This year’s recipient, first-generation cowgirl Katelyn Collins, has shown a level of perseverance that only a cowgirl could.
After moving in with her Aunt Rachel after her parents began to struggle with addiction, Katelyn Collins discovered her love for horses. With the support of her aunt, Katelyn followed her heart into the world of rodeo, eventually finding her way into rodeo queening. In 2024, Katelyn was named Miss Rodeo Texas Teen, solidifying her place in cowgirl history. Today, she pursues a degree in equine sciences from Texas Tech University in the hopes of becoming a veterinarian. Between studying and competing on Texas Tech’s rodeo team, Katelyn has her hands full. But the perseverance and drive she’s exhibited since day one keeps her on track to achieve her dreams.
Katelyn talked with C&I about her road to the rodeo world, maintaining a positive outlook on life, and more.
Cowboys & Indians: You’re a proud first-generation cowgirl. How did you find the Western lifestyle?
Katelyn Collins: I grew up in the city. I was born in downtown Dallas, so [the Western lifestyle] was definitely the opposite of everything I’ve been around. But I’ve always had a really big heart for animals, horses, specifically, when I was a little girl. So, when I moved in with my aunt, she was the one who got me into horseback riding camp. And from there, I never got rid of the horse bug. I’m sure she wishes I did because it’s definitely an expensive hobby, but you can’t trade it for the world.
C&I: Do you remember where your love for animals began?
Collins: I grew up watching Spirit and getting My Little Pony dolls and stuff like that. I think for cowgirls, especially first-generation ones, something draws you to them. It’s almost something in your blood that you can’t control. You get the bug and you can’t get rid of it.
C&I: Was it tricky entering the industry as a first-generation cowgirl?
Collins: I’m going to have to go fifty-fifty on that answer. I wish I’d had some guidance when I was young, because there are so many lessons I had to learn the hard way, but being a first-generation cowgirl also definitely taught me to find my own. When I was growing up, I rode with so many different trainers to figure out what I liked to do, how I liked to ride, what works best for me and my horses. So, there’s definitely pros and cons on that, but I’m definitely blessed for the journey.
C&I: And now, you’ve got a Miss Rodeo Texas Teen title under your belt. What drew you to rodeo queening?
Collins: I grew up in Denton, Texas, and the North Texas Fair & Rodeo was 10 minutes down the road from my house. A family friend told my mom about the North Texas Fair & Rodeo Pageant. I ran not once, not twice, but three times, and I finally won. Once I won that title, I got the bug for rodeo queening. I developed my speaking skills, I’ve made so many connections and friendships through it, and I also learned so many horse skills. It's way more than just pretty clothes. It taught me so many things I would not trade for the world.
Winning Miss Rodeo Texas Teen is my proudest moment. I worked so hard. The year before, I was first runner-up, so I came back with so much ambition, because I knew that it was one of my dreams and that I would be able to fulfill that dream. So, I came back better than ever. That’s definitely my biggest achievement.
C&I: You’re now working on a degree in equine sciences at Texas Tech University. What’s coming up next for you?
Collins: I’m going to continue rodeo queening, because the Miss Rodeo America pageant is the end goal for me. I hope to go to med school one day. I would love to specialize in equine performance horses. I’ve also teeter-tottered on getting my master’s degree in business, because I would love to own a stallion farm. I’m really into futurity horses and futurity stallions. The equine sciences degree gives me so many opportunities.
C&I: You’re also one heck of a rodeo athlete on Texas Tech’s rodeo team right now. Do you have dreams of heading to the NFR?
Collins: Oh, for sure. I think it’s every little girl’s dream. But it’s all about God’s plan. You don’t know what he has in store for you.
C&I: You’ve seen the Western industry from several different sides. What is the aspect of the industry that you love the most?
Collins: My favorite aspect of the Western industry would be the women in the industry. It took so long for us to make a name for ourselves and be counted as a real factor in the Western industry. I just think it’s so cool that we have our own spot in the Western industry.
C&I: You’ve persevered through a lot of hardships to be where you are today. What keeps you going through the difficult parts of the journey?
Collins: I would have to say God and my family. Family is definitely not blood for me. Family is someone that can show you unconditional love even in your toughtest times. Being young and my Aunt Ranch taking us in, that was so hard on me and so hard on her. I was so angry at the world, and she just showed me a whole lot of love. My family showed me that there really are only two options to what you go through — you can learn from it and grow from it and use it as a driving force or you can let it take you down. Luckily, my Aunt Rachel is really rooted in Christ. I’m very grateful that I have family that taught me such a valuable lesson, because it’s really easy for stuff like that to get you down. In the mornings, I like to do my Bible study to get me in a positive mindset, because it’s so easy to let the world make you think negative.
C&I: What would you like young cowgirls to take away from your story?
Collins: You don’t have to be a ninth-, tenth-, eleventh-generation cowgirl to make a good representation for yourself. You have to start somewhere, and no question is a dumb question. Those questions will put you where you want to be. There’s nothing that can stop you. It’s just about a dream. Dreams come from hard work and not from pixie dust.
Applications for Durango Boots’ 2025 National Day of the Cowgirl scholarship are now open. Head to their website to apply.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Durango Boots and Katelyn Collins
