Oklahoma Rodeo Women featured on Shepherd’s “Discover the Best Books”

Oklahoma Rodeo Women is featured on Shepherd's "Discover the Best Books!" It was an honor to receive a request to spotlight the book. I am equally humbled that a colleague on Women Also Know History referred my work to Shepherd. It's not easy to choose one's favorite books about cowgirls, but I enjoyed revisiting some … Continue reading Oklahoma Rodeo Women featured on Shepherd’s “Discover the Best Books”

The Calgary Stampede – a Tradition of Prestige

At the end of this year's rodeo season, and as the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) approaches, pondering how we came to have a National Finals, or even how some of the biggest professional rodeos became prestigious led me to reflect on my trip to Calgary this summer. When you ask young cowboys and cowgirls just … Continue reading The Calgary Stampede – a Tradition of Prestige

Sweethearts of the Rodeo

First thoughts of western couples often conjure up Roy Rogers and Dales Evans – Hollywood’s silver screen sweethearts. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans – photo taken at the 61st Academy Awards, March 29, 1989, photo by Alan Light[1] Although Rogers and Evans met through rodeo and he actually proposed in an arena, there were also many famous … Continue reading Sweethearts of the Rodeo

Cowgirl Christmases and the New Year’s Rodeo Season

The holiday season in today’s rodeo world kind of kicks off with the end of the season and the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas – but it wasn’t always so. This Christmas break led me to reflect on the lives of the rodeo cowgirls I research, who competed in rodeo at the turn of … Continue reading Cowgirl Christmases and the New Year’s Rodeo Season