The first “Women of the West” I interviewed for Western Horseman was the amazing Kirsten Vold, a stock contractor from Colorado. I was nervous; I was green. Luckily, I had the incomparable Darrel Dodds to shoot an impeccable photo of Kirsten and her legendary stallion, Painted Valley. Kirsten was gracious and open in the interview, which I can’t recall fully, but I’m sure I stumbled through. Since that first published “WOW,” which tells a source’s life story through short intro and quotes straight from them, and includes a full-page photograph, I have now been part of 24 WOWs, either as writer and photographer, writer or as the photographer. My 23rd article with Oklahoma’s Selena Bradshaw is in the May 2025 Western Horseman issue, which should be out soon, and my 24th, with Californian Jen Roeser, is in the July issue.
Over the years, I’d like to believe my interview skills have improved. One question I do love to ask is what it means to that person when someone calls them a “cowgirl” or “horsewoman.” There are always great answers! It is always inspirational, no matter if they are an older subject with decades of memories or a younger subject with fresh eyes on our industry. While all are memorable, a few have stood out over the years, including being part of the WOW with former Western Horseman editor Pat Close, from Colorado, who really summarized my feeling of working at the magazine when she said: "For a girl who loves horses, working at Western Horseman was like having a tiger by the tail—living with and writing about horses nonstop."
March was National Women’s History Month, and I missed the opportunity to showcase some of the more inspirational and impactful quotes that have been shared, and printed, with me through these WOW interviews. It may be a day late, but their thoughts are worth more than a penny!
Men tend to have a plan to do something—Plan A. I think women have Plan A, B, C, and something will work. You are a little more creative in how you get things done. –Connie Weishaar | South Dakota
Every day I wake up, I take a deep breath, and it is so satisfying. I’m blessed to live the life I live and am so fortunate. I am one of those people who believe you choose to have a good day or a bad day, and I choose to have a good day every day of my life. — Patty Ralls | Texas
Life is about the try. It’s taken me a long time to realize that. People try. The colt tries for me. If a colt tries to buck me off, that isn’t the right answer, but it is trying to figure out what we want. — Jenn Zeller | South Dakota
I feel so lucky that I was able to stay with horses. I see so many girls who are horse crazy, but they have to go on and make a living. It means everything to stay connected. – Pat North Ommert | California
My goal is always to at least try. My motto is: Do what you fear and your fear disappears. — Loriann Lindner | South Dakota
“Grit, glam and grace” is a mantra I try to live by, completely inspired by the cowgirls that came before me. — Mackenzie Kimbro | Arizona
Being a cowgirl is a proud feeling inside. Thee is nothing better than getting up and going to ride. I lived on horses. – Jodie O’Bryan | South Dakota
Allison Wiens | Colorado
The equine business is one place where a woman can be an equal to a man, just like a mare can be as good as a stallion. — Kathy Daughn | Texas
It is not a life to be enjoyed unless you’re making it better for somebody else. My father hd a saying, “The good you do for your fellow man is the rent you pay for the time on Earth you had.” It’s not what’s in it for me. I don’t think there’s too much wrong with that attitude. — Mary Bell Cooksley | Nebraska
I want to feel girly even if I’m doing dirty work. If you look good, then you will feel good. When a cowgirl is out mucking stalls or moving cattle, she can wear a great hat or turquoise—it doesn’t mean she is prissy. She can work just as hard as a man. — Allison Wiens | Colorado