Working Ranch Magazine - Index

Working Ranch Magazine - magazine - Index

How about these cowgirls? Like the George
Strait tune says, “Boys, ain’t they somethin’?”
These gals get pretty intense when
they’re competing in the Women’s Ranch
Rodeo Association events. Read more about
them and their new association in the
pages of Saddle Up further on in this issue.
when he came out with his latest
track, “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls”,
well, he strummed my own personal
heartstrings.
We’ve all seen ‘em before. Working
cowgirls. The sun does their face and
the wind does their hair. As cowboys,
about all we can do is admire them
from afar. The way they can spot and
pull a sick critter in a feedyard pen full
of black calves … how they can rope
all morning at a branding, then pop
the Tupperware lids and serve up a
great meal off the flatdeck of the ranch
pick-up … now that’s impressive.
There’s so much more to it than
what ol’ George could ever write about.
He only had three and a half minutes
to sing their praises. Most of us have
been in this business for decades and
we’re still surprised at the amazing
magic they can pull out of a hat.
Cowboying has never been genderspecific.
I guess that’s a part of what
makes the lifestyle unique. Those old
Wild West chicks with the big hats
and the riding skirts could rake the
shoulder hair of a squallin’ bronc
right alongside any man. It ain’t
nothing new.
In this issue we’re more than proud
to show off this century’s answer to
those pioneer women. We want to
welcome the Women’s Ranch Rodeo
Association into the arena, and we
wish them all the best as they continue
to inspire other ranch cowgirls to
join ‘em.
CRITTER CRAZY CARRIE
OK, so what if Carrie Underwood is
a vegetarian? Now hang on, a minute.
Hear me out before you go tossing
this magazine back on the calving
barn fridge.
I know I’m late with the news, it
made the headlines many months
ago when unknowing FFA officials
hired Underwood to perform at the
2006 National FFA Convention.
That’s when the mulch hit the fan.
But being true to my cowboy roots, it
PHOTO BY BECKI BARBEE
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2008 | WORKING RANCH | 17