Team Espuela Emerges Victorious at Art of the Cowgirl All-Women's Ranch Rodeo
The annual Art of the Cowgirl All-Women's Ranch Rodeo Finals took place at the Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre in Queen Creek, Ariz. The competition was exciting, and the top eight teams from the preliminaries returned for a clean slate showdown, which ended with Team Espuela emerging as the victors.
The All-Women's Ranch Rodeo is a platform for women to showcase their resilience and skill. It has a rich history and celebrates the prowess of female riders.
In the Ranch Horse event, riders showcased their skills by boxing a cow, navigating down the fence, executing a turn past the center marker, and expertly neck-roping and stopping the cow. The run concluded when the rope tightened, and the cow was faced.
In the Team Roping event, two teams demonstrated their teamwork and precision in heading and heeling two steers released into the arena. The clock stopped when ropes tightened, and horses were faced.
The Sort and Doctor challenge paid homage to historical ranching practices. Contestants had to sort a designated numbered cow from a herd, expertly head and heel it, set ropes, and chalk it.
Team Espuela, led by captain Kelsey Love Thomas, who also won the Art of the Cowgirl World's Greatest Horsewoman competition, included Whitney Hall, Kylie Carter and Stormy Sill.
The All-Women's Ranch Rodeo is directed by Mesa Pate, daughter of the founder of Art of the Cowgirl, Tammy Pate. Tammy was a passionate and skilled horsewoman who passed away last year from cancer. Her mission was to promote and preserve the cowgirl way of life.
In an interview with the Queen Creek Tribune, Mesa Pate said, “By creating Art of the Cowgirl, my mother has had a tremendous ripple effect that will positively impact women and the Western lifestyle for generations to come."
Dates for Art of the Cowgirl 2025 are to be announced.
Art of the Cowgirl
All-Women's Ranch Rodeo 2024:
1. Espuela - Kelsey Love Thomas (Team Capitan), Whitney Hall, Kylie Carter, Stormy Sill
2. Hammack Livestock - Missy Hammack (Team Capitan), Taelor Hammack, Loralee McKoen, Taren Martinez
3. Dylan's Performance Horses - Dylan Sponseller (Team Capitan), Jessi Farr, Breanna Jenkins, Payton Feyder
4. VC Cattle - Kylie Carter (Team Capitan), Corrie Hirschbock, Stormy Sill, Samantha Kerns
5. IW Ranch - Jeanne Jones-Gieck (Team Capitan), Kattie Wemple, Loralee McKoen, Missy Hammack
6. High Hock Team - Dylan Sponseller (Team Capitan), Kimberlyn Fitch, Samatha Kerns, Jessi Farr
7. Sparrowk Livestock - Summer Tex (Team Capitan), Jessica Cardon, Molly Sparrowk, Brooke Jackson
8. Rancho Deluxe - Riata Anseth (Team Capitan), Dally Goemmer, Halle DeWitt, Kylie Askew
