Why it’s important to have a good group of Cowboy Gals

By Cowgal Madeline

I’ve grown up in a man's world, a man's job, a man's lifestyle. But I never knew that, I never felt that. I always felt that I was equal to them and could do just as much. I believe this was due to a strong group of incredible, handy, independent ladies. Not only were they incredible in the branding pen and loading trucks or working horses but they taught me how to cook and more importantly, how to be myself. 

There was someone I always looked up to growing up. She was strong, incredibly handy, beautiful, observant and independent. She was my babysitter, my role model and a day worker. Jeri was the first woman I ever looked up to and she taught me many many things. While she might not have had “deep life talks” we did have pizza on the couch while watching the Cowboy Channel, she always let me go up into the treehouse, she got me my first paid job working on a friends ranch, sold me my first (and only) colt, opened the door of the pickup when I slammed my fingers in it at a branding and most importantly showed me that I could be one of them. I could be just as good as the others, as the men. I could be just as handy and useful as long as I never gave up. Now I haven’t seen Jeri in quite a while but I still think back on all the memories and lessons and am so grateful for everything she has taught me.

My very first friend was a girl three years older than me who grew up on a ranch about an hour away named Taylor. Our parents were friends and ran some cattle together so naturally we grew up to be best friends. We rode our horses on the beach after brandings, played in the mud, had an inflatable water slide with soap bars we named Mr. and Mrs. Suds, tried to have MANY extravagant baking and cooking nights, black Friday shopped, went to a Taylor Swift concert together and I was even her maid of honor this past December. We were inseparable, weird as all get out and incredibly annoying and sassy but inseparable nonetheless. We did life together. Throughout hard times we had each other and while we have our similarities we are very different people. Our movie dates of sneaking in Taco Bell was always the very best, which, in college, turned into movie nights at home with drinks and Taco Bell. Then I moved to Wyoming and she moved back home so the distance and calls both grew longer. While we don’t see eachother all that often, we still have the same bond we had 18 years ago. 

Perhaps the most influential woman to be a part of my life didn’t start out as a friend but as a boss. I found out about the Internship in the One Bar Eleven Ranch in Saratoga, Wyoming via a facebook post from a friend. I applied, interviewed and sat nervous for quite a while anxiously awaiting an email that said if I was accepted or denied. One evening in November I found out I would be moving to Wyoming in January. I can’t tell you how excited I was, only that my downstairs apartment neighbors were probably really annoyed at me jumping and playing “Congratulations” by Post Malone on full blast. Two months later I moved and began working as a spring calving intern which led into a summer internship as well. Lindsey pushed me and expected more from me than I thought I was capable of. She gave me every tool necessary to learn and I have become twice the person I am because of her. Her talents are not few. This gal can work cattle better than most, have patience with horses and dogs, teach interns, raise cowboy kids, build fences, run equipment and take the most amazing pictures. I’ve never met a woman so strong and while she started out as my boss we have become good friends and get to cowboy together from time to time. 

I’ve gained many good friends from my experience on the One Bar Eleven but one of the most important friendships was formed with a girl from Arizona and New Mexico who was the intern alongside me. Her style is immaculate and love for all things turquoise, good cow ponies and Usher are unmatched. On our first working day we got our pickup stuck, we pulled a lot of calves together and roped even more sick ones (well she did, I barely caught). We survived late, cold nights through calf checks and hail storms building fence, RACING back to the pickup. I’m sure she thought I was weird with my obsession of finding sheds from deer and my weird calendar pics but Justina held me together. Because of her I appreciate Valentine's Day and a good hat even more than I did before. She had a love interest and things went south and I held her while she cried, I had a love interest that went south and she held me when I cried. She helped me become a better roper and shared my love for charcuterie boards and a good meal. Many days left us defeated but we ultimately came out on top. She’s one heck of a cowgal and I’m thankful we’re only about an hour apart. When we get together it’s like no time has passed but our love for cowkids, handsome cowboying men, cow ponies, a good hat, meals after a long day, a clean loop, All The Pretty Horses and western art are the foundation of our friendship.

In the cowboy world it’s important to have your gals near you. I'm not one to say that women have it hard in a “man's job” I believe if we put in the hours and the effort that we are just as good if not better. But I will say that men won’t always admit or allow us to be as good as them so having your gals is vital. We need our support system and someone to ask for help. Someone to get dinner with and to take the kids here and there. Someone to pick out a good hat and go on a fun adventure. Good gals and good ponies are important and without either, cowboying just wouldn’t be as fun.