All-Around Cowgirl: Respect, Grit, and Girl Power
By Brandy Von Holten
Women from all walks of life with an age range of 17-70, gathered to determine the All-Around Champion at Von Holten Ranch in Mora, Missouri. The All-Around competition was divided into a Top Farm Hand and a Top Working Ranch Hand. The All-Around Champion had to do both the Farm Hand and Working Ranch Hand events.
The women competed in the following events: Hay Stacking, Shooting, Tire Changing, I Can Drive That, Farm Girl Relay, Rough and Rugged Obstacle Course, Bareback Pleasure, Barrel Racing, Goat Bloomer Race, and Modified Cattle Sorting.
Now, this was not just any competition, this was a bonding moment for this group of women for a lifetime. You see, last year’s champion and reserve champion entered for a friendly rematch. Both ladies quickly came to the agreement that they were competing for second this year when a female carpenter from Illinois entered. Little did they know that a Kansas first timer was in the buckle standings until the second day of competition and a former rodeo queen came here to rumble! The scores were not posted until the awards ceremony after all the dust settled. Everyone arrived Friday and the competitions were Saturday and Sunday with a taco bar Saturday night, with beef supplied by Lucas Cattle. The laughter, the stories, the love, the understanding, were all rolled into one weekend that will shape and mold each competitor into an even better person. You see, we had a woman enter that had just received her prosthetic leg less than two weeks earlier. She had lost a limb due to an automobile accident caused by a lady texting and driving. When you see a person that would do anything to be in your shoes, you let go of all of that “I must win at all cost” mentality. You do not complain because you know that someone else’s struggles are greater than yours. You cheer for your competitors, because you realize that life can change in a blink of an eye. You appreciate the moments you have been given in your life and live in the NOW! The lady that lost her leg did not win the competition, but she won the respect of every competitor there.
As if this competition did not have enough of the “feel goods”, this year was won by last year’s champion. Did I mention she is 56!!! There were four cowgirls in the 50+ division with the “most experienced being 70”!! Of the four 50+ cowgirls, they placed either 1st or 2nd in each event!
Not only did the champion return to win back-to-back years, but so did the reserve champion. It is so much more mentally difficult to remain a champion than it is to become a champion. Typically, people self-doubt themselves so much that they mess themselves up and crash and burn. Not these two women. The entire weekend was a nail biter.
Lessons that were learned at this competition: It isn’t over until it is over. Women are stronger than they could ever imagine. Age is just a number. Grit will get you through tough times. Do not judge a book by its cover.
Top Farm Hand
Champion: Alison Magee
Reserve Champion: Abby Bromwich
50+ Farm Hand
Champion: Karen Peck
Reserve Champion: Roxanne Seeger
Top Working Ranch Hand
Champion: Karen Peck
Reserve Champion: Ariel Weinman
All Around Cowgirl
Champion: Karen Peck
Reserve Champion: Abby Bromwich
Meet the cowgirls from the 2018 All Around Cowgirl:
Abby Bromwich
Age: 30
Hometown: Moscow Mills, MO
Occupation: Riding instructor
Alana Bryan
Age: 70
Hometown: Climax Springs, MO
Occupation: Bada$$
Alison Magee
Age: 27
Hometown: Brighton, IL
Occupation: Union carpenter
Ariel Weinman
Age: 26
Hometown: Brighton, IL
Occupation: Marketing specialist
Caity Midyett
Age: 27
Hometown: Topeka, KS
Occupation: Riding instructor
Diana Garren
Age: 35
Hometown: Auburn, KS
Occupation: Accountant
Karen Peck
Age: 56
Hometown: Lawson, MO
Occupation: Welding artist
Kari Lindhorst
Age: 24
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Occupation: Critical Care Nurse
Megan Heyer
Age: 17
Hometown: Troy, MO
Occupation: Student
Pris Gardner
Age: 38
Hometown: Topeka, KS
Occupation: Animal behaviorist
Roxanne Seeger
Age: 60
Hometown: Wentzville, MO
Occupation: Barrel racer
Ryann Kidd
Age: 27
Hometown: Shawnee, KS
Occupation: Patient care tech pediatric E.R.
Sharon Philipps
Age: 59
Hometown: Troy, MO
Occupation: Custom embroidery
Shawnie Peck
Age: 28
Hometown: Lawson, MO
Occupation: Ranch hand
We would like to say a heart felt THANK YOU to Lucas Cattle Company in Cross Timbers, MO, Diamond R Equipment in Higginsville, MO, and Mellor Trailers in Boonville, MO for their support in an all-women’s event! Please support those that support the farming and ranching industry.
Next year’s All-Around Cowgirl Challenge is scheduled for September 7-8, 2019. It is expected to be another high energy fun packed weekend with the cowgirls being able to enter as individuals or as a team! Hope you join us for a little yeehaw and heck yeah!