A Dream Come True
Women have played a significant role in ranching and the western way of life. Most of today’s successful ranchers and western artisans have wonderful stories to tell about a wife, mother, or grandmother who influenced their lives. Art of the Cowgirl is designed to spotlight these wonderful women, while sharing the stories of their families, marriages and partnerships that, in turn, shaped them. Art of the Cowgirl will ensure our great artistic and cultural traditions continue, and help women celebrate, gather and connect around horses and western art.
The event will feature female makers, master artists, silversmiths, braiders, saddle makers and horsewomen. More importantly, Art of the Cowgirl also provides fellowships to individuals to further their knowledge with master artists in the trade of choice. The contributions of these cowgirl makers are truly worth celebrating, and we look forward to sharing them with you.
With Cowgirl Spirit at Heart,
Tammy Pate
Statement
In order to encourage and assist emerging artists of the western genre, Art of the Cowgirl provides a showcase through an annual gathering that celebrates cowgirls and their artistic contributions to western lifestyle. In so doing, it raises the necessary funds to support emerging artists in expanding their knowledge and skills via fellowships with master artists in their field.
Our Goal
- Gather and celebrate cowgirl artists that contribute to western lifestyle and culture through their mastery of their trades
- Raise funds for fellowship program to continue education in traditional cowgirl trades to keep these traditions alive
- Educate with horsemanship demonstrations, ranch horse sale and sanctioned all-women ranch rodeo
- Entertainment and shopping with exclusive western vendors, live music
- Cultivate and grow collaborative relationships celebrating the western spirit
Our Team
Tammy Pate
Founder (1966-2023)
Tammy Pate was born and raised in Montana, and has a long family history rich with rodeo and ranching roots. Her parents, Gordon and Shirley Clark, raised her horseback and provided a childhood filled with horses and rodeo. Tammy attributes her love of the western lifestyle and especially her appreciation for the cowgirl spirit to her grandma Betty Kunesh, a true pioneer woman who could break horses as well as she can bake a pie. Along with being a horsewoman, Tammy has created her own name in the horsemanship world, one of her foundation events being “Experience Horses and Yoga,” at the Home Ranch in Colorado, which boasts the prestigious Relais and Chateaux mark of approval. Tammy is an artist and boot maker. She is passionate about the western lifestyle and the art and craftsmanship this way of life provides
Mesa Pate
World’s Greatest Horsewoman, Ranch Rodeo, and Invitational Horse Sale Director
Mesa Pate was born and raised in the ranching community of Montana. Her life began on a ranch, and that way of life runs deep in her veins. Growing up her parents traveled the country putting on horse training demonstrations and clinics. Mesa was exposed to different people and cultures and all different types of cattle, horses and handling techniques from a very young age. Curt Pate has created a name for the Pate’s in the livestock industry by putting on low-stress livestock handling workshops and demonstrations. Through that, Mesa was exposed to a very innovative way of handling animals and practices that today. She is an advocate for animal welfare and is involved with working to create a healthier environment for livestock and to promote a good image for the livestock industry.
Jaimie Stoltzfus
Executive Director of the Art of the Cowgirl Foundation
Jaimie was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona and the love of horses ran deep from a young age. She had the privilege of studying under some amazing horsemen and women growing up which only deepened her desire for learning the art of horsemanship. Jaimie attended Colorado State University and obtained a degree in Ag Business and Equine Science. Jaimie and her husband Austin now manage Griffin Land and Cattle outside of Billings, MT with their two young children.
Jaimie enjoys raising high quality meat and founded Cowgirl Meat Company to sell pork and beef direct from the ranch to consumers across the US. Jaimie also has a heart for helping people and offers workshops and retreats through her equine coaching business, Spurring Change. You will usually find Jaimie with her two young kids alongside her “learning the ropes”, enjoying the lifestyle they love.
Hanna Spencer
Merchandise Director
Lauren Summers
Photographer & Graphic Designer
Lauren is an Indiana-based graphic designer and photographer. She was honored to be the 2019 Art of the Cowgirl Photography Fellowship recipient and is now proud to be part of the Art of the Cowgirl team. She photographs the January event and works on our creative designs throughout the year. Lauren is owner of Lauren Summers Designs- www.lsummersdesign.com.
Doreen Shumpert
Tradeshow Director
Doreen is a 4th generation Colorado native who grew up in the horse industry, showing English, Western and gymkhana events in 4-H, breed shows and saddle club. In college, she showed and rodeoed (roping, barrel racing) for Colorado State University and became a certified professional riding instructor through the CSU equine program. She has served as an editor and freelancer for dozens of equine and rodeo publications, including Spin To Win team roping magazine and Art of the Cowgirl. Currently the Shumpert family operates X2D Ranches and Ranch Ministries out of Ault, Colorado and continues to support youth rodeo and ranching.