



This year’s event features an award-winning lineup of presenters and demonstrators who have honed their skills for a lifetime. Below, meet those who will share their expertise throughout the five-day event.
Access to these presenters is included with your admission. Please see the schedule of events for exact times and locations of presentations.
2025 Featured Presenters

Beth Godbey
Beth’s passion is to empower brave-hearted actions and inspire positive changes in individuals, families and communities. She considers it an honor to partner people with horses to create space for developing the deep connection needed for growth and healing to occur. Beth has facilitated, collaborated and established equine programs with many populations including Women in Ranching, Hospice, foster care agencies, inpatient substance recovery programs and CASA (court appointed special advocates). Beth is the founder and director of the non-profit, Equine Empowerment, and is a licensed mental health counselor, certified therapeutic recreation specialist, certified therapeutic riding instructor and equine specialist in mental health and learning with PATH Intl (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). Beth and her husband, Ben, keep busy chasing their three teenagers to rodeos and sports across the state. In addition to teenagers, they raise grass hay and lots of animals on their ranch in southwest Colorado.

Caitie Holtzman
Originally from Georgia, Caitie Holtzman grew up with a love of horses. In 2006 she moved to Texas with every intention of being in the horse industry. Caitie spent time in college earning a Master of Science in Ag Education and Equine and working part time as a Professor. In March 2012, Caitie and husband Elliot opened Versatile Horsemanship, LLC now in Nocona, Texas. Their operation is a horse training and instruction-based business centered around starting colts, teaching clinics, and training Liberty horses. She competes in NRHA Freestyle Reining, Cow Horse for fun, and is a top competitor in the Liberty horse sport. Along with teaching, training, and traveling; Caitie is also the Director of Clubs for the International Liberty Horse Association. Horses have taken Caitie coast-to-coast, border-to-border, and around the world. She has been a performer and presenter at events such as Liberty Festival, Road to the Horse, Equine Affaire, and is excited to be back at the event that gave her a start as a presenter—Art of the Cowgirl.

Chelsea Sazama
Hello. I'm Chelsea Sazama, owner and sole maker at Rocking S Saddle Shop near Glendive, Montana. I'm also a mother to one beautiful daughter! Being a rancher and competitor in the arena myself, I was always on the lookout for quality gear. I started studying leatherwork in 2013 and would only make items for myself and family/friends. Word of mouth started to expand the customer base and so it began! All glory to God! In 2020, I received the Art of the Cowgirl Saddle Making Fellowship. I got to travel to Idaho to build a saddle with Nancy Martiny. Continuing the saddle making journey from there, I've added silverwork to my resume as well. I now offer custom silverwork/hardware for my saddle builds! In conclusion, saddles and silverwork are now my main focus. I look forward to building quality working cowboy saddles for years to come!

Curt Pate
Nationally-recognized stockmanship instructor Curt Pate teaches techniques to put the proper pressure on cattle at a different angle and at varying amounts that helps move them comfortably and without bad experience. Curt started his work in the livestock industry over 35 years ago with Tammy Pate, Art of the Cowgirl Founder, by his side. Curt and Tammy spent years refining both their horsemanship and stockmanship, which included animal husbandry and preserving the way of life. Both Tammy and Curt lived that every day, from the way Tammy provided for their family through meals, to doctoring cattle and starting colts together, to creating a sustainable business through horsemanship and cattle handling demonstrations and clinics. Tammy’s big picture ideas, like Art of the Cowgirl, were made possible because of the foundation and roots she and Curt built together in the western way of life. Learn fundamentals to improve your stockmanship, and maybe experience a reminder of how important it is to work well with those that mean the most to you and what that can create. Curt and Tammy were fortunate to build a life that was filled with good horses and working cattle, and in this demonstration Curt and Mesa hope to make Tammy proud by continuing that.

Dr. Ellis Farstvedt DVM
Performance Equine Specialists is dedicated to providing knowledge and experience to the equine athlete and their riders. Lead by Dr. Ellis Farstvedt, a nationally recognized board certified Equine Surgeon, our team is composed of multiple veterinarians with a variety of interests and specialties. His wife, Dr. Mandi Holland is a certified veterinary acupuncturist and specializes in equine sports medicine. Her background has always been with the performance horse and was boosted by her extensive experience on the Race Track at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, AZ. The husband-and-wife duo compliment each other by bringing a different piece of the puzzle together for the equine athlete. We have a unique practice in which we service locations in Montana, Arizona and Alaska to bring our experience and services to the equine athlete. You will find an open minded, friendly and collegial atmosphere amongst our team members.

Heather Sharp
Heather loves to entertain audiences with tales of life as a cowgirl, her journey to becoming a military pilot, and over 30 years with the airlines. Her passion for animals runs deep. In the 1960’s, her mother completed at the National Finals Rodeo, and her uncle was a two-time World Champion Steer Wrestler. Her father pioneered the use of equine acupuncture and chiropractic in his veterinary practice. Heather chronicled this extraordinary family in her book "Never Dull!", which won the Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award in 2024. Aptly titled—a family reunion could easily double as a comedy show! Now that their two sons are grown, Heather and her husband enjoy trail riding in rural Minnesota. She never gives up trying to be at least half the person her dog thinks she is.

Judy Taylor
Judy Taylor, a local award-winning singer-song writer for Southern California is also an accomplished Wild-West rope spinning, gun twirling, bull whip cracking Cowgirl. She performed in the Famous Rose parade in 2020 with the Temecula Cowgirls as she walked, and trick roped the five-mile event. Judy has been on many stages around the world singing songs of the romantic era of western cowboy music and a variety of current and original music as a soloist or with her all-girl band The Wild Oats. As a highly successful Wild West Performer, Judy teaches the skills and allows students to learn The Wild West Arts and encourages new performers to seek out the opportunities to make performing a viable career. Keeping the historical arts of our culture alive is a much-needed investment, the value of education through entertainment is a timeless and priceless contribution to future generations.

Judy Wagner
Judy Wagner is a pragmatic innovative leader with a demonstrated ability to motivate, market, and develop brands. Her expertise includes bringing to market innovative products, projects, strategies, and teams while influencing consumers in industry trends. She has long noted her marketing style as Ranch Grown Logic, a common sense, value based, approach to marketing and branding inspired by the authenticity and spirit of the West. Judy loves to tell stories and weave together the common sense of Ranch Grown Logic with cowgirl empowerment.

Lisa Barnes
Lisa Barnes has been in the horse industry for over 45 years. She currently works full time as a Certified Equine Dental Technician. Living in Alaska for over 30 years, Lisa worked as a farrier, an outfitter, and managed rodeo grounds. During her time managing the rodeo grounds in Alaska, Lisa found how important and efficient it was to have a good obedient stock dog to help move livestock during an event. After moving to Arizona, Lisa met Joe Escobar who became her mentor and encouraged her to show her dogs.

Arizona Versatility Ranch Horse Association
Versatility ranch horse has been one of the fastest growing disciplines in the western horse industry. There has been an explosion of ranch horse associations, including the Arizona Versatility Ranch Horse Association (AZVRHA ) in 2008, that have sprung up to promote learning how to become a better horseman or horsewoman and make better horses by incorporating educational clinics and competitions for all levels or riders in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Versatility ranch horse is also about preserving the ranching heritage and educating people from all walks of like about the skills needed to ranch using a horse. AZVRHA not only promotes their organization but also promotes all related associations to support the ranching and versatility industry as a whole.

Lyn Ringrose-Moe
Lyn grew up in the central California foothills in Mariposa County. As a child she was always impressed with the California stock horses. Lyn has always been a cowgirl at heart and has always loved horses - all kinds. Lyn always strives to give the horse the benefit of the doubt. Lyn currently travels internationally helping riders and horses achieve their goals while always maintaining a gentle, kind approach. Lyn has helped many riders achieve their personal best through her positive, supportive coaching methods. She believes in the possibilities in each horse (or mule) and rider and strives to bring out the best qualities in each. Lyn is a founding partner in Cowboy Dressage World. She created the Cowboy Dressage Judging Program and is currently the Judge Mentor for CD Judges, as well as a Recommended Judge and Cowboy Dressage Clinician. Lyn enjoys an active clinic schedule teaching throughout the world. Lyn has competed in working cow horse classes, combined training, and show jumping. She has participated in cutting, reining, and team roping. She has worked with or trained most breeds of horses (and mules) and finds beauty in all of them.

Karen Yost, Nutra-Lix
Karen and her husband, George, are owners of Nutra-Lix, Inc., along with 2 daughters, Kellie Kittelmann and Katie Yost. Located in the Big Sky Country of Montana, Nutra-Lix has developed quality feed supplements for cattle and horses since George founded the company in 1987. Karen, always deeply involved in rodeo and horse events, was raised on a working horse and cattle ranch in Park City, MT where three generations had made their livelihoods with horses. It was there the particulars of caring for and training horses were ingrained into her philosophy. Karen is especially proud of the development of Nutra-Lix horse supplements: Nutra-Lix Plus and Nutra-Lix Joint-Rite – easy-to-feed supplements with high levels of quality ingredients that provide all classes of horses with the vital nutrients needed for competition, breeding and all-around good health. Developed with recommendations from nationally recognized nutritionists and veterinarians, these products provide the added energy and well-being needed for a competitive edge and to maintain good health throughout the cycles of life – breeding, growing, competing, and aging. Karen’s role at Nutra-Lix provides her with the opportunity to educate horse owners in the value that good nutrition can add to the life and performances of their horses.

Piper Yule
Piper Yule, known as the young gun of the rodeo industry! This spitfire is 14 years old and is known for her signature cow horses and her cowgirl heart and true horsemanship. Known to be as kind as she is tough, she comes from the hard grass country in Southern Alberta and is a 5th generation cowgirl. When not performing roman riding, liberty horsemanship and trick riding, Piper spends her time team roping and competing in working cowhorse and helping on her family ranch and community. Join Piper at Art of the Cowgirl, as she demonstrates a true connection with her horses in natural liberty horsemanship and how it can be incorporated from everyday horsemanship to starting colts. See how she uses her horsemanship to perform with her team of horses in true western traditional arts of roman riding, trick riding, trick roping and more!

Steve Hebrock
Certified Master Hoof Care Professional Steve Hebrock’s passion for hoof care and hoof care education began in 1993 after acquiring his first horse, when his frustration with the illogical ideas and practices that continue to dominate hoof care prompted him to begin an intense study of trimming, shoeing, and movement theory. In early 2000, he discovered the seminal hoof work of Jaime Jackson documented in The Natural Horse, and began studying with Mr. Jackson shortly thereafter. Steve became a certified hoof care professional and booting specialist in the American Association of Natural Hoof Care Practitioners (AANHCP), and continued on to become a certification examination instructor, workshop leader, and field instructor as well. In 2008 he was invited to join the faculty of Liberated Horsemanship, LLC as a lecturer, advanced trimming instructor, and field instructor for that organization.

Dora Hebrock
Austrian-born Licensed Straightness Training Instructor Dora Hebrock began her horse career as a teenager, tending horses and ponies on a farm in the Italian countryside. She later studied equine management at the Austrian Landwirtschaftliche Fachschule Tullnerbach (Agricultural College Tullnerbach) while obtaining her licenses in dressage, jumping, and driving, as well as her instructor’s license in vaulting. During research for her graduation thesis on the natural asymmetry of the horse, Dora discovered Marijke de Jong’s Straightness Training program – an innovative dressage training program based on the teachings of the European Grand Masters of the Art of Riding, comprised of five distinct training components (groundwork, longeing, work in hand, riding, and liberty) – and began her studies with Marijke in 2013 while simultaneously undertaking the pursuit of becoming a Certified Hoof Care Professional through Liberated Horsemanship. In 2017, she completed her certifications as both a Hoof Care Professional and Straightness Training Instructor, and is one of only twenty-three ST Instructors worldwide and the only Grade 2 Instructor in the USA. Her training education experiences include attending clinics in Austria, the Netherlands, England, Germany, Spain, Scotland, and the USA.

Francesca Carson
Francesca Carson has been teaching Liberty Horsemanship for 15 years. She is the owner of “Dally and Spanky”, the famous Dog and pony duo. In 2019 Sony Pictures produced a feature length movie titled: “The Adventures of Dally and Spanky” (available on DVD and amazon prime). They have performed live all over the US and Canada at major rodeos and International jumping shows, wowing the crowds with their amazing feats. They have been featured on a number of TV shows: the Late show in NYC, National Geographic and Animal planet. Francesca’s children’s books about the Duo are available on Amazon. Francesca teaches liberty clinics and lessons in Wickenburg during the winter and up in the northwest during summer. You will not want to miss these educational and entertaining demonstrations as well as a performance at the Ranch Rodeo prelims. Fun for the whole family!

Tom & Trina Curtin
Tom and Trina Curtin have been married for 37 years. They have also been riding, working cattle, and starting colts for all of those 37 years. When Tom and Trina first got married, they worked for some of the most famous ranches in the west; The King Ranch with Buster Welch, The 6666’s Ranch, The Johnson Ranch, and The 7D Ranch. In the early 90’s, Tom took Trina to a Ray Hunt clinic, where they started some colts, and the rest is history. They have been starting colts using Ray Hunt’s philosophy since that clinic. This clinic has led to Tom and Trina traveling all over the world conducting colt starting, horsemanship, cow working, ranch roping and stockmanship clinics. Trina has been involved with equine bodywork for years. She has always wanted the best for their horses, and she works at keeping their horses in peak condition. She has found great success using her energy bodywork. The horses are very receptive to it, and that has encouraged her to offer some of this bodywork at their clinics. Trina is now offering ladies only horsemanship and energy healing clinics. These have been amazing clinics with very positive feedback from the ladies and their horses. Together Tom and Trina have 2 lifetimes of experience, totaling over 85 years. They have learned through living and experimenting with all things related to horses. The horse has always been and will always be their best teacher. They believe in taking their horsemanship seriously, but they also believe the journey should be a lot of fun. They both find great joy in helping others communicate with their horses. They both teach with a positive approach to learning. Tom and Trina reside in Wilson, Oklahoma December through April. In Wilson they offer what they call Winter Camp. Students bring their own horses and stay with Tom and Trina to learn horsemanship and cattle handling. This is a family atmosphere, and the students get to watch and learn as Tom and Trina are working their own colts and cattle.