Body Language Signals

1. Ears pinned back: Angry or agitated
2. Pawing the ground: Impatient, bored, or frustrated
3. Showing the whites of their eye: Anxious, scared, or uncomfortable with the situation
4. Swishing tail: Annoyed, swatting at flies, or showing a dislike of something
5. Ears to the side: Listening attentively
6. Droopy lip: Relaxed
7. Stretching out their upper lip: When scratching them, you’ve found the good spot. They like that!
8. Cocked back leg: Resting and relaxed
9. Ears forward: Curious and observant
10. Tossing head: Bored, annoyed, or uneasy
11. Tight lips or a pursed muzzle: Stressed or fearful
12. Kicking or stomping: Angry or annoyed

From their eyes to their tail, your horse is constantly communicating. You’ll need to judge the situation to determine what they’re thinking and feeling. Once you learn to read your horse’s body language, you’ll improve your relationship with them immensely!

Dive into our denim selection, where you’ll find all the hottest cuts and washes from your favorite Western brands. Find the cutest denim tops, like this Wrangler vest, to wear for a nice casual day of running errands or to your next party.

Think wide-leg and cropped jeans that scream laid-back vibes, like our rad distressed pair from Flying Monkey. They are comfortable, stylish, and can easily be dressed up or dressed down for whatever mood you are in.

Floral dresses are a total must-have for the season. Their flowy designs and cute patterns give off major spring vibes. This smocked tiered dress from Yura keeps the denim vibes going but has a light and airy feel.

It’s also a great time to upgrade your spring wardrobe with on-trend boots from Cavender’s, perfect for both the barn and country concerts. So, whether you’re aiming for a chill vibe or want to make a statement, Cavender’s has got your back.

Shop Cavender’s today and get your wardrobe up to date with the warm weather fashion!

Check out these outfits for some visual inspo for your checked bag this weekend:

BOHO WHIMSY
Bring out your inner Stevie Nicks with flowy layers and earthy statement pieces.

WESTERN ROCKSTAR
Step outside your fashion box without sacrificing comfort. Pops of red, rhinestones, and a touch of designer set off a fashion-forward vibe for the cowgirls planning to rock out all night long.

COUNTRY SWEETHEART
An easy, breezy romper leads this look topped with classic cowboy boots and fun, wearable accessories you’ll want to revisit all summer long.

It was the fiftieth anniversary of the queen’s rule, and the stands were filled with royalty from across Europe. Lillian dazzled the onlookers with her marksmanship. Using a .22 rifle, the teenager hit a tin plate thirty times in fifteen seconds and broke ten glass balls hung from strings swinging around a pole. The queen was so taken by the girl’s talents that she asked that Lillian be presented to her at the end of the program.

When it came time for Lillian to meet the queen, she led her horse to the royal box, removed her hat, and coaxed her ride into a curtsy. Queen Victoria nodded pleasantly and asked to see Lillian’s gun. Lillian gently turned the weapon over and politely described everything about the rifle that made it special to her. Cody was impressed with the noblewoman’s attentiveness and with his star’s genial response. 

“Queen Victoria was a kindly little lady, not five feet in height, but every inch a gracious Queen. I had the pleasure of introducing her to Miss Lillian Smith, the mechanism of whose Winchester repeater was explained to her Majesty, who takes a remarkable interest in firearms. Young California spoke up gracefully and like a little woman.”

William F. Cody – 1888

Buffalo Bill met Lillian Frances Smith in 1885 at her father’s shooting gallery in Los Angeles. He was amazed at the young girl’s talent with a gun. 

“She made my own efforts (with a weapon) seem like the attempts of a novice,” he admitted.

Cody initially signed the teenager to appear in his Wild West Show as an interlude performer. She would keep the audience entertained in between the star acts.

Annie Oakley’s popularity prompted Buffalo Bill and his business partner Nate Salsbury to hire another female sharpshooter. They believed Lillian would eventually have a fan base on par with Oakley’s. Cody billed Lillian as The California Girl – The Champion Rifle Shot of the World. The publicity he created for her, borrowed in part from her life, claimed that when she was a little girl she traded her toys for a gun.

“Tired of playing with dolls at the age of seven,” Cody told the press, “she took up the rifle, shooting forty mallards and redheads a day on the wing and bobcats out of the towering redwoods.”

Lillian Smith was born on February 3, 1871, in Coleville, California. Her first performance with the Wild West Show was in St. Louis in the later part of 1886. Her proficiency with the rifle left such a lasting impression on audiences that within six months she had earned a spot on the regular show lineup. Lillian’s remarkable target-shooting act kept audiences on the edge of their seats. Each performance ended with her firing at a glass ball that was tossed into the air. She would purposely miss it three out of four times. The bullet from the last shot would shatter the ball to pieces. It was that display of skill that prompted U.S. and European newspapers to proclaim her act to be “spellbinding and captivating.”  

“A brilliant display of shooting on foot and horseback was given in the Wild West Show arena and the magical promptitude with which glass balls and other objects are shattered before her never-erring aim while riding at full speed must be seen to be believed…”

The London Times – December 17, 1887

In addition to England’s Queen Victoria, famous Americans such as Mark Twain, General William T. Sherman, and Elizabeth Custer saw and admired Lillian’s performance. Cody was so proud of Lillian Smith and so sure of her rifle skills that he offered her $10,000 to anyone who could outshoot her in public.

In 1909 when Buffalo Bill and Gordon Lillie (also known as Pawnee Bill) combined their Wild West shows, Lillian’s billing changed to Princess Wenonah – Champion Indian Girl Rifle Shot. With her new name came a new background.

Not everyone was pleased that The California Girl was so well received. Historians report that sharpshooter Annie Oakley was jealous of Lillian. Annie felt that the teenager was getting far more attention than she was and in the fall of 1887, she left the Wild West Show. The only condition upon which Annie could be persuaded to return was if Lillian Smith were no longer with the Buffalo Bill program.

Now the Wild West program listed her as the daughter of a Sioux Indian chief named Crazy Snake. Lillian did not disappoint the crowds who gathered to see the “Indian princess.”  She was as proficient with a shotgun and revolver as she was with a rifle.

Lillian was married numerous times to men who were also part of the Wild West Show. Some of her husbands even participated in her act, holding up dimes that she would shoot out of their hands.

Lillian Smith left Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in 1889 and formed her own short-lived western program. A desperate struggle with alcohol and weight gain forced her to abandon the self-titled show. She then joined the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West production. Lillian retired from performing in the mid-1920s and lived out the rest of her days in a cabin along the banks of the Salt Fork River in Oklahoma.

On December 3, 1930, The California Girl contracted pneumonia and died. She was fifty-nine years old. The bulk of her personal belongings, which consisted of a life-sized portrait of herself, a beaded blanket, a pair of silver-plated spurs, an ermine-trimmed buckskin dress, four Winchester rifles, and two gold-plated Smith and Wesson pistols, was left to the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Soph said, “I remember being a little girl; I was always drawing horses, playing with horses, until I finally asked for one. My grandparents bought me my first horse at about 6. They were not the nicest horses all the time, but we made do and learned as we went. Horses have always just been around me, even now as an adult, for which I am so grateful. I usually get the best ideas on the side of the mountain, in a perfect world—preferably Arizona—on a horse, usually with some cows in the distance and maybe a dog behind me.

“It’s really easy to reflect on what you’re going through in that kind of silence. I’ve always dissected my pain for my own pleasure, which is where I gained inspiration for my sketchy cowboy series, which is really just documenting my own mental health struggles. I’ve found a whole tribe from just sharing my deep truth; people relate to it in all different ways, and I’m just lucky enough to be in a spot where I get to witness it.”

High quality button downs are an essential part of the cowgirl uniform and no one does them quite like Cruel Denim. Breathable fabrics and stylish prints are perfectly on point for the season ahead with warm days spent horseback.

cinchjeans.com

Felt Year-Round

JW Brooks has a knack for creating sharp, classic style. By putting their signature touch on the quintessential cowboy hat, cowgirls need not adhere to the felt/straw season rules. With their Summer collection, featuring a cooling sweatband alongside a felt body that is one ounce lighter than traditional hats, JW Brooks has cracked the code for cowgirls who prefer to rock a stylish felt all summer long! 

jwbrookscustomhats.com

Denim Fresh

A favorite for cowgirls spending endless summer days in the arena, Kimes Ranch Jeans is a household name for fashion-forward denim and apparel that holds up to ranch standards. Just in time for rodeo season, Kimes has fresh new arrivals to keep you cool and stylish all summer long.

Glitter for Horses

Spruce up your horse with these fun glitter and sparkle products!

Your pony can sparkle from hoof to tail with this collection! It includes four different products to use on your horse- a hoof polish, body glitter, mane & tail gel, and shimmer body spray. Each is non-toxic and safe to use on your equine friends! Simply shake well and apply to the various parts of your horse. They can even be used on yourself and other pets. This collection comes in silver, but there are many other colors available too.

Want a simple way to spruce up your horse? Mane and tail tinsels really bring the sparkle! With all these fun colors, you can find one to match your horse and tack. They’re 30 inches long and contain about 10 strands. Each clip-in is reusable. For a mane, you’ll need roughly 5 to 7 clips.

How much fun are these glitter and tinsel options?!? Your horse will look amazing.

Curated and Styled by Andrea Thorp

Hair and Makeup by Julie Koeth

Crew Chief: Carly Billington

Stroll down memory lane into the Golden Era of Western fashion. Crisp cuts of denim accented with leather, silver, and touches of vintage detailing bring forth a feeling of timeless Western appeal.

Lambert revealed that the song is a gripping narrative of a woman reclaiming her strength and seeking a touch of revenge. “I think we can all identify with the character in this song, because we have all had a time in our life where we needed to find our strength and also get a little revenge on someone that did us wrong,” Lambert shared. Fans of her bold anthem ‘Gunpowder & Lead’ will find a familiar fierceness in this upcoming track, promising a continuation of Lambert’s signature blend of grit and empowerment. Get ready to channel your inner rebel with Lambert’s latest musical offering.

“Wranglers” builds on the intense, empowering sound that has characterized much of Miranda Lambert’s music. Dropping on May 3, this single adds another chapter to her catalog of bold anthems, featuring strong storytelling and a spirited call to finding one’s strength. Pre add the song to your playlist at www.mirandalambert.com.