Meet The 2021 Cowgirl Essence Exchange Speakers

The Cowgirl Gathering is a celebration in the heart of Fort Worth, designed to showcase spectacular, inspirational women from all walks of life who embody the spirit of the American Cowgirl. Whether you are a competitor or just want to experience the spark of that cowgirl essence, the Cowgirl Gathering is your event.

“It’s her heart and soul that makes a cowgirl who she is—determined and fierce and ready to take on the world—and we’re excited to showcase that spirit in the heart and soul of Cowtown this November,” APHA Senior Director of MemberCare and Publications Jessica Hein said.

Day one of the Cowgirl Essence Exchange kicks off at 4:15 p.m. on Friday, November 12 in the Cowboy Channel Studio. Female speakers and performers from across the Western industry are slated—all bringing their unique cowgirl essence! Hailey Kinsel, Pam Minick, Sherry Cervi, and plenty more will provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for attendees.

Day two of the Cowgirl Essence Exchange fires off at 8 a.m. in the Cowboy Channel Studio on Saturday, November 13. Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker jump-starts the day followed by Jackie Crawford, Lindy Burch, Dena Kirkpartrick, Susan Maddox, Jessie Jarvis, Billie Bray, and more. Cowgirls from all walks of life bring the heart and soul of what being a cowgirl means to them.

Meet the 2021 Cowgirl Essence Exchange Speakers:

Amanda Kimes: Master of Ceremonies
Amanda Kimes is the Vice President at Kimes Ranch Jeans and was raised in southern Oregon. Amanda Kimes has roots that run deep in the Western industry. With a family background in ranching, she grew up showing and competing with American Quarter Horses.

Patti Colbert
Officially retired… took two years of counseling to be able to say “retired”. Chasing grandkids comes first.
Currently competing in Stock Horse of Texas events on my American Quarter Horse, “Why So Serious”. Currently Advisory Chairperson for the Ride on Center for Kids, and Board of Directors of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

Dena Kirkpatrick
Dena Kirkpatrick Is A Professional Horse Trainer, World-Renowned Clinician, And Wife To Calf-Roping Horse Trainer And Rancher, Cliff Kirkpatrick. Dena Attended New Mexico State University On Presidential Scholarship Majoring In Accounting.

Esperanza Tervalon-Garrett
Esperanza Tervalon-Garrett is a life-long horsewoman, an avid American Paint Horse lover, and an aspiring showman. Born & raised riding trails and chasing cans in Oakland, Ca. with the Black Horsemens’ Association, Esperanza learned the value of community, consistency and commitment to the horse- not just the sport.

Lindy Burch
- NCHA Hall of Fame Rider with over $4 million in earnings.
- NCHA Hall of Fame Rider with over $4 million in earnings.
- One of only two woman in its 51-year history to have won the NCHA Open Futurity

Jeye Johnson
Jeye Johnson’s passion for horses and the equine industry both professionally and personally shine through with her own horses and in her role as Director of Marketing at EquibrandProducts Group, LLC., a family of five horse sport brands along with, EquiMedia, a media management provider.

Billie Bray
With over 25 years of marketing experience in the Western Industry, Billie Bray offers a unique perspective of vision and knowledge. Currently serving as Chief Marketing Officer for Equibrand Corp., Billie has been instrumental in the growth of the company’s brands including Classic Rope, Rattler Rope, Classic Equine, Martin Saddlery, and Cashel.

Diana Vela, Ph.D.​
Dr. Vela researches and interprets Cowgirl Museum exhibitions and permanent installations, as well as develops its collection with a focus on women in the west, particularly cowgirls.

Sarah Dawson
Sarah Dawson, Along With Her Husband Chris, Resides In Perrin, Tx Where They Operate Dawson Performance Horses. She Is A Top 15 Open Rider In The The National Reined Cow Horse Association.

Tracy Sheffield
Tracy Sheffield has been active in Texas horse racing since moving to the state in the 1980’s. She began her career in racing galloping and training running Quarter Horses for a private farm in the Rio Grande Valley.

Sherry Cervi
Legendary cowgirl Sherry Cervi combined a competitive spirit with a strong work ethic from a very young age. Even as a child running barrels in her parents’ front yard on her stick horse, she was determined to do her best.

Jackie Hobbs-Crawford
Jackie Crawford lives and breathes the sport of breakaway roping.

Erin Taormino
As a horseman, Erin Taormino is breaking barriers. Her performance inside the arena as well as her enthusiasm and spirit outside of the arena has earned her recognition in the world of reined cowhorse competition.

Hailey Kinsel
3 time World Champion Barrel Racer. Grew up on her family’s commercial beef cattle ranch in South Texas.

Cierra Chapman
Cierra Chapman is a 26-year-old mother of one. In 2020, Cierra accomplished her goal of training an NFR horse, and not only was she able to accomplish that, but the horse was an APHA Solid Paint Bred Champion, Lever Action.

Lindsay Perraton
A background in fashion combined with a life-long involvement in the equine industry has perfectly prepared Lindsay Perraton for her current role as Director of Marketing for Kimes Ranch Jeans.

Barbra Schulte
Barbra Schulte is driven by a singular desire – to help others grow their confidence and reach for the stars.

Sandy Collier
Sandy grew up riding 3-day event horses in NY. She moved to California in her late teens and became enamoured with reined cow horses.

Katie Beal Brown
Katie Beal Brown is a fourth-generation West Texan, born and raised in Midland, TX.

Susan Maddox
Susan Maddox is a fearless leader with an infectious personality, Texas-sized smile and wife of the late Keith Maddox.

Dr. Jyme Nichols
Dr. Jyme Nichols Is The Director Of Nutrition For Bluebonnet Feeds And Stride Animal Health, An ARPAS Certified Professional Animal Scientist (PAS), And Host Of The Feed Room Chemist Podcast.

Pam Minick
Over the past 4 decades, Pam Minick has become one of the most recognized women in the equine world. She has been inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Shari Burger
I grew up in Mustang on a small ranch near Oklahoma City. I was involved in barrel racing, competed in several Oklahoma Rodeo Associations, and served as Mustang Western Days Rodeo Queen.

Jessie Jarvis
Jessie Jarvis was born and raised on her family’s cattle ranch in Southern Idaho, which at an early age instilled in her a deep appreciation for agriculture and the American West.

Sandra Garnett
Sandra grew up in New Mexico, and split her time between her two grandparents’ ranches.

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Visit cowgirlgathering.com for a full list of speakers, to enter an event, purchase tickets or for more information.