Art Of The Cowgirl 2024 Event Presenters

Kathy graduated from Texas A&M University with a BS in Animal Science August of 1988 and in September of 2014 she completed studies in Equine Osteopathy. In December of 2019 she was made a partner in PEMF Complete.

Kathy enjoys working on horses and teaching their people how to help them do their jobs better. It's her job and her hobby.

Kathy has been married to her best friend and biggest fan, Larry, for 24 years. Larry and Kathy enjoy trail riding their mules and horses all around the country.

Nick Dowers is  a Million Dollar Rider and Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion. Dowers runs his program based on getting through to the horses mind, “I want to be able to train my horses to the highest level, but not lose my horsemanship integrity to do it. Keeping the horse in mind is a big part of what I do. I need to know what to do, when to do it and why to do it. That’s everything.” Dowers also teaches clinics, including through Feather River College, the college that first turned him on to training horses.

Kit and Isaac then married in 2021and began building their program, Rockin X. They created "Rockin X, A Horseman's Academy" where they brought in aspiring horsemen and women to help the reach their goals of gaining experience of working with horses but also gain a perspective on operating their own horse training business. Kit and Isaac emphasized everything from nutrition, body condition, farrier work, dental care, and the horse as a whole. Kit and Isaac's goal was to create a safe and fun environment for students to grow, learn and create a network. Since the academy, Rockin X has grown in many ways! Rockin X is home to a full training program with emphasis on colt starting, barrel futurity training & competition, reined Cowhorse training, and sale consignments. 

From ranch rodeo to cutting to reined cow horse competition, Buddy and Kelsey Love Thomas enjoy it all. To accomplish all their in-arena pursuits, the Thomases know it takes a good horse. They also know that for horses to be good, they must have a great start. Together, the pair has started countless colts, both from their home-raised herd and for the public. Buddy and Kelsey enjoy combining their unique skill sets to efficiently and effectively give young horses the best opportunity to succeed after their first chapter of training.  

PRESENTED BY WRANGLER

Trick Rider, Roman Rider, Whip Cracker, Archer, and Liberty Horsemanship

This 12-year-old spitfire is known for her signature ponies, cowgirl heart, and true horsemanship. Piper has many accolades including being a 3x Canada Pro Rodeo Act of the Year, 3x PRCA Top 5 Dress Act Nominee, PRCA NFR 2019 Opening Act, 3x CPRA CFR Entertainment Act.

PRESENTING WITH BETH GODBEY

At first glance you’ll see a well dressed girl with wild hair in a yellow wheelchair, her suction machine and maybe her feeding tube if it’s around her mealtime. You’ll see a girl that has faced many medical challenges since her birth because she suffered a brain injury before she was born, but let us tell you more. Betty is a 15 year old Colorado native. She loves hanging out in her cozy bed watching Korean dramas, learning about science, dissecting frogs and learning about the solar system. She likes listening to records really loud and teasing her older siblings as much as possible. 

During the summer and fall is when you see a cowgirl, sitting tall, bareback, and riding her favorite horse, Socks.  These two love barrel patterns, riding backwards, reining, trail rides and their new skill, independent leading. But most of all, leaving that yellow wheelchair behind. This is where Betty shows us all her favorite thing in the world, spending time with Socks and growing their connection. Socks knows Betty sometimes better than her own Mother, because we share words, sounds and love, but Socks speaks to her soul.

COLLABORATIVE HORSEMANSHIP FOR BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN HORSE & RIDER

Keith is a clinician, champion cutting horse trainer, ranch roper, retired rodeo cowboy but most importantly a horseman. Through years of studying horsemanship and trying it all, Keith's unique methodology Collaborative Horsemanship was born. Coined “Collaborative Horsemanship” both for its emphasis on creating a partnership with your horse while also paying homage to all of the incredible horsemen that have paved the path he’s on today. Collaborative Horsemanship will help you to build confidence both in yourself and in your horse. You can connect with Keith and receive his guidance at CowboyCampus.com.

Dr. Grandin became a prominent author and speaker on both autism and animal behavior.  Today she is a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University and has a successful career consulting on both livestock handling equipment design and animal welfare.  She has been featured on NPR (National Public Radio) and a BBC Special – "The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow". She has also appeared on National TV shows such as Larry King Live, 20/20, Sixty Minutes, Fox and Friends, and she has a 2010 TED talk.  Articles about Dr. Grandin have appeared in Time Magazine, New York Times, Discover Magazine, Forbes and USA Today. HBO made an Emmy Award winning movie about her life and she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2016.

ON COURSE EQUINE NUTRITION

Natalie Sullivan is an independent equine nutritionist with a vast amount of professional equine nutrition education and experience helping horse owners build better horse diets since 2006. Natalie brings fresh insight and healthy perspective on feeding horses gained from stepping into thousands of feed rooms and working with veterinarians, specialists, and researchers across the United States. Her comprehensive, creative, and compassionate methods have led to her popularity and success. ​

Sarah Matlock, Ph.D., is a Senior Instructor in the Equine Sciences program at Colorado State University and teaches the Applied Equine Behavior foundation course and Safety and Handling labs. This course is designed to help students understand the innate needs of horses, as well as the breakdown in communication that can occur during handling and training that often contributes to problem and/or dangerous behaviors. In addition to teaching, Sarah is passionate about conducting research centered on equine behavior and welfare, particularly relating to learning theory, motivation and equine affective states. Sarah's mission is to improve human-animal interactions by helping others to better understand the emotional and physical needs of the horse, and how compromising those needs effects the human-animal bond. 

Robin Bond is a professional horsewoman who specializes in Working Equitation and Ranch Horse events. Her style is an unconventional blend of disciplines, leaning heavily to California Bridle Horse and Classical Dressage. She has enjoyed competitive success in reining, reined cow horse, and extreme cowboy race events in addition to working equitation and ranch horse. Her achievements include national and regional titles in working equitation, a reserve national championship in extreme cowboy racing, and a top ten finish at the National Reined Cowhorse Celebration of Champions. 

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF HORSEMANSHIP

For more than 40 years, Lee has traveled the world sharing what she believes to be the “Essential Elements of Horsemanship” with people who wish to learn about quality horsemanship and stockmanship. She has conducted hundreds of clinics and demonstrations and has taught ranch horse classes at the Diamond S. 

Lee considers herself a student of the horse and says she’s lucky to have shared her experience with thousands of horse enthusiasts from around the globe.

STARTING THE STOCK DOG BACK COUNTRY HORSE PACKING

Lisa Barnes has been in the horse industry for over 45 years. She currently works for Veterinarians full time as a Certified Equine Dental Technician for over 20 years. She also works her Border Collies at a golf course part time for Circle L Stock Dogs chasing ducks and geese off the greens.

DO’S and DON’TS first hand. Lots of unpleasant incidences and disasters can be prevented while packing if some extra time can be spent educating yourself on the importance of correct knot tying, saddle and pad fitting and making sure your animal is trained before the first time you try to put hunted game on his back.

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 and equine specialist in mental health and learning.

In the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, Trina Morris grew up packing, driving, and shoeing horses with her outfitter father. Since then, she has shown hunters, eventers, open jumpers, and readied Andalusians for international competition. She has also started colts, worked with cutting and cow horses, and ridden the big country taking care of thousands of head of momma cows. For over 20 years Trina has been traveling across Canada and the U.S. conducting horsemanship clinics to help people to better understand their horses. Trina has been featured on Equestrian Legacy Radio, Western Horseman, The Heart of Horsemanship Podcast, and Horsemen’s Roundup.

STOCK DOGS

Robin Nuffer-Brown was born and raised on a third-generation cattle ranch in Idaho, where she learned all aspects of ranching and the art of being a cowgirl. Inspired by the swift intellect, grace, and tough spirit of the working stockdog, she set about trailblazing a path to training and working with Border Collies.

For over 35 years, stockmanship and mutual respect have been essential to her work. Robin’s methods brought national wins and titles early in her career, though the greatest accomplishments have been raising three beautiful daughters and teaching all the dogs and people along the way. Robin focuses on training, giving clinics, demonstrations, and lessons across the country. She also hosts a one-of-a-kind Border Collie workshop retreat.

LIBERTY HORSES

Niki Flundra has always had a huge love for horses. Her trick riding and award winning liberty horse training and performing has taken her world wide. A few of her career highlights include performances in the Spirit of the Horse in Perth Australia, performing for the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Canada and for 20 years has performed at RodeoHouston. It has been an honour for Niki to have been selected 7x to perform at the prestigious National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas and she is grateful to have the opportunity to work the top rodeos in the world such as Pendleton, Reno, Cheyenne, Denver , San Antonio, Fort Worth and many more! Along with live performances Niki enjoys teaching clinics, stunt doubling in the film industry and providing her specialty trained horses for film and television. 

COWBOY DRESSAGE

Lyn Ringrose-Moe is a founding partner of Cowboy Dressage World. Lyn loves horses of all types and was integral in helping to create the new equestrian discipline of Cowboy Dressage. Lyn enjoys teaching clinics throughout the world. She developed the Cowboy Dressage judges program and mentors many of the CD professionals. She loves sharing her passion for riding with "soft feel" while developing a harmonious partnership with her equines.

SHAPING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HORSE THROUGH THE LENS OF RELATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE

The clinic will focus on the fundamental movement patterns that support either connection or disruption with the horse and the neuroscience behind how our nervous system creates a joined window of attunement between the horse and rider. 

Michael and Leanna have developed the movement principles that create conditions for neuro-attuned riding applicable to any rider in any discipline. As a person with a spinal cord injury, Michael, under saddle, will demonstrate how he utilizes his body and nervous system to bring life to his movements, allowing him to connect and use his spine as a tuning fork to support the horse.