Phillipsburg , Kan. (May, 2012) – The Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls are the specialty act at this year’s Kansas' Biggest Rodeo.
The girls, who trick ride and trick rope, put on a fast-paced, high energy production choreographed to music. The all-female group features six girls and is the only all women’s specialty act that trick rides as well as ropes.
The young women in the group are part of the training program at the Riata Ranch in Exeter, Calif. Founded in 1957 by former rodeo cowboy Tommy Maier, the Ranch offers equine, riding, and trick riding lessons to young people. Those who have mastered the art get to travel down the road, performing at rodeos and horse events across the U.S., said coordinator and instructor Jennifer Welch Nicholson. Nicholson was part of the original tirck riding group in the mid 1970’s.
This past May, the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls were part of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. They spent six weeks in England preparing for and entertaining the Queen as she celebrated her sixtieth year on the throne.
The Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls will perform during each night of Kansas' Biggest Rodeo in Phillipsburg. For more information on the act, visit www.rrcowboygirls.com. Tickets for the rodeo go on sale July 2 at Heritage Insurance Group in Phillipsburg (785-543-2448). For more information on the rodeo, visit www.KansasBiggestRodeo.com.
