About the Authors
The views expressed on this blog by the authors do not reflect the views of That Western Life, Western Insights Media, management, or other authors. In an effort to create a culture of well-rounded knowledge, we present to you, the That Western Life team.
Katie is a COWGIRL Magazine 2021 30 Under 30 Recipient, has spoken at numerous conferences and conventions such as the Bitter Root Ag Writers Conference, Association of Associations Speaker on Marketing, Idaho Rodeo Marketing Speaker, and a host for all things rodeo, agriculture podcasting, equestrian podcasting and more on Clubhouse for the Equestrian Connection and Modern Homesteaders, of which she is an admin.
katie schrock, oregon
Owner and founder of Western Insights Media and the corresponding affiliation with the That Western Life culture, Katie is passionate about promoting the western industries that see so little representation in today's mainstream news. Her background comes from direct reporting in the legislature of Oregon on ranching, agriculture, water and land use issues throughout the pacific northwest.
She currently resides on two magazine editorial boards, writes for an additional three print and e-mediums, manages production assets for three podcasts, creates various cinematic pieces for county & regional events, manages communications and marketing for a regional award-winning country music festival and enjoys, in her free time, starting her own homesteading operation, training and working her dogs, and practicing with her horses Fortune and Pecos Bill.
By the conclusion of the second season of the That Western Life podcast, it has reached heights of being in the top 35% of all podcasts on Apple iTunes, is a Top 10 rodeo sports podcast, and is the number one wilderness podcast in 5 countries. Katie manages the graphics, branding, production, recording, e-mail marketing and more for the show!
“I have always maintained to be an approachable and knowledgeable source of information for the western lifestyle whether it be ranching, farming or rodeo. I want to help keep those interested informed on the western lifestyle and not only the importance of these industries but to preserve the culture.”
Katie Schrock
rachel owens-sarno, california
Rachel Owens-Sarno is blessed to live in San Diego County. Surprising to some, San Diego is home to four Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeos and one International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) rodeo. Rachel fell in love with the sport of rodeo at a young age and finally decided to pursue a rodeo queen title at the age of 15. Through some failure, she strengthened her skills to win a title her third try-out. From there, she was blessed to have six titles, including her last one which was her ultimate dream; Miss Rodeo California 2016.
Nowadays, Rachel can be found with her horses and dog, at the gym or watching standup comedy. Her love for stand up provides for some exciting moments and you never know when your next experience with Rachel will result in the retelling of a humorous rodeo story at the next function!
Rachel has been selected as one of our podcast hosts as one of the most genuine and fair interviewers. Her natural gravity towards kindness and fun brings out the best in those she is around and we are excited to showcase her personality and stories on our That Western Life podcast!
I’m excited to jump into the world of podcasting and to continue promoting a lifestyle and sport I love with lots of fun, humor, knowledge and facts!
Rachel Owens-Sarno
Joe Harper, Nevada
Joe Harper was born and raised on a ranch outside of Paradise Valley, Nevada about 80 miles from town. He is happily married to his loving and supportive wife Clay Noel. As Joe grew up he wanted to ride saddle broncs; he started his journey into the bronc riding world with absolutely no background in rodeo, only knowing the buckaroo way of life he had lived. He sought out the best bronc riders that he knew of; men like Joe Marvel, Robert Etbauer and Craig Latham. Tyrell Smith picked Joe up and became like a brother to him for a couple years until he retired, then he talked Shane Proctor into traveling with him and his brother for a year. Glynn Montero was another one of Joe’s first mentors. All of these men transformed Joe from just a ranch kid with a dream, into a professional rodeo cowboy with some great experiences. It also helped Joe to be able to give out some advice to other younger men coming up in rodeo.
2013 Reserve College National Champion
3x College Finals competitor
4x Columbia River Circuit Champion
2 times to RNCFR
Circuit finalist in the Prairie Columbia River and Montana circuits
2010 National High School Champion
2011 Northwestern College Region Champion
Nevada State champion
All American tour finals qualifier multiple
Katie surritt, Washington
Hailing from the Evergreen State, Katie is a full time History teacher, cowgirl, and business owner. Having always been a jack-of-all trades, Katie merged her rodeo-queen lifestyle with historian in 2013 when she started the first oral history collection of rodeo queens while holding several titles in the Northwest. She continued this work by formally concentrating her research on the Pacific Northwest rodeo & western industry through Washington State University. As a historian, she coined the idea of neo-Victorianism shaping rodeo queen culture in a modern world. This area remains her area of expertise!
Katie later moved her love of history to the classroom. Currently, she teaches Modern World History at a high school level - with a special focus on agriculture industries throughout centuries.
Life after the crown brought Katie back to the arena, but this time showing reined cowhorses! She loves the running, sliding, and spinning - but most of all enjoys the camaraderie and friendships in cowhorsing.
In the off-season, Katie owns and operates a high end saddle and tack consignment business which keeps her connected across the entire equine industry worldwide.