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 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 the production of one podcast, various cinematic pieces, a regional music festival and enjoys, in her free time, starting her own mini ranching operation and practicing/competing with her roping stallion, PB, and her barrel mare, Fortune.
“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
“I am still that horse-crazed kid at heart, but over time, have developed my love of horses into a love for every person involved with and every industry linked to horses. I have been presented with numerous opportunities through the western industry, and it is my goal to give back in any way I can to continue to grow and develop knowledge and passion for horses, rodeo, agriculture, and the western way of life as a whole.”
Lisa Lageschaar
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
Lisa Lageschaar, Texas
Lisa Lageschaar of Weatherford, Texas has been involved in the equine and rodeo industry her entire life. Lisa is a first generation American who grew up on a dairy farm in the small east Texas town of Pickton and doesn’t come from equestrian background, but her first word (and first love) was “horse.”
She has developed a strong passion for horses, rodeo, agriculture and the western lifestyle. She is an avid team roper and barrel racer and served as Miss Rodeo America 2017; she travelled thousands of miles across North America promoting rodeo, agriculture, and the western way of life.
Lisa has a Master of Education in Secondary Education from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Tarleton State University. Being a positive example is important to Lisa and this belief is what lead her to pursue her chosen profession as an educator. Not only does she teach on the importance of agriculture as it relates to our future, but she also strives to instill values like humility, hard work, and integrity — words she learned the definition of through first hand experience growing up on a dairy farm. Through Lisa's career as a high school agricultural silence teacher she has been an active member in her community, giving back to the local youth through programs like the National FFA Organization and 4H. She has coached many students on public speaking, veterinary science, floriculture, horse evaluation, livestock judging and more.
In 2018 Lisa started her own personal and pageant coaching business — A.R.I.S.E. In 2019 she will marry her fiancé Anthony Lucia, and continue coaching, serving as a clinician and competing in rodeos across the country.
Deena fitzpatrick, oregon
A photographer since 2005, Deena’s passion for photography and the western lifestyle has taken her around the United States from Kentucky to back home in Central Oregon. Working as both a portrait and action photographer, she also has experience in editorial work.
Called to represent the culture that she was raised in and showing the world its light through her photography and writing, she has grown her passion working with the Central Oregon Rancher and, more recently, The Western Coalition to Preserve Our Wildlands.
When she is not spending time chasing her daughter, you will find Deena throughout the west interviewing and photographing anything from logging to rodeo, the occasionally team roping and western fashion.
“No matter where I have lived, I have always shared facts and stories from growing up. People from the western life are both sugar and salt. That Western Life is the place for this culture to be represented.”
Deena Fitzpatrick