DENIM WARS: How Country Culture - and Ella Langley - Are Driving the Battle for Cultural Relevance
Ella Langley’s American Eagle campaign is not just a denim ad — it is part of a larger fight for cultural relevance in fashion.
American Eagle is using Langley to anchor its authenticity lane: country music, barns, boots, Southern styling, and a real connection to the brand. At the same time, campaigns with celebrities like Sydney Sweeney show the brand is also chasing aspiration, glamour, and mainstream attention.
That is what makes this moment interesting.
Denim brands are no longer competing only on fit or price. They are competing on identity. And right now, country culture is one of the strongest identities in the marketplace.
Ella Langley’s American Eagle campaign is not just another celebrity endorsement, it is a part of a growing “denim wars” landscape where brands are competing for cultural dominance, and coutry influence is at the center of it.
American Eagle’s latest campaign places Langley in a barn-inspired setting, wearing denim, boots, and understated Southern styling. The imagery leans heavily into authenticity, positioning country culture as both aspirational and accessible to a younger national audience.
But this campaign is only one piece of a much larger fight.
The Stakes: Why Denim Brands Are Competing Harder Than Ever
Denim remains one of the most competitive categories in apparel. According to industry estimates, the global denim market is valued at over $60 billion and cont inues to grow, driven largely by Gen Z and millenial consumers who priotiritze identiy and storytelling over basic utility.
American Eagle itself reported over $5 billion in annual revenue in recent years, with denim accounting for a significant portion of sales. Thew brand has consistently ranked among the top denim retailers for Gen Z, but it faces increasing pressure from both legacy competitors and fast-moving digital brands.
This is where culutural alignment becomes critical.
The Country Advantage: Why Brands Are Turning to Artists Like Ella Langley
Langley represents a specific kind of influence that brands are actively seeking: authentic, grounded, and culturally molded.
As Langley has said in interviews, “I’ve always worn American Eagle growing up - it’s just what we had.” That kind of organic connection is difficult to manufacture and gives the campaign credibility that traditional advertising often lacks.
Country music itself is also surging. Streaming data shows country as one of the fastest-growing genres globally, with artists increasingly crossing into mainstream charts and social media trends. That growth translates directly into commercial value.
For brands, country artists offer:
Built-in audiences with strong loyalty
A lifestyle identity tied to work ethic, independence, and authenticity
Visual storytelling that aligns naturally with denim’s heritage
Langley brings all three.
Wrangler: The Original Authority in Western Denim
While newer campaigns fight for cultural relevance, Wrangler occupies a different position: it’s not TRYING to borrow western authenticity, it already owns it.
Founded in 1947 with rodeos deep in rodeo and ranch work, Wrangler has long been embedded in the western industry. The brand is still worn by professional rodeo athletes, ranchers and working cowboys, giving it a level of credibility thhat lifestyle-focused brands cannot replicate.
Wrangler’s strategy has evolved in recent years to bridge heritage and modern relevance. Collabroations with conutry artists, partnerships with rodeo organizations and expanded lifestyle lines have allowed the brand to stay visible beyond strictly functional workwear.
Unlike American Eagle, which is using country culture to strengthen its identity, Wrangler ues culture to reinforce what it already is.
That creates both an advantage and a challenge:
Advantage: unmatched authenticity and deep roots in western culture
Challenge: translating that authenticity into braoder mainstream appeal without losing credibilty
In the denim wars, Wrangler is not competing for authenticity, it is the benchmark others are trying to reach.
The Other Side of the War: Competing Strategies & Influencers
While Langley anchors the authenticity lane, American Eagle is simultaneously playing another game—and that’s where Sydney Sweeney enters the picture.
Sweeney’s collaboration with American Eagle introduces a contrasting but complementary strategy: aspirational celebrity. Her campaigns lean into polished visuals, high-fashion Americana and a more elevated, curated version of denim style.
This is a critical shift in how the article should be understood.
Rather than representing a competing brand strategy, Sweeney’s involvement shows that American Eagle is executing multiple positioning strategies within the same brand:
Authenticity (Langley / country culture)
Aspirational celebrity (Sweeney / polished Americana)
Meanwhile, other brands like Gap are pursuing a third lane entirely. Gap’s viral campaign featuring KATSEYE demonstrates the power of digital-first storytelling, generating millions of views through choreography, music and shareability rather than traditional product messaging.
This reframes the competitive landscape:
American Eagle is blending authenticity and aspiration internally
Competitors are often forced to choose one lane
The Good and the Bad: Brand Strengthens & Criticism
American Eagle’s
Strengths:
Strong Gen Z brand recognition
Consistent denim sales leadership
Ability to execute multi-lane marketing (authentic + aspirational)
Increasing focus on inclusivity through Aerie and expanded sizing
Criticism:
Historical issues with limited representation and narrow beauty standards
Ongoing skepticism about whether inclusivity efforts are fully realized or primarily marketing-driven
Risk of brand dilution if multiple identities feel disconnected
Gap
Strengths:
Legacy brand recognition
Ability to pivot into viral, digital-first campaigns
Criticism:
Struggles with brand identity consistency over the past decade
Declining relevance among younger consumers prior to recent campaigns
Celebrity-driven campaigns (including Sweeney):
Strengths:
High visibility and immediate attention
Strong social media amplification
Criticism:
Perceived lack of authenticity when not paired with deeper cultural alignment
Risk of short-lived impact without sustained storytelling
The Impact of Ella Langley: What She Brings That Others Don’t
Langley’s influence is not just about reach—it is about trust.
Her audience sees her as relatable and real, which translates into higher engagement and stronger brand alignment. In a market where consumers are increasingly skeptical of traditional advertising, that trust becomes a measurable asset.
Within American Eagle’s broader strategy, Langley plays a stabilizing role.
While Sweeney brings aspiration and visibility, Langley provides grounding—connecting the brand back to denim’s roots in western workwear and everyday life.
Country artists like Langley also bring something broader: cultural legitimacy.
Denim was built on western workwear. By aligning with country artists, brands are reconnecting with that origin story while modernizing it for today’s audience.
What This Means for the Future of Denim Marketing
The denim wars are no longer about fit or price—they are about cultural positioning.
Key trends emerging:
Hybrid campaigns combining authenticity, celebrity and virality
Multi-lane brand strategies where a single company targets different identities simultaneously
Content-first strategies where campaigns are designed to trend before they sell
Faster collaborations tied to seasonal moments like summer denim pushes
Heightened scrutiny from consumers demanding real authenticity, not manufactured narratives
American Eagle’s use of both Langley and Sweeney suggests that the future is not choosing one identity—but managing several at once.
The Bottom Line
Ella Langley’s American Eagle campaign proves that country culture is not just participating in mainstream fashion—it is helping lead it.
But the addition of Sydney Sweeney to the same brand ecosystem changes the narrative.
American Eagle is not choosing between authenticity and aspiration—it is attempting to own both.
In a landscape where brands are battling for attention through authenticity, glamour and viral content, that dual strategy could be a major advantage—or a potential risk if it feels inconsistent.
The winners of the denim wars will be the brands that can combine these elements—and make them feel cohesive.
Because today, denim is not just clothing.
It is culture, identity and influence—and country is still at the forefront of all three.
How Rodeo Committees Should Be Using Concerts to Build Bigger Events
Rodeo committees that treat concerts as side entertainment are falling behind. The biggest events in the world use music as the front door—and it’s driving massive growth. Salinas is one of the next to watch.
Rodeo committees that still treat concerts as side entertainment are missing one of the biggest growth opportunities in the western industry.
The most successful rodeos in North America have already figured it out: concerts are not an add-on. The are a core piece of the business model.
For years, concerts were scheduled as bonus entertainment - something to keep fans around after the rodeo ended. Today, the strongest events use concerts as a front door. They bring people in with music, the introduce them to the full western experience.
And the numbers back that strategy up.
The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo generates more than $200 million annually for the local economy and draws over 2.5 million attendees. A major driver of that scale is its concert lineup, which consistently sells out NRG Stadium and attracts fans who may not initially come for the rodeo.
Calgary Stampede reports an economic impact exceeding $500 million for Alberta, with attendance often surpassing 1.2 million. Its concert programming - from Nashville North to major headliners - is not secondary. It is central to the event’s identity.
Cheyenne Frontier Days contributes roughly $40 million to the local economy each year, with its Frontier Nights concert series acting as one of the biggest attendance drivers and visibility boosters.
Those events are not guesses. They are building around a proven formula.
Concerts create entry points.
A fan might buy a ticket for a country artist, but once they are on the grounds, they engage with rodeo, vendors, sponsors, western fashion, food, and livestock culture. That crossover is where growth happens - through ticket sales, concessions, merchandise, sponsorship activation, and extended time spent at the event.
For rodeo committees, the takeaway is simple: concerts should be designed as part of the overall experience, not scheduled as an afterthought.
That means aligning artists with the western audience, promoting concerts as kickoff moments, building full-day experiences around them, and using music to expand reach beyond traditional rodeo fans.
California Rodeo Salinas is one of the next big examples to watch.
The Big Week Kick Off Concert on July 11 at the Salinas Sports Complex, featuring Miranda Lambert, Dylan Scott, and Ashley Cooke, is being positioned as the opening moment of the entire event. That is exactly how concerts should be used: to set the tone, drive early attendance at the start of the week, and create momentum heading into the rodeo performances.
Salinas already has deep rodeo roots. By leaning into a strong concert strategy, it is expanding its audience and strengthening its overall footprint.
This is the direction the industry is moving.
Rodeo is no longer competing only as a sport. It is competing as a full entertainment experience, one that includes music, culture, community and lifestyle.
The committees that understand that will grow. The ones that don’t will fall behind.
The APHA World Show is a Reminder That Western Horse Culture is Bigger Than Rodeo
The APHA World Show is underway in Fort Worth, with Paint Horses competing across reining, roping, Western all-around, youth, amateur, and open divisions. It is a reminder that western horse culture is much bigger than rodeo alone.
The APHA World Championship Show is underway in Fort Worth, and it deserves attention from the broader western world.
Running June 19 through July 4 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center, the show brings together Open, Amateur, and Youth competitors across a wide range of classes, including reining, roping, hunt-seat, Western all-around events, and more. APHA says the event pays out more than $1.5 million in awards and money each year.
That makes it more than a horse show.
It is a major western industry event.
Rodeo often gets the loudest summer headlines because it is fast, public-facing and easy for fans to understand. But western performance horse shows are part of the same cultural and economic ecosystem. They support breeders, trainers, farriers, veterinarians, haulers, photographers, videographers, tack makers, apparel companies, feed brands, supplement companies, stallion programs, youth organizations, and facility owners.
They also build the next generation of horsemen and horsewomen.
Youth and amateur exhibitors are not just competing for ribbons. They are learning how to handle pressure, care for animals, understand judging systems, manage long show days, and represent themsevles professionally. Those are the same skills that show up later in rodeo, ranching, breeding, business, and leadership.
The Paint Horse world also has a unique role in western culture because it blends performance, color, identity, and marketability. A good Paint Horse can be competitive, practical, and visually memorable. That combination matters in a media-driven western industry where horses are not only atheltes, but also part of the story people connect with.
For That Western Life, the APHA World Show is a horse-industry story because it widens the lens. Western life is not only rodeo arenas and ranch gates, it’s also show pens, youth barns, late-night grooming sessions, hauling schedules, pattern books, warm-up arenas, and families investing in a horse dream.
Rodeo may own the fireworks this week.
But the horse industry is building its own kind of momentum in Fort Worth.
Country Music Is Becoming One of Western Culture's Biggest Gateways
For many people, country music is their first invitiation to western culture and in today’s digital-first world, there is a way that western brands can meet this new audience where they are and bring them into their business, product, and audience.
For many people, country music is their first invitation into western culture—and in today’s digital-first world, that invitation is louder, more visible, and more influential than ever before.
They may not grow up on a ranch. They may not know the difference between bronc riding and bull riding. They may never have been to a county fair, a rodeo, or a livestock show. But they know the songs topping the country music charts, the viral TikTok dance trends, the western fashion aesthetics trending on Instagram, and the massive summer music festivals drawing crowds from across the country. They recognize the feeling that western culture sells so well: grit, nostalgia, independence, heartbreak, humor, and home.
As Allen Montgomery, the Wrangler’s Western Vice President and General Manager, said on our podcast, “Country Adjacent.”
From artists like Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson to crossover hits blending country with pop and hip-hop influences, country music has become one of the fastest-growing genres in the entertainment industry. Platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and TikTok have amplified its reach, turning songs into viral moments and artists into lifestyle influencers. This surge in popularity has created a powerful gateway into western culture—one that brands can no longer afford to ignore.
That creates a major opportunity for Western brands looking to expand their audience, increase brand awareness, and tap into new revenue streams.
Rodeos, ranches, western retailers, tourism destinations, and agricultural businesses are all operating in a world where country music has become a cultural bridge. A country concert fan might also become a rodeo ticket buyer. A festivalgoer might become a western fashion customer searching for cowboy boots, denim brands, and western hats. A social media creator who starts with music content might eventually become a trusted voice for western lifestyle, ranch life, or rural entrepreneurship.
We’re already seeing this crossover in action. Major events like Stagecoach Festival in California blend country music with western lifestyle branding, featuring pop-up shops, influencer activations, and western fashion showcases. Brands like Ariat, Wrangler, and Tecovas are leveraging influencer marketing and digital storytelling to connect with younger audiences who discovered western style through music culture. Even tourism boards are capitalizing on this trend, promoting “authentic western experiences” tied to music festivals, rodeos, and ranch stays.
The rise of “cowboy core” and “western aesthetic” trends on social media platforms has further accelerated this movement. Hashtags like #WesternStyle, #CowboyCore, and #CountryMusicLifestyle are generating millions of views, creating organic discovery channels for brands that understand how to position themselves within the conversation. This is where SEO-driven content marketing becomes critical—blogs, videos, and social media content optimized around keywords like “western lifestyle,” “country music culture,” “rodeo events,” and “western fashion trends” can drive significant traffic and engagement.
The crossover is not accidental. It is the new front porch of western culture—a place where tradition meets modern marketing, and where storytelling becomes the most valuable currency.
Turning this into a business strategy:
To turn this cultural momentum into real business growth, western brands must move from observation to execution. Start by aligning your brand with the moments where country music and western culture intersect—sponsor local concerts, collaborate with emerging artists, or create experiences that blend music with your product or service. Invest in content that tells a story, not just sells a product. Highlight the lifestyle behind your brand through behind-the-scenes videos, customer stories, and partnerships with creators who authentically live the western way of life.
Next, build a digital presence that meets your audience where they already are. Use social media platforms to engage with trending conversations, leverage influencer partnerships to expand reach, and optimize your website and content for search engines so new audiences can discover you organically. Consistency is key—brands that show up regularly with valuable, relevant content will build trust and long-term loyalty.
Finally, stay rooted in authenticity. While trends may bring new audiences to your door, it’s your commitment to genuine western values that will keep them there. By combining cultural awareness with strategic marketing, western businesses can transform country music’s popularity into a sustainable growth engine—one that connects tradition with innovation and turns curiosity into lasting customer relationships.
2021 Best Halloween Costumes
Some of the best 2021 Halloween looks from the western industry.
Here’s just a few of our favorite 2021 Halloween Costumes!
General Antiope (@Schrock_Nicole)
Carole Baskin & Joe Exotic (@carlytwiss)
The Entire Denim & Velvet Crew
Dean & Annie Profitt (@westdesperado)
Cat Woman (@marijka_dam)
Halloween Cookies by Kent Kreations
Urban Cowgirl, Brianna Noble
Miss Rodeo Canada
Make sure to comment your favorite outfits in the comments so we can add them to this blog!
5 Tips for Your COWGIRL Magazine 30 Under 30 Application Tips
Ken Amorosano, the owner and CEO of COWGIRL Magazine jumped on the That Western Life podcast for episode 77 to chat about our collaboration featuring the inaugural 2020 class of COWGIRL Magazine’s 30 Under 30 program, as well as the 2021 class of honorees. In that interview, he gave tips to help your application for the COWGIRL Magazine 30 Under 30 award stand out!
Ken Amorosano, the owner and CEO of COWGIRL Magazine jumped on the That Western Life podcast for episode 77 to chat about our collaboration featuring the inaugural 2020 class of COWGIRL Magazine’s 30 Under 30 program, as well as the 2021 class of honorees. In that interview, he gave tips to help your application for the COWGIRL Magazine 30 Under 30 award stand out!
5 Tips for Application Success
Get a high resolution photo.
”It’s so worth your while to get a professional photograph,” explains Ken. Make sure that you take the time for a great professional headshot for your submission so that you have a quality photo of high resolution. It doesn’t have to be a glamour shot, but a high quality lifestyle photo can be very important as well.Be meticulous.
Name the photo or the document with your name. Make sure your spelling and grammar is correct - have somebody proofread. It’s not just the COWGIRL Magazine staff members reading your application, it’s industry professionals that make up the selection committee and you never have a second chance to make a first impression.Letters of Recommendation.
A lot of weight is placed on the letters of recommendations that the applicants submit. Pay attention and think carefully about who you would like to have write those for you.
Passion for the western lifestyle.
Show the passion for what you do, no matter how much or how little experience you have, but show how you love the western industries and a desire to help each other grow.
”A high tide raises all boats.”A great bio that is short, clear and concise and showcases what your passion is.
”When I meet people who are passionate about the western industries, I get excited,” says Ken. “What I love about this is the handshaking is the bond, your word is the bond. That is so important.”If you have 250 words make sure you use up those 250 words without going over. That is the real estate you have to grow your account and make a great first impression.
Podcast Episode 15: Sarah DeNunzio & American Family Feed
Sarah DeNunzio is one of the co-founders of American Family Feed - a low carb horse feed that is helping horses perform at the top of their game, maintaining conditioning and overall health, as well as saving horse owners money. Sarah also tells us about her battle with a terrible disease and a humorous recount of how she became involved in a real life, MTV-worthy CATFISH!
September 11, 2019 (California) - Sarah DeNunzio is one of the co-founders of American Family Feed - a low carb horse feed that is helping horses perform at the top of their game, maintaining conditioning and overall health, as well as saving horse owners money. Sarah also tells us about her battle with a terrible disease and a humorous recount of how she became involved in a real life, MTV-worthy CATFISH!
If you are a fan of Episode 15 - you may also like these other podcast episodes:
Ep. #13: Angela Meyer & Dean Martin - Singer songwriter and her bullfighting boyfriend talk about working on the road, passions about the western lifestyle and what it’s like becoming accidental stock contractors! LISTEN HERE!
Ep. #7: Trent Johnson with Greeley Hat Works talks about how he wanted to be an entrepreneur and his flair for style has resulted in one of the most western lifestyle involved companies! LISTEN HERE!
Ep. #4: Brittany Phillips with Boot Barn talks about marketing, cutting edge, and what it’s like working in the sphere of nationally known retailers! LISTEN HERE!
Podcast Episode 14: Justin Jones & Cowboy 911
Episode 14 of the That Western Life podcast features reined cow horse trainer Justin Jones. In this episode we laugh about his debut in the Bikini Barrel Race, training spayed mustangs for the RFD-TV competition, the art of training horses and the people that ride them and the Facebook page that he started that is changing live: Cowboy 911. Created to help those in the horse community survive anything from horrific wildfires, natural disasters and wrecks, to assisting those stranded on the highway with a flat tire. The horse community comes in clutch through the Cowboy 911 team!
Episode 14 of the That Western Life podcast features reined cow horse trainer Justin Jones. In this episode we laugh about his debut in the Bikini Barrel Race, training spayed mustangs for the RFD-TV competition, the art of training horses and the people that ride them and the Facebook page that he started that is changing live: Cowboy 911. Created to help those in the horse community survive anything from horrific wildfires, natural disasters and wrecks, to assisting those stranded on the highway with a flat tire. The horse community comes in clutch through the Cowboy 911 team!
If you liked this episode, you might also enjoy:
Podcast Episode 13: Angela Meyer & Dean Marten
She's a singer-songwriter and he's a bull fighter. They met in high school over bad horses he tried to sell her as a kid but that didn't stop these two from creating a fun and exciting relationship! Join us as we bring our first couple onto the podcast, Angela Meyer and Dean Marten. Angela shares her songwriting journey with us, while Dean blames his brothers bad bullring for getting him into professional bullfighting and bull stock contractor.
Join us in Episode 13 of the That Western Life podcast!
(June 26, 2019) - She's a singer-songwriter and he's a bull fighter. They met in high school over bad horses he tried to sell her as a kid but that didn't stop these two from creating a fun and exciting relationship! Join us as we bring our first couple onto the podcast, Angela Meyer and Dean Marten. Angela shares her songwriting journey with us, while Dean blames his brothers bad bullring for getting him into professional bullfighting and bull stock contractor.
Join us in Episode 13 of the That Western Life podcast!
If you liked this episode, we suggest you also listen too:
Episode 3: JJ Harrison
Tara Trask - Fashion Designer & Podcaster
A background on cattle ranches led Tara Trask through her western lifestyle roots as first a rodeo queen and then a communications specialist in the western lifestyle. This former Miss Rodeo South Dakota, she is thankful for the opportunities presented to her from her families Quarter Horse ranch to her education at South Dakota State University. She’s now an avid western fashionista, designs her own fashion line, produces her own western fashion podcast, and also produces a few other podcasts along the way!
“Never let anyone dull your sparkle.”
A background on cattle ranches led Tara Trask through her western lifestyle roots as first a rodeo queen and then a communications specialist in the western lifestyle. This former Miss Rodeo South Dakota, she is thankful for the opportunities presented to her from her families Quarter Horse ranch to her education at South Dakota State University. She’s now an avid western fashionista, designs her own fashion line, produces her own western fashion podcast, and also produces a few other podcasts along the way!
Rodeo Background
Rodeo Queen Roots
The three-time South Dakota High School Rodeo Queen, she literally has a banner hanging in her high school gym next to the other sports championships. Living most of her life on the back of her horse at her family’s Quarter Horse ranch, she went on to South Dakota State University where she became the SDSU rodeo queen and then Miss Rodeo South Dakota; the pinnacle of her career.
“I am very honored and humbled by my past in rodeo… it’s opened up the doors to who I am today.”
Podcast Bonus Story: Some of the biggest changes that Tara has seen in rodeo over her span in rodeo with an emphasis on her master's thesis for public relations and social media for pro rodeo cowboys.
Most Influential Lesson From Being a Rodeo Queen:
“While I learned how to be a good public relations specialist… the biggest life lesson I learned from being a state rodeo queen, especially, is to be humble enough that you may think you know everything and you are at a level where there is sometimes a pressure to know everything, be humble enough that you can learn and be open to learn from absolutely everybody!”
Studying for Miss Rodeo America, you are expected to know all of this information and be able to speak to it at the drop of a hat. You should also know that you can listen to an announcer and that they are going to know ten times more than you.
“I gained a bigger respect for announcers and I really honed in on who they are and learned from them because, at the end of the day, they see rodeo from such a different perspective. They get to know the contestants, stock contractors, animals… they’re knowledge base deserves MAD respect!”
Social Media & Rodeo Today
“What the PBR is doing with Ride Pass, they have literally taken the sport of professional rodeo by storm with that and introducing it to a whole new level of people,” says Tara. “I see professional rodeo in the next few years continuing on that past and expanding more into … lifestyle pieces and what happens outside of the arena.”
Getting to see the personalities of those in the rodeo arena when they are outside of the area, for example the Tuf & Tif wedding series, allows for more fans to connect digitally. It creates an overall growth for the western lifestyle and the sport of rodeo to gain in traction with sponsors and audience size.
Tara predicts that podcasting will be one of the biggest steps moving forward for mainstream rodeo. Rodeo may have used to want to be mainstream but they weren’t ready; now they are. Co-host Katie Schrock talks about the PRCA Convention from the 2018 National Finals Rodeo which was covered in Episode 2 of the That Western Life Podcast.
If you could change, add or remove one rule into the PRCA rule book what would it be?
Tara goes more in depth on the podcast about her concept of tweaking the current PRCA patch program so that they can respect the National Sponsors of the PRCA but also allowing those competing sponsors that are helping those cowboys compete and get down the road.
“Healthy competition is a good thing!”
When we start to alienate certain brands out of a specific market place like rodeo, it’s only hurting the cowboys, the fans and professional rodeo as a whole. We need to make sure that we have those gates open to all sponsors for healthy sponsors.
Molly & Gidget
The Backstory
What started as a boutique named after Tara’s two former dogs, Molly & Gidget, she adopted Molly’s high class diva attitude and Gidget’s free spirit into her fashion designing.
“I always knew I wanted to open some kind of store,” says Tara about the start. At the end of grad school she felt ready to go for it and started an online boutique which it stayed as such for two to three years.
“I knew that I wanted to evolve it into something bigger, I wanted to create its identity and give it legs,” continues Tara about the adventure of Molly & Gidget. She didn’t want to spend her time worrying about how much she could carry, she wanted to have a brand that was tailored and a different energy than being focused on carrying mass product.
In the last two years, she has spent more time working on the designing of her fashion line which is a mix of 1950’s to 1970’s fashion that she finds and her own designs. Her designs are western shirts, leather jackets, and more; her focus is on the western clothing worn as the glitz and glammer for the stage of a country music singer.
Podcast Bonus Story: Who Tara would LOVE to design for? Listen to the episode to find out!
Podcast Bonus Story: What IS western fashion?
Future Plans
Tara’s plans for Molly & Gidge is to get more into the country music scene to design for both stage shows and the red carpet. She also wants to get into Nashville Fashion Week as well.
She hopes to continue to provide outfits and designs to help women feel beautiful and to be more of a beautiful place. Tara wants women to be confident in their own skin and to help every client stand out!
Stylish Podcast
Gearing Up For Season 3
Stylish is the official podcast of Molly & Gidget that was founded two years ago. In April, they will launch with a “Hot or Not” episode after the American Country Music Awards for Season 3. In its initial start, they interviewed for 32 episodes and showcased the stories of not just western designers but also more Indie designers.
Tara wanted to not only introduce some of these brands but also show with people why they should learn more about them. For Season 3 they are going to be taking a different spin with a whole lot more personality! Different guests, hot topics, and some broadcasting live from the top music festivals like Coachella and Coachella fashion.
They’re still going to embrace their western lifestyle roots but also go into mainstream fashion where Tara draws a lot of her designing fashion inspiration. She hopes that this will help open everybody else's creative juices with the western lifestyle.
Ask Annie
Launched in February, Tara produces the “Ask Annie” podcast which features host Annie Kennedy who is your girl next door and best friend that you’d go to for product advice for anything horse related. She tries produce from saddle pads to supplements, saddles to trainers, and so much more. After she tries them, she gives her honest review of these products.
You can find Ask Annie on all social media sites as well as anywhere podcasts can be found. The more that she gets into it, the more of her personality that comes out!
Boot Barn's Brittney Phillips; Mullets should stay in the eighties!
A former Miss Rodeo California who placed in the top 10 at Miss Rodeo America, Brittney Phillips is the sponsorship coordinator for Boot Barn. We are excited to showcase Brittney’s ability to capitalize on opportunities to move her through her career trajectory with the success she has had, as well as a little bit more insight on the world of sponsorship for both contestants and rodeo committees, as well as the current influencer market.
A former Miss Rodeo California who placed in the top 10 at Miss Rodeo America, Brittney Phillips is the sponsorship coordinator for Boot Barn. We are excited to showcase Brittney’s ability to capitalize on opportunities to move her through her career trajectory with the success she has had, as well as a little bit more insight on the world of sponsorship for both contestants and rodeo committees, as well as the current influencer market.
Royal Background
Brittney started competing in pageants when she was 14 years old, winning her hometown title of Junior Miss Rodeo Ramona at the age of fifteen. She then worked her way through the San Diego rodeo pageantry circuit before taking a break out of high school. She took a variety of jobs including working for Iron Horse where she got her first look into the western fashion market. Shipping, order placing, invoicing, and some of the sponsorship program is where she first “dipped her toes in the water.”
The company closed its doors so she went back to the world of construction where, the Vice President of the construction company was married to the Vice President of Marketing for Boot Barn. Building an authentic relationship with Bob, he said, “I think you would really enjoy meeting my wife!”
He then proceeded to show her a picture of his wife with Florida Georgia Line. He had mentioned previously that she was involved with Boot Barn but she wasn’t sure on the capacity. Out of the blue, a year later, they called her and offered her a position, she moved to Orange County where she has been for four years now.
Building Authentic Relationships
Always be aware of how you interact with everyone.
Hear their stories, be interested in them.
Everyone has knowledge that you can learn from; enjoy speaking with them.
Be genuine - this world takes all types of kinds.
Podcast Bonus Story: “My first recollection of Rachel was dancing behind a curtain because I was so nervous.”
Boot Barn’s Partnership with the State Title
“I competed for the title of Miss Rodeo California twice,” Brittney says. “Hands down, the most difficult challenge for me to overcome was just finding a way to cope with the anxiety of doing something wrong or not going perfectly.”
Spending time with horse trainers and pageant coaches, she devoted every ounce of her being to competing. It was a moment of “this isn’t meant to be” after the first year. She felt, at the current time, that she had just moved, she was getting grounded in her job and career, working a lot of hours. The title of Miss Rodeo California didn’t feel like a good fit and the opportunity with Boot Barn was one that if she had walked away she would have a lot of “what if’s?”
“My boss and I were talking, she was actually the one who encouraged me to go back to compete for the title of Miss Rodeo California,” Brittney says with a laugh about her shock of them suggesting. This resulted in her compiling a calendar of her entire year for her boss before even turning in her application to compete. Everything had to be in line for that year, meaning that Brittney had to be willing to work crazy hours and days in order to fulfill all of her duties.
“You do what you have to do to make it work! I took my laptop everywhere. When you want something bad enough, you’ll figure it out as you go!”
Time Management
When you love what you are doing, you are going to find a way to make it work and it’s not going to feel like work. Take your breaks and take care of your personal health.The job, the colleagues, and the company make it not feel like work which was an amazing opportunity. Brittney was also able to meet a lot of the committees that she had been working with for the past three years and be able to put a face with the name.
Boot Barn
What is Boot Barn?
Boot Barn is the nation’s leader in western and work retailer with nearly 235 stores across the country in 32 states. They sponsor nearly 700 rodeos a year. They carry any of the major western brands that come to mind plus their in-house private labels. Each of them have a core line that has research with the right fit for the people riding or working on a ranch can appreciate. It’ll actually last through the test of time and handle anything that you throw at it.
An amazing company, they have a brand new creative team that they have built. They take the time to meet the people in the industry and talk with them to create and even use them in their photo shoots and marketing. Local cowboys that they would pay their entry fees and have them wear their products which created for some amazing shops.
There is a huge pride in the western industry and lifestyle; representing them has become a huge emphasis for the company. From work wear to high fashion to practical fashion, they’ve got everything that you need at Boot Barn!
Podcast Bonus Story: Modeling with real life cowboys.
Fashion
Fashion has been one of the fastest growing sectors for them. It’s been fun to watch it grow over the past years as western fashion continues to grow. As a former rodeo queen, Brittney had some influence with the private label in the design room where they discussed the product they have been considering putting into stores. They were concerned about creating items that make the customer happy.
Different patterns and materials, plus designs will all be seen in their new items.
What have you learned?
It’s a lot of fun and work for Brittney, building authentic relationships with committees and associations across the country. You get a broader understanding of how much rodeo and the western industry gives back to their local communities. There isn’t many industries that have opportunities like this that gives back.
“It’s been truly astonishing to see how amazing it is!”
The Future: Teaser
We are consistently growing and one of those tasks for Brittney was to create a program for endorsing their in-house brands. They want their name to be more involved in the industry than it already is, especially when it comes to working around exclusivity agreements. Shyanne, the brand, has grown crazy in the past year especially and Cody James in the past two years has grown a lot as well. Keeping things running with their private label brands.
They are also looking to grow with 25 more stores in 2019 as well as two acquisitions of Drysdales and Lonestar. Moving forward with those growth goals are going to be huge. Business is steady and they are looking forward to 2019!
Marketing & Sponsorship
Influencer Marketing
Influencers have taken on the last few years of the emphasis of social media having such a powerful stance in the realm of marketing. It can be a positive influence for companies but Boot Barn has only worked with a few individuals coming through working with their Public Relations and media team. Meeting new people and hearing their story, as well as hearing how they want to promote your brand.
They must be actively excited with their product. It’s not about getting free stuff, it’s about getting the product.
Sponsorship Marketing
What are ways we can promote our private label brands? This is what Brittney has been tasked with this year. Currently they do wear-test sponsorships for product to be tested. They also work with college rodeo stars and even some young guns. Case by case, it’s not something they are fully prepared to do right now but it’s something in the near future that they will be more open too.
Professional Rodeo Sponsorship
We’ve always really based our sponsorship program on communities and local rodeos that are really supporting us. When people go to a rodeo they want to wear boots and get dressed up. We want to empower that western community. They have a great standing relationship with the PRCA, PBR and amateur rodeo associations. Event sponsorship is very important.
One of the biggest trends in the past few years is media presence. Television, photography, social media, etc. have all been important aspects. Other staple items that you see in rodeo that doesn’t ever change is signage at the event such as a bucking chute.
“We evaluate each one for what their strengths are and what they bring to us,” Brittney explains.
Brittney & Extracurricular
Gunner and Barrel Racing
Brittney picked up her horse almost by accident and talks more indepthly on the podcast about her barrel racing background and what her future goals are.
Miss Rodeo California Pageant Director
Recently name to the Miss Rodeo California board as the pageant director, Brittney discusses her hopeful changes to the pageant game and what contestants can gain from the process.
College Education - Bachelors Degree in Marketing
Taking the prerequisite courses to get her marketing classes, she’s excited to get her marketing degree.
Conclusion
Thank you to Brittney and Boot Barn for sharing all this amazing information! We are so excited to see the future of Boot Barn and go shopppppinggg!!!!
Make sure to subscribe to the That Western Life podcast on iTunes or Spotify today! Leave us a review on either of those platforms and you might get a shoutout on our next episode!
Podcast Episode 3: Monthly Installments with JJ Harrison
He’s the fat suit dancing, funny man who can also fly a plane and teach a science class, a former National Finals barrelman, from the place so nice they say it twice, Walla Walla, Washington, he’s the man with the can: JJ Harrison! Joining for the first of many of his monthly installments, JJ Harrison breaks down what it’s like to be a barrel man and how he became one himself!
Monthly Installments with JJ Harrison
More than a rodeo clown.
He’s the fat suit dancing, funny man who can also fly a plane and teach a science class, a former National Finals barrelman, from the place so nice they say it twice, Walla Walla, Washington, he’s the man with the can: JJ Harrison! Joining the That Western Life podcast team for his first-ever monthly installment of Deep Thoughts on the Rodeo Trail with JJ Harrison.
Make sure to keep up with JJ on all of his rodeo travels on Facebook through his page and fan group, as well as his “Instant Gram” (aka Instagram). Make sure to give him a follow, seriously!
The Rodeo Trail
With 52 weekends in a year, JJ is no stranger to travel as the life of a rodeo specialty act means he’s on the road upwards of 43 different events a year. These include not only rodeo performances, but also speaking engagements, school events, and more.
“When you have a weekend off in the summer as a rodeo guy, it freaks you out!” JJ says with a laugh as he discusses his only free weekend the third weekend in June. “You don’t stress in the winter time because it’s more of your off season, but those off days in the winter time are kind of worrisome.”
The MGM After Party at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
The Gold Buckle Zone at the MGM Grand is JJ’s home for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas starting in 2012. As it started, it was just a more simple task list for JJ, but he’s now built himself into the host of the MGM party and activities. Moving venues from a large ballroom to where they are now outside one of the bars. A great band, great activities, and more, JJ’s role is to facilitate people bringing out “their absolute worst,” which, for everyone else, is their absolute best.
When people go to Vegas, they want to have fun and feel like they are doing something that they wouldn’t be doing back at home. People jump at the opportunity to get on stage and dance and do crazy games for the entertainment of the crowd. The MGM gives JJ great tickets for different MGM events and gift certificates to their location which makes it fun and exciting and adding incentive.
In 2018, they were officially the biggest after party of the WNFR. A great, profitable party for the MGM, it reflected well on where JJ is for their career as the host.
Curious about learning more about the 2018 WNFR, check out episode 1 of the That Western Life podcast where we recap the 2018 WNFR.
Married Life From the Rodeo Trail to Vegas
In picking a girl for me, that fit me, it was a huge factor for her to be okay with not only all the travel that I did with rodeo, but also with the work we do at the finals in rodeo. As a photographer, JJ’s wife Bailey, knows that, without a doubt that she is invited and that she is wanted there, and her role is in documenting through photography all that he does for his promotion and sponsors.
“She’ll be sitting there six feet from me, and she won’t do anything! She’ll just laugh and smile, that’s the kind of personality that you got to have with … my job,” explains JJ. “Any entertainer has a light switch that they’re ‘on,’ and that it IS a job. It can be a natural job, but it’s still a job. The key… is simply that I have my moments and that we have to have her moments.”
Changes in the PRCA
There’s a lot of good moving forward for the PRCA according to JJ.
“I like that he was kind of an outside horse,” JJ says about the PRCA news CEO George Taylor. He provides an out of the box and our comfort zone to look at what we could do better. There are times, however, where we have to revert back to the things that we have to keep doing well.
“The small rodeos of the PRCA are the backbone.” What makes the PRCA stands at our ultimate height is the small rodeos that are the backbone and the volunteers that not only sponsor those small rodeos and donate their time to make sure that they are successful. We can’t forget, in our attempt to get on more TV shows, and to be the next big thing, those small rodeos.
If you are interested in learning more about the future of the PRCA, listen to episode 2 of the That Western Life podcast where we discuss new hires and our thoughts on the changes.
Circuit Finals and the Ram National Circuit Finals
Coming off of his 11th circuit finals rodeo but also his third Ram National Circuit Finals, JJ discusses how time is needed for the success of a rodeo. Kissimmee has grown as fast as any rodeo can grow and that includes thinking out of the box.
One of these ideas is a kids day, where they bus all the local kids in to the rodeo during the day performance. “It is the greatest performance that JJ Harrison could ever work!” It’s nearly 2,000 middle schoolers so the energy is loud and creates a new atmosphere and ambassadors.
Breakthrough marketing idea for the RNCFR: Bring the contestants and specialty acts and personnel for the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo together to create a workbook and jumbo-traun videos of educational exercises for those kids on field trip day.
Education: The General Journey of JJ
Background
I was a rodeo guy when I was young but my mom told me that I was going to go to college. I got a teaching degree, and I was working at an alternative high school in 2008 which was when I made the switch. Working as the Dean of Students it was a lot of disciplinary action. I had been rodeoing through the summer and I really enjoyed it.
I really do like kids, it’s amazing what a group of kids can do. At the middle school level, a kid just needs to like school. If you can teach them something, that’s a bonus. If a kid leaves middle school and they just have a love for school and enjoy it, they are going to be successful in high school. It’s the one that’s leave middle school and are unhappy, they start following the wrong egg around, those are the kids that you have to really worry about. The kids that are happy and positive and know that they could be anything.
Now he gets an amazing opportunity to serve as an educator in an informal scenario.
Podcast Bonus Story: “TIRES!” (Medford, Oregon)
Anti-Bullying Platform
Middle school can be the dome of bullying and JJ takes the opportunity to campaign against it for quite a long time. There is a huge need for rodeo personnel to do more with kids and the youth because bullies aren’t just in grade school or high school, they are everywhere. They are in the workforce, college, volunteering, etc. More than not, it’s not a physical bully, it’s an emotional bully and you need to know two differences.
IDENTIFY: Bullying is a repetitive behavior and an imbalance of power
I tease people for a living. Even though the announcer and I tease each other throughout the performance, at the end of the day we are friends, but there is a balance of power.Tattle-Tells vs. Reporting
Reporting is going to be different. You need to understand that when you report things you are not being a tattle-tell. About 94% of teen suicide, the communication stopped before they killed themselves. People can’t be afraid to communicate so when you change it to a reporting situation, kids are more apt to report.
Rodeo Clowns in the Arena
On the ground in the arena, JJ has some medical training and has been, unfortunately, in situations where he is the first one to the victim. During a medical emergency, he doesn’t care about the crowd, and is focusing on keeping the contestant’s neck immobile until the medical team can get there. There are some very bad situations that are freak accidents, and we want to take the time to send our condolences to Mason Lowe and his family.
Once a professional medical personnel gets to the injured person or victim, you don’t want to be a distraction and ignore what happened. You want to bring them on a journey; take a moment to take a knee or a prayer. JJ also knows that he is the on ground communication with the announcer, to mime what’s happening as the eyes for the announcer.
Podcast Bonus Story: “The kind of broke where you can wave really cool behind your back!” (St. Paul, Oregon)
Podcast Bonus Story: “They ran a freaking team roping run!” (Poway, California)
Podcast Bonus Story: “I ripped off my jersey and there was this big old ‘M’ for ‘milker’ on my chest and I was off!” (Ellensburg, Washington)
Drop it in the comments below or send us a message on any social media platform or email us at thatwesternlifeusa@gmail.com! Give us five stars in a review, tell your friends, and help us get bigger and better for you the fans!
Theme Song: Doin’ Me by Trevor Tagle
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A "Relapse" For The Positive
Relapse is defined as the deterioration back to addiction after a period of improvement, but what is “improvement?” A subjective term to the viewer, listener and proclaimer. Modern country music has found itself “improving” with a deep bass, vocal alterations, and a hip hop undercurrent; a style that country crooner James Carothers of Nashville, Tennessee found himself trying to imitate before he hit his relapse. A relapse back into the old school country sounds of Waylon Jennings, George Jones, and Johnny Cash. A relapse back to an album, fittingly called, “Relapse.” This is James Carothers and this is his addiction to true country music.
April 12, 2018 (Eugene, Oregon) - Relapse is defined as the deterioration back to addiction after a period of improvement, but what is “improvement?” A subjective term to the viewer, listener and proclaimer. Modern country music has found itself “improving” with a deep bass, vocal alterations, and a hip hop undercurrent; a style that country crooner James Carothers of Nashville, Tennessee found himself trying to imitate before he hit his relapse. A relapse back into the old school country sounds of Waylon Jennings, George Jones, and Johnny Cash. A relapse back to an album, fittingly called, “Relapse.” This is James Carothers and this is his addiction to true country music.
Relapse is an album dedicated to the true style of the all time greats of traditional country music. In fact, the dedicated ear of Outlaw Country music fans will notice that every song on the album plays tribute to a different style of traditional country music, even including the Bodhran drum on the Irish influenced song “Frost.”
How does traditional country music today get discovered? In a not so traditional way, that’s how! Social media fan pages such as, “I Hate Pop Country,” with almost 900,000 cult-like followers, can help an artist hit unprecedented level of viewership that assists them with booking. Such luck hit for Carothers when his song, “Back to Hank,” reached 244,000 views and over 7,000 shares.
“It’s been great!” Carothers said about the assistance of social media. “Before, when my wife [who also doubles as his manager] would contact for me to play, instead of saying, ‘Hey, could you please book him?’ she can just simply show them the link and they can see the fan reaction.”
Carothers got his start in the Church of Christ, singing acapella. His connection to the church runs deeply, he’s currently a deacon in the same church he started at.
“It’s more modern now, but I still go to church… and, probably, if I was a country singer and it was the 1960’s, they would have kicked me out, but now they are more accepting,” he said with an appreciative laugh.
Growing up, Carothers was a fan of the greats, such as Hank Williams, Jr., Merle Haggard, and George Strait. His father was a songwriter and once had a song that made it all the way to the big stage of the Grand Ole Opry where it was played on a daily basis by an artist named Mike Snider. Carothers talks about how SEEING that song on television, which was a big deal back then, was really inspiring and the hard work, long days, and the process that it took to take that song from a piece of notebook paper to a song on television, always kept him moving forward.
Three years ago, an opportunity came knocking and it was in the form of Mrs. Nancy Jones, the widow of the famous country singer George Jones. Soughted and hand-picked by Mrs. Jones herself, Carothers was asked to be the voice of The George Jones, a smokehouse music hall created around the memorabilia and brand of her late husband. With his uncanny impersonation of traditional country music, he has been able to take his new country music with old school roots to new crowds.
Fans who turn up in droves at James Carothers concerts are usually in Cody Jinks hats, been to a Sunny Sweeney concert and know at least all of the songs of Ward Davis. These artists are all a part of the strong grass roots efforts of Texas Red Dirt Country and Outlaw Country.
Not sure if you're a fan yet of James Carothers? You will be soon because he’s just an average, hardworking guy with a dream, just like you and I. A dream that keeps getting better and better as he is set to take the stage as an opener for one of his idols, Alan Jackson, next month at the Grand Ole Opry.
“I am just like any rodeo contestant,” Carothers mentions. “I may not ride broncs or bulls or rope, but I spend my money every day to get in my vehicle and go up and down the road to take a gamble on a performance and just hope that at least some of them pay off.”
To see James Carothers and band at an area near you, check out his schedule on his website where you can also buy his new album “Relapse,” and stay tuned for information on the George Jones Tribute Album that will be released soon. If you’re looking for your next country music opener or headliner for your rodeo, convention, event, or music festival, don’t hesitate to relapse back to traditional country in a new way with the up and coming James Carothers.
Top Northwest Christian School Opens New Agricultural Department; Providing Opportunities for Professors and Students Alike
It should be no surprise that Corban University, rated as one of the top private universities in the Pacific Northwest, would look to new opportunities to grow the first class experiences that they provide to young men and women from all over the region. What is a surprise is that Corban University is one of two private Christian schools west of the Rockies that are introducing an Agricultural portion to their academic regimen.
(March 21, 2018) Corban, Salem, Oregon - It should be no surprise that Corban University, rated as one of the top private universities in the Pacific Northwest, would look to new opportunities to grow the first class experiences that they provide to young men and women from all over the region. What is a surprise is that Corban University is one of two private Christian schools west of the Rockies that are introducing an Agricultural portion to their academic regimen.
When Griff Lindell, Dean of the Hoff School of Business at Corban University, was asked to spearhead the new agricultural concentration in the school of business, his response was, “Sure! Why not?”
Anyone who looks outside a window of Corban University would have to agree. Situated in the heart of the mid-Willamette Valley of Oregon, farm fields, orchards, and livestock are abundant surrounding the school. Not far away lies Salem, Oregon, the Capitol, where many of the biggest names in agricultural commodities associations call home as they work on behalf of farmers and ranchers all over the state. This cornucopia of knowledge within just a 50-mile radius showcases just a glimmer of the potential that this program will reach within the next few years.
Currently, the degree opportunity for interested students is in the Hoff School of Business as a concentration in Agribusiness. Students completing the program will gain all of the benefits of being a Corban graduate, not only gaining competence in their area of study, but also building character by experiencing a minor in bible, biblical integration into coursework, and looking at the underlying principles that are eternal.
“A student who goes to Corban will understand that their purpose in life is to live life so that God is glorified,” explained Lindell. “You are going to learn basically the same course content information but you are also going to learn the eternal truths, elements that build character, and develop competence that has a spiritual dimension to it! Scripture tells us to do our work as if God is looking over your shoulder. That brings a whole other level to daily chores; you are doing those chores for a purpose much greater than yourself.”
The search for the perfect Program Chair for the Agribusiness Concentration is completed and an offer is being made at the writing of this blog. This individual will honor and serve God in educating Christian students who will become competent practitioners in the agriculture industry. A passion for the industry and for building this new program are essential for the success of both the candidate and the school.
Students who are interested in pioneering this new program have a unique opportunity through the form of scholarship. The first 15 incoming students admitted to the agribusiness program will also be awarded a $16,000 annually-renewable scholarship. Better hurry to be one of the 15!
An amazing opportunity for a youth who is looking to step up their education while incorporating their love for Jesus Christ may be the answer to some of those questions of youths who are nervous about heading to the next chapter. Allow Corban’s fine roster of professors and advisors to guide them through their next few years of school.
For more information on the scholarship, please click this link to be directed to the Corban University website.
Corban has high hopes for the future as they start off with a small building block into the agricultural world. Their plans over the next decade include a college of agriculture studies with degree programs in various agriculture specialties that could include livestock, soils, agribusiness and more.
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For more information, visit the Corban website at their website here.
Big Place, Many People; Getting to know your veterinarian office staff
“Welcome, how can we help you?” This is a greeting you’ll hear from behind the front desk of your veterinary office. That voice could belong to any of the veterinary hospital staff. An average veterinary facility will have at least one person in the following roles: Receptionist, Veterinary
Assistant/ Veterinary Technician, Kennel Staff, Office Manager, and Doctors.
“Welcome, how can we help you?” This is a greeting you’ll hear from behind the front desk of your veterinary office. That voice could belong to any of the veterinary hospital staff. An average veterinary facility will have at least one person in the following roles: Receptionist, Veterinary Assistant/ Veterinary Technician, Kennel Staff, Office Manager, and Doctors.
A receptionist is normally that happy smiling face you see when you first walk in. They’re that “first impression” you feel. A veterinary receptionist has a lot of responsibilities on their shoulders. Doctors and assistants rely on them to schedule appointments, treatments, and surgeries for a smooth and even work flow. Taking payments, answering phones, setting up charts, and making sure the retail area is clean and tidy is part of their daily tasks. A receptionist will often ask a veterinary assistant for help.
A veterinary assistant is that animal lover who accompanies the doctor in an exam, assists in treatments, and lends a helping hand throughout the entire hospital. They are similar to a veterinary technician. A technician will have a state license and hold an associates of applied
science. Both positions, under discretion and supervision of a licensed veterinarian, can perform the same duties.
However, a technician in the state of Oregon can administer a rabies vaccination and sign the certificate, per the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA). These roles carry a lot of weight between patients and paper work. During the daily grind, both assistants and technicians will rely heavily on kennel staff before the day starts, and as the
day ends.
Kennel staff are the unsung heros of a veterinary facility. They wake up early, come to work,
feed hospitalized patients, take them on walks, administer perscribed medications, and set up the hospital for appointments, treatments, and procedures. They come back in the late afternoon to feed, walk, and clean the hospital from ceiling to floor. A kennel assistant is an entry level position. This job is back busting, but worth it. It’s a starting block for a career in
the veterinary field, kind of like training wheels.
An office manager is someone to look up to, someone to trust, someone to learn from. They carry the most responsibility. When in this position, an office manager hires and fires, as well as trains all staff members. They know all roles of the hospital by heart and can double as a missing member when needed. As a manager, they manage the money for bills, supplies, and payroll. This position is typically filled by a licensed technician chosen by the owner of the hospital.
In most cases, the owner is the doctor. They are the heart and soul of a veterinary hospital. They spend years learning just about everything a brain can hold. Vet school is long and covers general information regarding domestic animals, such as our furry felines and courageous canines. Upon graduation, they can choose a specialty or stay with general medicine. Like a technician, a doctor is required to have a state license. This license allows them to practise in a specific state.
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Article submitted by Anastasia Hamilton. Read her bio on the author page.
A Ride of Fifty Lifetimes featuring Miss Rodeo North Carolina & Miss Rodeo Wisconsin
Over the course of the next few months Nicki Moody carefully constructed a plan. She decided to call it the “50 Pink Horses October Challenge.” Partnering with not only the Tough Enough to Wear Pink Foundation but also the Pretty in Pink Foundation, which started in her home state of North Carolina, Nicki chose to serve others. Instead of simply preparing for the horsemanship portion of Miss Rodeo America, she insisted on using her time, energy and influence to raise money and awareness for women who had been affected by breast cancer.
October 29, 2017 - Before it all began, Miss Rodeo Wisconsin 2017 Katelin Bradley couldn’t name a single person in her life who had been affected by breast cancer. She was one of the lucky few who had managed to live her 23 years without experiencing, first hand, the devastation cancer causes, but late last September, after selling her own horse to meet the financial demands of competing for Miss Rodeo America, cancer found her.
Just like many who dance with the disease, unexpectedly, on a random Saturday afternoon, cancer and its challenges found her. Not in a sterile hospital room but along the rodeo road with Miss Rodeo North Carolina, Nicki Moody. “She told me of a conversation that had changed her life and then she challenged me,” said Bradley of the fateful conversation that began it all.
It was a simple conversation, really. In July in Greeley, Colorado, while discussing preparation for the horsemanship portion of the Miss Rodeo America 2018 pageant, a mentor of Moody’s gave her a challenge. “I bet you can’t ride 50 horses in a month,” he said with the wry, sly smile of a cowboy who had known more than a few horses in his lifetime.
A true cowgirl at heart and forever the champion of the impossible, Nicki looked within herself and replied, “I bet I can.” And from there, she began on a journey that would leave her and countless others forever changed for the better.
Over the course of the next few months she carefully constructed a plan. She decided to call it the “50 Pink Horses October Challenge.” Partnering with not only the Tough Enough to Wear Pink Foundation but also the Pretty in Pink Foundation, which started in her home state of North Carolina, Nicki chose to serve others. Instead of simply preparing for the horsemanship portion of Miss Rodeo America, she insisted on using her time, energy and influence to raise money and awareness for women who had been affected by breast cancer.
“It was a way, she decided, to be practiced and prepared while doing something great for the people in her community,” said Bradley of her friend’s challenge.
The challenge was simple in aim but complex in execution: Each queen took it upon herself to line up the horses to ride each day and meet with survivors and family members alike to hear their harrowing stories.
Saddled up on a stranger’s horse, day after day, horse after horse, Nicki and her friends rode for woman after woman. Nicki decided to record each ride in a Facebook group named after the Challenge. There, story after story is listed so simply upon the group wall.
One reads:
“17/50 This Ride is dedicated to an amazing woman in our community who always has a smile and a kind word to say. Michelle Stock owns our local feed store and is always such a huge part of our community events, among everything she does, she also beat breast cancer! Michelle is also a past Miss Rodeo Arizona. I dedicate this ride on Peppy’s Gimminie Cricket owned by Gina Apolinar in her honor.”
After reading the stories of the rides made in tribute to so many courageous women, one can’t help but be affected. All at once the cold diagnoses becomes real enough to have a name and a face, many names and many faces, to be honest.
“I have to confess,” Nicki said, “the challenge was difficult. It demanded lots of my time, attention and energy but I began to realize that so many of these women and families that breast cancer had affected didn’t get to choose whether to meet their challenge with cancer. Cancer chose them and I’m certain it was never convenient. They didn’t have the time. They didn’t prepare… it just happened. They chose to fight and if they were brave enough to face the challenge, how could I not meet mine? Especially when it was so simple by comparison?” “It challenged me and it changed me. I have met so many courageous people who inspire me to be my best. This is nothing compared to what these ladies faced. I should be riding 1,000 horses!”
Nicki wasn’t the only one whose life was forever impacted by the October challenge. Miss Rodeo Wisconsin Katelin Bradley rose to the occasion as well. She too took the 50 Pink Horses October challenge and has met it. “I am so grateful for this challenge, as it has shown me how many generous, great, brave and loving people make up the state of Wisconsin.”
All in total, 14 state queens have pledged to take part in the 50 Pink Horses October challenge. That’s 700 women honored for fighting the bravest battle of their lives. Now, just one month later, Miss Rodeo Wisconsin 2017, Katelin Bradley counts herself blessed to know and name hundreds of people breast cancer has affected and is proud to have been a part of honoring them, their courage and their memory.
If you would like to join these state queens in raising funds and awareness for breast cancer survivors and their families, you can make donations on the Go Fund Me Page Nicki has established for the challenge. All proceeds go to the Pretty in Pink foundation, a nonprofit that gives funds & support to those meeting financial hardships while battling cancer.
Miss Rodeo North Carolina Nicki Moody
Miss Rodeo Wisconsin Katelin Bradley
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Crystal Grace Hansen is a western lifestyle writer dedicated to shining a spotlight on the fashion, names, faces and places of the western lifestyle. CEO of MyRodeoQueenCoach.com and a diehard coffee fan, she can always be found with a strong but sweet cup of joe in hand while wearing copious amounts of turquoise jewelry.
Pendleton Woolen Mills Does It Again; Harry Potter House Blankets
If the debate over what Hogwarts House you and your friends may be in wasn't big enough, the ante just got upped as Pendleton Woolen Mills released their new Harry Potter themed blankets. Are you a witty Ravenclaw? A daring Gryffindor? A loyal Hufflepuff? A cunning Slytherin?
October 27, 2017 (Pendleton, Oregon) - If the debate over what Hogwarts House you and your friends may be in wasn't big enough, the ante just got upped as Pendleton Woolen Mills released their new Harry Potter themed blankets. Are you a witty Ravenclaw? A daring Gryffindor? A loyal Hufflepuff? A cunning Slytherin? Now's the time to make the decision, or the decision for a friend this Holiday season!
Gryffindor
Bravely boast the blanket of crimson and gold to relive your adventures following along with Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger on the grounds of Hogwarts!
Hufflepuff
Kindness, friendship and loyalty; a true Hufflepuff is the kind of friend we all look for and strive to be. Give your best friend this Hufflepuff blanket this holiday season!
Slytherin
Cunning and ambitious, get the Slytherin house blanket for your entrepreneur friend this holiday season!
Ravenclaw
Gift this eagle-crested Ravenclaw blanket for the witty, intelligent, and wise family member this holiday season!
Hogwarts is Home
One of two crib blankets in the collection depicts the morning owl mail coming in over Hogwarts castle. Get this blanket for a future Pottermore in your family this holiday season.
Harry's Journey
This crib blanket is the perfect compilation of the story of Harry's journey from a small boy to a young man. Get this for your little Pottermore today!
All Four House Blankets
Let's be honest, none of us own a Sorting Hat so why choose? Buy the whole set of house blankets to decorate your home!
Make sure you shop the entire collection today at the Pendleton Woolen Mills online store!
Not a Harry Potter fan? There's also a Star Wars line!
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Cattle Trails
In the land where the Black Angus are born, the cattle trails are deep and worn.
I yearn to smell the sweet summer grass and watch as the birds fly on past.
Over yonder is where the windmills pump and the jackrabbits thump.
In the land where the Black Angus are born, the cattle trails are deep and worn.
I love how the cacti flourish in the sun and the cows nourish their young.
The acres of alfalfa soak up the sunlight and o’er the hill the big mule deer fight.
In the land where the Black Angus are born, the cattle trails are deep and worn.
Joy is watching the butterflies flutter in the air, and the creeks run downstream with care.
Tall is the sagebrush and the grass is green and lush
In the land where the Black Angus are born, the cattle trails are deep and worn.
My spurs make a constant jingle while the cattle graze and mingle.
What I would give to breathe in the Nebraska pollen and listen to the bulls a’callin’, but my trusty
old steed and I had to say goodbye to the land where the Black Angus are born, and the
cattle trails are deep and worn.
Cattle Trails is written by Robin Ferguson, a small town girl from the Sandhills of Nebraska. Read more about her on our Authors page.