Watching Alisha Newton grow up on the critically acclaimed series Heartland, in which she has starred for nine seasons, fans are treated to Newton’s character, Georgie Flemming, blossoming from a young scrappy preteen into a grounded 20-year-old. Alisha started riding Western when she was four on her grandma’s Vancouver ranch and added the English discipline at age 11, upon learning that Georgie was going to be riding jumpers on Heartland. She now owns, trains, and rides two horses: Aflame, a Dutch Warmblood Pinto gelding, and Diva, an Oldenburg mare.
Alisha has spent 15 of her 20 years around horses. She strongly believes they are a great learning experience, whether she’s sitting and observing their habits and personalities, or watching her friends ride. “No matter how long you are around them, or what style you are riding, you are always learning new things and always evolving.”
Emily grew up in a non-rodeo family in Southwest Kansas, but always had a deep love for horses and other animals. Her babysitter had horses and let Emily be her “shadow” for several years. She competed in 4-H, NLBRA, NJHSRA, NHSRA, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, and now competes professionally, most recently at the 2020 NFR in Texas. Emily has a Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene, which she practices when she’s not rodeoing.
Future for women: “Women of the Western industry are strong, confident, and essential to our world. It is our job to portray the Western heritage and valuable traits to younger generations and show them leadership skills, and encourage strength and kindness in their lives.”
From the cattle industry, to rodeo, and art, the Western way of life has always been the only way of life for Alexis O’Boyle. It was at the American Quarter Horse Association that she found her true calling in life: photography, journalism, and design work. She worked at AQHA for over 5 years, both in-house and as contract work. Alexis also spent 3 years with the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where she managed any and all things marketing.
Future for women: “My vision for the future of women in the Western industry is to blur the line. What does that mean you may ask? I believe that women must be strong, yet forgiving. Positive, yet realistic. Knowledgeable, yet open-minded, hardworking, and willing to pause and listen to a story from “back in the day.” You never know when you might learn a bit of history that will come in handy for the future.”
“I have always marched to the beat of my own drum. I’ve never exactly fit into a mold or been “pageant material.” The grit and hard work that’s part of growing up on a ranch in California’s Central Valley is what molded me the most. I began packing when I was 16 years old and instantly fell in love with it. The mountains, the mules and the wilderness can humble any human. This way of life has set me up for success in all my endeavors, and it’s my passion to share it with others.”
Future for women: “I envision a Western industry that represents women of all backgrounds. An industry that is always encouraging young women to be themselves and find their passion and community among Western professionals, wherever that may be.”
Congratulations to 30 truly incredible women that will be honored in our COWGIRL 30 Under 30 Class of 2021.
Out of 116 qualified, talented, diverse applicants, the selected 30 ladies represent the future of women in the Western industry. Their contributions will also drive the industry to new levels for generations to come.
Additionally, their will be a formal presentation of COWGIRL‘s 30 Under 30 Class of 2021. All selected women are welcome to join us in Marchat RFD-TV’s The American courtesy of The Cowboy Channel.
A huge congratulations to COWGIRL‘s 30 Under 30 Class of 2021! Without a doubt, these women are at forefront of the Western industry.
Alex Callaghan
Alex Callaghan
Professional Title: Photographer, Alex Callaghan Photography Age: 26 Home: Lacrosse, Washington
Alexis O’Boyle
Alexis O’Boyle
Professional Title: Photographer, Ace of Spades Media Age: 26 Home: Abbyville, Kansas
Alisha Newton
Alisha Newton. Photo courtesy Alisha Newton on Facebook.
Professional Title: Actress, Heartland Age: 19 Home: Vancouver, Canada
Anna Baglione
Anna Baglione
Professional Title: Packer & Wrangler, Rock Creek Pack Station Inc. Age: 27 Home: Crowley Lake, California
Brittney Phillips
Brittney Phillips
Professional Title: Sponsorship & Events Specialist, Boot Barn Age: 27 Home: Silverado, California
Bryce Albright
Bryce Albright
Professional Title: Executive Director, The National Dude Rancher’s Association Age: 24 Home: Cody, Wyoming
Are you under 30, working in the western industry and deeply passionate about the future of western women? COWGIRL 30 Under 30 2021 applications are now open!
Without a doubt, the landscape of the Western industry has changed. It has become modernized and digitized to an extent that has not been seen before. Behind the scenes and in front of the audiences, the dominating factor is a force of females. This surge of young women is determining what you see, hear, purchase, and admire, and is emerging as a force worth reckoning with.
COWGIRL will once again honor 30 women who are 30 years of age or under and have shown significant dedication to the Western industry. The application is open to anyone in the Western industry (i.e., business professionals, rodeo competitors, photographers, musicians, entrepreneurs, etc.) who meets the following requirements:
Applicants must …
Be female 30 years of age or under as of December 31, 2020.
Be a career professional within the Western industry.
Have worked, performed, or competed in the Western industry for at least two years.
Show a significant dedication to the Western industry.
Provide at least one letter of recommendation from a colleague that also works in the Western industry.
Have completed and submitted the COWGIRL 30 Under 30 application form.
Once selected, the 30 young women will be featured in COWGIRL, will be invited to Wrangler’s Bubbles & Blue Jeans reception at RFD-TV’s The American at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and will received personalized awards from a few amazing sponsors!
You can find the COWGIRL 30 Under 30 2021 application here. Applications are due October 15th. Best of luck, ladies!
Reata Brannaman grew up on her family ranch raising and training horses.She spent her childhood traveling around the country helping her father Buck Brannaman put on horsemanship clinics and riding every kind of horse imaginable.In high school, Brannaman bought her own stallion and began raising her own line of ranch horses; it was this big step that launched her into the world of marketing and selling ranch horses to the public.While attending Montana State University for her degree in marketing, she began to teach the colt-starting program for the university.
Future for women in the Western industry
“I believe we are lucky in our industry to have so many welcoming and opening organizations and individuals that allow women to work alongside men and excel in the same things.If you’re willing to put the work in, there should never be anything blocking your path to success.”
See the complete list of COWGIRL 30 Under 30 2020 here. Applications are open for COWGIRL 30 Under 30 2021! Apply here.
Quincy Freeman-Eldridge grew up in rodeo and graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a degree in Agricultural Communications.Post-grad, Eldridge designed lines for Ariat International and Wrangler, and eventually founded the Western brand Rodeo Quincy, which can be found in more than 300 stores across the United States.
Future for women in the Western industry
“It’s an industry that was once ruled by men, but as each year passes, more and more women are bringing something special to the table.I urge women of any age not to be afraid to get involved.”
See the complete list of COWGIRL 30 Under 30 2020 here. Applications are open for COWGIRL 30 Under 30 2021! Apply here.
Madison Shambaugh, nicknamed “Mustang Maddy” from her work with wild horses, teaches compassionate horse owners to connect with their horses and solve behavioral issues without force through her Horse-Human Connection Academy (HCA).Shambaugh is passionate about advocating for training methods that are based on compassion, understanding, science, innovation, and mindfulness.
Future for women in the Western industry
“The women who I have the honor of working with are incredibly sensitive, intuitive, and empathetic when it comes to working with their horses.The future for women in the Western industry—particularly as it pertains to horses—is burning bright with potential, as women are learning to lead with their hearts.”
See the complete list of COWGIRL 30 Under 30 2020 here. Applications are open for COWGIRL 30 Under 30 2021! Apply here.
Amanda Alexander is a traveler, a storyteller, and a lover of artisan jewelry.She is the creative director of Peyote Bird Designs, a Santa Fe-based wholesale jewelry company specializing in native and American artisan jewelry.In her role, Alexander has migrated the Peyote Bird brand from private label to a leading industry standard.She has studied abroad in Costa Rica, Columbia, and Italy, and graduated from the University of Denver with a B.A. in Communication Studies and a minor in Marketing.
Future for women in the Western industry
“I am proud to work in the Western industry because there are so many inspiring female role models to collaborate with and learn from.I am proud to see how much of the constant creativity this industry has to offer starts with the women who run it!”
See the complete list of COWGIRL 30 Under 30 2020 here. Applications are open for COWGIRL 30 Under 30 2021! Apply here.
