National Day of the Cowgirl

National Day of the Cowgirl

To the cowgirls I’ve had the privilege to photograph - this is for you.

I’ve watched you chase your dreams with grit and grace.
Seen the dust settle on your jeans.
Felt the determination in your eyes.
Witnessed the fire that keeps you showing up, even on the hardest days.

You carry your past like saddle scars,
not to hide, but as proof of every storm endured,
and still rise in the morning light, ready to ride again.

I’ve seen the tenderness in your hands
as you steady a nervous colt.
The quiet strength in the way you cradle new life.
The courage it takes to ride headfirst into the unknown.
And I’ve seen the moments no one else notices.
The pause to catch your breath,
the calm before you step into the arena,
the fierce pride in giving it your all.

A cowgirl is not made by boots, hats, or titles.
It is not about fences mended or cattle chased.
She is built from fire and ice,
from a spirit that refuses to quit,
a heart that hears “no” and answers, “not yet,”
a soul that inhales freedom and exhales courage,
and follows her passions with unwavering conviction.

She is grit braided with grace,
wildness wrapped in wisdom.
The unshakable spirit that faces the unknown without flinching.

To be a cowgirl is to show up.
To lead so the next generation can follow.
To nurture, to fight, to dream, to endure.
It is the spirit of freedom itself, fearless, untamed, necessary.

The world needs more cowgirls like you.
Women who rise again and again.

Thank you for letting me witness and capture your story.
To me, you are already legends.

Happy National Day of the Cowgirl

-Laura