From left: Peyton wears shirt and denim dungarees Wrangler, shoes her own. Dawn wears plastic fringed vest, printed shirt and jeans LRS, hat, scarf and earrings her own, boots Vic Matie Photography Fumi Nagasaka, Styling Roxane Danset
Long before culture fell (back) in love with the yeehaw agenda, Cowgirls of Color had been living it. The group met on the black cowboy scene, where they had watched men ride together for years, when in 2014, one of the cowboys’ fathers decided to start an all female team. Just five month later, they landed an invitation to the historic Bill Pickett Rodeo, the prestigious all-black, invitational touring event. Now they ride together while also training the next gen of rodeo stars.
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Beyond blazing a trail for black cowgirl representation and sporting achievement, Cowgirls of Colour is space for community, support and good old fashioned fun. “We would train cookout, line-dance, sit-around, and have a good time,” says fouding member, Selina ‘Pennie’ Brown. “When I started riding, I saw all the therapeutic benefits of horse culture, (introducing) them to kids who are dealing with trauma. I’m not looking to be a rodeo champion; I am looking to create them.”
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From left: Dawn wears fringed jacket and shirt Coach 1941, trousers Hyke, hat and jewellery her own, boots Vic Matie. Selina wears shearling coat Dsquared2, denim shirt and trousers Off-White, hat and boots her own. Crystal wears puffer jacket with fringing and dungarees Moncler 3 Grenoble, plaid shirt Off-White, t-shirt John Richmond, hat and boots her own. Brittaney wears knitted cape Miu Miu, denim blazer LRS, denim shirt Levi’s, jeans Wrangler, hat and belt her own, boots Vic Matie. Kisha wears nylon gabardine jacket with mohair Prada, shirt Coach 1941, trousers PT Pantaloni Torino, hat, earrings and boots her ownPhotography Fumi Nagasaka, Styling Roxane Danset