Earn Your Spurs: Exploring the Cowboy, Horses and All Things Western

If you're looking for inspiration inside the world of rodeo, look no further than Kaila Mussell. Kaila started breaking colts as a kid, moved onto trick riding and just to turn the intensity up another notch, she started riding broncs. And she did it so well, she became the only woman in the history of professional rodeo (so far) to earn a PRCA card in the saddle bronc riding.

In this episode, we talk about her career, the obstacles she's overcome and why she keeps climbing back in the saddle, even when a whole lot of people tell her not to.

Plus, don't miss the BIG announcement revealed in this episode!

One of the biggest struggles riders at any level have is building and maintaining confidence. After all, being an effective rider requires a strong grasp of your attitude and knowing how to use it to your advantage. Today, Barbra Schulte is my guest on the show and she is going to give us a bit of an attitude adjustment to help us build confidence and become better riders and competitors using the power of our minds.

Karen is a Top 50 Riding Instructor with American Riding Instructor's Association and after talking with her, it is no surprise. Karen has a unique ability to teach her clients proper riding technique and form. But beyond that, she can explain the practical reason behind each command, which makes it much easier for her riders to understand and replicate the maneuvers. She travels the world lecturing on horse and rider biomechanics, which we discuss in this episode.

I have always been interested in psychology, coaching and how the mind works. In fact, I was even a psychology major for one semester (more on that another time)... So, when I heard about life coaching and therapy using horses, I just had to learn more. Today's guest and fellow Montana resident, Jaimie Stoltzfus explains just exactly how she uses horses as a vehicle to initiate change and allow the people who come to see her to let go of the baggage that is holding them back.

Will Stevens is a lot of things, including a rancher, deputy sheriff, and cafe owner. But up until a couple years ago, he never dreamed he would also become the father of the hottest sport in Texas right now. That's right, goat roping is taking Texas - and soon the rest of the country - by storm. It's easy to get started and the money up for grabs at the World's Richest Goat Roping is nothing to sneeze at. In this episode, Will and I talk about what exactly goat roping is, how to get started, and what you can do if you want to host your own event!

In this episode, I wanted celebrate the four-legged stars of the rodeo arena. Unfortunately, they tend to be a little on the quiet side during an interview. So, instead, I have Cindy Schonholtz, Director of Industry Outreach and Livestock Welfare for the PRCA to discuss these amazing athletes.

FJ thomas is a barrel racer, author and horse show judge. She has had a love affair with horses since she talked her parents into getting her a pony as a little girl. Her latest endeavor is a blog called Cowgirls with Curves, where she interviews women who struggle with body image becuase they don't fit the stereotypical "cowgirl" mold. Because FJ has struggled with her own body image confidence, she is especially sensitive to the issues these women experience and is hoping to encourage them to love themselves as they are and go after their dreams.

Today I speak with someone who has managed to make a career out of studying cowboy culture. Dr. Richard Slatta is a professor at North Carolina State University who has lived all over the west and in Latin America. We talk about some of the earliest origins of what we know as the American Cowboy, what drives him to do what he does, and how he and the horse have worked together seamlessly throughout the years. We also talk about what Rich refers to as the "cowboy renaissance," which includes an upswing in the celebration of cowboy culture over the last decade.

Help me celebrate 6 months of the Earn Your Spurs Podcast on this solo episode! I talk about getting to know my amazing listeners, the survey you can complete for a chance to win a pair of Cinch Jeans (everyone gets an Earn Your Spurs sticker), and finding western activities in your local area.

Kari Lynn Dell is a mother, ranch wife, author and rodeo cowgirl living on her family's ranch outside of Cut Bank, Montana on the Blackfoot Indian Reservation. She is so far North, she can see Canada from her back porch. In this episode, we talk about what life on the ranch is really like, how she feels about working with her husband and her newly-released first published novel, The Long Ride Home.