C&T Publications 50 States of Art - 2015 | Page 84

Chastity Hoff – West Virginia
Mountains called Nathaniel, Coal, Cheat, Blair.
Rivers called Potomac, Kanawha, Greenbrier, New, Elk, Ohio.
Remembered places: Droop, Green Bank, Arthurdale, Blennerhassett,
Matewan.
Beauty and tragedy, heroism and courage stitch the patches of our history’s
quilt. ~ “A Song for West Virginia” by Irene McKinney

I'd like my ART / PHOTOGRAPHY to show you something extraordinary or beautiful in everyday things and also to let you have an
escape from reality for just a moment. If you decide to check out my gallery I truly hope you find something that will inspire the
artsy self in you..that would make me happy as well :)

Website:
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chastity-hoff.html

Here is my piece. It is called A Cowgirl's Prayer.
This is a photo of my daughter during a late night horse show in West Virginia. She was about to go out, but was letting the dust
settle a bit.. The dust was stirred up and the show ring lights in the background gave me a wonderful opportunity to start shooting..
A Cowgirl's Prayer
Quick Notes:
West Virginia is the home of the first observation of Mother's Day, as well as the birth state of the founder of the day. Anna Marie
Jarvis was born in Webster, WV in 1864. On May 10th, 1908, three years after the death of her mother, she held a special memorial
ceremony for mothers at Andrews ME Church in Grafton, WV. This marked the first official celebration of Mother's Day.
Contrary to what many believe, not all women throughout history rode side saddle until our more modern era when riding astride
became more acceptable. The ancient Amazons, those ferocious women warriors, rode astride. During the Tang Dynasty of China
(8th century CE) women polo players also rode astride. Even Royalty broke the common rules, as all six of Charlemagne's daughters
rode in this manner.
Lucille Mulhall was America's First Cowgirl. She was born in 1885 in Missouri but by the age of four years her family moved to
Oklahoma, where by age 7 she was riding the range with her father and his ranch hands. This is also the age when she began to
learn roping, and on her 13th birthday her father allowed her to keep as many steers as she could rope during the day. To read more
about her fascinating life please visit the following site: http://mycowboyheroes.blogspot.com/2013/09/lucille-mulhall-firstcowgirl_22.html
Women competed at the first indoor rodeo in 1918 at the Fort Worth, Texas Coliseum and after this were often found competing in
other rodeo events. However, in 1929 the bronc rider Bonnie McCarroll was killed while participating in the Pendleton Round-Up,
and this soon put an end to women competing in the rougher aspects of the rodeo, and instead the were encouraged to take on
the role of rodeo queens.
79