coming out of the woodwork and telling their stories …’ I grew up on a ranch , but I have always felt like a failure and an outsider because I chose to pursue another career ’ or ’ I grew up in the city and I always loved cowgirls and wanted a farm … thank you for saying it ’ s okay that I step into this community .’
Fast forward a few months , DeHoff is using her rodeo expertise as the sideline host for the Professional Bull Riders , or PBR , in Madison Square Garden in New York City , and no longer living on her dog walking wages . It ’ s January 2020 and what she calls her dream gig lasted three months until the pandemic happened . “ In one day , I lost every single contract I had , every TV , every speaking event , in one day … all of it was gone .” Stuck at home with more time than money , she started posting more about what it means to be a Fancy Lady Cowgirl . What started as a hash tag , quickly blew up online .
...‘ look , you can be both a fancy lady and a cowgirl . You can still live in the largest cities in America and still be a voice for the smallest rural towns . It doesn ’ t matter what you look like , what you drive , what you wear … that to me doesn ’ t define a cowgirl or a cowboy .’
– Courtenay De Hoff
SWO : So , what is a Fancy Lady Cowgirl ? DeHoff : Any woman that embodies the cowgirl spirit . There are so many women from all walks of life that display cowgirl qualities : grit , tenacity , determination – the fact they don ’ t back down . It may have started with traditional cowgirls , but I want it to seep into mainstream culture . I want women from all walks of life to see cowgirl qualities in themselves . I think it is an honor if people want to dress like us , look like us , act like us . Any woman — regardless of where she lives , what she drives or rides — she doesn ’ t have to have a horse , she doesn ’ t have to have a cowboy hat . The cool thing it has become this community of women , who in the past were written off because they didn ’ t fit that traditional stereotypical mold . When I look at agriculture and where it is headed , and the often negative headlines in the media , it is going to take all of us . The people that grew up in ag and ‘ earned ’ the right to be there , they are not going to be able to save this industry alone . It ’ s going to take all of us with our different perspectives .
If you would like to learn more or become your own Fancy Lady Cowgirl you can find and follow her at Courtenay DeHoff TV on Facebook , on Instagram @ courtdehoff . SwOk
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