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Cowgirl Hall of Fame November 14, 2003

Sheila was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.
She shared this incredible honor with the following fellow inductees: November 13, 2004


As a little girl of eight
I was earnestly told by someone that didn't know any better “to be a real cowgirl I would have to fall off my horse three times”.

I took this very seriously ...Judy my first horse, a 16 h Morgan/Percheron bred mare...would thoughtfully scrape me off her big round back as she galloped under tree branches she knew were too low for the both of us, or throw me off as she shied at an imaginary murderer.... planting her front feet in the ground as if she had run head-long into a cement wall while she let her hind legs whip around sideways as I hurtled out into space. Since I accidentally fell off Judy often, I assumed the cowgirl requirement meant falling off three times a day, not just falling off three times. Consequently to be sure I would make it to the Cow Girl Hall of Fame I fell or threw myself off Judy at least three times everyday. I can't remember it hurting,... bouncing along in the gravel.... becoming a real cowgirl was the all consuming goal at the time.

So here I am these many years later no longer black and blue..... Surprised, awed and delighted to be in Fort Worth, Texas fulfilling an unspoken childhood dream. A forgotten dream as I grew up.

When I learned that in fact to my amazement, I was to be inducted into the Real Cow Girl Hall of Fame......that I was to join Glenna Goodacre, who I have admired immensely for 15 years and always wanted to meet, but never imagined I would... To stand beside Ann Hanson..... The lady that really has taken the bumps and bruises as a pick up rider.... and wishing I had the opportunity to meet Velda Smith when she was trick riding and barrel racing......

I must say I am quite overwhelmed. I think about Mary Latimer who came up with the idea of nominating me to the Cow Girl Hall of Fame, to my complete surprise... To Don Severa, my long-time friend and partner who jumped in to help make this wonderful award a possibility. He wrote to people I have known for so many years.... letting them know of my nomination and suggesting , if they would like to, write in their thoughts and where to write...., to my staff at Varian Arabians who compiled all the information about my years in the horse world that I had long ago forgotten. To all my wonderful friends that have trooped to Fort Worth, Texas to be a part of this weekend party... To the Cow Girl Hall of Fame staff who have guided me cheerfully through this whole process.

I thank you, each and every one. I am in Texas and so I am doing what Texans know how to do best....I am having a really great time!!!

And to Carol Rose who told me this last summer, as we sat on a bale of hay reminiscing about the old days, and talking about how this induction into the Hall of Fame would be the highlight of my life….. and Carol telling me to be sure and remember to wear my hat. This is a highlight Carol… and I did remember to wear my hat.


Ronteza at the Cow Palace <> Golden Jubilee