Talking Cowboy Heroes & Western Legacies
Beyond rodeo arenas and ranch work, the UCC cowgirls hold a profound respect for the traditions that built the western lifestyle and the cowboys and cowgirls that have helped shape their own cowgirl grit.
Saddle up as we meet the UCC Ambassadors’ cowboy and cowgirl heroes who are keeping western traditions and values alive and check out their perspectives on preserving this heritage for future generations.
Jaid Stowell
Who is a cowboy or cowgirl that has most influenced you?
My dad, I know it’s the most basic answer, but my dad is the handiest cowboy I know. He can rope anything, ride any horse and make it look like it was worth $100,000, he is extremely intune with his land and always makes the smartest decisions. I am so lucky that he has taken me with him as long as I can remember. He really doesn’t say a lot or give you a ton of advice, you just have to watch him to learn. He taught me when you’re riding your horses or breaking show steers to reward the smallest change, even if it's not perfect you have to communicate to them that what they did was good and that you can recognize their efforts. If you’re consistent over time you will have a new animal. I think the same goes for your relationships with people, look for the good and recognize their efforts even if it is small they are still trying.
Why is carrying on ranching values and legacies important to you?
We are protectors of a rich heritage that represents traditional and strong American values. This industry creates the finest, smartest and most capable individuals. If my kids are not raised the same way I was, I am going to feel like I robbed them of so many experiences, lessons and freedoms. The western/farm lifestyle is more than just a set of activities; it's a path that molds character, creating individuals who are tough and rooted in timeless values.
Bailey Holmes
Who is a cowboy or cowgirl that has most influenced you?
My grandpa is a cowboy who has had a profound impact on my life. He taught me how to ride and instilled in me a lasting love for horses. He truly embodies grit—someone who, despite facing countless challenges, never allowed them to limit him and never complained. His strength and resilience are qualities I deeply admire and continually strive to emulate.
Why is carrying on ranching values and legacies important to you?
I believe carrying on ranching values and legacies is important, because they represent a deep connection to hard work, integrity and respect of the land. These values have been passed down through generations and form the foundation of how we interact with the environment, care for animals and approach life’s challenges. Maintaining these traditions not only honors the hard work of those who came before, but it also ensures that future generations will continue to uphold the same commitment to the land and animals that have sustained us. Ranching is about more than just a way of life—it’s about preserving a legacy that reflects resilience, responsibility and respect for nature.
Falynn Mackey-Slack
Who is a cowboy or cowgirl that has most influenced you?
The cowboy who’s influenced me the most is my dad. He taught me everything I know about ranching and the way of life. He’s the reason I love this work and why I’ve chosen to make it my own. His wisdom, humor and grit have shaped me into the person I am today. One of the best pieces of wisdom my dad passed down to me is, “Always pack a snack.” It sounds simple, but it’s one of those life lessons that applies to everything, especially on the ranch. You never know how long a day will last, and having something to keep you going when the hours stretch on is invaluable. That advice taught me to always be prepared, but also to take care of myself because if I’m not looking after my own needs, I can’t do my best for the animals or the ranch. That little lesson has helped me in more ways than I can count, from being ready for long days in the field to keeping a steady attitude when things get tough.
Why is carrying on ranching values and legacies important to you?
Carrying on ranching values and legacies is so important, especially as we see the world changing. The future generations need to learn the values that come with ranching–honesty, hard work, and respect for the land and animals. These values aren’t just about running cattle; they’re about character, integrity and knowing that everything you do has a purpose. In a world that sometimes feels lost in technology and instant gratification, keeping these traditions alive helps ground us and reminds us of the value of perseverance.
Madison McQuivey
Who is a cowboy or cowgirl that has most influenced you?
A cowgirl that has influenced me is my grandmother, Cheryl Brewer Rawson. She is an incredible horsewoman and all-around cowgirl. She taught me how to ride and made sure that I did it right. We spent countless hours together working on rodeo events, common sense, hard work and good horsemanship skills. Her passion has gifted and fueled my own. She has won many titles in the barrel racing world and built herself up from ground zero being a first-generation cowgirl. She is the reason I can ride. I am so grateful for her and her dedication and passion for this lifestyle. Anytime I have a question regarding my horse or equipment, she is the first one I call. Grandma Cheryl taught me everything I know. She taught me how to heat a frozen burrito on the engine of the truck when we broke down on the side of the road. She taught me how to change a flat tire. She taught me how to be independent, and to rely on my own skills. She taught me how to be confident, and to embrace being strong and capable. She taught me how to not panic in high stress situations. She taught me to never take my anger out from a bad run on my horse, but to look and reflect on my own performance. She taught me that a horse acts as a mirror to my emotions and actions. She taught me how to be a true cowgirl.
Why is carrying on ranching values and legacies important to you?
Carrying on ranching values and legacies is so important. For myself, it connects me with my ancestors, and those who came before me. Through carrying on their work I feel that I am able to represent my family, my lineage and their hard work. The values gained while participating in this kind of work are rare and so important–something I want to teach and pass down to my future family.
Paige Clem
Who is a cowboy or cowgirl that has most influenced you?
The cowboys that have most influenced me in my life are my grandpa, Boyd Barrow, and my dad, Chris Clem. They have taught me many valuable lessons and pieces of cowboy wisdom that have greatly influenced my life. One of the most important lessons they have taught me is the value of hard work. They always say, “Nothing worth having comes easy.” They both constantly remind me of this whenever I am frustrated with the challenges I am facing and remind me that if I put in the work I will reap the reward. They have taught me the importance of keeping my word and following through with promises. They have also taught me that it doesn’t matter how many times you “fall,” what matters is that you always “get back up.” I try to apply this to everything in my life and to try and always focus on the positive of the situation. I use the lessons they have taught me to help tackle challenges with determination and to stay true to my values.
Why is carrying on ranching values and legacies important to you?
It is important to me that ranching values and legacies get passed on because I think it is important to understand where our food comes from and the work that goes into producing it. I think it is also important to pass down ranching values like work ethic, resilience, community involvement, passion for agriculture, sustainability and tradition and heritage to future generations. These are all experiences and lessons that I have learned through people in the western and ranching lifestyle that have helped me make important decisions and choices in my life.
Mikyla Bagley
Who is a cowboy or cowgirl that has most influenced you?
I was lucky enough to grow up in a ranching family and as a result, I’ve had many great examples of what it means to be a cowboy or cowgirl, but one of my greatest influences would have to be my older brother. All three of my brothers are great cowboys in their own right and passionate about agriculture, but as far as influences go, I have to talk about Tucker. Tucker is the second oldest of our siblings and he was simply put, born to be a cowboy. Even as kids, Tucker was the first one outside on the ranch checking calves and watching the cows. In our family, we like to joke that Tucker knows his cows like a chef knows seasonings. He is intuitive about animals. He can recognize a cow across a canyon simply by the way she walks or know if one of the feeder calves is sick just by the way he flicks his tail.
Tucker is also one of the hardest workers I know. In elementary school when most kids wanted to have their birthday party at the roller skating rink or the bowling alley, Tucker wanted to spend his birthday at the cattle auction. He would talk our parents into excusing him from school so he could spend his birthday working the alleyways and loading up the buyers’ trailers. It’s nearly impossible to keep him inside. At every possible moment, Tucker wants to be with his cows or riding colts or putting up hay.
The thing I’ve most admired about Tucker is his optimism in every situation. He is easy-going and always faces the future with the idea that everything will work out. One example of this was in 2018 when he lost his eye in a freak horse accident. Even in the chaos, Tucker was calm and didn’t know why everyone was fussing over him. After the accident, he spent hours in emergency surgery only to wake up the next morning before everyone else, put on his cowboy hat and ask when we were headed up the mountain to chase cows. Instead of being upset or feeling bad for himself, Tucker’s mantra throughout the entire situation was “you only need one” and he continues to face all of life’s challenges with the same mindset.
There are many reasons I respect Tucker and look up to him as a cowboy and as a person. As kids, I followed him everywhere and wanted to do everything he did. If Tucker was swinging a rope, I wanted to rope too. If Tucker was riding on the mountain, I wanted to saddle up too. I’m grateful for all the cowboy and cowgirl examples in my life and especially grateful for brothers like Tucker that have always taught me what it means to work hard, get the job done and always have a positive attitude.
Why is carrying on ranching values and legacies important to you?
Growing up in a ranching family has given me a deep appreciation for agriculture and the traditions and values embodied by those within it. Carrying on these values and legacies includes not only supporting those who work in agriculture or western industries, but also teaching others through our example about hard work, honesty, perseverance and respecting others. The western lifestyle and those who live it are selfless in a world that is increasingly self-absorbed. I think that sharing these western values and embodying them is the best way to serve as an example and encourage others to do the same.
Turning the Page: Welcoming a New UCC Class
The Utah Cowgirl Collective ambassadors are all great examples of western values and keeping those traditions alive. We are excited for the coming months as we prepare to welcome our new six cowgirls to the collective.
Follow the Utah Cowgirl Collective on Instagram and Facebook to stay connected and find out who will be part of the Utah Cowgirl Collective class of 2025!