2005 Cowboy Roundup USA Presents Inaugural Cowgirl Ranch Roundup

Amarillo, Texas – April 15, 2005 - The rough and tumble world of ranch rodeo takes on a softer side as the inaugural Cowgirl Ranch Rodeo makes its debut at the 2005 Cowboy Roundup USA at the Tri-State Fairgrounds in Amarillo, Texas, June 4.

“Cowboy Roundup USA has a tremendous 18-year history of celebrating the cowboy spirit,” said CRR chair Phyllis Payne. “The Cowgirl Ranch Rodeo will take that celebration to another level, recognizing the tremendous contributions of women to our region’s ranching heritage and Western culture.”

The Cowgirl Ranch Rodeo is designed to showcase the ranch work skills of women in five events – sorting, branding, doctoring, team tying and a ranch horse competition – similar to their male counterparts who compete in the Coors Ranch Rodeo, which is the anchor event of Cowboy Roundup USA weekend. Each team of four women will earn points toward bragging rights of being named the championship team, plus championship buckles and other awards from sponsors. Cowgirl Ranch Rodeo is open to women who live on a ranch, work on a ranch, or who are ranch-raised and spend extra time working on a family ranching operation. Contestants must be 18 years of age or older.

In addition to team competition, contestants and their mounts will compete for the Top American Quarter Horse Award presented by the American Quarter Horse Association whose headquarters are based in Amarillo.

Cowboy Roundup USA, a 501(c) 3 non-profit charitable corporation whose purpose is to honor and preserve ranching heritage in the Texas Panhandle and surrounding regions. Cowboy Roundup USA weekend features the World Championship Chuckwagon Roundup, Cowboy Gear Show and Sale; ranch horse competition, junior ranch rodeo, Cowgirl Art Show and the Coors Ranch Rodeo, featuring 12 teams from historic ranches in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

For information about Cowboy Roundup USA and the Cowgirl Ranch Rodeo, including a schedule of events, visit www.cowboyroundupusa.org.