A state champion and rodeo queen from Woodlawn and another very successful rider from Indian Valley are sharing the honor this year as Southwest Virginia Cowgirl of the Year.
Ashlynn Culbreth and Paige Midkiff have been tabbed by the SW Virginia Equine Press Association for this recognition, one of several awards presented annually by the independent media group which covers a large portion of the region. The two local cowgirls share the honor with Brelyn Moore and Aspyn Harner, each also named a Southwest Virginia Cowgirl of the Year.
Winning the Virginia state high school barrels championship, being named Miss Virginia High School Rodeo, and serving as an officer with the Virginia High School Rodeo Association has made the past year a very successful season for Ashlynn — a year every rodeo girl dreams of.
Paige is a winner everywhere she goes, be it at the Carroll County Horse Show (where she won last year), Patrick Henry Saddle Club in Bassett (her regular favorite arena), at Billingsway Rodeo in Wythe County, and at other locales. She has managed to collect a bevy of many-colored ribbons from a variety of equine competitions, even a trophy, while enjoying her favorite sport.
Brelyn, of Rural Retreat, and Aspyn, of Meadowview, compete regularly at JM Stables in Crockett, at R&R Arena, and other sites and have been among the leaders in the barrel race competition. The past year has been very successful for both girls.
In addition to being winners in the arena, all four Cowgirls of the Year are active community-minded citizens.
Last year’s Cowgirl of the Year was Kylie Billings.
Kayla Williams of Rural Retreat has been named Southwest Virginia Horsewoman of the Year. This is the biggest award presented annually by the SWVEPA. It goes to an adult leader in the equine community. Last year’s inaugural honoree was Erin Tate of Hillsville, who was also The Carroll News’ honoree. The owner of Loping Ridge Therapeutic Riding and a Veterinary Technician at Radford Veterinary Hospital, Kayla is a mentor to area cowgirls and cowboys and organizes or assists with various equine programs and activities. She coordinates the highly successful and popular Loping Ridge Fun Show Series.
Mathew Porter of Fort Chiswell is the 2024 Southwest Virginia Cowboy of the Year. A rough stock competitor at Billingsway Arena, where his daughter Emily is among the team’s young riders, he is a former State and National Finals qualifier. At Billingsway, he also helps train and coach the young riders, who look up to him for guidance.
Last year’s Cowboy of the Year came from this group of young riders, Cole Moser of Hillsville.
Seven-year-old Brylee Phipps of Crockett and ten-year-old Clint Manuel of Rural Retreat have been chosen as Southwest Virginia Junior Cowgirl of the Year and Southwest Virginia Junior Cowboy of the Year, respectively. Both compete in the Virginia High School Rodeo Junior Association where they have been very successful. In addition, Brylee has achieved a number of impressive victories competing at Billingsway Arena and at the High Country Rodeo Series while Clint is among the leaders for VHSRA Maverick Best All-Around Cowboy.
(The Carroll News is an affiliate of The Southwest Virginia Equine Press Association, however, award winners are selected independently, not by the newspapers.)
~ Upcoming Events ~
Sept. 27 — Jackpot barrels, Patrick Henry Saddle Club, Bassett
Sept. 28 — Patrick Henry Saddle Club Fun Show #4
Sept. 28 — Salty Sisters Barrel Bash, Marion
Sept. 28 — Team roping finals, R&R Arena
Oct. 4-6 — Billingsway Arena Rodeo Camp
Oct. 5 — Kazim Hillbilly Ladies horse show, Ivanhoe
Oct. 5 — Barrels Finals, R&R Arena
Please report news of area events and local riders to dtfullerhorses@yahoo.com. If you can, please include a telephone number or info for people to reach you if the event may be postponed due to conditions.
Local News
Comments / 0