Thursday, May 28, 2009

"Cowgirl Dreams" Guest Blogger and Giveaway!

Howdy cowgirls (and cowboys, should there be any of you reading out there!) Thanks for stopping by to read a little history about cowgirl attire! And a big thank you to Heidi Thomas for putting this together, I know that I learned something new! I am just fascinated with the time period she speaks of and writes about..... Heidi, thanks for letting me be a part of your tour and for being an inspiration for all of us cowgirls out there!

Don't forget that I am having a drawing for an autographed copy of the book, as well as extra goodies from me!! All you have to do to be entered in the drawing is leave a comment and tell us what your #1 most favorite, can't-do-without cowgirl piece of clothing is! The deadline is this Saturday, May 30th, at midnight. Make sure that if your comment doesn't link back to your blog, or if you don't have a blog, leave an email address or way to contact you, or at least check back Sunday to see if you're a winner then email me with your contact information. Okay, let's get started!


“Lassoer in Lingerie”

By: Heidi Thomas

In the 1880s and ‘90s, Annie Oakley toured with Buffalo Bill as an expert marksman. She could shoot the head off a running quail when she was twelve years old, and once knocked the ashes off a cigarette Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany was holding in his mouth, and became the most famous woman performer to ever appear in a Wild West show.

She did all of this while wearing dresses.

Cowgirls accomplished great feats while wearing skirts. I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been to keep all the extra material out of the way while practicing expert marksmanship, bronc riding, and steer roping.

At the turn of the 20th Century, enterprising equestrian women, such as rodeo star Fanny Sperry Steel, wore divided skirts that enabled them to ride astride but preserved the “look of a skirt.” This ingenious garment was actually a culotte with a movable front panel that buttoned either to the left, for a skirt effect or to the right for a pants effect.

In 1904, Lucille Mulhall (pictured above), known as the first woman to be called “Cowgirl,” lassoed and tied three steers in three minutes and 36 seconds—several seconds better than the best cowboys. While she was performing, she wore what the other woman rodeo riders of her era wore: a long, split riding skirt, blouse, silk scarf and large felt cowboy hat. It apparently didn’t cramp her style. A New York newspaper reporter described her as a “lassoer in lingerie.”

Nowadays, a cowgirl can wear pretty much anything she wants, but in the 1800s a woman wearing her brother’s pants or even a split skirt might have been arrested for indecent exposure. British-born Montana photographer Evelyn Cameron rode into Miles City one day, wearing a split riding skirt she had made. Incensed townswomen gathered with the sheriff and threatened her with jail unless she left town immediately.

Prairie Rose Henderson in bloomers

In the early 1900s, Prairie Rose Henderson was a popular performer who created a bit of a stir by being one of the first to wear bloomers to ride. Despite the “racy” look (showing quite a bit of leg), it was still feminine and had to have been more comfortable and probably safer than voluminous skirts while riding broncs. She wowed the crowds with her handmade fancy costumes, which were often decorated with beads, feathers, and sequins.

Rodeo rider Vera McGinnis was the first woman to wear pants in the rodeo arena. What a scandal! Oh, the gossip! But she swore she would never trade being a rodeo cowgirl for any other profession. She started rodeo riding in 1912 with her corset on, but after the first relay tossed it for good.

My grandmother was a cowgirl through and through. She loved nothing more than riding the range with my grandpa, and I always thought she was more at home on the back of a horse than behind a mop.

She was probably more comfortable in Levis and Stetson, but I also have pictures of her posing in a flapper style dress as well as in boots, jeans, and a tall cowboy hat!

The social etiquette of the times still frowned on women wearing men’s clothing in public, as my character, Nettie, discovers after borrowing her brother’s denim pants and sneaking out to ride in her first rodeo.

Life in rodeo was not all glamour. It was hard, dirty work. Like my grandmother, many women riders were small, weighing maybe 110 pounds or less. But they had to lift their own 20-pound saddles, (especially the relay riders who changed saddles during a relay race), and care for their own horses. These petite women pitted themselves against a half-ton of raging muscle and bone when they rode or wrestled. What courage!

Rodeo Queens

But these women were feminine, too. A New York newspaper wrote of Lucille Mulhall: “only ninety pounds, can break a bronc, lasso and brand a steer, and shoot a coyote at 500 yards. She can also play Chopin, quote Browning, and make mayonnaise.” That describes most of those women from my grandmother’s era.

Cowgirl Dreams is available at http://www.heidimthomas.com (for autographed copies) or from http://www.trebleheartboks.com/SDHeidiThomas.html

Thank you for following my first virtual book tour. It’s been a fun journey. Please leave a comment, and if you read my book, please let me know what you think of it!

Okay folks, PG here again....that's all she wrote- for now!! It's a wonderful book, and the first in a series, so more great adventures are on their way! Thanks for stopping by and I hope your cowgirl dreams come true!

72 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great book! Since I am such a bookworm, I'd love to read it!
    My # 1 cowgirl thing I can't live without would be my cowboy boots! Have to have them and I have many pairs and would like more!

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  2. Love the post with so much history!!! Oh I have a few Cowgirl things I can't live without....But my top answer would be my hair on rhinestone belt, love the bling!!! Of course next in line is going to be my boots!!

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  3. I'm a pretty basic cowgirl...all I need are my boots and pair of nice fitting jeans. Everything else is variable!

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  4. This looks like a great read! Amazing the attire back then.Wowza! Times have changed.
    Bootcut jeans baby! Has to be bootcut, lowrise, stretchy kind. No particular brand stands out, but better be bootcut.
    Did I mention I love bootcut jeans?

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  5. But bootcut that's not a compulsary thing for a cow girl. I think that.
    Silk Scarf

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  6. Wow, hard to imagine doing all those things in a long skirt.

    Being in New England, I'm more of a "horse girl" than a "cow girl". My #1 thing I wear often are my Ariat clogs. They are suede leather with silver "bits". I wish I'd bought two pairs!

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  7. Wonderful story, I love to read about the history of things that aren't what one would normally look into!
    I think the only thing I would have to have are my boots. A good pair of jeans is a given but really a good pair of boots is just plain hard to find!

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  8. Heidi,
    What a great tour! I learned a great deal along the way about these courageous women. Thanks a bunch for sharing.

    Best of luck on your earth tour. Don't forget your boots.

    Charlotte

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  9. Since I'm only a poser cowgirl, I don't have the full get up. I do love my cowboy boots. They protect my feet, keep sand out, and make me feel the part.

    I really enjoyed this informative post.

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  10. What cool cowgirl info! One of my favorite books growing up was a young adult biography of Annie Oakley. There's something about a feminine woman who can hold her own against the boys.

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  11. My #1 can't do without accessory (hehehe) a cute cowboy of course! Where on earth are they all hiding??

    Seriously I never leave the house to go into the barn without a good pair of boots.
    But A good broke in pair of jeans are my favorite.

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  12. Wow, what amazing stories! And to ride broncs in a skirt; they should have gotten more credit than the cowboys for that!

    My favorite cowgirl thing is, of course, my boots! I got them brand new for my eighteenth birthday, around the same time I bought Maverick (the first horse that was actually mine!), so I've had them about six years!

    They're my favorite footwear; I wear them to ride in, work in, work cattle in, and even walk around town in. They've been resoled countless times, they slouch, and they're like butter on my feet. I love them!

    Second would probably be my chinks. My grandfather bought them for my birthday. They're physical proof that I've earned his approval in actually working with horses, not just "playing around" with them. Plus, they're beautiful!

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  13. I started to think about what I couldn't live without... the first thing that came to mind is my Ariats! And THEN I got to thinking about my half chaps. This winter I couldn't leave home without them! A little added warmth & they look kinda cool! ;)

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  14. What a great guest-post! Thank you for the interesting info Heidi! :)
    I am always amazed at what women did while wearing a dress or skirt.

    My favorite cowgirl accessory??? My horse of course...lol!!!! Okay, okay, I know you mean something that I can wear, so how about my trusty old cowgirl boots?

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  16. Jumpin' JuniperCowgirl requirement attire for me is 14MWZ wranglers with an extra 2 inches of leg, and a trophy buckle, either one you won or like my current favorite, it was custom made for me with my name and ranch brand. Must, must have Wranglers and a buckle.

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  17. My cowgirl accessory.....the turkey feather in my hat! Crazy huh. But I'm the punchy kinda cowgirl!

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  18. Definately sounds like a must read! I love that kind of stuff!

    My cannot live without item would have to be the comfiest riding jeans in the whole wide world, the Wrangler Q-Babies. LOVE them!

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  19. I couldn't survive without my hat, and my hat couldn't survive without its stampede string.

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  20. What a great informative post! Thanks for sharing.

    My favourite part of attire would have to be boots. I'm obsessed with boots!

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  21. My riding boots. They are absolutely the most comfortable boots I have ever worn. Next I am going to get cowgirl boots. Steph wears them and loves them.

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  22. Pony Girl, thank you so very much for hosting me for my last stop on my virtual book tour! Looks like we're goin' out with a bang! You have many faithful readers and I'm enjoying all of your comments!

    What DID those old-time cowgirls do without jeans, huh?!

    Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I hope you enjoy the book! If you don't win a copy or buy one, ask your local library to get one!
    Thanks,
    Heidi

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  23. This is so interesting, thanks for sharing! I'm not much of a cowgirl, but I'd have to have jeans.

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  24. I loved this post! My number one cowgirl accessory is my turquoise earrings and rings. Number two is a good pair of jeans.

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  25. I am just a plain Jane cowgirl and all I would need would be my boots and a good pair of Jeans. Maybe one of those split skirts would be to bad but I will bet they where hot! I have really enjoyed following your blog!

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  26. What a terrific finale to your blog book tour, Heidi. I love the bloomers and tales of indecent exposure. LOL Thanks goodness for the bra buring revolution. I couldn't even wear slacks to work for my first newspaper reporting job back in the early 70s. I had to wear heels and hose to report on a railroad train wreck. You can imagine what I looked like when I returned to the office. :)

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  27. I would love this book!
    However, I really don't have a specific piece of "cowgirl-can't do" without piece of clothing. I do have a "cowgirl-can't do without" item though. It's my HORSE!! Gotta have a horse to be a cowgirl, right?

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  28. Question? Do you have ride western to be considered a "cowgirl"? I like to consider myself a horse girl. I ride english, jump, do games, dressage, trail ride etc...I do everything except roping in an english saddle and have even tried mounted shooting in my english saddle. It's just my preferance. I have the english hunter showing side of me that I do, but also love to bushwack through trails and gallop and cause a ruckus.

    My favorite piece of "horse girl" attire are my Ariat paddock boots. I live in those boots and they are so comfy. I do chores, ride and anything else I want to in them. They were kinda pricey at over $120 but I love them and have always had luck with the Ariat brand.

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  29. Sidetracked, I think you're a "cowgirl" no matter what kind of riding you do!

    Jean, it's unbelievable what women did while wearing dresses, as witnessed by your train wreck experience!

    Sounds like jeans, Ariats and turquoise are among the fashion favorites!

    Heidi

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  30. What a story. Can't wait to read your book. Taking it on the book tour for I'll get more reading time without a phone. I loved the bloomers. My style of independence, ruffled the men some. Heidi, you tour has been great, the articles very informative and I've enjoyed following you. Good luck in Montana.

    Gwyn Ramsey
    http://gwynramsey.blogspot.com

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  31. Well, that was an education! I'm glad I was born in the latter 20th century!! This books sounds extremely interesting!! I wish I could shoot coyotes from 500 yards!

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  32. A postscript to the Annie Oakley story ... did you know she designed and sewed all of her shooting outfits herself?? What a woman! I learned about her while I was a docent for a Buffalo Bill exhibit at the Colorado Historical Society. As for my favorite cowboy duds, it is a tie between my Ariat Fat Babies with red uppers, and my custom fit straw cowgirl hat from Fairplay, CO with horsehair hat band. READ COWGIRL DREAMS! Heidi rocks!!!

    Joyce Lohse
    www.lohseworks.com

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  33. A book I want to read! Sounds great. I love my jeans and boots. I just feel better when I'm wearing them.

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  34. My favorite used to be my medium brown riding boots; I just loved them and have never found another pair like them.

    Now I love my blue jeans, my blue jean sleeveless vest and a horsehair necklace that I won.

    Love the book tour; it has been entertaining. Thanks.

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  35. Great post - very interesting subject!! And we think we have it tough nowadays!!
    Favorite piece of riding apparel huh? Only 3 things that I need to ride:
    Boots, chap stick and shades.

    I've found that riding in shorts is as good as riding in chinks - good grip if the horse spooks.

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  36. I would really like that book! I like anything with history in it, and if it also involves horses, than that makes it double interesting!
    The article of clothing I cannot be without when I ride (unless it is blisteringly hot out) would have to be my leather chaps! I've got half chaps and full chaps with fringe and I wear them all the time!

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  37. LOVE this post! Very interesting! Well, I'd have to say the Cowgirl thing I cannot live without would be my boots, I even have a pair or two that I wear to work, I'm a nurse in a hospital, LOL, shhhhhh... Oh and I live in my blue jeans!

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  38. I love historical fiction and love that you let Heidi do a guest stop on her tour! The book is now on my "good idea gifts for mom" list for my kids and husband since they tell me I NEVER want anything.

    I have three cowgirl things that I'd be totally bummed to be without: my Ariat Probaby boots, my favorite Wrangler boot cut jeans, and my down vest. The boots and jeans are year round but here in Michigan the down vest gets used probably 9 months out of the year!!

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  39. Heidi, the article is great, photos too! You're traveling in their footsteps -- all of you doing what you're good at and following your dreams. Congratulations on "Cowgirl Dreams," a tribute and a great story.

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  40. Great Post PG! I love my boots but I have to say I love a good pair of working gloves. If my feet and hands are happy so am I.

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  41. Cowgirls Rock! This is the BEST stop on my whole tour. I've enjoyed all your comments and your fave cowgirl apparel!

    Joyce, I do remember reading that Annie O designed her clothes. Many of those gals did. They were quite versatile--competed in a man's arena and yet could be extremely ladylike.

    I wish I could meet each one of you! You are all an inspiration.

    Thanks for your comments.
    Heidi

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  42. Cowgirls are the most interesting creatures! I am proud to be related to Annie Oakley up my family tree. Very interesting post, thanks!

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  43. Wow, K.T. that's pretty cool to be related to Annie Oakley!

    Heidi

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  44. I would have to say I cant live without my jeans, but my most important "cowgirl" attire would be my helmet. Have had a fall and with helmet on had a concussion, imagine what my brain would be if I hadnt. Thanks for a great blog. Sara "rspclfarm@yahoo.com"

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  45. The book sounds great! :)

    By the way, I gave you a little award over on my blog. http://lovelivejustjump.blogspot.com/2009/05/im-so-blessed.html

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  46. this is hard.. I am partial to my horses purple saddle blanket.. and I am kind coveting Pony Girls chaps!

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  47. not a cowgirl but a rider just the same. can't ride without my half chaps. gotta have my paddock boots as well, but the chaps rate number one. cute post! i love those frilly things.

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  48. {K.T>}~ That is cool you are related to Annie Oakley!!

    I am enjoying reading about everyone's favorite things (and I think the cowgirl term is used loosely here, anyone that rides horses, or loves or dreams about living a horsey or western lifestyle, is a cowgirl at heart! :)

    Of course I haven't shared my own favorite must have....I think a good pair of boots is a must. But I love, love, love my elk chinks. I don't wear them a lot, especially in the winter since I don't ride a lot in the winter, but I plan to wear them a lot this summer!

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  49. Hey there Pony Girl. I am new to reading your blog and so far it is such a joy to read! Also this book looks wonderful, I can't live without my horse books.

    I think the one item I couldn't go without are my western cotton shirts, I can't get enough of them!

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  50. Wow! Riveting! Such a totally different way of life for cowgirls back then. Could we ever go back to the way it was? Would we want to? In some ways...yes. :D

    My favorite cowgirl clothing would be my jeans of course...with some elastic stretch (no borrowing of any men's jeans for me. lol!).
    And I love my ranch girl straw hat, too.
    But I always wear a helmet when riding.

    Thanks for sharing this terrific book. I can't wait to read it all the way through!

    ~Lisa

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  51. I love my Twisted X boots. Wouldn't want to give them up, even though I don't ride. i love the whole cowgirl look. I also love a long sleeved Cruel Girl shirt Mom brought me back from PS last time they went.

    Your post was fantastic, I'm proud of you and hope you get to do it again. I know you have always longed to be a writer. Blogging probably gives you an outlet to do some of it, but I think you should get started on that novel, get rich, and buy us all a family ranch to live on!

    You Go Girl!!!!!!!

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  52. Ok maybe I'm going to embarass myself here, and I don't know if it counts as 'cowgirl clothing' but my number 1 MUST have for riding... is a good bra.
    **blush**
    IMO it doesn't matter if you're busty or not, proper support is neccessary for riding (and sports)

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  53. {Cdncowgirl}~ Great answer! You are the first one to mention this, and I am surprised it wasn't mentioned earlier, I had a feeling it might, LOL!! :) In fact, I think on "20 Meter Circle of Life's" blog last year, she did a post on riding "undergarments."
    Thanks for stopping by, I know Heidi is appreciating hearing from everyone!!

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  54. I loved the post and love the cowgirl history..we have alot to live up too, don't we! The #1 thing I can't live without ..is a cap or a hat.. I hafto keep the sun off my head and face... then, it's those comfy ole boots! I'd wear 'em everywhere.

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  55. Excellent - must find a pic of my grandmother who rode and competed against men (in campdrafting - Aussie horse sport). Loved the pics in this post - esp the bloomers!

    My bit of riding gear I cannot do without? My RM Williams boots - single piece of leather moulded for foot, leather sole with elastic sides.

    Great post (and holy cow number of comments!!!)
    :-)
    BB

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  56. {Faithful}~ I'm a cap girl, too! I wish I could wear a cowboy hat and look cowgirl cool, but I just haven't gotten used to it yet. I'm always in a baseball cap while working around my horse. Like you, it keeps my hair out of my face, and prevents my scalp & face from getting burned!

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  57. How fun...the book slounds great!!! Well I also have sooo many things I can't do without but the one thing I wear EVERYTIME I ride is "Karma Cowgirl" belt bag! Mine favorite one has two pockets for those always needed items like lip gloss!!! I love them sooooo much I have 5 to match any outfit I might pull together!!!

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  58. Once again, before I'm off on my "reality" book tour of Montana, I want to extend my wholehearted thanks to Pony Girl for hosting me on her blog, and to ALL of you who left comments! This has been fantastic!
    I love the cowgirl fashion favorites--and foundations are most important!

    Desert Rose--a matching belt bag for every outfit, well of course! I noticed that today's rodeo queens have matching boots and shirts.

    Bush Babe--"campdrafting" now that sounds quite interesting! I'd love to know more about that.

    Everyone, thanks again. Enjoy your day, your favorite pair of boots and jeans, and of course, your horse!

    Pony Girl, we may have to do this again sometime! What fun!

    Heidi

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  59. I'm with Kara. I only need my boots and jeans and I am ready to go.

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  60. As a redhead, my most indispensible piece of gear is my cowgirl hat. I have several, but often wear my 10-year old palm straw hat to keep the sun off. When I lived in New Mexico, I wouldn't dare step out of the house to do chores without it. And I could toss it in the horse trough to clean it, reshape it and let it dry in the sun. I wore it just a few days ago when my husband and I walked our dogs on the beach near Kasilof, Alaska. It was the perfect hat for the sunny day. Even if we were the only ones in cowboy hats on the beach.

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  61. Wow! What a neat book!!! Great post too, hum, jeans would be my thing and Gilly, can't be a cowgirl or horsegirl without a horse! LOL

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  62. Hi Pony Girl. Thanks for stopping by my blog and telling me about this. I love the old time cowgirl stories. My "can't live without" item would be my trusty dog that goes on every ride with me! Give me a horse and a dog and that's all I need.

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  63. {Paris Cowgirl}~ Thanks for coming by! My sister has two dogs and I know that one of them, Bailey, would LOVE to go trail riding with us....but he's a bit of a wanderer so we're afraid he might head off into the bushes after a bird and get lost! ;)

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  64. That book sounds awesome. The first thing I check out at a horse show is the fashion!! I love love love my purple cowboy boots. I wear them to teach almost every day the first graders call me the cowgirl art teacher :)

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  65. I'd have to say my (pink - gasp!) Justin boots. They're so comfortable! Thank goodness the bottom is brown so the pink doesn't show. ;) LOL

    Sounds like a very awesome read! I'm excited and of course, hope I win. ;) I love love love the history behind the Old West -- I guess that's why I named a filly Lucille Mulhall, another Annie Oakley, another Madame Mattie Silks, and my Sunnie boy is none other than The Sundance Kid -- Oh! I also had an Etta Place and a Belle Starr!

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  66. I adore your blog and the one thing I could not live without as a horseperson is my rope halter with 12 ft lead. This has been the most consistently useful item of my entire horse life, with 2 horses very different in temperament, and with many different types of situation. If I am on a desert island with a horse, I want a rope halter and 12 ft lead!! and then we can make progress.

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  67. What a great post and interesting sounding book!! I loved all of the photos as well. It's amazing how much those ladies had to overcome and how each of them earned the respect of those around them. They would have been fun to know.

    I tried to think of something that I always have with me when I'm out with my horses and I could only think of two main things and I think both are more like accessories... a hair tie and my camera.

    The hair tie works great for keeping my hair out of my face when I'm working with my horses and it also comes in handy when I am brushing my horses mane to tie back the section that still needs to be brushed from the section that is done or being brushed. :)

    My camera helps me document all of the details from exciting horse adventures, and it gives me something "horsey" to do when I run out of daylight and can't be outside with my horses any more.

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  68. My #1 absolute cannot live without cowgirl item are my Ariat boots. I would be so lost without them!!

    BTW the book looks so neat!!

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  69. Sounds like a great book! If I don't win, I will borrow yours!!! I love my boots, always wear a scarf, and wish I had the opportunity to wear my chinks more!!!

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  72. Gee, Heidi. . looks like I am a year late on the contest. Perhaps you are running another! Believe it or not my favorite one piece of "can't live with out cowgirl item" IS a split riding skirt. I sew my own, Cut my own fringe, and have some with handmade deer antler buttons! Sometimes I go to local shows and barrel race in them... folks don't know what to take of it! I have a red denim one with white fringe, a rust one with off white fringe, a brown denim with brown fringe. cowgirl_connie@comcast.net

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I love hearing from my readers!! I truly enjoy all of your feedback, advice, helpful tips, and stories. You all make me laugh and I learn so much from you, too. I will try to post replies to your comments as often as I can.

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