Category: Women’s History in the American West
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Breaking Trail: Florence Hughes Randolph
Florence Hughes Randolph was born in 1898 in Augusta, Georgia. She learned how to ride on plow mules. She learned to Trick and Roman ride with Colonel King’s IXL Ranch Wild West show. In 1916, she organized Princess Mohawk’s Wild West Hippodrome. She performed with traveling carnivals. Florence defeated thirteen…
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Breaking Trail: Ruth Roach
Known as “The World’s Most Beautiful Cowgirl,” Ruth Roach was born in 1896 at Excelsior Springs, Missouri. She learned to ride on her uncle’s donkeys and then joined the 101 Ranch Wild West Show at the age of sixteen. She married Buck Roach in 1914. Ruth entered her first rodeo…
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Breaking Trail: Tad Barnes Lucas
Barbara Barnes, better known as “Tad Lucas” was born in 1902. She grew up around Cody, Nebraska learning to ride horses. She was given the nickname “Tadpole” as a baby and it was eventually shortened to “Tad.” Tad would become one of the most fearless and innovative trick riders in…
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Breaking Trail: Bertha Kaepernik Blancett
Bertha Kaepernik was born in 1883. Her family moved to Colorado and she was riding horses by the time she was five years old! She would become known as “the most famous woman rider in rodeo.” She helped pioneer women’s competitions in rodeo, but also wasn’t afraid to compete against…
