Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo Names 2023 Utah Cowgirl Collective Members

SALT LAKE CITY (May 31, 2023) – The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo is excited to announce the inaugural six members of the Utah Cowgirl Collective program. These six young ladies were selected from a group of 24 applicants from across the State of Utah. Each cowgirl will commit to a yearlong service to help the community, educate the youth on the western lifestyle, promote connection, kinship and cowgirl grit to all women and serve as the official ambassadors and flag girls of the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in July.

“We were blown away by the deep level of talented cowgirls we found in Utah and feel that these six bring an array of backgrounds and interest to truly make this a Cowgirl Collective,” said Tommy Joe Lucia, General Manager of the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo. “This is a new platform for today’s cowgirls, and we are excited to see the impact it has on our young ladies and community.”

 The six selected for as 2023 Utah Cowgirl Collective Ambassadors are:

• McKenna Addington – a recent high school graduate of Grantsville, Utah, has been involved in the rodeo business much of her life with her mother Kellie being the daughter of Jeff Flitton, who ran Bar T Rodeo after the passing of Bud Kerby. McKenna was involved in FFA in high school and looks to pursue a pharmaceutical degree.

• Texie Buttars – resides outside Snowville, Utah and works on her family owned 27 Ranch. Texie competed in Reined Cowhorse throughout High School and continues to show when her schedule allows. Her father Brandon Buttars is a top competitor in the NRCHA and was featured in the movie Down The Fence. Texie will be receiving her certification from Midwest Natural Healing for Animals and would like to start a mobile practice for equines and dogs.

• Libby Huffman – calls Fort Duchesne, Utah, home. She recently received her LPN degree from Uintah Basin Techincal College. She plans to pursue her RN degree at Utah State University. She is the daughter of Suzanne Fausett Huffman, who qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in barrel racing in 1985-88. Libby hopes to pursue her own pro-rodeo journey in 2024.

• Sayge Madsen - a resident of Morgan, Utah, she graduated from Bridgerland Technical College with her vet technician certification and recently graduated from Ogden Weber Technical College with her Nail Technician license. She has started taking photos of her younger brothers as they compete in the Utah High School Rodeo Association, which has resulted in starting her own photography business. Along with the photography business Sayge started a belt beading business. While in high school she was involved in FFA and showed steers while also being successful in the Utah High School Rodeo Association.

• Annie Roper – lives in Riverton, Utah, and is a student at Utah State University studying Agribusiness, with a special interest in animal nutrition. She has completed a Veterinary Assistant certification in high school and graduated top of her class. She has ridden reining horses since she was 4 years old and has competed locally in reining competitions after working with several reining trainers. She teaches horseback riding lessons and works at Scheels in customer service. Last year she was the 2nd Attendant in the Lehi Round-Up Royalty.

• Emma Stowe – is a recent graduate of Taylorsville, Utah, and is a fourth generation relative of Brigham Young. Emma wants to be an equine physical therapist and is currently certified in equine massage therapy. She is now pursuing her vet tech degree. Her family owned the first Morgan Horse in Utah, and they were involved in the Utah Centennial Horse Show where they had the grand champion Morgan horse. Recently served a reign as the Western Stampede Rodeo queen.

 Each member of the Utah Cowgirl Collective, upon completing a year of service and fulfilling all obligations, will receive a $10,000 scholarship for continuing education.

 The Utah Cowgirl Collective believes in creating opportunities for building relationships, evolving the natural true grit in every woman while maintaining a foundation of compassion and kindness for all. Through charitable work in the community, social gatherings, workshops, and training sessions, we are building new leaders within the Western lifestyle.

 For more information on this program please visit www.utahcowgirlcollective.com.