Horses

An eastern North Carolina cowgirl, Caroline grew up in LaGrange, NC as a second-generation horsewoman and cowgirl. As a little girl, all she wanted to do was be a cowgirl, and her fascination with the Western way of life continues today. She speaks of this lifestyle in terms of devotion to animals, willingness to be up at all night hours to ensure an animal is okay and taken care of and staying connected with the land and one’s livestock.

Breakaway roper Ashlee Freels and her husband calf roper Glen Freels have covered the continent pursuing their love for calf roping together. Today, they continue the family tradition of rodeo with their own children at their Georgia home.

  For Ashlee, her journey with rodeo began during her childhood in east Tennessee. Her brother, Steve Miller, is a good bit older than her, and he and her uncle were heavily involved in the horse world. Both men roped and steer wrestled; while also clowning at some rodeos, working the Dixie Stampede, and working at Dollywood in the days it was Silver Dollar City.

Chester, South Carolina is home to roughly 5,000 people—and one of them is high school senior Carmen Oates. Carmen has put her name on the map as a powerful breakaway roper and a young lady whose drive and determination are sure to take her far in the rodeo world. 

For Jamie Ellsworth, rodeo has always been about relationships. She devotes herself to her horses, her family (especially her nieces and nephews), and her friends.  As a third-generation competitor, she carries on a family tradition while also forging her own path in a new location with her own family and friends.

Misty Matthews loves rodeo. A rodeo mom, wife, competitor, and rodeo secretary, she is no stranger to the fastest sport on dirt. 

Growing up in Franklin, Tennessee, Misty enjoyed a rural lifestyle. Her father rode bulls when he was younger and their family always had horses. They also kept busy with their farm and side burley tobacco operation.