QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. — A five-day showcase of Western women, horsemanship, art and more is happening in Queen Creek, Jan. 17 - 21. The Art of the Cowgirl also raises funds supporting emerging artists in the industry.
Horse trainer and World’s Greatest Horsewoman competitor, Niki Flundra, is bringing her 15 years of training to the desert for the Art of the Cowgirl event. “It’s just a beautiful thing to celebrate, the culture of the cowgirl and everything they represent," Flundra said.
“Horsemanship that is free of any lines or reigns or bridles, saddles, the horses are just basically in they’re in their purest, freest form,” she said.
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Flundra demonstrated part of her performance, which she will bring to the Queen Creek arena this weekend.
“It’s a form of horsemanship that really uses a lot of body language and you have to have a really good connection with your horse to do it," she said.
For Flundra, this Art of the Cowgirl event is extra special, as she will also pay tribute to founder, Tammy Pate, who lost her battle with cancer at the end of December.
“She impacted a lot of people’s lives, a lot of cowgirls lives, and we’re just so fortunate to have her be such a champion of the cowgirl," she said.
Flundra said she is planning something special during her Saturday night performance, honoring Pate’s Art of the Cowgirl vision, with her liberty horse work.
While this year marks the sixth annual event, it’ll be the first without founder and creator Tammy Pate. Her vision, is being celebrated and honored this week and weekend. It's one bringing some of the best in the industry together featuring female artistry, craftsmanship and horsemanship. The event also creates a space for up and coming cowgirls, giving them room to grow and expand their talents.
Tammy's long-time husband, Curt Pate, said they were married 36 years. Curt said he knew Tammy most of his life, about 45-50 years. And they grew up in the same Montana town, where their rodeo paths crossed quite often. They even won a saddle together in 1979.
“We will miss everything about her, but she had a way of bringing everybody together," Curt said. "Lots of events, there’s always times of chaos and turmoil, and rain and wind and those kind of things, I would just see her, maybe it’s her yoga practice or maybe it's her horsemanship skills. She would just take a deep breath, let it out, think and then she would just go to taking care of things. She would never miss a detail.”
The event's COO, Jaimie Stoltzfus, said she met Tammy back in 2018, and that's when they became instant friends.
“Every year to have a celebration of this beautiful vision that she’s had, I think it’s an incredible legacy she will leave and she leaves a legacy in so many aspects with her family, her whole life," Stoltzfus said. "And then specifically with Art of the Cowgirl, it’s a touch point that will continue to ripple for years.”
Curt said besides creating the best event they can for all attendees, Sunday afternoon, Tammy’s family and friends will get together to remember her. The events run through Sunday and tickets are available.
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