2026 Art of the Cowgirl Breakaway Roping Fellowship Application

*** IF YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES COMPLETING OR SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION, PLEASE CONTACT JAIMIE STOLTZFUS AT JAIMIE@ARTOFTHECOWGIRL.COM

DEADLINE: March 15th, 2026, recipient will be notified no later than April 15th, 2026

Our Mission

The Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship Program will encourage, promote and invest in the development of emerging artists and makers engaged in the unique arts, trades, and horsemanship of the western lifestyle while celebrating tradition and inspiring innovation through mentorship from established leaders in their fields. Through this program, Art of the Cowgirl will foster creativity and will work to preserve traditional art techniques and functional gear.

The Fellowship Program is Tammy Pate’s original dream of providing an opportunity for western artists to work with masters-- a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn or refine their passion with some of the most talented makers in the business. Whether it be a fine art, functional trade or horsemanship, these fellowships will enrich, empower and educate while honoring our western heritage. The fellowship seeks to remove obstacles such as funding and access for up and coming artists, without restriction of age or location.

Program Details:

* Recipient may receive: supplies and materials, travel, room and board at Master’s location, travel expenses to Art of the Cowgirl event for presentation to be determined by Art of the Cowgirl

* Each recipient to have a completed piece of work or agreed upon task at conclusion of fellowship period

* Recipients will be required to complete fellowships in same calendar year as award received and present work at next Art of the Cowgirl event (must be completed in 2026 calendar year)

*Recipients will be required to sign contracts and releases before funds will be released

*Recipients will be required to donate an item to the 2027 Fellowship Art Auction (does not have to be piece completed during Fellowship)

* Recipients will be chosen by Fellowship Selection committee

Recipient Requirements:

* 18 years of age or older

* Open to both men and women

* Able to complete fellowship before Dec. 31st of the calendar year in which the award is provided.

* Able to attend and present work at Art of the Cowgirl February 2027 in Arizona

* Meet minimum skill and experience requirement as determined by Master

* While individuals may apply for fellowships more than once and more than one fellowship, selected recipients may not be awarded a fellowship more than once

About Master Lari Dee Guy

Lari Dee Guy grew up on her family’s ranch outside Abilene, Texas, with a rope in her hand before she could read. By nine, she was winning—and she didn’t stop, racking up 11 consecutive American Junior Rodeo Association world titles before moving on to claim two NIRA National Championships at Vernon Junior College and Texas Tech University.

Over the decades, she’s become one of the winningest ropers in history, with eight WPRA World Championships spanning breakaway roping, heading, and heeling, plus the WPRA All-Around World Championship in 2014. But her impact goes far beyond her own gold buckles. Lari Dee has been a driving force in advancing opportunities for women in rodeo—founding the “Rope Like A Girl” movement, producing events, and teaching clinics that have reached thousands of ropers across the U.S., Canada, Sweden, and Australia.

Her leadership has helped put breakaway roping on major stages, inspiring the next generation of ropers and proving women’s rodeo belongs in the spotlight. That influence has earned her induction into both the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame (2020) and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame (2021).

Today, when she’s not competing, she’s training elite rope horses on her family’s 10,000-acre ranch and continuing her life’s work—building better horses, better ropers, and a stronger future for the sport she’s helped shape.

Fellowship Details

Fellowship includes the opportunity to learn from Lari Dee Guy for one week.

All travel and lodging expenses will be covered by Art of the Cowgirl Foundation. Recipient must provide proof of insurance and sign a liability release before the Fellowship time.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT FOR FELLOWSHIP:

* Must be 18 years or older

* Must exhibit strong work ethic and willingness to learn

* Must have prior horse and roping experience

Name

First NameLast Name

Email

example@example.com

Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.

Please tell us about yourself and your background with horses.

What has been your journey thus far in breakaway roping?

What are your short-term and long-term goals in breakaway roping?

What skills or areas of horsemanship or roping are you specifically seeking to develop through this fellowship?

What have been some of the biggest challenges or obstacles thus far in your roping journey?

Why are you specifically interested in learning from Lari Dee Guy? What draws you to her teaching?

What has been your experience with Art of the Cowgirl? What does the Foundation's mission mean to you?

Please attach 1-2 photos of you with horses and 2-4 links to youtube, vimeo, or google drive folder showing short videos of you riding or roping.

I ensure I am 18 years or older and all information and photos on this application are a true representation of my work.

2026 Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship Application