March is Women’s History Month, so we’re honoring four Cowtown women who rode high in their heyday — or, are still riding high today.
These women have lassoed a lot of success. They’ve been featured in the National Cowgirl Museum, the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, and Fort Worth Magazine. Let’s meet our trailblazing ladies.
Then
Mitzi Riley (1928-2023) | The daughter of cowgirl Tad Lucas, Mitzi was born into the rodeo, watching her mother perform in arenas all across the US. Mitzi made her cowgirl debut at the Colorado State Fair in 1934, then spent 20 years performing alongside her mother. Her favorite rodeo was the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. When she retired from the rodeo in 1954, Mitzi served on the board of the Rodeo Historical Society and established the Tad Lucas Award.
Anne Marion (1938-2020) | Anne was born to a rancher family. Growing up the great granddaughter of Samuel “Burk” Burnett, the Four Sixes Ranch was her playground. Anne’s mother passed down her love for the arts, which Anne harnessed to bring new life to Fort Worth’s museum scene. For 40 years, Anne served as the director of the board for the Kimbell Art Museum. She is the namesake for TCU’s Burnett School of Medicine.
Now
Molly Thomson | Molly wanted to raise her kids around Western culture, while still experiencing the excitement of a big city. In 1998, she and her husband bought Benbrook Stables. Today, the equestrian center hosts riding lessons, equestrian trail rides, and kids’ camps. She says it’s the “greatest thing of all” to be able to lend the land to others.
Naydalyn Rios | At 20 years old, Naydalyn has stood out for performing and competing in the technical sport, escaramuza, since the age of 3. During the sport, eight women ride sidesaddle and perform a synchronized routine full of intricate twists and turns. Escaramuzas turn heads because of their traditional, brightly-colored attire. Naydalyn says, “it’s not a personality — it’s a lifestyle.”
