D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • S U M M E R 2 0 1 7
110
Jonnie's persistent
campaigning for women
to compete in rough stock
events broke many barri-
ers including at Pendleton,
where she was the first
woman to ride that arena
since Bonnie McCarroll
in 1929. And at Cheyenne
Frontier Days, Jonnie was
the first woman to ride there since Alice Greenough in 1940.
Inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1991,
Jonnie was hardly finished. Despite financial crises, injuries, and
gender barriers, Jonnie's fierce determination earned her a place in
the 1992 and 1993 Men's World Bull Riding Championship where
she was the first woman to compete in that event. Her efforts
helped open other opportu-
nities in rough stock riding
denied women since the
1930s.
Jonnie now relishes
giving back to the Billings
community. Her nonprofit
Angel Horses, Inc., offers
rescued horses and other
animals hope and purpose,
working with kids and kids at heart in a therapeutic environment.
Each of these Montana women made significant contributions.
As author Teresa Jordan observed, "rough a combination of
necessity, circumstance and determination, they made a place for
themselves in the larger world of horses, cows and men..."
(top) Montana artist Charlie
Russell memorialized women
bronc busters in ͞Lady Buck-
eroo. Watercolor and ink ca.
1920-1925. MHS Museum,
Mackay Collection.
(bottom) Cowboys and cowgirls
have equal opportunity to ride
broncs at the annual Miles City
Bucking Horse Sale.
Courtesy John Riggs.
