December 15, 2005

Media Contact: DJ Latham
Office: 817/509-8991
Mobile: 817/715-2868
[email protected]

FIRST-CLASS COWGIRL CAMP OFFERS ACCLAIMED COWGIRLS AND LUXURY RETREATS

FORT WORTH, Texas –The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame invites women to pack their bags on May 18 – 21, 2006 and head to Cowgirl University – Kindle the Cowgirl Spirit, for the ultimate immersion into cowgirl culture. This three-day weekend excursion brings women in contact with accomplished cowgirls, offering them a chance to learn true cowgirl skills while experiencing the tranquility of a luxury escape.

Cowgirl University – Kindle the Cowgirl Spirit will take place on a private ranch located in Utopia, Texas, about an hour west of San Antonio. Nestled in Texas’ Hill Country, Cowgirl University – Kindle the Cowgirl Spirit blends together the upscale ambiance of luxury accommodations with the activities of a working ranch for an incredible self-discovery journey.

Starting on Thursday, May 18, 2006, guests will arrive in Utopia, Texas, greeted by National Cowgirl Hall of Fame honorees Sheila Varian, Barbara Van Cleve, Mitzi Lucas Riley and Pam Minick (as schedule allows) and then start on their cowgirl itinerary.

These lucky cowgirls will choose from several activities designed to inspire and develop the cowgirl spirit. Activities include sunrise photography workshops, nature walks, riding and horse handling clinics, safari drives across the ranch where giraffes, zebras and rhinoceroses roam, trail rides, hat shaping, swimming, music, story-telling and much more. Also, these women will be treated with deluxe gourmet meals prepared by a Le Cordon Bleu trained chef.

• Varian, 2003 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Honoree is an accomplished Arabian horse trainer and breeder. The majority of champion Arabian horses can be traced back to her ranch. She’s been named the Arabian Horse Trust Breeder of the Year four times and is co-founder of the Arabian Breeders Association.

• Van Cleve, 1995 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Honoree just doesn’t take pictures, she captures the modern West through her photographs. Raised on a Montana ranch, her insight as a ranch participant is seen through her work. She taught English Literature and Photography at DePaul University in Chicago and became the youngest Dean of Women in the United States. She retired to pursue photography full-time and has gained international acclaim.

• Riley, 1996 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Honoree was born into rodeo royalty. Daughter of famed trick rider, Tad Lucas, Riley followed in her mother’s footsteps. She made her rodeo debut at six years old, filling in for her injured mother. While Hollywood persistently knocked on her door, Riley declined the offers and performed in rodeos across the nation for 20 years.

• Minick, 2000 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Honoree found her calling in rodeo as a competitor and promoter. She’s a champion calf roper, actress, movie stunt-person, businesswoman and sports commentator. She served as Vice President of the Women’s Pro Rodeo Association and helped bring significant advancements for the sport.

DETAILS:
• Cowgirl University – Kindle the Cowgirl Spirit is for women ages 18 and older
• Space is limited to the first 30 women
• Cost is $1,500 for double occupancy and $1,800 for single occupancy
• Cowgirl University – Kindle the Cowgirl Spirit will take place on a private ranch that houses exotic animals such as giraffes, zebras and rhinoceroses in Utopia, Texas, located approximately an hour west of San Antonio.

Cowgirl University is a dynamic series of educational programs dedicated to sharing the western lifestyle with a broad audience both inside and outside the museum by utilizing the museum’s most valuable resource, its honorees. From one-day Cowgirl 101 classes to multi-day adventures, Cowgirl University delivers the “real deal.”

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors and documents the lives of women who have distinguished themselves while exemplifying the pioneer spirit of the American West. Located at 1720 Gendy Street in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, the museum includes interactive exhibit galleries, three theaters, a retail store and a grand rotunda housing the Hall of Fame. The museum is open seven days a week – 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Adult admission is $8 and $7 for children ages 3 to 12 and seniors ages 60 and up. Please visit www.cowgirl.net or call 817/336-4475 or 800/476-FAME (3263) for more information.