Honoring  Black Cowboys and Cowgirls Past & Present

Known as one of the greatest cowboys of all time, Bill Pickett was a Texas legend who changed rodeo forever. Born in 1870 to formerly enslaved parents, Pickett invented “bulldogging” — the daring rodeo sport we now call steer wrestling — after watching how bulldogs controlled cattle by biting their lips. His fearless skill and showmanship took him around the world, performing in wild west shows and proving that Black cowboys were at the very heart of American history.

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At Legacy Acres Ranch, we honor Bill Pickett’s courage, creativity, and trailblazing spirit — a reminder that true legacy is built through hard work, faith, and the will to ride your own path.

A legend of the open range, Nat Love was born into slavery in 1854 and rose to become one of the most famous Black cowboys of the Old West. Skilled in roping, riding, and sharpshooting, he won top honors at a Deadwood, South Dakota rodeo — earning the nickname “Deadwood Dick.” His story embodies freedom, determination, and the adventure of the American frontier.

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At Legacy Acres Ranch, we honor Nat Love as a symbol of courage and self-made success — a cowboy who rode for freedom and carved his name into history.

Meet Mary Fields, better known as Stagecoach Mary — the first Black woman to carry U.S. mail and one of the toughest riders in the West. Born into slavery around 1832, she forged her own path with grit and faith, delivering mail through snow, storms, and danger with a six-shooter on her hip and a cigar in hand. Her courage broke barriers and redefined what strength looked like on the frontier.

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At Legacy Acres Ranch, we carry Stagecoach Mary’s spirit in every ride — fearless, faithful, and free.

Born in 1935 in Texas, Myrtis Dightman broke barriers in one of the toughest arenas in the sport — bull riding. In 1964, he became the first Black cowboy to compete at the National Finals Rodeo, paving the way for generations to come. Known for his quiet strength and unmatched courage, Myrtis faced discrimination with grace and grit, proving that skill and heart know no color.

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At Legacy Acres Ranch, we honor Dightman as a living bridge between past and present — a man whose determination carried the spirit of the Black cowboy into the modern rodeo era.

A true pioneer of modern rodeo, Cleo Hearn began his career in the 1960s and made history as the first African American cowboy to win a calf-roping event at a major rodeo. A U.S. Army veteran and Marlboro spokesperson, Hearn used his platform to uplift others and tell the story of the Black cowboy. In 1971, he founded the Cowboys of Color Rodeo, creating opportunities for riders of all backgrounds to compete and celebrate shared heritage.
 

At Legacy Acres Ranch, we honor Cleo Hearn’s lifelong dedication to keeping the Black cowboy’s spirit alive — through education, empowerment, and excellence.

Verna Lee “Boots” Booker Hightower (June 26, 1930 – August 27, 1970) was a trailblazing Black female rodeo competitor and activist from Texas. She was the first Black woman accepted into the Girl’s Rodeo Association and competed in barrel racing at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

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Raised on a fruit farm in Spring, Texas, Verna earned the nickname “Boots” early on and developed her love for horses in that rural setting. Over time, she combined her equestrian skills and civic commitment, advocating for greater inclusion in the rodeo world.

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At Legacy Acres Ranch, we honor her courage — the strength it took to break into male-dominated arenas and to do so while carrying her community’s hopes and heritage.

Patricia E. Kelly is a modern-era cowgirl and equestrian leader with deep roots in community uplift. She founded Ebony Horsewomen, Inc. in Hartford, Connecticut, originally aiming to support Black women riders and later expanding to include youth programming.

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Kelly is a certified equestrian instructor and equine therapist; under her guidance, Ebony Horsewomen offers riding instruction, equine-assisted growth, and life-skills training for children, especially in underserved areas.

 

Though her primary work is in the Northeast, her legacy speaks to the power of horses, healing, and heritage — reminding us that the cowboy/cowgirl spirit transcends geography and thrives in community care.

Charlie Sampson is one of the most celebrated Black rodeo champions of the late 20th century. He became the first African-American to win a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) world title (steer roping) in 1982. 

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Sampson’s victories and visibility opened doors within mainstream rodeo circuits for riders of color, inspiring others to imagine themselves in those arenas.

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At Legacy Acres Ranch, Charlie Sampson’s story reminds us that legacy isn’t just about tradition — it’s about pushing boundaries, making space, and riding forward.

Few families have done more to preserve the story of the Black Cowboy than Mollie Taylor Stevenson, Sr. and her daughter, Mollie Taylor Stevenson, Jr. Together, these Houston-area ranchers and educators became national voices for heritage, history, and community.

 

In the 1980s, they founded the American Cowboy Museum on their family’s historic Taylor-Stevenson Ranch — one of the oldest African American-owned ranches in Texas — to share the untold stories of Black cowboys, cowgirls, and pioneers. Through exhibits, school programs, and hands-on experiences, they opened their gates to thousands of children and visitors, ensuring that the history of Black contributions to the West would never fade.

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Both women were later inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, becoming the first African American mother and daughter to receive that honor.

 

Their faith, hospitality, and devotion to education continue to inspire ranches like Legacy Acres Ranch, where heritage still rides strong.

Born and raised in Texas, Blue Mitchell has become one of the most respected Black cowboys on today’s rodeo circuit. Known for his skill in bareback and saddle bronc riding, Blue has competed at some of the nation’s top events — including the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, where he’s earned multiple titles and helped bring Black rodeo culture to the national stage.

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Beyond the arena, Blue is celebrated for his humility, mentorship, and passion for educating young riders about the history of Black cowboys and the importance of keeping that legacy alive. He often reminds others that being a cowboy isn’t just about the ride — it’s about faith, respect, and honoring those who came before.

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At Legacy Acres Ranch, we honor Blue Mitchell as a living example of the spirit that built the West — strong, steady, and deeply rooted in purpose.

Even as a child, Kortnee Solomon has competed fearlessly on the rodeo circuit. She’s a fourth-generation Texas cowgirl, who first appeared in competition when she was just 5 years old and has gone on to win multiple championships in barrel racing and roping events.

She made history when she competed at the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo — one of the major Black rodeo circuits.

Kortnee is a strong example of legacy in action — carrying forward family tradition while creating new paths for young riders of color.

Kanesha Jackson is part of a new wave of fearless cowgirls redefining what it means to ride with pride. A champion barrel racer and regular competitor on the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo circuit, Kanesha has earned recognition for her speed, precision, and unshakable determination in the arena.
 

Born and raised in Texas, she carries forward the legacy of the Black cowgirls who came before her — women like Stagecoach Mary and Flossie Mae Bailey — proving that grace, grit, and God-given talent still shape the modern rodeo world. Off the horse, she serves as mother to Kortnee Solomon, and as mentor and inspiration to young riders, showing that faith and hard work can turn dreams into destiny.
 

At Legacy Acres Ranch, we honor Kanesha Jackson as a living symbol of the strength, heritage, and heart that keep the cowboy tradition alive today.