CAROLINE ARENDT

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COWGIRL 30 Under 30 Weekend Recap

This past weekend, I was honored and humbled to receive recognition in COWGIRL Magazine’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2022. Being recognized has been a goal of mine since COWGIRL started featuring women in western making waves in the industry.

Throughout the entire weekend, we all experienced some genuine Texas hospitality and got to gather, network and collaborate. It was a weekend beautifully executed with opportunities for connection and celebration scattered throughout.

I was in several rooms with women I’ve been following on social media and admiring for YEARS. Talk about intimidating. I was feeling major imposter syndrome. Thankfully I had a great support system with me. I owe a lot to their encouragement. Specifically, thank you Matt for always being up for my crazy ideas and for being my #1 fan, Thanks Mom and Dad for your unwavering support and for letting me stick with horses, and thanks Catherine for driving down from school and for being my personal photographer all weekend.

Weekend highlights include:

Friday

The gala was Friday in the Fort Worth Stockyards at the Hotel Drover — which if you haven’t been to yet — you need to. The scene, the decor and the hospitality were immaculate. While we didn’t stay there this weekend, we are looking for any excuse to in the near future. The room held past and present recipients, sponsors and supporters. The energy was INSANE.

Saturday

On Saturday morning we gathered again for a brunch and got to do some more shopping and networking at Cavender’s in the Stockyards.

While in cattle country, Matt and I decided to take a date night and try the famous Del Frisco’s steakhouse. Best filet I’ve ever had.

Sunday

The American Rodeo has long been on my Rodeo Bucket List — and when Matt and I got the chance to go this weekend while in Texas, we of course obliged. The icing on the cake for me was Tim McGraw and Faith Hill performing. Tim McGraw was my first favorite country artist and this was my first time seeing him! What was even better is that our seats were next to some of my fellow 2022 classmates and got to get to know my new friends AND enjoy the rodeo.

What I loved about this weekend was that no two women in my class or from previous classes were the same. Even if someone was in the exact same niche as someone else, every individual brought something unique to the table.

I’m happy to be and can’t wait to keep adding to this table.

I’d really like to thank the COWGIRL Magazine team for all their hard work coordinating and executing this fabulous weekend. I’d also like to thank the sponsors who believe in women and are ensuring the future of this industry and this honor.

COWGIRL Magazine

Wrangler

Montana Silversmiths

Durango Boots

Charlie 1 Horse

Cowboy Channel

Cavenders

Do you have questions or want to know anything else about this weekend or the COWGIRL 30 Under 30 program? Give me a shout! 🤠 Oh, and long live cowgirls.

Xx

Caroline