by Leigh Ann Matthews
Watching someone else have fun with horses really isn’t as enjoyable as participating. Back in 1968, a group of women who spent hours on the bleachers watching their men rope for fun came up with their own way to enjoy friends and horses. They started to meet regularly at the Roundup Club arena in Mustang, Oklahoma, put together some drill patterns and routines, and became known as the Canadian Valley Rangerettes. Their debut public performance was at Frontier City amusement park in Oklahoma City in August 1969.
The mission of the Rangerettes is simple: to promote the participation of women who enjoy horseback riding and to preserve the art of equestrian drill. The Rangerettes love every second of what they do, they love their horses, and their team spirit keeps them working hard together and being successful.
Building a Champion Team
Today, the Rangerettes are an eight-time national champion team in the United States Equestrian Drill Championship and are still going strong. Performing thrilling, high-paced equestrian routines at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, International Pro Rodeo Association, and open rodeos throughout Oklahoma and surrounding states, the Rangerettes are a popular specialty act in the rodeo world.
They also continue to compete in drill-team competitions and perform at parades and other events. With 57 years of continuous membership, they are believed to be the longest-running equestrian drill team in Oklahoma.
Among their highlights, the Rangerettes were honored to perform the past two years for the American Rodeo Qualifier in Chickasha. Their 2025 Oklahoma schedule includes the Guthrie ’89er Days Rodeo and Parade, the 95th Annual Elks Rodeo and Parade in Woodward, the Wynnewood 67th Annual Rodeo and Parade, and rodeos in Yukon, Kingfisher, El Reno, and Mustang. The team will also travel to Athens, Texas, in June for the Equestrian Drill Teams of Texas finals competition.
Working toward Perfection
Every year, the team, made up of ladies from all walks of life, begins practices on the first Sunday after the Super Bowl, then moves to Mondays in March and continues through mid-October. Practice is held at the Mustang Roundup Club arena, and some members therefore travel several miles for the weekly practice. The average number of participants is about 12, but the group has had as many as 16 members. The 2025 team consists of 13 members ranging in age from 17 to 66 years old.
The Rangerettes will wind down this season in their hometown of Mustang at the Western Days Rodeo and Parade. “Performing at the Western Days Rodeo is one event we all look forward to each year,” explained Rangerettes president Amy Graves of Sulphur. “This arena is where it all started. It’s where we put in the work, where we show our determination and perfect our skills every week from February to October. It’s where we push ourselves and our horses to give it everything we have to put on a stellar performance. This arena and this rodeo are a piece of each of us.”
Prioritizing Horsemanship
Open practices are held in the spring and fall to welcome those interested in participating. Not all are immediately accepted. As drillmaster Megan Dockrey of Mustang explained, “Excellent horsemanship is the priority for riders to ensure safety and quality performances. Horses must exhibit a willingness to work and perform the maneuvers with confidence and not be distracted or disturbed by the other horses, the fast pace, or the atmosphere in and out of the arena.”
Most of the horses are 10 to 15 years old, but some have been younger and a few have continued into their early twenties. Dockrey added, “We watch the older horses carefully, and when one begins to show a little stress from the pace, we encourage the owner to retire the horse and find a replacement.”
Team members provide their own transportation to and from practice and events, and Graves said, “Traveling with a team this size can be challenging. Since we’re not all from the same town, we usually meet at the event. Some who live close or on the way to an event team up in one rig to save money.”
Some of the tack, costumes, and equipment used for performances belongs to the club, but members are responsible for their own horses and a large part of their personal tack and other things needed. “Sponsorships are available, and donations are very much appreciated to help with the expenses necessary to make this work,” Graves explained. “It takes a lot to keep us going up and down the road. This is a huge commitment, so we have to make sure every horse and rider is up to it.”
The 2025 Canadian Valley Rangerettes are Amy Graves, Sulphur; Shyann Welke, Union City; Kelly Zoch, Goldsby; Chloe Kirkland, Norman; Elizabeth Rice, Newcastle; Kayden McCune, Blanchard; Ivet Robles, Oklahoma City; Jolee Jaggers, Tuttle; Megan Dockrey, Callie Langerman, DeLaine Langerman, Sienna Smithson, and Liberty Smith, all of Mustang.
