Awarded in 2023 

California

Jennifer Welch Nicholson, Executive Director of Riata Ranch International;“We are so pleased to have a location like Brandywood for Riata Ranch’s expansion into southern California. Together with Brandywood, we hope to cater to families looking for a unique bonding experience as well as supporting youth that need structure and real-world experiences to develop and mature.”

There’s a special place near the Sequoia National Park where people escape and young girls learn how to cowboy. It’s called Riata Ranch – and a piece of it is coming to the Hamel Rodeo on July 8-11!

Jennifer Welch Nicholson is the 2023 Tad Lucas Award recipient. “I’m proud that I was able to live my life in such a way that I was considered for this, award” said the 60-year-old trick roper, rider, and Executive Director of Riata Ranch. She will join recipients of this award, presented during the Rodeo Historical Society Hall of Fame Induction, November 10 – 11 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

SINCE THE PERFORMANCE TEAM'S FOUNDING IN 1976, THE RIATA RANCH COWBOY GIRLS HAVE PERFORMED IN 20 COUNTRIES, ON 5 DIFFERENT CONTINENTS, BUILDING THEIR REPUTATION AS WORLD CLASS PERFORMERS.  OVER THE YEARS, THEIR UNIQUE BRAND OF ENTERTAINMENT HAS TAKEN THEM FROM THE RODEO DIRT TO PROFESSIONAL SPORTING ARENA TURF.  FROM WINDSOR CASTLE IN ENGLAND WHERE THEY PERFORMED FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH FOR HER DIAMOND JUBILEE PAGEANT CELEBRATING HER 60 YEARS OF SERVICE, TO MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY WHERE THE RIATA TEAM APPEARED ON BEHALF OF OUR US EMBASSY TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL RODEO AND RANCHING LIFE.

Jennifer Welch Nicholson, who started at Riata ranch as a 9-year old and later navigated the organization through tumultuous times and to international renown, has been nomnominated for the Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award.