Cowgirls’ spurs were flashy and complex—just like the cowgirls
Museum exhibit and new podcast highlight resilience and independence of early female entertainers and athletes
Recently, I was interviewed by Trudi Howley for her podcast Inscape Quest. We had a great time talking about Wild West shows and cowgirls, in particular Goldie Griffith.
This is how Trudi described the show: “Meet Goldie, a true entertainer and pioneer amongst her peers, who defied norms and forged her path in the rugged environment of Wild West shows. Discover the grit, courage, and extraordinary adventures of a woman who went from performing across the country to owning businesses in Nederland, Colorado. This episode uncovers not only Goldie's fascinating stories but also her indomitable spirit as she shaped her destiny in an extraordinary era of entertainment. Tune in for an inspiring exploration of history, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of independence.” (Find Trudi’s podcasts on Apple or Spotify.)
That same resilience and relentless pursuit of independence are showcased in a new exhibit at the Center for Colorado Women’s History in Denver. The exhibition, Ms. Destiny, highlights the stories of seven unique and resilient Colorado women who took fate into their hands, overcame barriers, and defined their realities.
Goldie’s spurs, and several of her other possessions, are included in the exhibit.
The history of cowgirl spurs is fascinating.
Spurs were not only vital for a cowgirl’s link to her horse, they were another way she could express her uniqueness.
Spurs are used to communicate with and guide horses, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Early spurs were simple and functional. They had a single rowel (the rotating disc on the end of the spur) and a straight or slightly curved shank (the stem of the spur). Later, more decorative and complex spurs became popular, with multiple rowels, intricate engravings, and other embellishments.
Most commercial spur manufacturers produced spurs for women in standard patterns but on a smaller scale. They were designed to fit the narrow heel of a woman’s boot and were typically petite and ornate.
Some of the designs loved by cowgirls included hearts, domed and engraved accents that used both brass and silver for contrast, petal style rowels, and ‘snowflake’ rowels.
Cowgirls in California wore spurs that were inspired by classic Mexican designs. They were extremely ornate with intricate silver inlays.
According to a texansaddles.com blog, here are a few of the most common types of spurs:
Rowel spurs: These spurs have a single rowel at the end of the shank and are the most basic type of western spur. They are often used by beginners and are great for basic communication with the horse.
Shank spurs: Shank spurs have a longer, curved shank that extends further down the rider's boot. They are often used to provide more leverage and are popular with roping and cutting riders. (In cutting competitions, horse and rider move quietly into a herd of cattle, cut one cow from the herd, drive it to the center of the arena and "hold" it away from the herd.)
Spur straps: Spur straps are used to attach the spurs to the rider's boots and come in a variety of styles and materials. Some have a simple buckle, while others have more decorative elements.
Cowboy/Cowgirl Lingo of the Day:
Jinglebobs: Jinglebobs are small bells that hang from the shank of the spur. They were originally used to alert cattle to the presence of the rider, but are now more commonly used for decorative purposes.
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RESOURCES
The Center for Colorado Women's History
The Center for Colorado Women’s History is the first state museum focused on the past, present and future achievements of Colorado women.
Center for Colorado Women's History
1310 Bannock Street, Denver, CO, 80204
303-620-4933
You can read more about Goldie Griffith in my book, The Last of the Wild West Cowgirls.
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Congrats on the interview.