The history of cowgirls in the American West is not as well documented as that of men. While there are few official records of women on cattle drives, it is believed that women, especially wives and daughters of ranch owners, worked alongside men on ranches, performing tasks like riding horses. In the late 1800s, some women became famous Western performers, demonstrating skills like trick riding. By the early 1900s, women's riding outfits allowed them to ride astride more comfortably. The growth of rodeo events gave more women opportunities to compete against other women and men in stock events.

2.  History of the Cowgirl
 The history of the cowgirl in the west and women who worked on
cattle ranches in particular is not as well documented as that of
men. However, institutions such as National Museum and Hall of
Fame have made significant efforts in recent years to gather and
document the contributions of women. There are few records
mentioning girls or women working to drive cattle up the cattle
trails of the Old West. However women did considerable ranch
work, and in some cases (especially when the men went to war or
on long cattle drives) ran them. There is little doubt that women,
particularly the wives and daughters of men who owned small
ranches and could not afford to hire large numbers of outside
labourers, worked side by side with men and thus needed to ride
horses and be able to perform related tasks.

3.  It was not until the advent of Wild West Shows they came into
their own. These adult women were skilled performers,
demonstrating riding, expert marksmanship, and trick roping that
entertained audiences around the world. Women such as Annie
Oakley became household names. By 1900, skirts split for riding
astride became popular, and allowed women to compete with the
men without scandalizing Victorian Era audiences by wearing
men's clothing. In the movie's that followed from the early 20th
century on, they expanded their roles in the popular culture and
movie designers developed attractive clothing suitable for
riding Western saddles.
 The growth of rodeo brought about the rodeo girl. In the early
Wild West shows and rodeos, women competed in all events,
sometimes against other women, sometimes with the men.
Women such as Fannie Sperry Steele rode the same "rough stock"
and took the same risks as the men (and all while wearing a
heavy split skirt that was more encumbering than men's trousers)
and competed at major rodeos such as the Calgary Stampede.

4. • Slopped back
• Short hocks
• Love to run fast
• Follows riders cues
• Wide back end