The South Dakota Cowgirl

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32 Years

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My trip to Texas was altogether overwhelming and fun.

I’m frankly worn out and I’ve been home for three days now. There’s laundry piled high in the hallway, I have two photography projects to work on (one of which you cannot see until after the wedding because they’re bridal portraits, but trust me- WORTH. THE. WAIT!) now that I’m back, and the madness doesn’t end there! I have a Senior Photo Shoot on Saturday.

But first- if you don’t follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, you wouldn’t know that while I was home this time, I decided it was time to say goodbye to my friend for the last 18 years, my horse, Zero.

He was born on the historic WT Waggoner Ranch in Texas, in July of 1981. He spent several years on the ranch, until he was sold to a team roper who heeled on him. She ended up with a shoulder injury and was unable to rope for a while, and I was fortunate enough to buy him. He was the first horse we’d ever bought that cost more than a few hundred dollars. We gave $5,000 for him in 1994. I’m pretty sure Daddy knew it was gonna hurt to write that check, and if you don’t have a family that’s into rodeoing and you’re the only one, that is a lot to spend. I wouldn’t think that now – of course! For a horse like him you’d expect to spend 20k or more these days. He could clock with the pros on a standard barrel racing pattern, you could heel on him and he was much sought after to rope on by the boys; he was always hard across the line in the breakaway and ribbon roping and if you weren’t ready for the stop, you’d end up in the dirt because when he stopped, he stopped. I’ve yet to ride another horse that could stop as hard as he could. And in the goat tying they didn’t get more honest or fun to ride. He was 14 when I purchased him, had no arthritis and was “healthy as a horse”! Pun intended. I didn’t keep track of the miles we logged, but at 75 rodeos a year for several years, it was plenty.

I’ve ridden a bunch of cowy horses in my day, but he was dang near one of the cowiest I’ve been on. He would even “cow” the barrels. I really wish I had more photos of him from the rodeo trail, but when I was in college I was a poor kid, and of course when you’re the only person in your family that rodeos there’s only so much money to go around when there are siblings doing different activites.

He wasn’t sick, though he was getting thinner as he didn’t have a whole lot of teeth left. He just looked… tired. And as much as I tried to ignore that nagging feeling I had when I first arrived home and saw him, I couldn’t. Then one day, I watched as he took a sunbath standing up and as he relaxed and slept he almost fell down. Which had me thinking- I bet he can’t lay down anymore. How terrible would that be to be unable to lay down? He was never one to just give up, so I decided I’d help him along and save him from a fight he couldn’t win. Heaven got a good horse this week and I hope that God takes advantage and throws a leg over him, because He won’t be disappointed.

Rest in Peace, Friend.

About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.

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Comments

  1. Gina says

    Ok, you’ve got me balling. I so can relate to you and your horse! We had to put 2 down this year and its the hardest thing to do, even when you know it’s time.

    Reply

  4. Nancy says

    Wow Jenn, what a beautiful tribute to Zero! It brought big tears to my eyes.
    He is enjoying the beautiful green grass in heaven now.

    Reply

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