AMBER WEST - SOUTH DAKOTA
OUR COWGIRL AMBASSADOR
for
CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK
american cowgirl #25
AMBER WEST - SOUTH DAKOTA
the painting
Photo image selected for the painting
The Painting - December 29, 2021
“ AMERICAN COWGIRL #25 - AMBER WEST - SOUTH DAKOTA”
PHOTOSHOOT DATES
LOCATIONS
OCTOBER 16, 17, 18, 2021
WEST ranch, new underwood, SOUTH DAKOTA
The actual image which was my inspiration for AMBER’S painting was taken at the West Ranch on Day 3 of the photoshoots
aMBER wEST was on-boarded into the line-up as American Cowgirl #25 on SEPTEMBER 30th, 2021
why I believe
My daughter Jaycie was kicked in the head by a horse when she was just five years old. Since the Children’s Miracle Network provides
specialized equipment to hospitals, we were able to receive the highest level of treatment for Jaycie at the Rapid City Hospital less than
an hours drive from our ranch compared to the several hundred if we had to cross state lines. I cannot say enough about the love and
care that Jaycie received to get her through brain surgery and reconstruction, and on the road back to regaining her health to lead a
normal life. After all of this, Jaycie was chosen by the Children’s Miracle Network the following year as the Miracle Kid of the Year. This
was a wonderful experience as we were gifted a trip to Disney World and also to Washington, DC where we met President Obama. The
Children’s Miracle Network is very dear to our hearts for all they do in raising funds to help children.
our american cowgirls
the hearts of the changemakers
DECOR ART
AMERICAN COWGIRLS - western sTARS
halls of honor- coming in 2022
CALL FOR AMERICAN COWGIRL ARTISANS - COMING SOON
photo & canvas IMAGES of
american cowgirl #25
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american cowgirl #25
amber west
AMBER AND HER FAVORITE HORSE - SCOOBY
Amber was born in the northern panhandle town of Perryton, Texas. Her parents were
originally from Colorado, and when Amber was very young, the family moved back to Colorado
where she spent most of her early years growing up. While in high school, Amber lived with her
grandparents, and her mastery of skills in horsemanship came through training from her
grandmother Ardith Bruce, who was an acclaimed barrel horse trainer and the WPRA World
Champion barrel racer in 1964 . Amber traveled with her grandmother across the country as
she put on barrel racing clinics and obtained all of the skills that her grandmother shared.
Amber’s aspirations landed her a career with a noted cutting horse trainer where she took on
the role as a loper. Amber was travelling once again and earning the high end of the quarter
horse cutting business. She spent two years here before realizing how much she missed the
thrill of barrel racing. She also devoted two years to studies at Idaho State University majoring
in Biology. After returning to Colorado, she met her husband Zach, who was from South Dakota.
The two of them married and took up homesteading in South Dakota and started their family.
Amber and Zach have two children, Jaycie and Easton, and they live just outside of Hereford,
which is about 50 miles due east of Sturgis. They raise their cow/calf operation on 15,000 acres
of land that is crossed by the Belle Fourche River and is renowned in its deep history once called
the Mooney Ranch. Their two children continue to support the family operations after school
and on weekends. Amber continues to train and raise barrel horses on the ranch.
Amber has served on the WPRA Board of the Directors for the Black Hills region, coordinating
rodeo events, safety conditions, and awards. Her advanced skills as a ranching Cowgirl is
exemplified by her organizational abilities, roping, branding, understanding and reading both
cattle and horses. She prides herself in training her horses as multi-function in both barrel
horses and ranch duties.
Amber has devoted countless hours in ensuring that her children continue the legacy of the
Western way of life.
