Have you ever heard the saying, “In another life, I would’ve been a…”?
It’s usually meant as a thought-provoking idea — a glimpse into who you might have been if circumstances were different. For me, that sentence often ends with cowgirl.
Which is funny, considering the number of times I’ve ridden a horse in my life could be counted on one hand. Not all cowgirls ride horses, I suppose — but traditionally, the two go hand in hand.
Lately, though, I’ve found myself drawn to all things western. And when I stop to think about it, maybe it’s not such a stretch after all. I grew up in a small town, in a big family, listening to 90’s country.
As many of you know, I took up line dancing a couple of months ago — a commonly western pastime. What sparked it? A love for country music and, admittedly, very little dance experience. With the help of YouTube and a bit of courage, I taught myself a few dances, and before I knew it, I was sharing them with others. Turns out, you don’t need to be an expert to get people moving — you just need to create a space where everyone feels welcome to try.
More recently, I’ve also been helping organize a new community event — Spurs & Skis, a skijoring event coming to Golden this February.
For those unfamiliar, skijoring is a winter sport that pairs a horse and rider with a skier or snowboarder, navigating a snow-packed course designed for speed, skill, and sometimes a few tricks along the way. Bringing skijoring to Golden has been talked about for years, and this winter, it’s finally becoming a reality.
When pitching the event to a local organization last week, I was asked a very reasonable question: “Do you have a horse?”
It makes sense. I don’t come from a western background. I’m not a rider. I’m not a competitor. So why would I be involved in something like this?
And that’s where I circle back to the beginning.
I may not have a horse. I wasn’t raised on a farm. But I believe that, in another life, I could have been.
It’s not just about cowboy boots or western aesthetics — though I do enjoy those too. I think the reason western and homesteading lifestyles are having a moment right now is that they represent something many of us are craving: a simpler way of life. One that values connection, community, and moments of being fully present.
That way of life is not without its challenges — far from it — but it offers something increasingly rare in today’s world: opportunities to disconnect, to slow down, and to build something together.
So no, I don’t have a horse. But I do believe in the spirit behind it — and sometimes, believing in something is the first step toward making it real.
