Cowgirl Gathering: Amanda Loy’s vision for Australian horsewomen

Amanda Loy’s first word was horse and her dad won her first pony in a poker game, so it makes sense she’s built the new home of cowgirl culture.

Amanda Loy’s first word was horse.

Her father won her her first-ever horse at a poker game in the Brisbane suburbs.

And now, this self-confessed corporate cowgirl from Queensland has poured her energy into creating an iconic horse skills event in regional Australia, where the successes and achievements of women are celebrated as much as cowgirl culture.

Now in its third year, the Cowgirls Gathering event at the Kilkivan Showgrounds draws about 1000 people over three days, with more than $20,000 worth of prizes on offer for events across all horsing disciplines, along with classes, clinics and interactive demonstrations.

“I went off to see The Art of the Cowgirl (in the USA), and it was this most amazing event, celebrating women, and bringing women together in a really supportive environment,” Amanda said.

“I just kept saying ‘Australia needs this’. And I somehow convinced myself to do it.”

She said one of the driving principles behind the gathering was to strip away pretences and judgments that are often associated with high-level competitions and events.

“I don’t like using the word judgement, but there’s a feeling of ‘oh, you’re riding in that saddle’, or ‘you’re riding that horse’ … there’s no judgement here. You just come as you are. Bring the horse that you have,” Amanda said.

Self-confessed corporate cowgirl Amanda Loy established the Cowgirl Gathering after a trip to the United States. Picture: Supplied

“The feedback from the women has been nothing short of mind-blowing. People have said how we’ve inspired them to compete this year, and I can’t tell you what it means, people getting their confidence.”

As with many sports, female athletes are often under-represented in media and in the arena, and with competitive equestrian the sentiment is the same.

It’s what Amanda rails against in her effort to build the profile and confidence of female riders across the country.

“We hear of females winning something … and it’s a surprise. Then you think, hang on a second, there are a lot of great female riders out there,” Amanda said.

“Why aren’t we showcasing that? And to come together as women, who are carers, who spend so much of their time caring for others, it’s really nice to see them be able to fill their cup.”

When you ask Amanda to tell her story, she’ll mention all the women she has seen pass through the gates at the Cowgirls Gathering.

Cowgirl Gathering founder Amanda Loy has a passion for uniting women and horses in a supportive environment. Picture: Supplied

She mentions the small community of Kilkivan, which hosts the annual event, and the effect of such a gathering on the local economy.

Amanda notes the achievements and successes of everyone except herself.

Ask Amanda what her favourite memory is from previous gatherings, and she will get goosebumps thinking about the sentiment on the grounds when women gather at the festival for the first time and are greeted by welcomers on horseback.

“It comes back to this feeling that people are going to be OK. I’m with like-minded people … I’m not going to be judged.”