Life Lessons from a Rodeo Cowgirl

Taking Life by the Horns – by Melissa Phillips and Cindy K Roberts

Melissa Phillips Achievements: 1994 World Champion Bull Rider, Melissa Phillips took life by the horns and rode her way to the top. Her titles include: 1985 Cowboys Regional Rodeo Association Best Dressed Cowgirl of the Finals. 1992 Reserve World Champion 1992 Rough Stock Rookie of the year 1993 Women’s Pro Bull Riding Champion 1994 Challenge of Champions—Invitational only 1994 Reserve World Champion Bull Rider 1995 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Nominee 1995 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Rough Stock Champion 1996 Producer of 5 Bud Light Cowgirl Classics held at the Allen Ranch  Bixby, Oklahoma dedicated to Domestic Violence Intervention Service 1996 Bud Light Cowgirl Classic Bull Riding Champion 1997 1st Woman Bull Rider on Super Bull Tour 1998 1st Woman Bull Rider World’s Toughest Tour 2006 1st Woman Bull Rider Longhorn Rodeo Tour Rough Stock High Mark Ride of 3 Finals

Sadly, her life came to a tragic end the very day this book was completed. Melissa Phillips has enriched the lives of many inside and outside of the rodeo arena. This is her story. 

 More than Conquerors March 4, 2016

I knew Melissa as a fellow competitor on the Professional Womens Rodeo Association roughstock riding circuit. I recall her being a talented and intense competitor but I did not know her very well outside of the arena. This book has given me insights into her life and has revealed some wonderful and painful parallels between our lives. One of the reasons I quit riding in the PWRA (after winning the Rookie title) is because I left the country due to an abusive situation. I had no idea that Melissa was going through that also (I remember her husband, Gary, at the rodeos). Last summer I was deployed to the OK emergency management office due to the state-wide historic flooding. I recall the number of deaths reported at the time. When I learned that Melissa had gone to be with the Lord due to floodwaters, I was stunned. But I know that all of heaven rejoiced when she made it there (she probably threw her pistols in the air!). Special thanks to Cindy K. Roberts for allowing us to get to know Melissa more intimately. I will now remember her for more than just being a tough bull rider and competitor but also remember her passion for rodeo and the vulnerabilities we shared and conquered.

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