“Hello and welcome, my name is Jessi Payne and I am 17 years old. I started trick riding a year ago with the help of a friend, Rosalyn Beaton. My passion for horses has led me into the rodeo world of barrel racing and trick riding. With the encouragement of family and friends, I have been able to reach for the stars and purse my dreams.”
Jessi’s voice over, which was part of the commencement that played as each individual rider made her introductory lap at the start of each of the Red Rodeo Cowboy Girls performances.
Jessi was suddenly taken from us last October. Jessi was attending Olds College in the Land Administration Program, she was an avid rider and a young horsewoman. Jessi will be fondly and often remembered for her determination, tenacity, her gentleness and care with young children and fellow riders. Jessi began riding with the Red Rodeo Cowboy Girls in July 2004 and quickly became a strong voice in the troupe as she was not one to mince words. That September Jessi performed with the troupe at the Okotoks Pro Rodeo. Jessi was a girl who went for her dreams and the more she was told that she couldn’t do something, the harder she worked to prove them wrong, we can all learn from this. In 2005 the Red Rodeo Cowboy Girls participated in the Calgary Stampede Parade, performed at the Calgary Stampede, Spruce Meadows, Heritage Park and the Okotoks Pro Rodeo, when Jessi was side lined from performing due to injuries, she could be found in the ring, lending a helping hand to fellow troupe members. Jessie touched a number of lives in countless ways. We have been fortunate to have been able to share in this time with her, there isn’t a day that passes that she is not in our thoughts…
A pink ribbon hosting a rhinestone was created in memory of Jessi – pink was her favorite color and she loved glitz (it was Rosalyn’s idea to add the rhinestone). The Red Rodeo Cowboy Girls made over 650 pink ribbons which were handed out in memory of Jessi at her memorial service. Since then, there was a High School Rodeo Scholarship Fund that has been started in her name, the troupe made another 350 which were sold at raised over $2,600.00 to date.
