Girl of the West
Caitlin Kern

Caitlin Kern, the 2012 Girl of the West for the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, is the daughter of Bernie Kern and Tamara Swindler of Widefield, Colorado. Caitlin was employed by the ProRodeo Hall of Fame for five years and held the position of Special Events Coordinator. She is currently employed by The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association located in downtown Colorado Springs. Caitlin attended Pikes Peak Community College and plans to transfer to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs to pursue a degree in Communications. In the future, Caitlin aspires to continue her work in the non-profit industry.

Caitlin’s love for horses and the western heritage flourished at a very early age. At five years old she became a member of the Widefield Riders, where she participated in horse shows, trail rides, and gymkhana events. At 12 years of age, her passion for the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo began when she became a member of the Pikes Peak Rangerettes. In her eight years of membership with the organization, Caitlin dreamt to someday follow the footsteps of previous Girls of the West. Wanting to continue her support of the western heritage, Caitlin competed for and earned the title 2008 El Paso County Fair Queen. As the 2012 Girl of the West, she looks forward to promoting the sport of professional rodeo and educating the community about the western way of life. She wants others to discover the rich legacy of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.

Caitlin rides a bay, cropout paint, Quarter Horse named Jake.

Aide to the Girl of the West
Amanda Summers

Amanda Summers, the 2012 Aide to Girl of the West, is the daughter of Brian and Suzanne Summers of Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is a graduate of the Classical Academy High School and is currently a junior at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, where she is a pre-veterinary student, majoring in Equine and Animal Sciences and minoring in Business and Biomedical Sciences. She is also employed by the College of Agriculture at the University and also Chili’s Bar and Grill in Loveland. Amanda plans on attending veterinary school, specializing in large animals in the years to come.

Amanda is a Colorado native and discovered her passion for rodeo at her first Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo when she was five years old. Starting at age eight, she followed her love by serving as royalty both for Widefield Riders and Kit Carson Riding Club for a total of eight years. She also was very active in 4-H for eleven years and she was chosen to represent the program as the 2011 El Paso County Fair Queen. She began her involvement with the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo four years ago as a member of the Pikes Peak Rangerettes, and she is enthusiastic about furthering her involvement with the Rodeo. Amanda looks forward to promoting the sport, sharing her passion for western heritage, and encouraging others to be a part of the historical Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.

Amanda rides a palomino Paint named Montego.

GOTW images above ® 2012 The Family Studio

Download Aide to Girl of the West Application Here

Our Schedule

• May 14 | 9:30 a.m. Meeting at Northwestern Mutual and Sponsor Photo
• May 16 | 8:00 a.m. Cowboy Up Assembly at Colorado Springs Christian School
• May 16 | 9:30 a.m. CSM Empowerment Meeting at Fort Carson
• May 16 | 12:30 p.m. Cowboy Up Assembly at Abram Elementary School on Fort Carson
• May 17 | 8:30 a.m. Cowboy Up Assembly at Audubon Elementary School
• May 17 | 10:15 a.m. Cowboy Up Assembly at Edison Elementary School
• May 17 | 1:15 p.m. Cowboy Up Assembly at Jordahl Elementary School
• May 18 | 9:00 a.m. Grenade Range (Range 35A) on Fort Carson
• May 18 | 12:30 p.m. Cowboy Up Assembly at Patriot Elementary School on Fort Carson
• May 22 | 8:30 a.m. HWMMV Egress Assistance Trainer (Rollover) on Fort Carson
• May 22 | 10:00 a.m. Tank Ride on Fort Carson
• May 23 | 9:30 a.m. CSM Empowerment Meeting on Fort Carson
• May 23 | 11:00 a.m. M16 Range (49A, 49C) on Fort Carson
• May 23 | 1:00 p.m. Combative in Bldg. 2161 on Fort Carson
• May 24 | 10:00 a.m. Mountain Post Warrior Memorial Ceremony at Fort Carson
• May 24 | 11:30 a.m. Warrior Memorial Dedication Reception at Fort Carson
• May 24 | 1:00 p.m. Colorado Springs Business Expo at Freedom Financial Expo Center
• May 28 | 10:00 a.m. Territory Days in Old Colorado City
• May 29 | 9:00 a.m. Convoy Skills Trainer in CST Bldg. 2419 on Fort Carson
• May 29 | 3:00 p.m. Newcomers Brief at The Hub on Fort Carson
• May 31 | 8:30 a.m. Combat Life Savers Training in Bldg. 8932 on Fort Carson
• May 31 | 1:30 p.m. Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard Riding Test at Turkey Creek
• June 1 | 11:00 a.m. Elizabeth Stampede Royalty Luncheon
• June 1 | 6:00 p.m. Professional Bulls at Elizabeth Rodeo
• June 2 | 10:00 a.m. Elizabeth Stampede Parade
• June 2 | 1:00 p.m. Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo
• June 2 | 6:00 p.m. Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo
• June 4 | 9:30 a.m. Speech to Battalion on Fort Carson
• June 4 | 3:00 p.m. Newcomers Brief at The Hub on Fort Carson
• June 4 | 6:30 p.m. Monument City Council Meeting
• June 5 | 11:00 a.m. AAFES Post Exchange and Food Court on Fort Carson
• June 5 | 7:00 p.m. Manitou Springs City Council Meeting
• June 7 | 5:30 p.m. Cowgirls & Cocktails Party at NPEC
• June 8 | 9:30 a.m. Train Ride at Bldg. 238 on Fort Carson
• June 8 | 11:00 am. USO Concert on Fort Carson
• June 8 | 8:00 p.m. Falcon/Peyton Relay for Life Event
• June 9 | 10:00 a.m. Rocky Mountain PBS Kids Fun Fest in Acacia Park
• June 11 | 9:30 a.m. Speech to Battalion on Fort Carson
• June 11 | 3:00 p.m. Newcomers Brief at The Hub on Fort Carson
• June 12 | 9:00 a.m. El Paso County Commissioners Meeting
• June 12 | 11:00 a.m. AAFES Post Exchange and Food Court on Fort Carson
• June 12 | 6:00 p.m. Fountain City Council Meeting
• June 14 | 11:00 a.m. Street Breakfast Token Presentation at Pioneers Museum
• June 14 | 4:00 p.m. Blu Sky Restoration Contractors/BBQ Event
• June 15 | 12:00 p.m. Volunteer Orientation at NPEC
• June 15 | 5:30 p.m. Volunteer Orientation at NPEC
• June 16 | 9:00 a.m. Springs Spree in Memorial Park
• June 17 | 9:00 a.m. Springs Spree in Memorial Park
• June 18 | 3:00 p.m. Newcomers Brief at The Hub on Fort Carson
• June 20 | 5:15 a.m. Street Breakfast in Downtown Colorado Springs
• June 22 | 6:00 a.m. Flyover Range Riders Camp
• June 22 | 11:00 a.m. USO Concert on Fort Carson
• June 23 | 11:30 a.m. Cripple Creek Donkey Derby Days Parade
• June 24 | 5:30 p.m. Range Riders After-Ride Dinner
• June 25 | 12:00 p.m. East Side Rotary Luncheon
• June 25 | 3:00 p.m. Newcomers Brief at The Hub on Fort Carson
• June 27 | 12:00 p.m. Kiwanis Club of Colorado Springs Luncheon
  June 29 | 12:00 p.m. Longhorn Cattle Drive in Downtown Colorado Springs
• June 30 | 6:00 p.m. Ride for the Brand Championship Ranch Rodeo at NPEC
• July 3 | 3:00 p.m. Newcomers Brief at The Hub on Fort Carson
• July 3 | 4:00 p.m. Fort Carson Fourth of July Celebration
• July 4 | 9:00 a.m. Fourth of July Parade in Monument
• July 4 | 11:00 a.m. Monument Street Festival
• July 5 | 11:30 a.m. Military Officers Association of America Luncheon
• July 6 | 5:30 p.m. Fan Fest in Downtown Colorado Springs
• July 7 | 7:30 a.m. Special Rodeo at ProRodeo Hall of Fame Gardens
• July 7 |  8:30 a.m. Kiddie Dress Up Review
• July 8 | 8:00 a.m. Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
• July 8 | 7:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony Rehearsal at NPEC
• July 9 | 7:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony Rehearsal at NPEC
• July 10 | 3:00 p.m. Newcomers Brief at The Hub on Fort Carson
• July 10 | 6:00 p.m. Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Parade
• July 11 | 5:30 p.m. Pre-Production Meeting in Sirloin Room
• July 11 | 6:00 p.m. VIP Room at NPEC
• July 11 | 7:15 p.m. First Performance of PPOB Rodeo
• July 11 | 9:15 p.m. Sign Autographs
• July 12 | 8:45 a.m. Pikes Peak Cog Railroad Trip with State Queens
• July 12 | 5:30 p.m. Pre-Production Meeting in Sirloin Room
• July 12 | 6:00 p.m. VIP Room at NPEC
• July 12 | 7:15 p.m. Second Performance of PPOB Rodeo
• July 12 | 9:15 p.m. Sign Autographs
• July 13 | 8:00 a.m. 2012 Aide Competition at NPEC
• July 13 | 11:30 a.m. Past GOTW Luncheon & Aide Speeches at NPEC
• July 13 | 5:30 p.m. Pre-Production Meeting in Sirloin Room
• July 13 | 6:00 p.m. VIP Room at NPEC
• July 13 | 7:15 p.m. Third Performance of PPOB Rodeo
• July 13 | 9:15 p.m. Sign Autographs
• July 14 | 11:00 a.m. Pre-Production Meeting in Sirloin Room
• July 14 | 11:30 a.m. VIP Room at NPEC
• July 14 | 12:45 p.m. Fourth Performance of PPOB Rodeo
• July 14 | 2:45 p.m. Sign Autographs
• July 14 | 4:30 p.m. Chili Cook-Off
• July 14 | 5:30 p.m. Pre-Production Meeting in Sirloin Room
• July 14 | 6:00 p.m. VIP Room in VIP Room
• July 14 | 7:00 p.m. Fifth Performance of PPOB Rodeo
• July 14 | 9:15 p.m. Sign Autographs
• July 14 | 10:15 p.m. Celebrate in Coors Roadhouse Saloon

Find out more.