Born and raised in Las Vegas Pam Minick later went on to being inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in 2000. Her love for horses and rodeo all started when she was nine years old alongside her sister who was seven. At the time her parents didn’t know anything about horses, but indulged both Pam and her sister in them. Pam soon started competing in junior rodeos beginning her path to becoming a High School Rodeo Champion, and eventually moving on to the Amateur rodeo following with the Pro ranks. Over the course of her career she has accomplished many things including becoming Miss Rodeo America in 1973, being a rodeo commentator in over 1,000 shows and serving as the Vice President of the WPRA for more than a decade. Pam’s career being a commentator, and on the WPRA board helped bring many advances to the women’s rodeo, along with greatly increasing the interest in the sport for both men and women.
WesternWomen.com sat down with Pam to ask her a couple of questions.
How do you define your style?
“Bli
ng Cowgirl”
How did you first get involved with the Western Lifestyle?
I joined 4H after getting my horse as a youngster, began junior rodeos, high school rodeo champion, amateur rodeo then on to the pro ranks. Became Miss Rodeo America 1973 and was the first sideline television reporter.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Don’t be afraid to try it. If you can dream it, you can do it.
What do you count as your greatest achievement?
Gosh, every day I set new goals, so I can’t say any one is more important than the next. Overcoming each obstacle for a positive result is a daily great achievement. But I have been fortunate to receive some unexpected awards and honors (Cowgirl Hall of Fame. Western Horseman of the Year) These honors that you can never anticipate, so I think those may be my biggest achievements.
What is your favorite part about the Western Lifestyle?
Dressed up or dressed down, western apparel is acceptable anywhere, anytime
What advice or words of encouragement would you give to other Western Women?
Go for it. You never know until you try. I recently entered the AQHA world show, my first time to participate in a judged event (I have always roped and barrel raced in timed events) I won reserved champion in Select Ranch Riding – so trying new things is always fun.
What do you do to unwind? 
Head to the barn, saddle up!
Tell us something no one or few people know about you
Country star Marty Robinson sang at my 16th birthday party and presented my birthday cake! (Growing up in Las Vegas, it was not uncommon to be friends with celebrities.)