Mules in the Hot Sun

So it’s hot outside and you really want to wear your cowboy boots with your new jeans or your new skirt or dress; although the mere thought of having all that leather on your legs in 90 degree weather causes you to instantly break out into a sweat.

There is an answer to having the boot look without all of the boot … Mules! And we aren’t talking about the four-legged kind.

These Mules Were Made for Walking

Mules, by definition, are backless and very often close-toed shoes. The open-toe version is called a slide. They are very popular among women and are believed to have gotten their start back in the 18th century. Mules gained popularity in the 1970’s as clogs, but re-emerged in the 1990’s and haven’t looked back.

Mules, Mules, Mules

Mules come in all sorts of colors and styles, they can be dressy or casual and they are extremely comfortable. In fact, Allens Boots has yellow mules, red mules, black mules, multi-color mules made by Charlie 1, Old Gringo, Frye and Ariat. You name it; we have it to go with all your summer styles.

Mule Rules

Now before you run off with your mules, there are a few things you should know about proper mule fit.

• You need to make sure that your heel fits on the back of the mule properly. Take care that your heel isn’t hanging over the edge, sitting right on the edge or not close enough to the edge. Just a little edge showing is perfect.
• Make sure you get up and walk around in the mules you are interested in buying. That way you know they stay on your feet and that they look right with your legs.
• If you are planning on wearing socks or hosiery with your mules, make sure you bring them with you when you try them on.

Cutting Horse Adds Spice to CEO Life

There was an article in Fortune Small Business Magazine today about a woman who is CEO by day and a Rodeo Queen by night. Yes, you are reading this correctly.

According to the article, Anita Lind Janssen spends her days as CEO of a company that handles asset management for large firms in the middle of transition. This is a job that requires conservative decisions and very little risk. Wanting to add a little spice to her life, Anita put on a hat, polished up her boots, and became a cowgirl.

It also appears that cutting runs in the Lind Janssen family. Ryan Lind, Anita’s son, placed in the top ten of the youth division at the National Cutting Horse Western National Finals this past weekend. I am sure that his mother couldn’t be more proud of her cowboy son.

Cutting Horse: What is it?

Cutting is a western riding style event where a horse and rider are judged strictly on their ability to separate a calf away from a herd of cattle for a certain period of time.

Cutting, which is becoming quite a popular equine sport these days, is special in that once the calf is separated from the herd, the cowboy or cowgirl loosens up on the reigns and the horse then takes over in keeping the calf separated. These horses are known as a cutting horse.

Cutting Horse Queen is One of Many

After reading about Anita, we did some poking around into the careers of the members of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. We found out that Anita isn’t the only corporate big wig that likes to compete with their horses for stress relief. We found an owner of a women’s western store, a President/owner of a drilling company, a ranch owner, a Chief of Staff of a state assembly, and a CEO of a golf construction company.

Who would have ever thought that participating in adrenaline pumping rodeo events could be so relaxing?

*Photo by Mike Murrow