National Day of the Cowboy
Cowboy Keeper Award™
The Board of Directors of the National Day of the Cowboy organization bestows its annual Cowboy Keeper Award on organizations and individuals whom it determines have made a substantial contribution to the preservation of pioneer heritage, as well as to those whose efforts support the continued growth and preservation of Cowboy culture.
Although artwork for the award is contributed by a different painter each year, the Cowboy Keeper Award itself was originally conceived in memory and in honor of cowgirl and artist, the late Joelle Smith.
To nominate an individual or an organization for the Cowboy Keeper Award, send a letter or email explaining in detail why you feel the person or group should receive the award. Two additional letters or emails supporting your nomination must also be provided. Nominations must be received no later than March 31 each year.
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2006 Cowboy Keeper Award Recipients
Rancher Mrs. Dorothy Wood, Arizona
U.S. Senator Craig Thomas, Wyoming
Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo Committee, Wyoming
The Old Cowtown Museum, Kansas
The Golden Boot Organization, California
Naomi Offner contributed this watercolor for the 2006 Cowboy Keeper Award.
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2008 Cowboy Keeper Award Recipients
Michael Martin Murphey,Texas
U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona
Reason to Persevere
Jennifer M. Ward contributed the artwork for the 2008 Cowboy Keeper Award,
“Reason to Persevere.”
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2009 Cowboy Keeper Award Recipients
Dakota Livesay, Arizona
Margo Metegrano, California
Texas Trail of Fame Organization, Texas
She's a Hand
Sally Smith contributed the artwork of her late daughter, artist Joelle Smith,
“She’s a Hand,” for the 2009 Cowboy Keeper Award.
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2010 Cowboy Keeper Award Recipients
Don and Sharon Endsley, Missouri
Doc Stovall, Georgia
The Desert Cowboys, (Head Wrangler – SFC Russell Anderson, Jared Clark, Dustin Hash, Brandon Hawkins, Don Harbison, Rowan Dunnaway, Matthew Coppock),
in service to America
Kathleen Collins, Western Jubilee Recording Company, Colorado
Scott O’Malley, Western Jubilee Recording Company, Colorado
The Grant Harris Family, New Jersey
Simple Things
Jim Clements contributed his artwork, “Simple Things,”
for the 2010 Cowboy Keeper Award.
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2011 Cowboy Keeper Award Recipients
Bertha Kaepernik Blancett, California
Cleo Hearn & Cowboys of Color Rodeo, Texas
Riders in the Sky, Tennessee
Tom Bishop Sr., Canada
Dubois Main Street National Day of the Cowboy, Wyoming
National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Nevada
Pete Clemons, Florida
Westernaires, Colorado
Calgary Red
“Calgary Red” by Till Goodan, was contributed by his daughter, Betty Goodan Andrews,
as the image for the 2011 Cowboy Keeper Award.
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The 2012 Cowboy Keeper Award Recipients are:
Chris LeDoux, Wyoming
J. R. Sanders, California
Cowgirls Historical Foundation, Arizona
Susan Thomas, Wyoming
The Will James Society, Nevada
Morning Lessons by Phil Beck
Art selected for the 2012 Cowboy Keeper Award is “Morning Lessons”
by renowned Arizona westen artist, Phil Beck.