Meet the Woman Revitalizing the World’s Only Touring Black Rodeo
Valeria Howard-Cunningham took over the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo 10 years ago. Now, its cowboys can be found walking down Louis Vuitton runways.
Valeria Howard-Cunningham, president and owner of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, in Fort Worth’s Cowtown Coliseum on Feb. 17.
Photographer: Gabriela Hasbun for Bloomberg Pursuits
Skylar Brandon was only 18 months old when she first laid eyes on her “bestie,” Charlene. She’d gone to a rodeo in Oakland, California, with her grandmother, says Skylar’s mom, Shannon Williams-Brandon. “Apparently, Skylar was so star-struck by this white horse named Charlene. My mom told me she just gravitated towards this horse.”
When Skylar’s grandmother offered to pay for riding lessons, Skylar met the 1,200-pound Peruvian mare up close. She and Charlene have been inseparable since.