The Best of Western Horseman Awards are finally here.
Whether painting wild desert scenes, crafting spurs, hosting cowboy events or building family traditions, Western culture defines our lifestyle today.
Best of Artists Winner: Tim Cox
Tim Cox is one of the crown jewels of the Western industry, as he’s literally painted a picture of the real working cowboy for the world to view. If a photo says a thousand words, a painting does that tenfold, especially if it comes from Cox’s easel. A cowboy himself, Cox regularly works on ranches near his home in Bloomfield, New Mexico. But he also raises a few cattle and trains horses with his wife, Suzie.
“The older I get, the more important it is for me to put down in paint the places and things in the West that I’ve seen before they disappear entirely.” — Tim Cox
An emeritus member of the Cowboy Artists of America, Cox won the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Desert Caballeros Western Museum and Two Great American Cowboy Awards from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. He’s a champion of the industry as he’s preserving the modern cowboy for generations to come.
Best of Artists Runner-Up: Shannon Lawlor
Shannon Lawlor is widely respected for her significant contributions to preserving the legacies that form the foundation of our Western way of life. The authenticity of her work resonates with discerning collectors, and she is broadly recognized as the premier portraiture artist within the Western performance horse industry.
Her deep connection to the land, people, horses and lifestyle of the modern West is evident in every brushstroke — whether in the soft intensity of a ranch horse’s eye or the fine detail of a hackamore. Growing up on the edge of the Northern Great Plains, Lawlor began drawing before she could spell. Before becoming a full-time artist, she spent much of her life in the saddle, immersed in the animals she would later be celebrated for portraying.
Two decades ago, she pursued art full time, driven by a sense of pride and obligation to preserve the West.
“This is the silver lining of being an artist. Collectors have become extended family, and for that, my cup remains full beyond compare.” — Shannon Lawlor
Best of Artists Honorable Mention: Dustin Payne
Born in 1981 to a New Mexico ranching family, sculptor Dustin Payne grew up influenced by Remington, Russell, and Will James. Rooted in cowboy traditions, he honors Western heritage through his art and says, “It is a great honor to be nominated.”
Best of Craftsmen Winner: Jace & Crystal McCarty of CH Designs
What began with a small craft and a big dream as college students has transformed into more than a business. CH Designs is a legacy of love, labor and the lives Jace and Crystal are honored to be part of through every piece they create. From personalized animal pieces to class rings and bracelets engraved with handwritten notes, everything they create is personal.
“People say if you do what you love, you won’t work a day in your life. The truth is, if you truly love what you’re doing, you’ll work far harder than you ever thought possible.” — Crystal McCarty
By the time the McCartys graduated from Tarleton State University in 2021, CH Designs was more than a dream; it was their future. A craft that began at the kitchen table after classes expanded across their entire home until it was time to add to their team. Each piece is built with just as much heart and creativity as Jace and Crystal could hope for.
Best of Craftsmen Runner-Up: Kerry Kelley
Kerry Kelley is a self-taught bit and spur maker based in Weatherford, Texas. His path began in his family’s metallurgical heat-treating business in Fort Worth and evolved through his passion for cowboy tools and history. He started crafting spurs around 1995 and expanded to making bits by 2001.
Kelley’s work is renowned for blending functionality, durability and artistry. He not only understands metalwork and design theories but also collaborates with top trainers across disciplines — including cutting, reining, barrel racing, roping and western performance — to tailor gear that performs. He takes pride in offering a product made solely in the United States and crafted for riders who appreciate a blend of artistry and functionality.
“There’s certain times where I’ll do some scrollwork or come up with a design on a spur and I’ll say, ‘This is the best I’ve ever done,'” Kelley said in a 2016 Western Horseman interview. “Of course, six months later, I’ll do something better. Some people say, ‘You are an artist,’ but I make spurs for people to use.”
Best of Craftsmen Honorable Mention: Jeremiah Watt
Jeremiah Watt is a master saddlemaker, bit and spur craftsman and innovative artist. He is known for blending tradition with creativity. His meticulous work honors the cowboy heritage while setting new standards of excellence in Western gear making worldwide.
Best of Western Destinations Winner: Fort Worth Stockyards
The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District has long been revered as a top tourist attraction, but its history goes beyond attractions. Rooted in Western heritage, drovers trailed more than 4 million head of cattle through Fort Worth, Texas, and the city soon became known as “Cowtown.” The rise and fall of the railroad ran in tandem with the success and struggles of what eventually became known as the Fort Worth Stockyards, just before the turn of the century. In 1907, the Cowtown Coliseum was built and became the home of the first infoor rodeo.
In 2020, Texas stepped up to host the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Even though the rodeo was in Arlington, Fort Worth was the epicenter of the historic event. Remaining true to its roots, the Stockyards still hosts the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive. Thousands of visitors worldwide come each year to see a piece of history with their own eyes. More than a hundred new shopping, dining and entertainment venues make the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District one of Texas’ most popular tourist destinations.
Best of Western Destinations Runner-Up: National Ranching Heritage Center
Supported by Texas Tech University and the Ranching Heritage Association, the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, Texas, is a 27-acre museum and historical park dedicated to preserving the history of ranching in North America. The center features more than 55 historic ranching structures, dating from the late 1700s to the mid-1900s, that have been relocated, restored and furnished to tell the story of ranch life through the generations. Inside, rotation exhibits and educational programs explore ranching traditions and modern challenges. The Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center features Hank the Cowdog, showcases interactive exhibits, games and activities that present contemporary ranch life through the voice of the beloved character.
The NRHC offers free admission and is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible.
“The National Ranching Heritage Center has been built and sustained by the ranching industry to share cow country culture and values with people around the world.” — Jim Bret Campbell, Executive Director
Best of Western Destinations Honorable Mention: Elko, Nevada
Elko, Nevada, where the Ruby Mountains meet Western tradition, celebrates its ranching, mining and cowboy heritage through events like the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Silver State Stampede, and Elko County Fair. Elko is a place where the American West isn’t just a part of history — it’s a way of life.
Best of Events Winner: Western Heritage Classic
The Western Heritage Classic, held annually at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene, Texas, is a premier celebration of authentic cowboy traditions and Western heritage. First held in 1985 as a small ranch rodeo among local cowboys, the event has grown into an internationally recognized three-day showcase. At its core is the ranch rodeo, featuring bronc riding, wild cow milking, team doctoring, team penning and calf branding — timeless contests that demonstrate true working ranch skills.
The Western Heritage Classic also offers a diverse lineup of Western activities, including the world’s largest bit and spur show, a chuckwagon cookoff, matched horse race world finals, children’s stick horse rodeo, cowboy poets and Western artisans, ranch horse clinics, Western trade show, the rhinestone round-up, the highest selling ranch horse sale in the nation, the World Finals Ranch Horse Association of America competition and a giant Western parade. Today thousands gather each year to honor and preserve the cowboy way of life.
Best of Events Runner-Up: Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering
In 1991, a passionate group of cowboys gathered at the Cowtown Coliseum in the Fort Worth Stockyards and founded the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering. The event, the brainchild of Jalyn Burkett and John South, was first produced by the Texas A&M Extension Service before moving to private management under the direction of Hub Baker.
Its mission has always been to preserve Western heritage, from the range to the rodeo and everything in between. Since 2022, the Gathering has been managed by Marked For Greatness Properties LLC and has grown into a destination event in the heart of the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. It celebrates and preserves authentic cowboy culture.
“Folks from all over the United States come to our Gathering. They leave with a new understanding that it’s about the people, the heritage, the traditions and the values we treasure.” — Red Steagall
This year marked the 34th annual Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering. The three-day celebration featured ranch rodeo performances, cowboy poetry and music, youth contests, the Texas Trail of Fame induction ceremony and a free chuck wagon cook-off. Evening Western swing concerts were held at Tannahill’s Music Hall.
Best of Events Honorable Mention: Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
“For 40 years, the NFR has transformed our city and brought millions of rodeo fans to Las Vegas to share in the NFR Experience. There is no better place to celebrate our Western heritage than in Las Vegas each December.” — Tim Keener, LVE President
