Thursday, April 25, 2024
FOUR-LEGGED SOULMATE: Deborah Nowlin-Keith is pictured with her mule, Ida May. In 2015, the unusual duo teamed to win a 40-plus PRCA event.
This native Texan never meets a stranger. She enjoys sharing stories about people she’s met on her life’s journey.
Did you ever walk into a room and see someone that you immediately knew you wanted to meet and hear their story? Deborah NowlinKeith has that kind of aura. She exudes a joy de vivre with her smile and her demeanor that says “come on over here and let me get to know you!”
Deborah is a horsewoman, dothing designer, western historical character actress, a model, an artist in every sense of the word. Because of her love of historical western women she has created her own unique line of dothing, which she named Mule-a-Rosa after her four legged soulmate, IdaMay.
Deborah’s love of her lifetime growing up on a ranch and riding horses is also evident in her creative style of dressing. She is known in several western circles for her colorful and vintage clothing.
“I’m a repurposer...I take vintage clothing, tow sacks, feed sacks, table cloths, curtains, prom dresses, etc., and turn them into wearable art.” Deborah’s hats alone are historic fashion statements.
Deborah has traveled all over Texas, New Mexico and Missouri competing in various rodeo and horse shows, but not always on a horse. Deborah and her four-legged soulmate, IdaMay, made headlines in 2015 when they competed in the first 40-plus PRCA rodeo.
Even though the competition is normally for cowgirls who ride horses, some of Deborah’s friends encouraged her to enter with her amazing mule. This is a very complex competition where both “horse” and rider go through several preliminary tests/interviews before the winner is announced.
There were competitions ranch versatility, reigning, trail challenges, western pleasure, cow work, eight lead changes, western equitation, and more.
Deborah recalled that even though IdaMay had never done some of the tests she sailed right through them, stating, “It was like she knew she had it and she was going to win!”
On that magical day, Deborah and IdaMay were announced as the winners and, both received their PRCA Queen crowns. Deborah said it was as if IdaMay knew she was the real queen that day.
Prior to her love of training and showing mules, Deborah served for 30 years as a social worker for the state of Texas.
“It was an eye-opening experience. I learned two very important things that I wish everyone could experience. First, what it’s like to help someone who could never repay you, and second, what it is really like to help someone who will never ever know it was you.”
Deborah has such a beautiful contagious spirit. She is a delightful storyteller. She is a woman with a deeply spiritual soul.
I hope you will have the opportunity some day to step into her aura and experience this amazing woman.
A quote she gave for a magazine article describes her beautifully: “She never had the moon and stars to rule, but, she loved God and her family...and, she rode a good mule!”
