Saddle Up for Something Extraordinary

Director of Riding, Ally Doyon, shared, "When Povy LaFarge Bigbee ‘51 G’ 03, ’09, ’10, ’11 wrote to me in 2023 about an idea she had about a cowboy camp, I never realized that it would become such a transformative experience for our students. The Bigbee Cowgirl Camp truly embodies the values of Chatham Hall. It is a unique experience that encourages girls to step completely out of their comfort zone and connect with generations of Chatham Hall Alumnae. I am so grateful to the Bigbees, the Calhouns, and the Armstrongs for making this trip a reality, and I am excited for many more students to benefit from this experience in the years to come!"

An eight-hour layover in Dallas, Texas, was just the beginning of the third annual Bigbee Cowgirl Camp adventure, based in La Mesa, New Mexico. With a 4:30 a.m. departure from Chatham, Virginia, no one could have predicted sweeping storms would create such a travel delay. Yet, by the time Chatham Hall students and their chaperones arrived in El Paso, the warm welcome from Diane Bigbee Calhoun P’03, '09, ’11 and Emily James Calhoun ’03 made every moment worthwhile. 

Both had been preparing for our visit for days and told us stories about the ranch we would visit as we headed northwest. Leaving the lights of Juarez behind, our sights were fixed on the rugged, steep silhouette of the Franklin and Organ mountains and the wide-open, starry desert sky. We arrived at their homestead within fifteen minutes and could distinctly see rows and rows of pecan trees.  The home and casita appeared as an oasis in the midst of the expansive orchard, which had just been harvested. Not only are Diane Bigbee Calhoun and her family descendants of the once-largest ranch in New Mexico, but they are also pecan farmers, experts in water and land management, and environmental stewards.  

Four Chatham Hall students, Sierra B. ’28, Avery H. ’26, Charlotte P. ’29, and Sophie P. ’28, were selected to attend a one-of-a-kind equestrian experience held annually at Armstrong Equine Services. Managed by Dr. Joe B. and Rusty Armstrong and trainer Josh Armstrong, this working ranch specializes in breeding, training, boarding, and selling American Quarter Horses. Considered a “cowboy’s true partner," the students quickly learned why the athletic and agile Quarter Horse is ideal for New Mexico ranch operations.  Char P. ’29 shared, “[This trip was] the best time I have ever had!” when asked about this powerful trip. “In English riding, you have to be perfect. In western riding, it’s just fun,” she continued. 

From sunup to sundown, we rode across rugged terrain, including the dried river bed of the Rio Grande, and experienced firsthand the life of a rancher.  Learning to quickly trust the “cow sense” of our horses, we learned to find, sort, and cut cattle as part of our daily regime - a few were even successful at roping! While western riding is often romanticized in movies, Bigbee Camp participants came to know and love the real-life lifestyle and livelihood of ranchers.  

 

One afternoon, as the sun set behind us, we wrapped up the day with a lesson at the ranch. Josh Armstrong, a world-class expert and champion reiner, called us to the center of the corral and put our skills to work. Throughout the week, he offered subtle suggestions to gradually build our confidence. Now, at his invitation, we worked individually and in pairs to move a small herd from pen to pen, and then at speed through gates.  

Later that night, we learned the young cows were being “gentled” at Armstrong Equine Services so they would be responsive to ranchers when they returned to the Chihuahuan Desert.  My horse, Ruby, and I worked seamlessly that afternoon, and I was sure I had found my true cowgirl calling.  Dr. Armstrong smirked when I shared my delight and added that Ruby was their number one competitive cutting horse. Most assuredly, my contribution to the task at hand was simply keeping my seat in the saddle.

Words cannot express the deep gratitude we all have for such an authentic ranch experience.  Bigbee Cowgirl Ranch is the result of the vision and generosity of Trustee Emerita Povy LaFarge Bigbee ‘51 G’ 03, ’09, ’10, ’11.  In 2025, Povy published the book, Aristotle in the Branding Corral, a Memoir, detailing her life as the last of a generation connected to “open ranges and line camps for weary riders.” Our group ended the trip with a special visit to meet Povy and John in their home, also a living museum of Western upbringing. A neighbor of the Armstrongs for many years, we shared the highlights of our camp experience, including the lessons we learned in horsemanship, partnership, stewardship, kinship, and friendship. 

As we departed, Ally Doyon, the Director of Riding, and I shared these words with our gracious hosts: