Black cowboys, cowgirls continue to share rich culture, little-known history of Old West

Prepare to be toppled by Black riders on horses — especially the majority of people claiming to know the complete culture and history of equestrians in the American West.

Often, public awareness and scholarly education about cowboys, rodeo riders and professional, competitive horse riders is blindingly white. Or, if it includes people of color at all, it tacks on brazenly racist depictions of war-painted Native Americans that demean Indigenous people.