Tammie Hiatt

WPRA Announces 2023 Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year presented by Montana Silversmiths

By Ann Bleiker

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – The backbone of any rodeo is no doubt the rodeo committee and their countless volunteers that donate their time and skills to put on a good show for the fans. While the contestants and animals are the stars, they would never shine if it were not for the work of a large supporting cast of volunteers that come together, working for a common goal of making the event a success.

In 1948, the Girls Rodeo Association, now Women’s Professional Rodeo Association was Built For Women By Women by 38 strong female leaders in the western industry. In honor of them and in partnership with Montana Silversmiths, one female committee member/volunteer that has gone above and beyond in their local community to make the rodeo a success and/or who has been a staple of the local rodeo for numerous years keeping the tradition alive is being honored with the WPRA Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year for 2023.

This year’s recipient is Tammie Hiatt representing the Jim Shoulders Living Legends Rodeo in Henryetta, Oklahoma.

Tammie Hiatt epitomizes the exceptional standard of an outstanding rodeo committee woman. She has been a rodeo competitor, is a community leader having served four terms as the President of the Chamber of Commerce, a businesswoman and a founding member of the annual Labor Day Rodeo in Henryetta, Oklahoma, 30 years ago. Five years ago, the rodeo received PRCA and WPRA sanctioning. She brings her expertise and familiarity of these diverse roles to direct the production of this small-town rodeo.

“Wow what a great honor to receive,” stated Hiatt upon learning of the award. “I never dreamed this award would go to someone at a small rodeo like ours. This is very exciting for me and our rodeo. I am so humbled and thankful for this honor.”

Hiatt has been a proponent of the WPRA and its members from the beginning and implemented tractor drags during the performance for the barrel racers long before it was requested. The rodeo also added breakaway roping with equal added money the first year the event expanded to any PRCA rodeo interested in having the event.

She and her husband Mark Hiatt are affiliated with REMAX Double Diamond Properties and she is co-owner of Hiatt Window & Glass. Through her personal businesses she has stepped up and has sponsored the breakaway roping at the RAM Prairie Circuit Finals every year it has been part of the circuit finals.

The WPRA received over 35 nominations for this award and was excited to have received so many great stories of the many outstanding women out there. As an Association, we are excited to continue to grow this program and recognize an outstanding committee woman on an annual basis.

Tammie Hiatt will be officially recognized during the WPRA Star Celebration with the Top 15 barrel racers on Thursday, December 7 at the South Point Hotel and Casino and will receive a custom made Montana Silversmiths buckle.

Past recipients:

2022 – Cindy Williams, Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo, Vernal, Utah

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