Horseback parade: woman in white riding, holding flowers

A Life of Discipline, Love, and Fun

She lit up the rodeo arena with her presence, shaped generations through leadership, and stood tall in rhinestones, even when the odds tried to knock her down. Arlene didn’t just live the Western way of life, she redefined it.

“This is just another trick you’ll have to learn.”

— Arlene Kensinger

Born in Oregon and raised in Goshen County, Wyoming, Arlene was never far from movement or mischief. Her father, S. Paul Brown, was a school superintendent who taught tumbling on the side, so it’s no surprise Arlene imagined a life as a performer.

She tumbled in public events and learned trick riding from a babysitting client whose mother had once been a rider. Soon, Arlene was standing on horses herself, even riding straight into a clothesline once, laughing it off.

That grit and curiosity would never leave her.

Early Life & Trick Riding

Tumbling into Trick Riding and a Life in Motion

Style, Strength & the Dandies

Arlene didn’t just ride, she led.

In the 1970s, she founded the Dandies, a team of young women who represented Cheyenne Frontier Days™ with coordinated horseback drills, fashion shows, and rodeo spirit. Arlene directed the team for nearly three decades.

But the Dandies weren’t just about riding. They were about poise, unity, and pride in appearance. Arlene made sure of it. She handpicked outfits, shaped every routine, and taught each girl to ride with confidence and dress with intention.

See The Dandies

Group of women in uniform, springtime photo

“We represent Cheyenne Frontier Days. We will always dress and perform exquisitely.”

The Accident & The Comeback

In 1994, while water skiing in Lake Havasu, Arlene suffered a devastating boating accident. Her leg was shattered and ultimately amputated at the hip. Most would have stepped back. Arlene stepped forward.

“I had two choices: sit on my pity potty or get up, flush it, and do the best I could with the best hand I had.”

Arlene First Mount on Horse after Accident - 1994.tif

She returned to Cheyenne Frontier Days™ within months. She rode horses again. She directed again. She danced again. She wore her signature outfits again, with her head held high and her prosthetic leg dressed in style.

Woman in white cowboy hat and outfit applying lipstick; "Red lipstick!" note

Every Stitch Had a Purpose

From her signature western looks to the coordinated uniforms she designed for the Dandies, Arlene believed clothing was an extension of character. Every hat, every boot, every sequin told a story, of respect, pride, and identity. For her, fashion wasn’t about standing out. It was about showing up well, for your team, your community, and yourself.

“She believed every stitch said something about who we were.”

Arlene didn’t just dress for the occasion...she defined it.