Miranda Jo Marrell, a first generation cowgirl
GENTRY, ARK. – Before the sun crests the hills of Northwest Arkansas, Miranda Jo Marrell is already tending to horses and cattle, coffee and Bible in hand. A first-generation cowgirl, she’s built a life where faith, hard work and horsemanship intertwine. Miranda’s goal is simple – to live with purpose and help others do the same.
During the day, Miranda trades her hat and boots for a stylist’s chair. She works full time as a hairstylist, a job that, like her faith, keeps her grounded in service to others.
But long before she ever stepped behind a stylist’s chair, her story began far from Gentry’s rolling pastures. Miranda grew up without ties to the horse or cattle industry but found her calling early.
“I’m a first-generation cowgirl,” she said. “Even though my family had no experience in horses or cattle, I recognized my love for the equine industry at a young age.”
When her family moved to Stephenville, Texas, around 2011, she was 13.
“My dad enrolled me in a roping school, and from that moment, my interest quickly grew into a burning passion,” she recalled. “We’ve moved several times since then, but this lifestyle has taught me humility, dedication and perseverance.”
Now, as an adult and married to her husband, Ryan, that passion has become a shared way of life.
“While we often call it a hobby, it’s truly a way of life for us,” Miranda said. “It’s brought us unforgettable friends and horses along the way.”
Each day begins early for the Marrells, starting around 5:30 a.m., “with coffee and a bit of scripture to set the tone,” Miranda said. Then they head out to take care of their horses and a few head of cattle.
Their horses graze freely on pasture and drink from a pond, but they receive grain each morning to maintain their weight and strength. The cattle are fed twice daily, and chores are finished before the workday begins.
“After morning chores, we head inside to get ready for our eight-to-five jobs,” she said. “In the evenings, we check fences, water troughs and feed before deciding how to spend the night. Sometimes we prep stalls or work on projects, and other nights we saddle up to ride or rope together with friends.”
Running their small operation takes careful planning.
“We really try to focus on prioritizing what’s most important,” Miranda explained. “Our horses are always at the top of that list. We make sure they have the best feeding program and vet care possible.”
The couple likes to stay organized by buying supplies in bulk and maintaining a close relationship with their veterinarian.
Most of their horses are seasoned and know their jobs well, so training focuses on keeping them sharp and relaxed.
“Before a rodeo or jackpot, we usually spend two or three nights a week doing slow, focused work,” she said. “You can always add speed during a performance, but the real progress happens when you slow things down and let the horse think and respond.”
Miranda and Ryan compete locally at jackpots and rodeos but don’t travel full-time.
“We enjoy it, but we don’t do it for a living,” she said. “It’s not without challenges – there’s always hard work and financial commitment when you have livestock – but this community is great about stepping up and supporting each other. You just have to keep working hard every day to pursue your goals.”
Faith is at the center of everything Miranda does. She and Ryan found their home church around four years ago at Corner Post Cowboy Church in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, a cowboy church known for its Western-roots worship and family-oriented ministries. CPCC states its mission as “to gather stray souls to ride for the Lord’s brand.”
When The Loop, a youth ministry within the church, began, Miranda felt called to serve. The Loop is a dedicated youth rope night every other Sunday, encouraging all youth to grow in horsemanship skills and in faith. These nights consist of practice, encouragement and fellowship.
“Allowing Jesus to work through us and touch the lives of these kids is what it’s all about,” she said. “They’re the next generation to lead, to teach, to change the world.”
Each gathering starts with devotion, prayer and reflection before the ropes come out.
“These kids learn to rope and ride while hearing about Jesus,” Miranda said. “Even when practice gets frustrating, we remind them what scripture says – that they are capable of doing hard things.”
Miranda also shares her message through her podcast, The Breakover, which focuses on faith, mental toughness and perseverance. She explained that she started the podcast to create a space where people could find encouragement and motivation. Through the podcast, she wants to remind people that “growth happens when we stay committed, strong and faithful.”
“My goal for next year is to make everything I do, done with purpose – my career, my faith, my podcast,” she said. “I want it to illuminate the light of Christ.”
For Miranda, the ultimate reward is seeing faith take root in others.
“Having horses and learning a new skill is great,” she said, “but the ultimate goal is to know who Christ is and who you are in Him. When people ask what’s different about these kids, I want them to be able to say – ‘Jesus.’”
Just like those early mornings when she steps into the cool air with coffee in hand, Miranda carries that same quiet determination through every part of her life. Faith saddles up with her each day, guiding her through the arena dirt, the church barn and the stylist’s chair. It’s the rhythm she lives by: sunrise, scripture and service.
