RIP Nancy Sheppard

 

Discover Gila County

April 9, 2026

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Today, we pause to remember a true legend of the West… and one of our own.

Nancy Sheppard, a proud cowgirl with deep roots in Gila County, peacefully passed away yesterday at her home in Globe, AZ. We learned of her passing this afternoon, and our hearts are with her family, friends, and all who were touched by her incredible life.

Nancy wasn’t just part of rodeo history—she helped define it. A world-renowned trick rider and roper, she captivated audiences from small-town arenas to Madison Square Garden, becoming the only woman to stand on a running horse while spinning two ropes at once.

But beyond the spotlight, Nancy’s story is deeply woven into the fabric of Gila County. She grew up here, performed at the Payson and Globe Rodeos, and inspired generations of young riders who dreamed of being just like her across the globe.

Over a career that spanned decades, she carried the spirit of the West across the country—and even the world—earning her place in both the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

Nancy Sheppard was more than a performer—she was a culture keeper, a trailblazer, and a proud ambassador of the Western way of life. Her legacy will live on in every rodeo arena, every rope swung, and every young cowgirl who dares to dream.

Rest easy, Nancy. You rode with the best… and you’ll always be one of Gila County’s finest

SHEPPARD, Nancy

Born: 12/29/1929, Ft. Worth, Texas, U.S.A

Died: 4/8/2026, Globe, Arizona, U.S.A.

 

Nancy Sheppard – rodeo performer:

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame - 1991

Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum 1996

ProRodeo Hall of Fame 2003