September 16, 2026
We are running a eulogy in the next issue of True West on this legendary cowgirl.
(1929-2026)
She was, without a doubt, one of the greatest cowgirls to ever ride a horse. She passed away in Globe, Arizona on April 8 of this year. Nancy Sheppard was 96 years old.
She was born to a Texas ranching family on December 29, 1929. Her father was a Cowboys' Turtles Association member and her mother showed horses at the Cowtown Coliseum as a child. By the time she turned 11, she was performing at rodeos including the Pendleton Oregon Roundup and by the time she turned 17 she was performing in Madison Square Garden in New York City. She later made trick roping appearances at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and even did a stint in Italy for Giorgio Armani. She was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2003 in Colorado Springs.
She retired to Globe, Arizona but still made appearances and performed until 2016 when she was in her eighties! After that, thanks to her driver and confidant, Walter Christ, she often showed up at True West magazine events and was always supportive of all things Western right up to the end.
Ninety And Still Going Strong
Nancy met Walter Christ (pronounced Chris-t) at the Superstition Mountain Museum outside Apache Junction when she performed there back in 2016. They hit it off and Walter offered to drive her to doctor's appointments in the Valley since he lived in nearby Gold Canyon. After that Walter became her full time driver and took care of her in her final days. In fact, it was Walter who kept pestering me to give her a proper send off in the magazine proving once again, without a doubt, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. AND he is still her biggest fan and champion.
Thanks Walter, we are so thankful to you we knew her and we know in our hearts, Nancy is still ridin' high.
Nancy Blasting Into the Next Arena"It is loss that teaches us the worth of things."
—Old Vaquero Saying
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