Dove Schmidt was raised on her Uncle Mont Justeson’s ranch near Gridley, California that ran around 1,000 head of cows, some brood mares and a Peter McCue stud. She remembers sitting on a horse and helping with the work when she was 3 or 4 years old. Her love of the cowboy life eventually got her into writing poetry in her twenties. Miss Dove, as she is lovingly referred to by some, is the Cowgirl who got everything started with the Crossroads Cowboy Poetry Gatherin’.
In the Spring of 2016, Miss Dove asked the local library if she could use their conference room for the first Gatherin’ and they were thrilled to help out and even put a notice on their marquee!
The first gathering brought in six cowboy poets and at that time it wasn’t a contest. The second year the contests were started and from there things got big and Miss Dove started hosting the event at her ranch. The contest draws in Cowboy and Cowgirl poets from several states and Canada to compete for beautiful buckles and trophies. Since the first gatherin’, the number of poets and fellowship has increased! Come join in the fun!
Crossroads Cowboy Poetry Gathering 