At every home football game, you see a brown and white pony run from one end of the end zone to the other being led by two people. That pony is one of the few faces of our mascot, Cowboy Joe.
Cowboy Joe is 11 years old and in his 10th year as the mascot. The average lifespan of a pony is 25-30 years but they tend to live longer in most cases. Cowboy Joe is the fifth mascot in the tradition’s existence. He is attended by four handlers to help him get around, get ready, and be healthy so he can perform.
This year’s handlers are McKinley Muhlbauer, Kaylee Davis, Ellie Renkert and Darci Wintermote.
All four of these handlers share the opportunity to escort Cowboy Joe to events he is invited to. An example of some are parades and leading the grand entry at home football games.
“The grand entry song always gives me goosebumps . . . and everyone just pumped up running on the field. I get chills,” Muhlbauer said
“We just make sure that he’s representing the University and that people get to meet him and get a special experience.”
As part of being a face in school spirit, it requires a lot of social spotlight and interaction and that needs for a mascot that loves attention.
“He likes to run. The end zone runs are his favorite thing to do. And he loves little kids. Whenever a little kid stops, he loves it,” Davis said
“I love how excited the old ladies get when they see Joe and get to cheer him on. Quite the ritual for them to come and give him a kiss and make sure to tell him to run lots for the game. I always appreciate that tradition. They just love the attention,” Muhlbauer said
“He definitely knows when there’s a camera on him,” Wintermote said.
Cowboy Joe enjoys all the attention he gets, but his handlers have all agreed that he has a unique fondness for the marching band.
“He loves Western Thunder. Especially the drums.” Wintermote and Davis said.
Being around all that energy at parades and grand entry and hearing the crowd after the Cowboys score gives Cowboy Joe a rush too.
“He definitely knows when we’re doing good or something and everyone’s cheering. He gets pumped,” Muhlbauer says.
It is clear that after the first Cowboy Joe mascot from the Farthing family in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1950, that the tradition of having Cowboy Joe around gives everyone something to look forward to.
