Meet the Foundation
Honoring Violet
We're honoring Violet by nuturing the horse-loving hearts of the next generation of cowgirls
Roslan, Deedee, and Mary
Founding Family
Roslan, Deedee, and Mary
Violet's beautiful momma is Roslan Faith Fichtner Marx.
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Violet Mary Diane is named after a strong generation of Cowgirls that went before her.
Her great Grandma pictured here is Diane Mary MacDougall along with her Mimi, Mary Diane MacDougall Fichtner.
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Violet lived only seven days, but she filled up our whole hearts.
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Together, Roslan, Deedee, and Mary form the center and heart of the Foundation as they honor Violet's life and memory.
How The Violet Cowgirl Foundation was born
The grief over the last year of losing Violet has been suffocating at times. Our family has been grasping for any sign from God to hold on to. That’s when Reba, our treasurer, called and asked if she could ride for Violet in her Reined Cowhorse competitions.
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We were deeply moved by the idea. From there, Roslan was determined to share the power of horses with young girls who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
Horses have shaped the lives of Roslan and Mary, instilling in them a resilient Cowgirl Spirit—a truly life-changing, and often lifesaving, gift. Offering this beautiful gift to other young girls, in Violet’s name, has now become the mission of The Violet Cowgirl Foundation.
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Through the next days and weeks, we saw the hand of God in so many connections and offers of help.
Reba has chosen the color violet to wear on her beautiful sorrel and not only that, in collaboration with Katie Matusio of DK Tack Stop a special saddle blanket called The Violet was designed and weaved. Each Violet Cowgirl will be receiving her own Violet saddle blanket. Part of the proceeds from any sales of the Violet saddle pad will also go toward the foundation.
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Each board member was chosen specifically for their love and belief in our mission.
Each one brings unique skills and understanding of the power of the Cowboy Heritage, after all we live in the Cowboy State. Each board member wants to help us build a legacy in honor of the smallest Cowgirl who never got to saddle up this side of Heaven.
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We believe in the healing journey of many future generations of Violet Cowgirls to carry with them the power of a horse!
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In honor and memory of our beautiful Violet Mary Diane July 7-July 13, 2026.
Meet The Board
Roslan Fichtner-Marx
Founder and VP
Roslan is the mother of baby Violet and main founder of The Violet Cowgirl Foundation.
After a full pregnancy of fighting for the life of Violet, she arrived on July 7 and Roslan only got to hold and love her for 7 days. Little did Roslan know at the time that Violet would inspire a life-changing legacy. One that would transform hearts and faith in the lives of many, just as Violet did for her family and hundreds of others.
Everything offered through this foundation is in her name and memory; Violet, the smallest Cowgirl who never got to saddle up this side of Heaven.
Roslan is a professional artist part time and a Graphic Designer full time. She creates her art underneath the Western Skies of Wyoming to people across the country and around the world. Her work consists of Western subject matter, mainly Cowboys, Cowgirls, and Indians. She completes her paintings in a form of mixed media including watercolor, gauche, and oil pastels. Her work has been featured in The Western Horseman, is the sole illustrator for the book series, Read For the Brand, along with published books in partnership with The Wyoming Game and Fish Department about Wyoming wildlife.
Roslan spent her childhood on the back of many horses including English jumping to all Western riding and rodeo. That landed her roping in the Breakaway event for the University of Wyoming. Her love for horses has shaped her since the first day she was put on the back of one for the first time. Roslan spent all her summers riding, roping, and enjoying the bond between her and many special horses.
Once at a college rodeo a little girl from Vietnam approached Roslan hoping to put her hand on Roslan’s horse and feel the magic. Roslan got down and shared a few memorable minutes with her favorite horse, Gunner. This was just the beginning of the realization of how every little girl should be able to know the love of a horse.
Roslan has always believed life is sweeter from the back of a horse, it’s a view few get to see, and a place where you can meet God every time. The smell of the sage brush, the sound of horses hooves and sneezes, fill Roslan’s heart every time.
Mary Fichtner
Founder and President
Mary is Violet’s Mimi and co-founder of The Violet Cowgirl Foundation.
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Losing her first granddaughter was devastating.
Watching her daughter go through the trauma of losing Violet after just seven days of life and eight months of fear, worry, and bad news, has been the hardest journey of her life.
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Being an Army wife and mother of four, Mary has always used her cowgirl courage to navigate the hardest things in life. The grief of losing Violet has felt unbearable at times but finding a way to honor her and Violet’s beautiful Momma, Roslan, has taught her that joy and pain can live together.
She sees hope in the future through creating a legacy to keep the Spirit of the Cowgirl alive.
Mary grew up roping and riding all over the Wild West which gave her a strong identity of faith and grit. Mary was determined to pass this empowering heritage on to Roslan. It is in Violet’s name they are offering the same incredible gift to other little girls. This is the gift of a dream come true from our very own smallest Cowgirl, Violet, who never got to saddle up this side of heaven.
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Mary is the creator and writer of the Western Children’s Book Series, Read for the Brand. Roslan illustrates each book in bright and bold watercolors. Mary writes the stories in rhyme using authentic Western verbiage. Each book is a special treasure with life lessons they have learned from horses and the Cowboy Heritage.
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Naturally they are the creators of the newest book, the Violet Cowgirl. A story about The Spirit of the littlest Cowgirl. All proceeds from this book will go toward The Violet Cowgirl Foundation.
Reba Talbott
Board Member, Treasurer
Reba Talbott is the founder and host of the Western Grace Podcast, a ministry dedicated to sharing stories of faith, resilience, and the western way of life.
Raised in the Western United States, her love for horses began as a young girl and grew into a lifelong passion that continues to shape her character, strengthen her faith, and deepen her appreciation for the values of hard work, perseverance, and integrity.
As a Wyoming entrepreneur and REALTOR®, Reba is passionate about building authentic relationships, serving her community, and encouraging others to live with purpose and grace. Whether through business, ministry, or board service, she strives to reflect Christ by investing in people and creating opportunities that leave a lasting impact.
She is honored to serve on the Violet Cowgirl Foundation Board, helping inspire the next generation of young cowgirls to discover the confidence, character, and hope that horses can help cultivate.
Mandy Tanner
Board Member, Secretary
Mandy Tanner is incredibly grateful to be part of this amazing foundation honoring Violet’s life and legacy.
It was a true blessing to walk alongside Roslan, Mary, and their family during part of Violet’s beautiful, though far too short, time on earth.
Because of Violet, their hearts will always be connected, and Mandy will forever cherish the impact she has had on her life.
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Horses have been part of Mandy’s life for as long as she can remember.
She was fortunate to grow up working alongside her dad, a large animal veterinarian, on a family ranch, where Mandy learned not only horsemanship but also the values of hard work, compassion, and perseverance. As she and her husband began raising thier own family, it was important to them that their own daughters experience that same gift by growing up in the saddle.
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She was fortunate to grow up working alongside her dad, a large animal veterinarian, on a family ranch, where Mandy learned not only horsemanship but also the values of hard work, compassion, and perseverance. As she and her husband began raising their own family, it was important to them that their own daughters experience that same gift by growing up in the saddle.
Smokey Deines
Board Member
Smokey Deines is a native of Wyoming. He grew up in the Western Culture and ranching lifestyle.
He has ridden bucking horses and has been around rodeo his whole life.
Smokey is currently the owner of Saddle Bronc Productions, a live entertainment company. His company produces rodeos, concerts, and charity events. He has a strong faith, and values family and country. These things guide his commitments.
His love for charities comes from his determination to leave the world a better place, that is reason he never stops looking for ways to help others.
Smokey met co-founders Roslan and Mary when he became a loyal customer of their children’s book series, Read for the Brand.
The three later collaborated at a rodeo Smokey’s company produced in Casper, Buckin’ Summer Nights, auctioning off some plush horses a young girl made so she could buy her very own horse!
The three of them have always believed in the magic of horses and helping this young girl achieve a dream she never thought possible will always be one of their greatest highlights.
Shannon McWilliams
Board Member
Shannon McWilliams is a farm and Ranch wife in Wyoming and a lifelong horse- crazy girl.
She grew up in the city but most of her favorite memories were made at her grandparents' ranch in South Dakota.
They always had at least one horse and whenever Shannon visited, all she wanted to do was ride.
Shannon’s school years were filled with playing sports. After college a friend graciously let her ride her horse as often as she wanted which brought out her enthusiasm for horses in full force!
At age 26, Shannon had the opportunity to intern with a trainer in Colorado and she helped Shannon find her first horse, Gideon.
For several years, Shannon worked in downtown Denver, and outside of work, nearly every spare moment was spent riding, learning, and enjoying life with horses. She now has 2 of her own horses and cares for her dad's 27 year old horse on her ranch.
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Shannon is so excited to be part of The Violet Cowgirl Foundation and allow horse crazy girls, just like her, the opportunity to pursue their dreams and experience the joy of being around and learning from horses.
Mattni Becker
Riding Instructor, Ex Officio Board Member
Mattni Becker is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wyoming and Montana with a Bachelors Degree in Equine Science.
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Her love for horses began when she was very young growing up on the family farm.
During her college years Mattni was in an extremely bad horse related accident that resulted in a broken back in 5 places, a brain injury, a crushed lung, and internal bleeding.
Despite the injuries being caused by a horse, her path to recovery was paved with hoof prints. Horses were instrumental in Mattni’s healing journey both physically and mentally.
A little over a year after the horse accident, there was another significant trauma in Mattni’s life unrelated to horses, that left her with PTSD.
Horses were the reason Mattni’s mind healed, along with her body finding safety, and connection to life and all it had to offer became real again.
These two incidents truly fueled Mattni’s passion to offer equine and animal assisted therapy modalities to the public as her life experiences brought her full circle to the power of horses in every way.
Mattni also offers riding lessons to aspiring equestrians in Casper at her beautiful facility in Casper, WY.
Jocelyn Miller
Riding Instructor, Ex Officio Board Member
With more than 30 years of riding experience and over 20 years of teaching and coaching, Jocelyn Miller brings a wealth of knowledge and a genuine passion for developing horsemen and horsewomen of all ages and experience levels.
Her background includes national-level competition across multiple breed show organizations as a youth, amateur, and open rider, along with experience as an AQHA and NRCHA scribe, an open horse show and 4-H judge, and a coach for IHSA and IEA teams.​​
At Miller Equine, Jocelyn is committed to building confident, capable riders through a strong foundation in horsemanship.
Whether working with first-time riders or those pursuing competitive goals, her lessons emphasize safety, communication, and practical skills that create lasting partnerships between horse and rider.
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At Miller Equine, every lesson is an opportunity to work toward excellence, one coachable moment at a time.
