You don’t need to go west to be a cowboy or cowgirl

While Maryland is known for its prominent equine industry, much of which is centered on the western shore, a unique piece of this diverse community thrives in Worcester County. At Rusted Star Ranch, Jessie “JFlo” Flores offers a slice of the West right here in the Old Line State.

As a nationally ranked mounted shooting rider—a sport that combines the speed of barrel racing with the precision of shooting—Jessie traveled the country for competitions. Her Maryland Farm Bureau membership was a huge help, saving her up to 20% on hotels and making those trips much more affordable.

Now back home in Berlin, Jessie is dedicated to sharing her passion with the local community. She offers riding lessons and introduces kids from all over Maryland to the excitement of rodeo. For her, the greatest reward is watching the progress her students make.

“A lot of people can’t own land or don’t have the space to own a larger animal such as a horse,” says Jessie. “To see them come out and brush them and just make their day better, if it’s after school or a long day of work, it’s really heartwarming.”