Meanwhile, the American Cowboy myth has been deconstructed and distrusted - while retaining ideals of the Cowboy Code and persona. Every person interviewed agreed with Gene Autry's Cowboy Code. They all believe themselves patriotic, although they don't always agree on what it means to be a patriot. Some responded "It's a nice ideal, but is it really possible today?"

The archetype of the American Cowboy is someone who is a rugged individualist. In many respects, this is still true. Each man and woman who defines her or himself as a cowperson, decides on the description and adapts those beliefs that suit him or her. I believe that this means the 21st Century Cowboy has more freedom and more choices than ever in the past.

The change from an agrarian nation to an electronic one resulted in fewer people working the land with horses, but cowboys and cowgirls still drive cattle and sheep.

Vaqueros, or Mexican and Mexican-American cowboys, built the West equally with white cowboys and cowgirls, although they suffered discrimination as often as not. And today vaqueros work in every horse-related industry, as jockeys, ranchers, rodeo stars, wranglers, trainers, and everything else.

9. He must respect women, parents, and his nation's laws.

10. The Cowboy is a patriot.

We sent a questionnaire to a group of modern day Cowboys and Cowgirls and here are their response:

CLEO HEARN is a cowboy.

"I am a rodeo cowboy who lives the lifestyle and values. I'm also an athlete on a horse, an entertaining competitor and a business man.

"I wake up every day and go to the barn to take care of my horses and calves.

"I am a professional calf roper and steer wrestler who

has competed for 46 years in the PRCA [Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association]. I was the first African American to go to college on a rodeo scholarship, and the first African America to win the calf roping at a major rodeo (the Denver National Western, 1970).

"I have been producing rodeos since 1875. Today I produce the largest multicultural rodeo tour in the U.S. - The Cowboys of Color Rodeos."

Mr. Hearn believes in Gene Autry's Cowboy Code:

"I continually try to live and teach this code to adults and young people through Cowboys of Color Rodeos. We also will participate at the Gene Autry Birthday Celebration, October 6-8, 2006, at Southfork Ranch in North Texas to honor his legacy."

And how will Mr. Hearn celebrate National Day of the Cowboy? The same way he has for 37 consecutive years: As a calf roping contestant at Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Learn more about the Cowboys of Color Rodeo at www.cowboysofcolorrodeo.net.

SUE LUND and a partner run Coyote Ridge Stable, taking riders on trails near their ranch in the Morongo Valley, near Joshua Tree above Palm Springs, CA.

Lund's definition of a cowboy/girl is "Someone with the self-confidence, patience and ability to gain the trust and respect of the animals and people who inhabit their world.

"I define myself a cowboy or cowgirl because I make my living from horses and I feel that they are equal partners in the business. I live with my horses 24/7 and see to all their care from the hooves up.

"I was born a cowgirl. It's a part of me just like the color of my eyes or the way I walk.

"My heroes are the authors who wrote all the wonderful horse books I read growing up: Marguerite Henry, Walter Farley (the Black Stallion) and Dick Francis to name a few."

Coyote Ridge Stable owns "an Arabian, a Thoroughbred, a Missouri Fox Trotter and several Quarter horses, ranging in age from seven years to 32 years. Most of my horses are seniors (over 20 years) because they're safe and sane. They give my riders confidence and allow them to have a great trail riding experience."

Sue, a biology major, enthusiastically shares her extensive knowledge of Mojave desert flora and fauna with riders as their trail guide.

Learn more about Coyote Ridge Stable at www.coyoteridgestable.com.

Ellen Van Nood questions the definition of a cowboy in the 21st century.

"What is a cowboy? What is today's cowboy? I feel a sense of connection with the label. In fact I'd rather be called a female cowboy than a cowgirl.

"I am branded by the land of Wyoming.

"I am befriended by the wind of most places I visit.

"My hands don't quite look like leather but they certainly have their scars from my work as a wrangler; being outdoors most of my waking hours.

"But am I a true cowboy? Depends on how you define it. I haven't herd cattle yet, but my favorite part of the working week is the chance I get to run the horses to or from hunting camp. There is something so special about being part of that herd. They are free and to feel the wind and excitement as they cross great stretches of land; it's like nothing else I've experienced. I don't know how to rope, but I've found a gentler way to catch my steeds."

Ellen Van Nood is a certified therapeutic riding instructor and has worked as a dude ranch wrangler in Wyoming in the summers, and in Arizona in the winter.

The Wild Women of the Frontier is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving history through educating and entertaining the public on Frontier History.

Since 1996, a unique equestrian group of friends from Topeka, Kansas, started kicking around the idea of combining history, horses, and fun by portraying both famous and infamous women from the

"The men wrote the rules and these are some of the women who broke them," say these Wild Women.

Several members of the troupe answered the ENM questionnaire.

Kathi Rakestraw - defines herself as a wife, mother, Production Services Manager for Hallmark Cards, Inc., and a cowgirl. She portrays Mary Mahaffrey in the Wild Women of the Frontier theater troupe.

Mary Mahaffrey was a party-girl from Nevada City who pulled a lucrative scam against a Sacramento gambler in the 1859's.

Kathi defines a cowboy or cowgirl by one's attitude toward horses.

"An individual who loves horse, needs horses, or both.

"Individuals who make their living with the use of a horse often see their equine partner very differently from those who just love them. People who need horses recognize their value as a tool in their business; whether that is riding rough stock, riding the range for cattle, or driving a carriage in Times Square, the horse is a necessary tool or partner in their ability to make a living. That driver in Times Square may not have the "look" of a cowboy/girl, but more than likely somewhere in their history they have learned from someone that did.

"Those of us who simply love horses love the smell of them, especially that place just behind their nostril. To us, day-old manure is just recycled grass and we'll spend all day working and sweating to spend some time in the saddle with them. We have the utmost respect for them because we truly recognize their power. Our ultimate goal is to become one with their power as they learn that we are the ones to be respected. We can watch them run through the fields and play with each other and don't think twice of calling ourselves 'Grandma' when we have our first live foal on our on place."

Mel (Melba) Rhudy plays Calamity Jane and occasionally Laura Bullion, known as Laura Casey or Claire Hays or Della Rose. She was one of only two women who ever rode with the Wild Bunch Gang.

Mel has been with the Wild Women of the Frontier for nearly a decade.

She credits her cowgirl identity to her relatives,

"My mom's dad and brothers were farmers and ranchers, and I guess that is where I got

started. I worked at the Emporia, Kansas, Sale Barn for around 10 to 11 years, pushing cattle (until a back condition meant I to quit in November. 2004). I have worked for several ranchers in this area moving, sorting, and 'working' cattle, and I have ridden in all kinds of weather."

A cowgirl, believes Mel, is

"Someone who loves horses, the out of doors, and nature.

"And if she gives you her word, you can take it to the bank. She believes in giving a day's work for a day's pay."

Ellen Noll depicts Laura Evans who capitalized on the fact that in the Wild West's Gold Rush days the men greatly outnumbered the women as much as 200 to one. Evans headed to Salida, Colorado, where she opened the town's only brothel, which became the longest running in history, not shutting down until 1950, 54 years after Evans founded it.

What Ellen likes best about being a cowgirl is

"The incredible bond that you can have with a horse."

Ellen owns Cheyenne, a 13-year-old bay Mustang that her son adopted 11 years ago when he was 15. He was riding Cheyenne in only six weeks, which, since had never been worked, shocked the BLM!

"Three years ago we bred Cheyenne to a wild born Kiger Mustang and we have her two-year-old filly, a beautiful red dun we named Cheyenne's Ladyhawke. She has the most curiosity of any horse I've ever been around!

"Cody is my husband's 25-year-old Quarter Horse. He is a wonderful trail horse and my husband, who has been in the National Guards for 31 years, has started using Cody for their mounted color guard.

"My newest horse is Star, an 18-year-old Quarter Horse that is very calm and quiet and will be my Wild Woman horse.

Waunita Haug presents Lola Montez, the infamous actress and a dancer who surrounded herself with wealthy and powerful men. Lola summarized her life by this statement:

"I was notorious - never famous."

Waunita says that "a cowgirl is a gal that has an undying love of animals and chooses a horse as her best friend. With 40 years of riding, raising, training and game showing horses, I guess I'd consider myself a cowgirl."

What does she like best about being a cowboy/girl?

"The calm that comes over me when riding through fields or down a road with a good friend or just my horse friend. I'm so fortunate to step outside my front door and hear nickers and neighs."

Waunita owns seven horses: Navajo. Cody, Mande, P.J, Mega, and Mirage.

For each horse Waunita tells a loving story.

"Mirage is the last of my brood, a dependable Wild Women mount and trail horse

"Mirage, now six years old, has quite a personality and thinks he's a person. His previous owners told me that his mother was bred to her brother and as a baby, Mirage was very aggressive. The owners would carry a waffle bat in the pasture because he'd try to attack them, so they'd swing the bat and he'd stay away!

"He was sold but a few months later the gals saw him at a sale and he was really skinny so they bought him back! I guess gelding changed his attitude quite a bit. The next owner was quite a drinker, so Mirage was basically on his own when ridden. The man committed suicide after going through a divorce and a neighbor who liked Mirage bought him.

"He kept him a year and now he's mine. I like tall horses and he is only 15 hands, so I almost didn't buy him but now I'm glad I did. He's well broke, very smooth and worked right into the WWF."

Eileen Gronniger, Adah Menken of the Wild Women of the Frontier, represents the Frontier cowgirl who was an actress, though she was also billed as a poetess, a danseuse, a male impersonator, as well as an equestrienne. She was all of these things, but what set her apart was that she performed these talents in a near state of undress. And she did them on a horse that was billed as "a wild, untamed stallion of Tartary."

Gronniger has clear ideas about what it means to be a cowgirl:

"First, you've GOT to have an deep rooted, unexplainable love for horses.

'"Second, your horse is as much a part of the family as your dog, your cat, or your husband!

"Third, you probably spend as much, if not more, on your horse and horse - related supplies/activities than on your house.

"Fourth, you'd rather scoop poop than dust your house.

"Fifth, there just ain't nothin' better than the smell of a horse. if I could bottle that smell, I'd make a mint!

"Sixth, cowgirls are a little wild and crazy... just enough to make hanging around them very interesting and loads of fun!

"Seventh, cowgirls are always ready to ride!

"Eighth, a cowgirl's husband is an exceptional man! He learned very quickly that there are times when he may play second fiddle to the horse - and he accepts it without complaint.

"Ninth, a cowgirl's girl friends are the most awesome people that ever lived!

"Tenth, cowboys and cowgirls can carry on a conversation with other cowboys and cowgirls they have never met before, for hours if it involves horses.

"Being a cowgirl is more a state of mind. A cowgirl may not have ever herded cows... but she could."

BAXTER BLACK, described by The New York Times as "...probably the nation's most successful living poet," is a consummate cowboy and former large-animal vet.

On Baxter's website, he answers the question "What is your definition of a cowboy" in a unique way:

"Someone who can replace a uterine prolapsed in a range cow in a three-section pasture with nothing but a horse and a rope."

In a conversation with ENM Contributing Editor M. Y. Mim, he explained that the definition of a cowboy is varied, but,

really it's an attitude more than a job description. The cowboy mentality means "why you get bucked off three times and then get back on. Cowboys don't negotiate or bluff."

Baxter has always been a cowboy. He grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico, among cows and horses.

"It was in me to start with," he said. "I always wanted to be in the livestock business, in wide-open space. When it was time to go to college, I chose veterinary school because I would be able to be with horses and cows." This answered ENM's question "What do you like best about being a cowboy," which Baxter said no one had ever asked him before.

Dr. Black believes strongly in Gene Autry's 10-point Cowboy Code, saying, "The Cowboy Code is not a punchline. It's a way of life."

He summed up the discussion of cowboys by quoting the last line of his poem "The Vanishing Breed"

"They're still out there - you just can't see them from the road."

Find out more about Baxter Black at www.baxterblack.com and watch his TV show on RFD-TV.