About PCF
About Emily
Emily Buddin was a girl whose heart was pure gold, shining with a deep love for Jesus, her family, her friends, and every animal she came across, especially horses. She carried a rare combination of being fearless and independent, yet sensitive and compassionate. Strong-willed and a little stubborn in all the best ways, Emily was beautiful in every way a soul can be.
Her energy could brighten even the darkest room. She had a soft voice but a laugh that lifted spirits the moment it escaped her. People were drawn to her not because she demanded attention, but because she glowed with a gentle, steady light that made others feel safe, loved, and seen.
Emily lived her faith boldly. She shared the love of Jesus through Good News Club at school, leading others toward Him with her sincerity and kindness. She wasn’t afraid to share about God or pray publicly with great joy and she lived in a way that made others want to know the source of her joy.
Horses were where her soul came alive. Barrel racing wasn’t just a sport to her, it was a passion she chased with determination and grit. She inspired others with the way she worked to become the best rider she could be, showing up with courage, commitment, and that spark in her eye that said she was born to ride.
Family was everything to Emily. Her siblings were her world, and she mothered them with the best intentions, no matter their age. She loved hard, protected fiercely, and cared with a tenderness far beyond her years.
Emily was larger than life in the way that truly matters. Not loud, not boastful, but full of a presence that filled hearts and made people better just by knowing her. Losing her has devastated so many. A light like Emily’s doesn’t go out quietly.
She will be remembered in her purple cowgirl hat, in every rainbow that colors the sky, and in the countless lives she touched with her faith, her kindness, and her unstoppable spirit.
Enjoy the ride, cowgirl.
We’ll see you soon.💜
The Purple Cowgirl Foundation
The Purple Cowgirl Foundation began with a mother searching for a place to lay her grief and honor her daughter, Emily Buddin—a bright, fearless cowgirl whose love for the arena touched everyone around her. In the middle of heartbreak, Emily’s mother knew she needed to create something that carried Emily’s spirit forward, something that reflected her kindness, courage, and the joy she found in horses.
What started as a way to hold onto Emily has grown into a space that supports others walking through their own storms. The foundation brings people together, lifts families during unimaginable loss, and encourages conversations about safety, healing, and mental health in the rodeo and horse community.
At its heart, The Purple Cowgirl Foundation is about love—Emily’s love for the rodeo world, a mother’s love for her daughter, and the love we show one another when life becomes its heaviest. It’s a place where Emily’s light continues to shine, guiding others through their darkest moments with compassion and community.
Our mission. Our Vision. Our Values.
Inspired by the bright, fearless spirit of Emily Buddin, The Purple Cowgirl Foundation works to bring safety, compassion, and community to the horse and rodeo world she loved. We strive to prevent future tragedies through safety awareness, support families navigating overwhelming loss through financial assistance, and offer accessible mental health resources that foster healing and hope. Every step we take is in honor of Emily—and to ensure no family faces heartbreak alone.
Our Team
The Purple Cowgirl Foundation is guided by a small but deeply dedicated team of family, friends, and community members who loved Emily and believe in carrying forward the light she brought into the world. Each person involved brings their own strengths—whether it’s lived experience, compassion, industry knowledge, or simply a heart for helping others.
We are mothers, riders, volunteers, and advocates who understand the weight of loss and the importance of support. Our team works together to uplift families in their hardest moments, strengthen safety awareness in the horse and rodeo community, and create spaces where healing and connection can take root.
While our roles may differ, we’re united by a shared purpose: honoring Emily through meaningful action and ensuring that every family who turns to us feels seen, supported, and never alone.