Darolyn Butler spent her childhood riding near her family’s farm and ranch, exploring the countryside and sharpening the skills that would later serve her well during horse shows and barrel-racing competitions. After winning the title of Miss Rodeo Oklahoma, she went on to become Miss Ford Country, the cowgirl featured in ad campaigns for Ford Motor Company. College graduation brought numerous opportunities, but Darolyn always filled her spare time with shows and rodeos. Then she discovered endurance riding, a cross-country competitive sport with races that cover 50 or more miles. Over the years, she’s won several national championships and when she became a mother, Darolyn trained her two daughters in endurance, and they are now competitive riders as well.

When she isn't competing, Darolyn offers riding instruction and consultation services at Cypress Trails Equestrian Center. The ranch is open seven days a week and adjoins scenic and challenging trails, where students of all ages and skill levels can go on adventure rides aboard beautiful arabian, spanish-mustang, and appaloosa horses. Darolyn also boards horses, giving them access to plenty of pastureland, where they can roam freely or stand still in one spot staring at the ground and counting blades of grass.