Rose McMackin is a freelance writer in Austin, Texas. Her work has appeared in Texas Monthly, Austin Monthly, and elsewhere.
Last year, Bella Hadid was snapped grinning from ear to ear at the rodeo in Arlington, her wide-brimmed cowboy hat casting a shadow over eyes fixed on her boyfriend, cutting horse champ Adan Banuelos. That night, her leather pants, silver rings, and meticulously beaded top were the last whispers
The main character of “Wild Is Her Favorite Color,” the opening track on Jenna Paulette’s 2024 country album Horseback, is a familiar figure. She likes to drink tequila. She has an open heart like a desert sky. And “Ready to Run,” sings Paulette, is her favorite song. “It'