Keeping Western Tradition Alive Through Custom Craftsmanship

Born in the Saddle, Raised on horses

Meet Caimey Carter, founder and designer of Caimey Hats, where custom craftsmanship meets deep-rooted Texas tradition. As a fifth-generation cowgirl and lifelong horsewoman, Caimey’s passion for the western way of life runs as deep as her family’s rodeo and cutting horse legacy.

Raised in the saddle, Caimey competed in her first cutting horse competition at just three years old, later securing multiple youth championships across East Texas. Throughout high school, she dominated the arena, earning the title of Champion Girl Cutter in the Texas High School Rodeo Association Region IV three years in a row, as well as a state finalist in both cutting and breakaway roping. Her senior year, she won the first go-round in breakaway roping—outpacing nearly 80 competitors.

Beyond competition, Caimey turned her focus to mentoring the next generation, teaching western riding and cutting to students of all ages. She has competed and trained alongside her students, racking up numerous titles across East Texas and making multiple appearances in the NCHA Futurity. Today, she continues to train horses and hold lessons alongside her father, Punk Carter—a world renowned horse trainer and horseman who is also a member of The Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.

The Carter Legacy

Punk Carter’s name is synonymous with cutting horse excellence. A past President of the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) and an NCHA Director for over 30 years, he was inducted into the NCHA Members’ Hall of Fame in 2002. His career spans decades of competition, mentorship, and advocacy for the sport, and he has been featured in national TV and magazine advertisements for NCHA, Strongid Wormer, and other equine brands. For Punk, cutting is more than a sport—it’s a family tradition spanning six generations, including his father, John Carter (NCHA Riders Hall of Fame, NCHA AAA Judge), his brother Roy Carter.