By Jamie Strickland
Editor’s Note: In celebration of our 10th year anniversary, Johnston Now Magazine will be featuring a series of “Where are they now?” articles that give updates about people we have written about throughout the years. “South Johnston grad plays key role in National championship for Texas A&M” ran in our October 2017 issue, and now we revisit the story, 10 years later. To read that and other past articles in their entirety, visit johnstonnow.com where you can flip through archives of all of our past editions.
Back in 2017, we introduced readers to Sarah Prather, then known by her maiden name, Sarah McEntire. A standout equestrian athlete from Four Oaks, she made headlines with her college riding championships at Texas A&M.
Nearly a decade later, Sarah is once again earning recognition, this time from the runway. Now living and working on a ranch in southeast Texas, she’s the founder of Cowboy Ware, a Western apparel brand earning national attention — and recently landing her a spot on Wrangler Cowgirl’s prestigious 30 Under 30 list for 2025.
“I have always loved agriculture and the Western way of life, and I have always loved and been fascinated with fashion,” Sarah said. “So having a clothing line, I believe, has allowed me to merge the two together.”
Launched in 2023, Cowboy Ware is more than a fashion label, it’s a nod to utility, identity and heritage. “I chose to call it that because it is a line that is made for cowboys and people that believe in the Western way of life. I added the term ‘ware,’ because a ware is an older biblical term that means: a tool to be used to complete a job,” she said.
What sets Prather’s brand apart is its unwavering commitment to being 100 percent made in the USA — an intentional decision rooted in her values. Her designs aren’t just for show; they’re functional, durable and designed to fit the needs of working cowboys and ranchers.
Prather and her husband now live on the ranch he manages in southeast Texas, where she balances building her business with daily ranch life. But her story, and the grit behind it, began in Johnston County.
“Growing up on a Johnston County cattle farm and participating in 4-H showing cattle, I knew I wanted to join FFA,” she said. “Thankfully, I had the opportunity to be involved with the South Johnston FFA chapter and this only heightened my love and passion for agriculture.”
That foundation in agriculture, public speaking and leadership paved the way for her success at Texas A&M, where she earned a degree in animal science and later obtained a livestock insurance license. These days, she’s finding creative ways to tell the stories of her roots through her clothing line.
“I believe growing up in a rural community, such as Johnston County, and being from a small town, instilled the love of agriculture and only pushed me to want to tell the stories of the people there even more,” she said. “Because I am only finding out how rare it is for communities like Johnston County to exist.”
Being selected as part of the 2025 Cowgirl Magazine 30 Under 30 class was no small feat. Chosen from over 100 applicants, Prather and her fellow honorees represent the future of women in the Western industry. The group was honored at The American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas recently.
With her clothing line gaining traction, Prather is focused on growing her brand while continuing to live and work on the ranch. As she looks ahead to the next 30 years, it’s clear her story is just getting started.
