Horsing Around!

Day two of the Miss Rodeo America pageant has come to an end. Erin started the morning with breakfast at the French Market in The Orleans Hotel and Casino. Afterward the contestants were bused to the South Point Hotel and Casino for two rounds of horsemanship. Erin was the 14^th contestant to ride a horse performing a set pattern. She rode a black little horse that allowed her to show her horsemanship. Once all the girls rode the set pattern, they were then able to ride a draw horse and perform a freestyle pattern of their choice. The requirements were that they had 90 seconds and the pattern had to end with a “queen’s wave” around the outside of the arena. Erin did an amazing job on her draw horse! She made her mom and dad so proud handling the horses. I should mention that the horses used for the horsemanship portion of the contest were borrowed from stock contractors, so they were not easy to ride!

After eating lunch at the South Point, Erin and the other contestants returned to The Orleans for some more dance practice the rest of the afternoon. We then joined the girls at the Cowgirl Kickoff party last night. We were able to eat with Erin and talk with her about how she was feeling. She is having a blast and said that she is so happy to be here representing Wyoming. She is keeping her energy up through all the events and always has a smile on her face. All the contestants brought in their state flag during the party and then were asked to explain their outfit they were wearing that night. Erin was first in line to explain her jacket. She looked amazing in her jacket made by Janelle Baldwin depicting images that make Wyoming a state to remember. The party ended with a dance and I have to say each girl can dance extremely well! The girls then headed to an hour and half more of dance practice for the fashion show and coronation later this week.

Today Erin will be attending the President’s Breakfast, have her personality interview, taking photogenic picture, and having dinner at Billy Bob’s Steak House in Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino. Any down time today will be used for, you guessed it, more dance practice. Again, I want to encourage everyone to send in their text to vote Erin for People’s Choice award! If you have a message you would like to send to Erin, email it to missrodeopageant@yahoo.com and put “Wyoming” in the subject line. John Shooter has been taking pictures of the events and is posting them at www.shooterenterprises.com. Click the “online images” at the bottom of the screen.

As Erin said last night, “God Bless Wyoming!”

Brittany Richards

A Bright Day In Orange!

Erin started the Miss Rodeo America pageant yesterday in Las Vegas, Nevada wearing one of her favorite colors, orange!. The morning started with the contestants gathering by the showroom in The Orleans hotel. Once all 28 contestants arrived, we worked our way into the showroom so that each state representative could receive their sash and be introduced to the crowd. Erin had to wait until the very end to receive her sash since Wyoming is the last state listed alphabetically. Erin was very patient and looked confident and comfortable on stage. One their sash was in place, they then went backstage to tape their media interviews. These interviews will be viewed and judged after the contestants present their speech later this week. After the media interviews were finished, the official orientation began. We were introduced to the judges who have the hard task of judging these 28 girls this week, along with the association members of the Miss Rodeo America (MRA) organization. Each girl introduced themselves followed by Miss Rodeo America 2010, Kelli Jackson, asking them a question based on the applications they submitted. Erin answered her question with assurance and made “Team Wyoming” proud! Once Tracy Damrell, MRA President, dismissed the contestants, we helped move Erin into her hotel room. She will be sharing a room this week with Miss Rodeo Wisconsin. According to the schedule, Erin spent the rest of the afternoon trying on the clothes donated to each contestant from Wrangler, which they will wear during the Fashion Show and Coronation dance routines; along with learning the routines which they will perform on Wednesday and Saturday. Erin also took her written test and had the Foundation Dinner. The dinner was closed to the public but I am sure she had a wonderful time.

Today, Erin will be competing in the horsemanship portion of the competition, rehearsing for the Fashion Show and Coronation, and then relaxing at the Get Acquainted party later tonight.

Make sure to check out pageant pictures on John Shooter’s website, www.shooterenterprises.com. He is the official photographer for the MRA pageant and has taken many photos already! MRA also has a pageant blog and can be found on the MRA website, www.missrodeo.com. Make sure to text your vote for Erin for the People’s Choice Award. Information on how to do that can be found on the MRA website, along with information on how to send her a good luck message, or even flowers!!

Erin has a long but exciting six days in front of her. I am hoping to be able to post updates daily, but please bear with me! Thank you on behalf of Erin for the wishes, love, and prays this week!

Brittany Richards

Thanksgiving

Dear Wyoming,

Thanksgiving Day: A day to give thanks to all those who made my year possible, a day to spend with family eating so much turkey, I might not fit into my leather dresses…AND, the day before I leave for Las Vagas!! I can’t believe a year has gone by since I watched Allie compete!! This is IT!!

What an incredible year, filled with new people, fond memories and countless stories for years to come! It will be a year that I will look back at my entire life with fondness and gratitude for the blessings that have come my way! I am thankful for the opportunity to touch people’s lives and grateful for those who reached out and touched my heart.

Best of luck to all of the State Queens that I will soon see in the City of Lights! Although I wont have the ability to keep everyone updated, I have asked Brittany Richards to update the blog during the pageant!

Thank you all and God Bless Wyoming!!

Erin Heffron