Phew! What a great start to an exciting year. It has been 2 months, 4,000 miles, 18 rodeo performances, 30 days on the road, and a priceless opportunity since beginning my journey as Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2013.
January 5th 2013 Laramie Jubilee Days Coronation
I could not think of a better first official appearance than the 2013 Miss Laramie Jubilee Days Coronation! It was such an honor to serve as the co-emcee along side Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2012, Kimberly Kuhn. Thank you to my Jubilee Days Family for including me!
Kimberly Kuhn, myself, and Zoe Curtright (Jubilee Days Queen Committee Chair)
Laurels' acceptance speech!
Congratulations to Miss Laramie Jubilee 2013, Laurel Austin, and the
Laramie Jubilee Days Royalty Committee on a fun and successful night!
January 11th - 13th 2013 Denver WESA Market
Next, I was off to the Denver WESA Market for some shopping!!! Thank you to Crystal Meyers and Laurie Thoman for making the trip to Denver to assist me in my shopping decisions.
Thank you to Bob Kipperman and all of the Kippy's crew
for helping me design a custom, one of a kind
Kippy's Jacket and some great Kippy's belts!
I also met Mike Hammerman of Bailey Hats. Thank you for your great support! 
Thank you to former Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Sandy (Meyer) Brazile, for generously sponsoring me some great pair of Twisted X Boots! 
A special thank you to Greg Hensley with Dan Post Boots for your continued support. I am excited to wear my stylish new Dan Post Boots!
Thank you to Parker Enterprises for sponsoring my briefcase. I carry it everywhere and would be lost without it.
LOOK who found me at the Wrangler Party, Miss Rodeo Wyoming Association member, Rachel Kelderman!
Janurary 23rd - 27th 2013 National Western Stock Show
My next stop was back in Denver for the National Western Stock Show (NWSS). I truly enjoyed being included in so many great events at this years NWSS!
The first event I attended was the Citizens of the West banquet honoring Dr. John Matsushim. The ' Citizen of the West' award is given annually to individuals who: "...embody the spirit and determination of the western pioneer, and who are committed to perpetuating the West’s agricultural heritage and ideals." Dr Matsushim has devoted his career to teaching students and innovating cattle feeding technologies. He is responsible for the development of steam-processing corn grain into ‘corn flakes’, a technique used worldwide today to increase efficiency in cattle feeding. Thank you to Dr. Matsushim for your commitment to our western lifestyle!
I was honored to have been afforded the opportunity to carry our great flag in the rodeo's opening ceremony on "Wyoming Day".
I owe a special thank you to Paul Andrews for all of your hard work and warm western hospitality at the National Western Stock Show!
Myself, Miss Rodeo WI, Mr. Paul Andrews, Miss Rodeo CO, Miss Rodeo America, & Miss Rodeo ND at the rodeo appreciation breakfast.
Catching the opening of the rodeo with Miss Rodeo IL and WI!!!
January 28th - February 2nd 2013 Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo
My next stop was Rapid City, SD for the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo! Thank you to Sutton Rodeo for allowing me to attend and for providing my great mount 'Gilbert'. Gilbert was fun to ride and always kept us entertained with his great personality and antics in the alleyway!
Miss Rodeo CA, myself on Gilbert, and Miss Rodeo IL.
While in Rapid City we of course had to make the trek to nearby Mount Rushmore National Monument. It was a VERY chilly morning but had a great time!
We had a great time at school visits, participating in the fashion show, attending the Stockman's Ball, shopping, and of course at the rodeos!
February 8th, 9th, & 10th Coors Pro Rodeo
After getting to spend a couple days at home I was excited to head up to Gillette for the Coors Pro Rodeo! Thank you to Hank and Lori Franzen of Powder River Rodeo for including me in the rodeo and providing me with a pair of great horses to ride for the weekend!
It was SUPER exciting to debut my custom Tim Bath chaps at my first WY rodeo of the year!!! Thank you to Tim Bath for donating my chaps. Also, a big thank you to Roy Martin for painting them. They turned out GORGEOUS!
February 11th - 18th 2013 Silver Spurs Rodeo
After driving through a blizzard in subzero weather to get home from Gillette it was quite a shock to step off a plane less than 24 hrs later into 100% humidity and 80 degree weather! Thank you to my great host family, the Simpsons, for your great hospitality. I appreciate you opening your home to me for the week!
Myself and Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Sam Chytka, at the Miss Silver Spurs Rodeo Pageant
Beach day at Cocoa Beach!
Silver Spurs Special Rodeo-- I had a great time with my special cowboy! I was overwhelmed by how many attended and how the Silver Spurs family rolled out the red carpet for their special guests.
All the state queens with the 'Boot' after the Special Rodeo.
While in Florida you have to get in some great Gator spotting right?! Thank you to Boggy Creek for sponsoring us a great air boat ride! We had a ton of fun looking for gators and other Florida wildlife.
Me and my roommate, Miss Rodeo IL, getting ready for our airboat ride!
We even got THIS close to a Gator (arms length away)!
I could not have dreamed of a better way to spend my birthday than surrounded with great friends at the Lake X Adventure Camp! It was a great day of rock climbing, zip lining, and a boat ride on this peaceful lake. That evening at the rodeo I even found my flag! Pictured below is the young man who had the honor of carrying the Wyoming Flag during the opening ceremonies at the rodeo performances.
Who would have ever thought I'd even get to go surfing!?!?!
My time in Florida was an absolute blast! Thank you to Laura Kessler for lining up such great activities for us all week and hosting us at the Silver Spurs rodeo!
Until next time,
Holly L. M. Kennedy
Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2013
