On your Marks! Get Set......

It's the middle of June, I am lined up at the starting line, in ready position. I am getting set to start my race across the state of Wyoming to visit it's PRCA rodeos. My heart is racing, my palms are sweating, my camera is charged, and my smile is shining.

I warmed up for my race with some appearances in Laramie. I was a celebrity reader for the Wyoming Reads day. Every first grade classroom in the state of Wyoming traveled to their public library on May 17th to hear a story, see a play, and receive their very own hardback book. This program was started by the family of a Casper teacher who was killed in a car accident years ago. It was fun getting to see the kids so excited to be getting a book with their very own name on the inside cover.

Reading "The Monkey Who Swallowed A Fly"

Handing out books

My next warm-up exercise took me to the Summer Wyoming Special Olympics here in Laramie. I kicked off their games by being emcee during the opening ceremonies. I was joined by numerous guest speakers and all of the athletes. I also presented medals during the gymnastics, track, and swimming portions of the games. The sportsmanship these athletes showed made me honored to be there! Not only were they happy when they received a medal, but they were happier for the others standing next to them on the award blocks. The hugs they shared and the laughs they had made it so much fun!

One of the athletes and I laughing before the Opening Ceremony

The crowd!

These kids have FUN!

Max Maxfield

Bringing in the torch!

I warmed up my driving legs by driving up to the Snowy Range on Memorial Day with my parents. If you don't know, Laramie still has alot of snow on the peaks above town, so much that the road was still closed until a few days ago! As you can see, there was a lot of snow up there still! That means flooding is a big concern for the valley!



I had a chance to do a little work for one of my big sponsors, Albany County Tourism. I taped a "commercial" for their website. I urge you to check it out! Go to www.visitlaramie.org , turn up the volume on your computer, and wait.

Jamie and Fred from the Albany County Tourism office

I made a few "test" runs before my big Race Across Wyoming. I made a run to Elizabeth, CO for the Elizabeth Stampede. It was my first outdoor rodeo as Miss Rodeo Wyoming, and I want to thank Colorado for reminding me why I need to pin my hat on! The wind the first night during rehearsal was so strong, I had to switch hats! I had alot of fun hanging out with Miss Rodeo Colorado, the outgoing queen, Victoria, and the two new royalty members Tori Jo and Caroline. I also had the chance to get to know Kathy Sabine from 9News. Her and I rode together in the parade and rodeo. She really is as tall as she looks on TV. During the queen's luncheon, I received the award for Best Pink. Thank you Victoria for being an amazing queen! I also want to thank my host home, Dana Asbridge. She was great to stay with, and shopping with her was so much fun!

Kathy Sabine from 9News and I before the parade

Best Pink Award

I then traveled to Cody, Wyoming to be on hand during the Cody Nite Rodeo PRCA show. Maury and Nikki Tate of Mo' Betta Rodeo are the stock contractors for the Cody Nite Rodeo, which is a rodeo held every night June 1-August 31 (expect during the Cody Stampede). Contestants for the Nite Rodeo do not have to have their PRCA card or permit. However, to be eligible to have stock at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, the Tates had to hold a PRCA rodeo. They asked me to be apart of the weekend, so I loaded up and headed north, in the rain. When I got to Cody, I learned that the rodeo that night was cancelled due to the pouring rain and mud hole the arena had become. The next morning the tractors and trucks were at the arena digging out the mud, and replacing the mud with dry dirt. The rodeo that night went off without a hitch, well except for me crying in the middle of the arena during the National Anthem holding the American Flag. This is the arena that helped mold my desire for being Miss Rodeo Wyoming, and to be there holding the most beautiful flag as Miss Rodeo Wyoming, I knew my dream came true!

Glad I don't need this kind of equipment to clean my room!

The mud is all gone! But so is the dirt!!!

My first two trips went so well I decided to take a long test run, this time, I combined two trips into one! I started the biathlon with a trip to North Platte, Nebraska. I joined 11 other state rodeo queens for the Miss Rodeo Nebraska pageant, NebraskaLAND Days, and one performance of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo. We started the week with horsemanship and the pageant BBQ. After the BBQ we had a stick horse ranch rodeo. I'm proud to say, my team won! Day two was started with a brief sponsorship tour followed by the Kid's Parade. We walked with hundred of children dressed up in costumes. After the parade and signing enough autographs for everyone, we toured the Golden Spike Center. I learned alot about the railroad which was pretty cool since my dad worked for years with the railroad. After more autograph signings we had an evening on the lake. It was great to relax and get to know the other girls, the contestants, the judges, and the committee. Day three was just as busy as day two! After having our donated Starbucks Coffee, we signed autographs at one of the banks, ate KFC, then had a practice for the style show to be held that night. Before we could get ready for the show, we had two more autograph signings. And in true rodeo queen tradition, we signed autographs at Walmart. The style Show that night was a blast. The state queens modeled dresses and danced with the contestants. We started day four with the queen speeches and crowning of the new teen queen. The state queens were escorted by some of the little queens. We rounded out the last day in North Platte with more autograph signings, bowling, and the rodeo. We watched as Sierra Patterson was crowned Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2012. Thank you to Sue and Corby for being wonderful hosts and to the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association and Pageant Committee for letting us join in on the fun!

Stick Horse Ranch Rodeo- Dressing Race

Stick Horse Ranch Rodeo- Rescue Race

Stick Horse Ranch Rodeo- Water in a Cup with Holes Race

The winning team and the plaque!

A night at the lake.

The bus the drove us around!

Miss Taylor joined us in North Platte (Actually Laurie was a judge, so Taylor was there too!)

Wyoming Flag at the Golden Spike Center

How many rodeo queens can you fit in the kiddie Farris Wheel in the city park?

My escorts for the speeches

My Host home!

My pit stop after Nebraska was a three hour visit to my home. It was enough time to unpack, repack, and hug my dog! I then set north for Casper to serve as a judge for the Lil' Miss Wyoming pageant. I was joined by three other judges, Mrs. Wyoming Galaxy 2011, Sager Rhodes, and Jenny Martoligo, and we had the near impossible task of judging girls 3-15. It was so hard, but a learning experience! I know have a whole new respect for judges! The girls were all so cute and funny! I was honored to be apart of that pageant. Congratulations to the new royalty and I'm looking forward to seeing them this summer around Wyoming. On my way back from Casper, I was just leaving the quiet town of Rock River when I saw a bright while line against a dark blue sky. A TORNADO!! After I made sure I was safe, and pulled over to the side of the road, I grabbed my camera to got a shot of the last little column of white.Three of the royalty judges

One of the contestants and I at the Party In The USA Party!

The very end of a tornado (It's right in the middle going like / )

I have returned home, my racing boots are on, and I'm ready for the gun to go off! I will make the turns on the track from Casper, to Thermopolis, to Walden, Colorado, to Cody, to Laramie, to Sheridan, to Cheyenne, to Rock Springs. Yes, I am ready for my race!

The Calm Before the Storm

Since I last checked in, I have been able to have a few quiet days at home. I am using this time to prepare for my summer travels, the Miss Rodeo Wyoming pageant and the Miss Rodeo America pageant. This year's trip to Vegas for the Miss Rodeo America pageant has a few changes that I would like to share with you. First off, the host hotel and location for a majority of the pageant will be the MGM Grand. The dates have also changed. We will begin the pageant December 3rd and crown the new Miss Rodeo America 2012 on December 10th. Detailed information can be found on the Miss Rodeo America website. I am excited for the "Whole New Pageant".

Shortly after returning home from Oklahoma City/Pocatello, it was time to crown the new National Circuit Finals Steer Roping (NCFSR) Champion. This is the second year that there has been a circuit finals for the steer roping, and Torrington, WY has been the home of the championship. The NCFSR Committee provided me with a hotel and meals during the weekend. One of the committee members, Larry, lent me one of his horses to ride. My horse, Dooley, and I carried the American Flag following the introductions of the contestants and assisted the arena usher, Jeff Rector, in clearing the steers. It was a great opportunity to participate in a true Wyoming tradition. Congratulations to all of the contestants and to Trent Mills from Gillette, Wy for receiving the NCFSR Trophy Saddle.

Carrying the American Flag on Dooley

Jeff Rector and I clearing the arena

Dooley and I, almost needed a ladder to get on him after lunch!!

I was invited to join two of my sponsors, Albany County Tourism and the First National Bank of Wyoming, at the Ag Appreciation dinner in Laramie. The local ranchers invited area businesses to join them in a night of prime rib dinner and a lecture about how agricultural business benefits the World. Dr. Sides was the speaker and shared some very interesting information regarding third world countries and the benefits of agriculture. I was joined by Miss Laramie Jubilee and her Lady-In-Waiting. I also had a chance to visit with Kati and Levi Hime with Wyoming Lifestyles Magazine. I worked with them while a member of Job's Daughters and am so excited for them with this new magazine which illustrates Wyoming and her residents. Thank you Albany County Tourism, First National Bank, and Sharleen Castle for allowing me to attend.

Dr. Sides, lecturer

Laramie Jubilee Days Royalty

Kati and Levi Hime with Wyoming Lifestyle's Magazine

Speaking of the Albany County Tourism, I want to thank them for working with me on my travels. Fred, Jamie, and Ann have offered so many resources to me as I travel! They have donated gifts for me to give to my out of town hosts, literature to distribute about my county, and have helped prepare my official Miss Rodeo Wyoming pickup. I will be driving across the state sharing the way to "Live The West" in Albany County. Thank you Albany County Tourism, and thank you Dad for the use of your truck!

(PICTURES TO COME)

I closed April by presenting the American flag and sponsor flags at the Laramie River Rendezvous. I was excited to be representing my Alma mater, the University of Wyoming. I watched the University's cowboys and cowgirls end their intercollegiate rodeo season, many of them competing for one of the finals spots to attend the National College Finals Rodeo held in Casper this June. The heart these athletes show makes me proud to wear the brown and gold colors of the University of Wyoming! Powder River Let'er Buck! Thank you to Kim Kuhn and Brooke Howard, who let me borrow their horses! While one of Kim's horses didn't think carrying the America Flag was much fun, I had a great time with her and the team!

Gypsy not wanting to play nice!

Speed is more Gypsy's thing!

Thank you Kim so much!!!

I left the college rodeo and headed north to the Big Wyoming Horse Expo in Douglas. This was the second year for the expo, and it is certainly a growing event! I was able to catch the last day of the expo and was offered a palomino filly to ride in the parade of horse. Jackie, Terry, and Barbara of Angel Quarter Horses in Riverton, Wy allowed me to show off their horse, Shiloh, and I appreciate it greatly! I listened to some very knowledgeable equine experts and learn a great deal! The shopping was also first class! I want to thank the committee for allowing me to join them!

Barbra, Shiloh, and myself

Showing off this amazing filly

Getting ready to address the crowd

I'm glad to have a break in my travels to spend some quality time with my family, friends, dog, and horses. This summer is going to be busy and I'm lucky to have a chance to spend time with the people who have supported me. Next on my queen calendar is the Miss Rodeo Wyoming Association meeting. Thank you Wyoming for the support and we will see you on the road!

This is a long one! (PICTURES ADDED)

Traveling in a plane is always an experience. When you add a hat can, a crown, and a briefcase full of autograph sheets, you never know what might happen. I entered the Denver International Airport to start my trip to Oklahoma City, OK for the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo solo. As I approached my gate, I saw a familiar sight, three actually. Sitting at the same gate I was were Miss Rodeo Utah, Miss Rodeo Idaho, and Miss Rodeo Nebraska. All three of us ended up on the same flight! I was so happy to finally be able to share a flight with my fellow queens! It is also interesting to note that people are more apt to approach a group of rodeo queens rather than just one.

We landed in Oklahoma City (OKC) and were met by Miss Rodeo Oklahoma, Jamie Verden, and members of her board. We were taken to our hotel to check into our rooms. The Embassy Suites is where I called home for the next few days. I shared a room with Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Florida, and Tennessee. Kallie Baker with “It’s a Sue Thing Photography” joined us throughout the week and captured our adventures with her camera. She then offered each queen a disk of the photos. It cut down drastically on the time spent posing for 22 different cameras.

With 22 rodeo queens you can imagine how hard it would be to get us from point A to point B, so, when it came time to take all of us to Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill for dinner, we were surprised with two white stretch hummer limos to be used our first night in town. I can say, this started the week off with a BANG! After dinner, we took a canal ride through OKC’s “Bricktown”. This area of town was once a deserted warehouse district. About 15 years ago they started to renovate the area and it is now a very energetic and historic portion of town. After our ride, we piled back into the limos and made our way to one of OKC’s important sights, the OKC National Memorial Museum. This museum stands where the 1995 OKC bombing took place. To visit it at night was touching; seeing the numerous lit chairs covering the lawn, representing the people and their location within the building, who were lost that day. I was just a child when this horrific event took place, but can remember like it was yesterday. The building has been completely removed and a memorial now stands touching the sky. The only thing left on that site is a tree that withstood the blow. There is an actual museum next to the memorial; however, we were not able to visit it. I am already looking forward to my next trip to OKC to visit this museum. After seeing this heart-touching site, we again piled back into the limos and headed to the OKC Capitol building.

The girls in front of one of the limos

Some of the girls in the limo

The entrance to the Oklahoma City National Memorial

The week in OKC was filed with flag practices, autograph signings, and rodeo performances. It was wonderful to get the opportunity to ride Bronc and Kate Rumford’s horses during the rodeo. The Rumfords have been working with rodeo queens for many years, and Bronc was a past Miss Rodeo America Inc. president and currently serves on the horsemanship committee. Their crew made sure we had safe horses, the correct flags, and in the right order during all 5 rodeo performances. I was also honored to carry the event sponsor flags during the Friday night, Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon performances. This rodeo was my first PRCA championship rodeo I have ever been a part of and an experience I will never forget.

Cydney Tate and I

On Friday we were given quite a treat. The Oklahoma City Gun Club gave 22 rodeo queens the opportunity to shoot shotguns all morning! For many of us, it was our first time shooting shotguns, and for a few of the girls, it was their first time shooting a gun ever. I had gone with MRW ’09 Allie Bass to learn before I left, so I thought I would be prepared. We invited some of the cowboys and personnel from the rodeo to participate in a shooting competition with us. We were placed on teams of four, two queens and two cowboys. I was teamed up with Miss Rodeo Arkansas, Shana Carter; barrelman, Dennis Halstead; and bullfigthter Kaden Burns (from Laramie). Our team tied for fifth, but I’m proud of the 6 out of 10 targets I hit. That might not seem very good, but for only the second time shooting a shotgun, I’m proud. I can only get better from here! We then went to “Pop’s”, a diner which has over 500 different bottled sodas. I quenched my thirst with a root beer from Jackson Hole, WY.

The entire shotgun crew

Our shotgun team

"Pull!"

Some of the girls waiting to shot

A little piece of home!

That night after the rodeo performance, I learned the phrase “It’s a small world” lives strong and proud in OKC. I was told that my fourth grade teacher wanted to say hi to me. I was thinking for sure that there was a mistake! But when I turned the corner and looked at the woman smiling at me, sure enough, it was my fourth grade (and third grade) teacher! She had moved to Missouri and was in town to see the rodeo. It was fun being able to talk to her and special to know how proud she is of me!

My 4th grade teacher

The warm up pen

Sunday’s rodeo performance is where the 2011 National Circuit Final Champions were determined. Afterward, Miss Rodeo Florida, California, Idaho, Nebraska and myself boarded two Southwest flight and headed to Salt Lake City, UT to meet up with Miss Rodeo Idaho’s mom and a board member. They stayed up all night to and drove us to Pocatello, ID for the Western Frontier Pro Rodeo.

Autographs at one of the western stores

Carrying a sponsor flag

Dennis Halstead and I after the rodeo

We were staying at Miss Rodeo Idaho’s grandparents’ house and didn’t have to check into the hotel until later that afternoon, so, we were able to sleep in and watch a movie! We also were fed very well! The five of us checked into our hotel and got settled in for the busy week ahead of us. Day one of our trip to Pocatello we attended the rodeo meeting and were introduced to all of the volunteers who worked hard at making the Western Frontier Pro Rodeo a success. We were also introduced to our drivers for the week. The state queen’s driver was Fred. He made sure we were on time and taken care of! He gave us curbside pick-up and drop-off at every place we went. He drove us around in a van donated by Litho Dodge of Pocatello. Miss Rodeo Canada and a few local area queens were also on hand during the week. The Wilderness Circuit queen’s mom was nice enough to follow us around and take pictures of the week. I will post more pictures when I receive them.

It seems to be a queen tradition to sign autographs at Wal-Mart, and that is exactly how we kicked off our queen duties in Idaho. It also allowed us an opportunity to shop for the things that we had to leave behind in Oklahoma City. After signing autographs and raising money for the Children’s Make A Wish Foundation in Wal-Mart, we got dressed up to attend the Kick-Off party. We were introduced from the balcony, which was quite an honor. Some of us tried our hand at pool golf. For never playing golf before, I was surprised that I did well. I didn’t miss the ball not did I let go of the club! This party gave us the chance to talk with the people who we would be working with, stock contractors, barrelman, bull fighters, chute hands, committee members, and even a few of the cowboys. I also had the chance to met Glee Nett, with the Children’s Western Wish Foundation. She would later become an important part in my stay in Pocatello.

Introductions from the balcony with the barrelman and bullfighters

The pool golfing girls

Wednesday started with a flag rehearsal at the Idaho State University Holt Arena. This arena is home to football games, basketball games, concerts, and rodeos! It was an amazing facility! Miss Rodeo Idaho, Trisha Crump, allowed me to use her personal horse, Missy, for the rodeo that week. After rehearsal we made our way to Portneuf Medical Center. We visited the pediatric ward and the care center. We then visited the Quail Ridge assistant living facility. That night was the PRCA Xtreme Bulls performance. Pocatello used to be home to the Dodge National Circuit Finals rodeo, but since it was moved to Oklahoma City this year, the Pocatello committee decided to continue the rodeo. This changed allowed them to expand the fun! They had over 500 contestants this year, including the best of the best such as Trevor Brailze, Tuff Cooper, Bobby Mote, Jason Havens, Seth Glause, Bobby Welsh, Allan Bach, and many more! They were also able to add the Xtreme Bulls to the rodeo, which gave the community another night to catch some rodeo action. The state queens were given the night off from carrying flags and were able to watch the bull riding. Powder River Rodeo Company and D&H Cattle Company brought some of the finest stock around! Out of 40 rides, only 8 of them were given a score from the PRCA judges. There was only one qualified ride in the short-go!

School visit

Shane presented us all with a custom flag boot!!

With Bob in the care center

The group that visited the hospital

Representing Power River Rodeo with bullfighter Trever Hamsher

Miss Rodeo Florida attended Pocatello with us, and on our way from the airport on Sunday she made the comment that she had never seen snow and really wanted to see it. She was hoping for a little snow, “about three feet”. Little did she know that three feet is not a “little snow”. On Thursday she got a small portion of her wish. It started to snow! After our morning school and assistant living facilities visits, Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Fred (our driver) and I took Miss Rodeo Florida up to the ski area to see snow. The ski area had closed a few days earlier, but the ski patrol was there cleaning up things for the season. Watching her play in the snow was like watching a kitten with a ball of string. We had to laugh when she went to use her finger to write “Miss Rodeo Florida” in the snow, just like we did in the sand while in Florida. After two letters she had to stop because she finger was so cold. Apparently she didn’t think it would be cold. It was refreshing to see someone excited about something that I seem to cringe at. It made me remember I should be thankful for the little things I may forget about. After our trip to the snow, we joined the rest of the queens at the VA hospital. We brought with us a small friend, Murphy the mini horse. The residents of the hospital came out to the lobby to see him. I met a man from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He and I talked the entire time about the beauty and comfort of the mountains in Wyoming. To share the love of Wyoming with someone who served our country, and in his case, fought the Russians in Alaska, made my heart grow a even more for the state I call home. That night was the first rodeo performance we carried flags in. Again, the stock contractors brought the best of the best!

At the VA Hospital

At the close of the rodeo

We started Friday morning helping serve breakfast at the Chamber breakfast at the Holt arena. It was great giving back to the community who welcomed us with open arms. Afterward, some of the girls stayed at the arena and watched slack, while the local queens, Miss Rodeo Idaho, and I went and visited nursing homes. At the Highland Nursing Home, the residents came into the dining hall and I had such a good time going from table to table talking with them. The smiles we shared, the laughs we exchanged, and the stories told made my day so special. It was sad when our time there was up and we had to leave. I could have spent all day talking and laughing with them. That trip put a smile on my face for the rest of the day during out autograph signing at the local credit union and the rodeo performance.

Saturday was a day that changed my life. We started with spiritual words during Cowboy Church, an autograph signing at the Cowboy Expo (where we did some shopping), and another autograph signing at Vickers Western Wear (again, more shopping). We then went back to the Holt Arena and started the Exceptional Rodeo. Glee paired me up with the Children’s Western Wish Foundation Pocatello recipient, Jenna. She and I walked hand in hand from each station. We roped, rode a horse, rode a bucking bull and bucking horse dummy, and she rode a Shetland pony. The smiles on the faces of the children that day took all of my stress, exhaustion, and worries away. It was a perfect beginning to the last rodeo of the week!

My new friend Jenna!

Tuff Cooper just couldn't resist getting a picture!

Tired but still smiling!

Miss Rodeo Nebraska and I parted from the group Sunday morning and caught a bus from Pocatello to Salt Lake City airport. Our short flight brought us back to Denver. My mom and dad picked me up and we headed home.

I was proud to represent my state over the past two weeks! It was a extensive trip and a marathon of smiles, but worth every hug and high-five! I’m loading up in the morning and heading to Torrington, WY to the National Circuit Finals Steer Roping. Steer roping is defiantly a Wyoming tradition!

Time to Ride Again!