Happy New Year- With a LOT of catching up :)

Happy New Year to EVERYONE!! Welcome to 2011, I hope your holiday season was full of joy and wonderful company! I had to take a break from my blog for a while, since there have been soo many changes, but, I am now able to update you on the completion of my year 2010.

 Wilderness Circuit Finals::

Myself, Martina, and McKenzie Mahuan



Measha, Jamie, myself with TETWP night






Bryn and the American Flag display



October 27-30th I was in Ogden, Utah at the Golden Spike Arena, helping out with the Wilderness Circuit Finals. There, we had 8 girls that helped carry flags for the 3 day event (the 1st day, the 27th, was a rehearsal day). We also helped in welcoming the fans, passing out candy to the young rodeo attenders (even those young at heart ;) ), and walked around the arena for donations to assist in the research of breast cancer. Some of the girls I had the pleasure of working with were Measha Gittens- Miss Rodeo Idaho, Martina Wardel- Miss Rodeo Utah, Jamie Udell- Miss Wilderness Circuit, and Bryn Christensen- Miss IMPRA.



Can't miss "Oakie" and I- Montana blue flag/ grey horse



Each night had a flag presentation that honored each division of the nations armed forces. It always takes my breath away, knowing that we have men and women that do so much for this country. Please know, I thank you for EVERYTHING you do! Following the presentation, Bryn Christensen gave a beautiful ride with the American flag that blew fireworks from the top! Not to mention her opening act of "Firecracker". Lots of firework action with an extra "BANG". What a sight!



Bryn and I- Best seats in the house :)



It was a very COLD 4 days of rodeo- but as always, very worth it! My Jr. Queen's Mom, Sammy, was a HUGE help in my participation. She brought me, each night, a horse to use: Good 'ol Oakie!! He was AWSOME! Talk about a horse that knows what you want out of him; speed, control, and the ability to handle a very loud indoor arena! Thank you Sammy!!!



Strippin chutes



For those 3 days, the girls and I watched the rodeo action behind the bucking chutes, where I also witnessed, first hand, how important the guys behind the scenes are in order to have the rodeo run as smoothly as it does. Those pushing stock, loading them, working the stripping chutes, and handlers were non-stop the entire performance! Hats off to you that do this kind of work, you are MORE than appreciated! :) The stock were phenomenal to watch, including the wild horse display in the arena dedicated to the late Bud Kirby. Several of his Bar T bucking horses were set loose in the arena while announcer Wayne Brookes helped us all to remember Bud and the amazing things he did during his seventy years. The video explains it all;



Matt Sherwood- Team Roping

Thank you Bud for all you contributed to this great sport. Thanks to the girls for making it memorable, and Paula Smith for having me!! Good luck to all the top Wilderness Champions as you compete in the Finals at the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo!!!! 


KariAnne and Ashley:: Cheese!



 

Pocatello Parade of Lights::



The Crew- float set up!



Kelie and I while helping set up the float



The season ended with the most EXCITING parade of the year: The Parade of Lights! This event was held in Old Town Pocatello where the streets filled with people and Holiday Cheer! Everyone bared the cold, COLD night while "ooohing" and "aweing" at the floats and people decorated in lights to help "light the nightime sky". The Pocatello Frontier Rodeo won "Best Use of Lights" on our creative 'covered wagon', and a trophy to add to our achievments for the year. 









We won!!!



(some) parade participation



We had a full group of people participate such as committee and guests on our float, my court and I on horseback, Elizabeth as a "bandit" on horseback, and Sylvia on her famous pony drawn carriage.



Elizabeth as a "bandit"







Shania and her "BIG" reindeer



All of us had some sort of lights on us. Mine were blue/white lights with glow sticks wrapped around the front legs.



Blurry- but it shows the light affect! :)







Shania, Randi, Myself, Elizabeth



Here, I used Sylvia's horse "Trouble"- who actually, was no trouble at all- other than nibbling on the other horses' decorations that just so happened to be elictric lights!! Silly horse was aching for a shock! LOL... but, we made it through with out un-needed elictricity :) Thank you Sylvia for letting me use him, he was WONDERFUL! Thank you to all that made the year 2010 so memorable! I owe so much gratitude to you all for making it a success and I look forward to seeing all the things we will accomplish in 2011!! Western Frontier Pro Rodeo- you are going to be a ride unlike any other!!



"Trouble"- my trusty steed for the parade

















ISU Homecoming Parade and Rocky Mountain Cowboy Race = New Beginnings



"Tango" and I- I'm wearing Dads chinks :)






Shania, Myself, Randi



Saturday, September 25th was the Idaho State University's Homecoming Parade. Here we welcomes back the Orange and Black in good ol' Pocatello. :) With this parade, we made sure to decorate the horse trailer accordingly to welcome in the new rodeo to be held in Pocatello, ID:: The Western Frontier Pro Rodeo- Wrangler Million Dollar Tour (by Justin Boots) hosted by the Pocatello Frontier Rodeo Association. I do not reccommend trying to say that 5x fast! My dad even helped in my wardrobe!! Since my black/blue/silver chaps were being fixed, he let me use his "well used" chinks in which, completed my outfit perfectly!~ Thanks Dad!! We had a GREAT turn out for committee participation, parade participants, and parade spectators. It was WILD seeing so many people in Bengal stripes, orange, black, and paint!! Randi, Shania, and I had a GRAND time hooting and hollering with the crowd as we strolled by. Anything to help in the excitement was definately a treat. :) From this experience, I will admit- glitter glue and horses to NOT mix- when you try to brush it off... you can still read the letters you wrote from that morning (OOOOOPPPPS) I will not be putting "Tango" through THAT again!

 Rocky Mountain Extreme Race ( Below)



A few of the Committee members involved



Carma and I- Best timers EVER!



Judges in Arena- Corey and Jim

October 1st and 2nd (Friday and Saturday) the PFRA held an event called the Rocky Mountain Cowboy Race (following after the Cowboy Extreme Race). The event was in Pocatello, ID at the Bannock County Fairgrounds. Talk about a WARM 2 days! Friday was considered a practice round, in which I participated in. "Tango" has done most wonderful for me ALL year, I wanted to see how far she would be willing to go in new things. We walked through a tunnel (tarp on both sides and below), jumped trees (barrels lying flat between 2 poles), made our way through the car wash (tarp hanging freely from above), waded our way through a pond (a man made water hole), and even pushed a big green ball around the arena (definitely the BEST time ever!!)!! What a BLAST! We had a great turn out JUST for practice and all the obstacles offered (far too many to name). I was more impressed with my gal after that, and knew I had a GRAND partner in anything I wanted to do. Don Moore was kind enough to show us all how each obstacle worked- not to mention, he puts it on for us each year AND at his home ranch in California - http://reedvalleyranch.com/ . Saturday came with even more excitement! Carma Madsen and I helped in being timers, K.T Anderson was announcer, and we had committee members spread throught the event as judges, and assitance with some of the obstacles. We all watched horsemanship, at its best, compete in different divisions. The catch... all the obstacles were no longer JUST in the arena! Now, they were spread all through the arena, parking lot, AND in the extra field. Who saw that coming? What a HOOT! The bonus about participating in the competition is that, if you won, you received not only bragging rights, but well earned reward money as well. I can't wait for next year to maybe, take it another step and actually compete in the competition. I love being part of this committee! They find any way to help out the rodeo that they care so much for, and would do anything for it to succeed! :) Until next year...





K.T- Announcer (horseback) Don  Moore- contestant



Robert- Judge on foot









The "Car Wash"




Around the barrel





Careful not to disturb the logs in your 360 turns

























100 yrs. Let 'Er Buck!! Pendleton Roundup





Nice set-up ;)





September 17th was a day to remember! For it was the ONLY day that the Pendleton Roundup had visiting royalty, AND the Western HO! Parade. This year marked 100 yrs for the Famous Pendleton Let 'Er Buck Rodeo with an event planned unlike anything! I am convinced that those that have been around for a while, know how to put on a celebration, because 100 yrs Salinas and 100 yrs Pendleton- WOW... that's all I can say. :) My dad helped me on this journey to Pendleton, Oregon, by brining along my main gal this year- "Tango". It was expected to me a LONG drive so we made sure she was as comfertable as can be. We stopped for the night in La Grande, Oregon- a town just below Pendleton- and put Tango up at the local fairgrounds. I made sure she had time to roll and stretch her legs prior to putting her in her stall for the evening... watching her gave me the idea that I needed pictures of her in her funny attire, not to mention, the surrounding area since it is BEAUTIFUL!



The next morning, after a LONG night of sleeping in curlers (ick), we headed off to Pendleton- with the weather damp, and the long day expected, I was crossing my fingers in hope that the sun would shine through come time for the parade! As we pulled into the neat little town, it wasn't hard to find where everyone was suppose to meet, considering EVERYONE was parked in the WalMart parking lot- and it looked as though there was no getting in, OR out! However, we found a little spot behind the madness- and from there- it was game time. :: Dad prepared "Tango"- I went to check in. Meeting spot was confrimed, parade number in hand, and I was off to grab my horse for the line up. Come to find out... the weather wasn't about playing so nice that morning. It rained... and rained... and rained! Curls in the hair- gone, horse mane and tail crimps- gone, the fun little glitters on the horse- majority gone, chaps dirty, white hat- ick, and my serape-um... yea. Loving Oregon!! Hahahaha... but the parade and the time I had was ALL worth it! There were 1300 people on horseback, with even more entries on foot, in wagons, and on buggies. What a sight! We continued the day with the Queens luncheon, serpantine ride, and of course.. the rodeo. So much that little town has to offer with such a grand event! I had a GREAT time, including all the positive that came out of such a trip. Spending time with my dad, the ability to ride my own horse through the parade, participating in another 100 yr old rodeo, and of course, the trip home. Home sweet home- only... To continue my reign with a parade the following weekend. :) Thank you for having me! Thank you for putting on such a GRAND event! Thank you for continuing this wonderful way of life in the BEST of ways!!! Thank you!  



100 Flag bearers- all on horseback







Sitting outside Pendleton Rodeo Grounds







Native American participation



~Eastern Idaho State Fair~ Parade and IMPRA Rodeo Finals



Shania, Myself, and Randi - DNCFR



The beginning of September = The week long event of the Eastern Idaho State Fair!!! An event everyone looks forward to wether it be for the carnival rides, free shows, shopping at vendors, the BIG celebrities, or even.... The Fair FOOD! MMMmmmmmm.... Saturday Sept. 4th was the kick off to this annual event, with a fantastic candy parade that had entries that lined up for days!!! The famous truck/trailer set up lead the way with Randi, Shania, and I following behind:: Measha- Miss Rodeo Idaho, Bryn- Miss IMPRA, her 1st attnd Tiffany, and 2nd attnd Dianna traveled the route right behind us. What a BLAST! We even gained a new companion on horseback- committee member Brad Carter joined, riding right along with us, helping in exciting the crowd!!



Miss DNCFR- Prep!



Randi, Myself, and Randi





Shania, Myself, Randi, and Brad making our way through the parade :)

 

I love seeing the excitement of the crowd when we make our way through the parade. It feels my heart with pride all the more for my rodeo, and reminds me why rodeo queens are so important to the sport! :) Although I will admit... I would LOVE to see the contestants get involved with these type of things as well. I know they would have a BLAST!

During the week, we share a booth with KZBQ owner/D.J "the luckiest man alive" Paul Anderson. Each year he is in the same spot- one that can't be missed with the Country music jammin and the lil red barn feel. Here is where you can find a committee member with the rodeo, who would fill you in on anything rodeo related, or event that may be happening in junction with the rodeo. This year we explained what was happening with the move of the DNCFR, and a new annual event- The Rocky Mountain Cowboy Challenge (Cowboy Extreme Race).



"Tango" and I at IMPRA Finals

Talking about rodeo, can only go so far with excitement... which is why they also hold the InterMountain Pro Rodeo Association Finals during the EISF. Monday Sept. 6th, and Tuesday Sept. 7th, I had the privilege of working with IMPRA Queen Coordinater DeeDee Tucker, IMPRA Royalty, Miss Rodeo Idaho, Miss Meridian Lions Rodeo, and Miss Jr. Rodeo Idaho with flag presentations in both performances. We packed sponsor flags in the grand opening, winners circles, and even made a nice stroll around the arena after the last event was through. Pushing cattle was an added bonus with some arena time with the top competitors in this association :)  Thank you IMPRA and DeeDee Tucker for having me! It was definately a memorable experience.





All the girls involved with packing flags



Winners Circle





Tricia, Measha, Dianna, Bryn, Tiffany, Myself, Keely