This year, I have been to Colorado more than any other state. The two reasons I have been there are…
The Automatic Car Wash!
On February 3rd, I made a trip to Rapid City, South Dakota for the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo (BHSS). Oregonians have been spoiled when it comes to the climate. Yes, it is true that we get the occasional winter snow storm, but most of the time it doesn’t stay too long. When I stepped of the “puddle jumper” plane that I took from Denver to Rapid City, I was shocked at how cold it really was. My breath was literally blown away. Even if it was cold, the scene was beautiful. Rolling hills were blanketed with a thick coat of white Christmas splendor. Many children would even be looking up at the sky with hopes that Santa Claus would be arriving as soon as the night drew upon them… but to my dismay it was February.
My wonderful hostess was the beautiful Miss Jerry Luckett. She was not only in charge of all the girls in attendance but Jerry and two other well qualified young women had the challenge of making nine out-of-state rodeo queens look like seasoned grand entry participants.
I was roomed with Amanda Breitenfeldt, who is Miss Rodeo Wisconsin. As soon as she came in I knew that she was a “cheese factory” full of fun. And yes, surprisingly enough, she does work in a cheese factory and makes cheese.
One thing that everyone should know about the BHSS is that the sponsor flags are ran in a specific order. Our job as participants of this rodeo is to carry them with military like precision. Our horses are to lope slowly around the arena and there is to be no space between each of the eight horses that were carrying the flags. What I learned from this is that the rodeo goes so quickly and is done in an extremely professional manner. The horses were all from the Sutton’s own stock. They were all well seasoned flag horses and were all brown. The problem with them being brown is that I literally could not tell any of them apart… again. Now this was a problem since we all were assigned to ride the same horse at each performance! I was given the chance to ride a horse named Gilbert. He was what some of the girls called “the twitchy horse”. This little guy was so full of spirit that I was never bored and actually told Miss Amy Sutton that she might be short a horse by the end of the rodeo! I surely loved that little brown horse!
Not only was I able to attend all the rodeo performances, I got to help talk to children at a local school. This was so much fun because McKenzie Haley, Miss Rodeo South Dakota is an excellent speaker and she led the class so well that I was completely impressed. What a wonderful representative!
Oh yes, if any of you are friends with me on facebook I advise that you look up the video about Erin Heffron, Miss Rodeo Wyoming, take her first ride through an automatic car wash. Believe me; you will laugh your socks off!
The first evening I was there, all the state queens and the newly crowned Miss Black Hills Stock Show attended the Black Hills Stock Show Stockman’s Ball. This evening was made to honor certain individuals who had made a positive influence on the agriculture and western way of life in South Dakota. We all helped with raising money through a live auction, talked and mingled with the guests and represented the western life style specific of each state. It was a total blast!
In the civic center where all the booths are and the rodeo is held is the Rodeo Zone. All of us were asked at least once a day to sign autographs. This was wonderful because I was able to see the people of South Dakota at their finest. Everyone was so welcoming and polite!
I am hoping that with each place I visit that I will take something back with me to Oregon. What I learned from the South Dakotans is that no matter where you are and no matter how cold it gets that there is always time for a rodeo. The people of this beautiful state are true cattlemen. I cannot wait till I am able to make another trip there.
After the BHSS was finished, I boarded another plane to San Antonio, Texas for the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. I was so excited for this rodeo because it is the 2009 PRCA Large Rodeo of the Year! My lovely hostess was Miss Julie Kallison. She swept me up in her crème Cadillac and drove me to the AT&T Center. As soon as I arrived I met up with Markie Battaglia, Miss Rodeo California and Devin Felgar, Miss Rodeo Texas 2009. While Devin was busy with her job of being the fabulous Miss Rodeo Texas, Markie and I were able to walk around the rodeo arena taking it all in. Our first duty was to help with the Mutton Bustin’. What I love about helping with this event is that the kids are so excited about making their debut in this very large arena. This is another rodeo that is well know for putting on a fabulous and well run rodeo performance.
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