The Oregon Queen — All the News from March, 2024

2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon Abby Torgerson!

The month of March kept me in our great state of Oregon. My first event of the month took me to Canby for the coronation of the 2024 Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo Court. The support their court received that night was absolutely incredible. The Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo are close to our organization’s heart due to the years of support they have given the MRO program.

Next up was my own coronation. If you have never planned a coronation, it’s exactly like planning a wedding, plus getting auction items! I had an absolute blast at my coronation and I am blown away by the amount of people that traveled down to Southern Oregon to support me. I am so thankful for each and every person that made my coronation possible.

With a weekend at home this month, I even had time to show my horse at a local schooling show, before heading to the Southern OHSET Meet to judge the 2024 senior scholarships. I won this scholarship as a high school senior, so it was a great experience to be on the other side of things. I am so thankful for every opportunity like this to help with my preparation for America!

The month of April is looking full of new adventures! Stay tuned to see where I go next.

Gratefully,

Abby Torgerson

2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon

JMRO Kayla, MTRO Hallie, and I at the Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo coronation.

MTRO Hallie and I at the Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo coronation.

The newly crowned Canby Rodeo court and past queen Alexis at their coronation.

All the visiting royalty that traveled from near and far to attend my coronation.

JRMO Kayla, MTRO Hallie, and I at my coronation. I am so excited for my year with these two girls!

Our 2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon Zoe and I. I have so much love and appreciation for her!

Sam, our 2020-21 MRO, and I at the OHSET scholarship interviews.

Lady and I enjoying our weekend at the local schooling show. I think we overcame our fear of green pool noodles!

The Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant — August 14-17, 2024

Applications for the titles of Miss Rodeo Oregon Sweetheart, 2025 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon, 2025 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon, and 2025 Miss Rodeo Oregon are now available by emailing missrodeooregonincfoundation@gmail.com.  Age requirements are listed on the website and we have also published a “What to Expect” document that gives answers to the most frequently asked questions.  Check out what our organization offers to contestants in return–dinners every night in the Canby Rodeo VIP tent, a hotel room for Junior and Teen families (3 nights), and the chance to be a part of an historic rodeo which is in its 13th year of hosting our Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2024.

We are inviting everyone to the Miss Rodeo Oregon Fashion Show, to be held on Saturday, August 17 at The Grove Christian Camp in Canby.  The Sweetheart Pageant will be held in conjunction with the Fashion Show!

We especially want to invite all royalty to come and participate in the Chap Parade!  You will have an opportunity to model your chaps and tell the audience about some of the chap details and their maker.  We have given royalty a special price at only $15!!

2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Hallie Haslebacher!

March was another exciting month!

March might not have been as busy as February but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t as fun! This month I had a blast going to the 2024 Miss NPRA coronation, 2024 Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo Court Coronation, 2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon Coronation, and the 2024 Cottage Grove Rodeo Court Coronation. I had an absolute blast at each and every one of these events, but the best part is, having the chance to recognize and celebrate the amazing ladies that have worked so hard for the crowns on their heads!

The first event of March was all the way in Washington for the 2024 Miss NPRA Jessica Sayward’s coronation! I had so much fun celebrating Jessica, meeting new faces and catching up with friends!

The next weekend I was closer to home for the Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo Court Coronation celebrating Princess Madison Bailey and Queen Olivia Rees! Another beautiful coronation and I especially loved seeing a community band together to support these stunning ladies!

The next weekend I hopped over to Southern Oregon for the 2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon Abby Torgerson’s coronation! It might have been a long drive but it was definitely worth it! I would first like to congratulate Zoe on an amazing year! Can’t wait to see where life takes you! And of course I would like to send a HUGE congratulations to Abby! I’m excited to travel the state of Oregon with you and make unforgettable memories!

And the last event of March was the celebration of the 2024 Cottage Grove Rodeo Court Queen Allie Nuhring and Junior Miss Lynlee Jo Perini! This was such a fun event with amazing people and good food! Can’t wait to get to know these two more down the rodeo road!

With love your,
2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon
Hallie Haslebacher

So happy to call these girls my sash sisters!

Jessica and I after her big moment!

So excited to travel down the rodeo road with these girls!

Got to catch up with my favorite Idaho queen Ainsley!

So excited for Abby and her adventures ahead!

Reegan and I with our giant cotton candy!

Spotted Zoë at the Cottage Grove coronation!

Katie and I making the best of every moment!

Meet New Board Member, Cindy Granger!

Cindy Granger is excited to be a part of the Miss Rodeo Oregon board and helping to empower our wonderful young ladies of Royalty.

Cindy Granger and her husband reside in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Their family is completed by their daughter Brittney, her husband, and two amazing grandchildren RaeLynn & Granger. RaeLynn had the fun experience of being a Sweetheart last year and is looking forward to participating again this year.

Cindy’s royalty experience comes from her daughter being a Princess & Queen on the Milton-Freewater Pioneer Posse, Princess of the Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days, and a Princess on the Pendleton Round-Up Court. When Brittney was finished with her Royalty career Cindy was still having too much fun and was asked to be a co-advisor for the Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days. She continued from 2011 through 2023 as an advisor. Believing in the future of our Royalty programs and loving to help young ladies be the best they can be, Cindy has been part of the group putting on the “Now You Have the Crown Clinic” to help advisors, parents, and titleholders be prepared for their year ahead.  Missing the royalty world when Cindy was asked to be the Treasurer for the MROIF, something told her she had to say yes!!

Outside of Royalty, Cindy loves to stay busy doing anything with her family!  Soccer, t-ball, basketball, barrel racing, playing in the mountains, and traveling!!

Scholarship Fundraiser

 

 

 

2024 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Kayla Hunt!

Hello everyone!
My month of March started off with a fun filled night in Vancouver for Miss NPRA’s coronation.  It was great getting to see everyone get to come together in support of each other all while having fun with the Little Miss NPRA’s as we danced and talked about horses. Congratulations Jessica.  It will be fun getting to know you better this year.
My second stop was to the Clackamas County Fair and Rodeo grounds for Canby’s coronation and man it was a great time getting to see some familiar faces from last year and this year’s new title holders as well. There was definitely great support shown by the community for the ladies.
My third stop was by far the farthest south I have gotten to travel for the Miss Rodeo Oregon coronation of Abby Torgerson and that was a lot of fun getting to see Zoe and thank her in person for her hat donation. The stories told during the slide show was great and inspiring to see for me. The fun games played in the beaded necklaces was definitely a highlight to see how much others knew about the sport of rodeo. But to be in the hometown rodeo grounds where Wade Leslie rode the first and only 100 point bull ride was awesome.
Sincerely yours,
Kayla Hunt, JR Miss Rodeo Oregon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Scholarships for Miss, Teen, and Junior Contestants!

 

Thank you to the Horsemanship sponsor R & R Ranch, Home of the Triple R!

Feathers & Arrows Earrings

Jodi Willis of Feathers & Arrows created beautiful leather earrings for Abby this year which we are also providing for sale.  They will be available in the boutique at the Miss Rodeo Oregon Clinic beginning on April 12 and if we have any remaining, they will be sold on the website.  The ones which match Abby’s Stringfellow chaps are priced at $34 and the red/white/blue are $38.  Jodi provides earrings for the Pendleton Round-Up Court!



The Oregon Queen — News from February 2024

2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon Abby Torgerson!

There wasn’t any slowing down the month of February!

My month of February began in South Dakota with a visit to Landstrom’s Jewelry, ice cream in downtown Rapid City, a wind cave tour, and four Rodeo Rapid City performances. It was such a neat experience being able to see the behind the scenes of the Sutton Rodeo’s production!

My next adventure took me to sunny Florida! My host parents, the Ketchums, made me feel at home all week long. During this trip, we had nine school visits, four sponsor visits, a special rodeo, and four rodeo performances! But, we did make sure to fit in a beach day, some shopping downtown, a hog hunt, and an airboat ride! The warm weather had me looking forward to summer rodeo evenings here in Oregon.

To finish off the month of February, I headed up north to celebrate our Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon, Hallie, at her coronation. It was an incredible evening celebrating MTRO ‘23 Morgan’s year and Hallie’s upcoming year. This was my first event here in Oregon, so it was exciting to meet my fellow sash sisters!

February took me all the way across the country! Where will the month of March take me? Stay tuned, and don’t forget to purchase tickets to my coronation on March 16th! I would love to see you there.

Gratefully,

Abby Torgerson

2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon

Miss Rodeo Wisconsin and I grew close during our Florida trip when we learned we both love to craft!

February brought the big reveal of my Stringfellow Tailored Leatherwork chaps!

Florida including 9 school visits. We talked all things rodeo and the kids had no school on Friday, so that they could attend the rodeo!

My first time on an airboat ride was unforgettable. We saw gators, bald eagles, and even some cows in the marsh.

Miss Rodeo South Dakota and I at Rodeo Rapid City.

My fellow Oregonian and I enjoying hospitality at the Silver Spurs Rodeo.

It’s so neat to see all the places this crown has been. I think it’s traveled to Florida quite a bit.

Never did I think I would experience a hog hunt. The hog hunt includes catching the hog and castrating them to prevent overpopulation.

March 16 — Coronation of 2024 MRO Abby Torgerson and Hall of Fame Ceremony

2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Hallie Haslebacher!

Second month under crown did not disappoint!

February was packed full of beautiful coronations.  I had so much fun supporting your 2024 Jr Miss Rodeo Oregon Kayla Hunt, 2024 Benton County Fair and Rodeo Queen Naomi Bailey and Philomath Frolic and Rodeo Queen Katie Kilcullen at their conjoined coronation. It was followed by the coronation of your 2024 St. Paul court Queen Emilia Coleman, Princess Morgan Cuff, and Princess Erin Anderson. Last but not least my own coronation. I am so grateful I got to join these amazing girls on their big days! I can’t wait to travel with them this 2024 season! I have already made so many memories in just a short amount of time with the crown and I can’t wait for more to come!

First event of February was Jr Miss Rodeo Oregon Kayla Hunt’s coronation! I would first like to congratulate Reegan on a fabulous year! It was so amazing to get to know you and I can’t wait to see where this life takes you! I would also like to congratulate Kayla on her title! I’m looking forward to sharing the 2024 season with you! Kayla’s coronation was a blast! I got to hang out with new and old friends and make tons of memories dancing with my fellow sash sisters to Cupid Shuffle!

Second event in February was the conjoined coronation of Naomi Bailey, your 2024 Benton County Fair and Rodeo Queen and Katie Kilcullen the 2024 Philomath Frolic and Rodeo Queen! With this coronation came great food, new faces, and fun line dancing!

Third event in February was the St. Paul coronation! It is always such a blessing to see the community band together to support and celebrate these ladies! Excited what the season has to offer these four girls!

Last weekend in February came up fast as I celebrated at my own coronation. It’s an honor to wear the same crown as the strong young ladies that came before me. Morgan did a fantastic job with this title and left me with some big shoes to fill! She is an amazing woman and I am going to miss seeing her face every weekend! I would like to thank everyone who helped support me through my coronation, before and after.  You all mean so much to me! Before the coronation Abby, Kayla and I got to sneak in a quick photo shoot with Gabe Foster Photo (who also was the photographer at my coronation) and none of the pictures disappointed! I would also like to thank all the visiting royalty who came which made my night just that much sweeter!

With love your,
2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon
Hallie Haslebacher

Rodeo queen shenanigans after Kayla’s coronation.

 

Line dancing at Benton County and Philomath coronation.

Katie and I

St. Paul girls and me

Photo shoot with Gabe Foster Photo

Abby, Kayla and I walking into the 2024 season together.

Me and Sweethearts Delta and RaeLynn.

Post coronation with Alexis and Morgan.

The moment Morgan officially crowned me.>>

Abby and I after the crowning!

Reegan, Morgan and I with our moms.

April 12 to 14 in Madras, Oregon!

We’re the Oregon rodeo queen clinic affiliated with Miss Rodeo America!

Our first clinic was held in 2003 and we have grown bigger and better every year.  We offer a Miss Rodeo Oregon Sweetheart Clinic because we look to the littles for our future. We offer specialized instruction for state queens preparing to compete at Miss Rodeo America.  We offer both a clinic manual for registrants and a manual for parents/advisors.  New last year was Horsemanship for state queens and individual sessions with the head clinician.  This year, we added Tips and Tricks for parents, scheduled for Saturday afternoon.  If we can dream it up, we will make it happen!

2024 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Kayla Hunt!

Wow what a month February has been.

On February 3rd was my coronation.  It was the greatest day of my life so far. We had a good turn-out of friends and family and community members show up but boy howdy the visiting royalty definitely came in full force. We had some games and dancing. I received my now favorite saddle that night that made me cry seeing it for the first time. It’s a special piece I will treasure forever.

On to my next event. 10th of February was the Philomath Frolic coronation and that was lots of fun.  We got taught a new line dance at the end of the night then had a long drive home. I think my favorite part of this event was the Mr. Rodeo game they had. I ran into Hallie there and it was great getting to be with her and her mom making memories of our journeys together.
My next event was Hallie’s coronation in Mt Angel.  It was a beautiful event and the first time we got all of us Oregon title holders in the same place so it was a must to do pictures and show off our chaps to each other. I found that each of our chaps have our own favorite parts of Oregon on them and some of our favorite animals. Speaking of favorite animals, Abby got me a travel buddy that just so happens to be one of my favorite animals that I named Dwayne.
I have some great things and places to go planned for next month so stay tuned for some pictures.
Sincerely,
Kayla Hunt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Vixen Radford-Wecks, Junior/Teen Advisor!

Vixen Radford-Wecks calls Joseph Oregon home on her ranch with her husband where they raised their 2 beautiful children who are now young adults. She’s raised and trained Foundation Quarter horses for over 30 years and is extremely excited to be moving into the next chapters of the ranch with her daughter stepping up to join in training, giving lessons and doing clinics along with helping raise foals from their senior sire Sonny’s Bar Chex daughters and their new stallion Dun with Chrome, a ranch raised AQHA buckskin stallion.

Vixen grew up in rodeo as competitor and a representative serving as a queen of her local PRCA rodeo. She now serves as a director of Mountain High Broncs and Bulls and coaches the Mountain High Broncs and Bulls drill team.
When Vixen isn’t busy with those commitments, she enjoys spending time with her family riding horses, camping, hunting and 4 wheeling or she is traveling with her daughter Destiny Wecks down the rodeo paths as she has held several rodeo titles in the past from Jr. Miss Rodeo Oregon, Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon, Chief Joseph Days queen and currently Sisters Rodeo queen.

Thank you, sponsors!

 



The Oregon Queen — All the News through January 2024

2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon Abby Torgerson!

It may only be the month of January, but I have already traveled over 5,500 miles! I’ve traveled to two new states and have seen so many new things.

I kicked my year off at the Challenge of Champions Tour Finale in Central Point. I had the opportunity to sign autographs and watch our Oregon cowboy, Colton Dougherty, win the year end title.

My first out of state trip took me to Colorado for the Cowboy Downhill and Denver National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. Although the weather made a three-hour trip a nine-hour trip, we made it to Steamboat for the annual Cowboy Downhill. This event includes a slalom ski course, a jump, saddling a horse, and roping a person. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am so thankful I got to experience it.

After the downhill, I headed to Denver for the rodeo. My fellow sash sisters and I kicked off the week at the State Capitol. We had the opportunity to talk with state senators about rural communities and the changes they are trying to implement within the state of Colorado. I was able to participate in three rodeo performances throughout the week. During the performances, I helped fly sponsor flags and helped the local kids with their mutton bustin’ debuts! One of my favorite moments from Denver was helping at the exceptional rodeo. This event allows children of all abilities to come experience rodeo first hand.

My second out of state trip took me to South Dakota for Rodeo Rapid City. The Sutton family sure knows how to make a rodeo queen feel like royalty! I kicked off my week at the Xtreme Broncs where we watched some of the best cowboys ride. The next day brought the 20x High School Xtreme Showcase Performance. It was so exciting to see the next generation and all the talent they possess. Later in the week we had a free day to go see Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Having the opportunity to continue learning about our nation’s history through these legendary landmarks is such a valuable experience. Stay tuned for the February newsletter to hear about the rest of my trip!

This month has flown by and I have lots of exciting events coming up. Don’t forget to purchase your tickets to my coronation on March 16th! I would love to have you all there.

Gratefully,

Abby Torgerson

2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon

It’s always fun to have an event close to home, so that you can see family!

Our beautiful view from our condo in Steamboat!

The Miss Rodeo Oregon chaps kept me nice ‘n warm during the Cowboy Downhill.

The Colorado State Capitol is an absolute breathtaking building.

Enjoying my time in the Coliseum at the National Western Stock Show!

I couldn’t imagine a better first trip to Mt. Rushmore than with the MRO crown on my hat!

While walking around the Rodeo Rapid City trade show, I had to pick up some treats for Wrangler, Paisley, and Mater!

One more selfie with the legendary landmark!

The Crazy Horse Memorial is expected to be finished in 60 years with the current technology. I encourage you all to do some research on the memorial.

2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Hallie Haslebacher

This Month I had the honor of pinning on my official Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon sash!

While I didn’t get to do a lot this month, I had the privilege of attending the 2024 Columbia Fair and Rodeo Court Coronation. I got to see old friends and meet new ones that I can’t wait to travel the 2024 season with. I enjoyed helping show auction items and desserts. It is such a great honor to help support my sash sisters and help them get down the road and meet their goals.

Along with attending the Columbia Fair and Rodeo Coronation; I have also been busy getting ready for my coronation. I would love to see you all there! Even though my first month under the crown was a short one there is so much more to
come so stay tuned!

With love your,
2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon
Hallie Haslebacher

CCRC Queen Savannah Moore and me.

I am helping with auction items!

2023 Canby Queen Alexis and me.

Kayla and me.

Visiting royalty.

2024 CCR Court and me.

2024 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Kayla Hunt!

Hey everyone hope you had a great January!  I have been super busy getting all the ice damages fixed up with my family from that blast of cold weather to getting final details done for my coronation on the 3rd done.

The first coronation in January for me was Columbia County’s and it was great getting to meet the new title holders that came along with getting to see Haley.  We both had fun helping auction off items together.  I have been so excited to see my chaps arrive this month and they are breathtaking in my opinion.  I cried as my mom had a surprise for me added to them of my late mare’s tail hair added into them. I can’t wait to show you all them this year.

Hope to see you all on the 3rd at my coronation for a fun night.

Sincerely
Kayla Hunt

 

 

Announcing the 2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon Clinic!

Thank you, sponsors!!

 



The Oregon Queen — A New Year — 2024 with New Titleholders!

2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon Abby Torgerson!

Although my year as the 2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon is just beginning, I’ve already been off and running! After a three-day long pageant in conjunction with the Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo in August, I was crowned as the 2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon. After being crowned, I had my first official photoshoot with Jeff Wong, a long-time sponsor and supporter of the MRO Foundation.

In the months following August, I worked on planning my coronation dinner and auction. My coronation will be held on March 16th at the Jackson County Expo in Central Point. Doors will open at 5pm and dinner will be served at 6pm. This will be my main fundraiser for the year and what will help get me down the rodeo road in 2024! I want to invite all of you to attend. Tickets can be purchased on the Miss Rodeo Oregon website.

I had the opportunity to travel to Las Vegas, Nevada the beginning of December to cheer on Zoë Brooks at the Miss Rodeo America pageant. I had the opportunity to meet my fellow Ladies in Waiting and get to know them all a little bit better. I met many sponsors and even got fitted for my custom Greeley hat!

I am so excited for my year to begin and cannot wait to represent our great state of Oregon and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Gratefully,

Abby Torgerson, 2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon

My first night under the Miss Rodeo Oregon crown.

One of my favorite photos from my photoshoot with Jeff Wong.

My sister Molly and I at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.

2024 Miss Rodeo Washington Piper and I at the LIW Photoshoot in Vegas.

2024 Miss Rodeo Georgia Calee and I at the LIW Photoshoot in Vegas.

Miss Rodeo Washington Piper and I at Cowboy Christmas.

Getting fitted for my custom Greeley hat.

2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Hallie Haslebacher!

Wow, I never thought January would get here! I am so excited to be exchanging my Lady-In-Waiting sash for an official Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon one! A dream come true!

Let me introduce myself.  My name is Hallie Haslebacher and I am the 15-year-old daughter of Karen and Casey Haslebacher. I am the youngest sibling to 3 brothers and a sister-in-law. I am a freshman at Salem Academy Christan Schools.

Along with riding my horse, I enjoy my 4-H club, hanging out with friends and family, games nights, hikes, camping and basketball. I currently have 4 dogs, but we are looking to add another to the family as a present for my 15th birthday.  My horse Roo is my best friend and partner in crime.  We love to do everything together but sadly she cannot come to school or basketball with me.

I haven’t done much in my time as Lady-In-Waiting, as I was finishing off an exciting year as the 2023 Northwest Youth Rodeo Association Queen. However, I had a blast with the few things I was able to do as Lady-In-Waiting! I attended the 2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon horsemanship pageant and watch Abby shine! I was also able to attend the NPRA dinner and the finals rodeo, and the Miss Rodeo Oregon pajama party! So far the best part of my time with MRO has been the people I have meet and interacted with. The MRO board has been amazing to work with, I feel confident I will have all the support and mentorship I will need for the coming year. I am excited not only to represent the sport of rodeo but also the Miss Rodeo Oregon Foundation.

As I get ready to take on this once in a lifetime opportunity, I would like to highlight our beautiful 2023 Jr Miss Reegan Bills and 2023 Teen Morgan Brownell. They have taught me so much and helped me every step of the way. I couldn’t be more grateful to have you both as such amazing friends and mentors. I would also like to send out a very special thank you to my family, the Bills family, the Brownell family, and Alexis Goughnour for all your support, help, and love as I went after my dream. I would not be on this adventure without you all.

I would like to invite you all to my coronation on February 24th 2024 at Vanderbeck Valley Farm in Mt. Angel. Tickets are $20 per person, visiting royalty is $15, and kids 5 and under are free. We will be having a silent auction, a live auction, dessert dash, and a 50/50 heads or tails game.  Tickets are available on the Miss Rodeo Oregon website.

I can’t wait for all the amazing adventures and the people I will meet this year!

Love,
2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon
Hallie Haslebacher

Morgan and I exploring the Columbia County Fair

Me, Reegan, 2023 Miss Teen Rodeo Washington, and NPRA Lady-In-Waiting at the NPRA Dinner

Reegan and I on Rocket

Reegan, Abby and I at NPRA Finals

Behind the scenes of my photo shoot.

Kayla and I stealing Morgan’s and Reegan’s crowns.

Me, Morgan and Reegan right after the arena coronation

My best friend and I at the Oregon Horse Center.

The girls that helped me get this far.

One of my favorite parts of the title is the kids.

Love this picture of Morgan and me by Michael T Photography.

2023 Youth court at the 2024 coronation.

2024 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Kayla Hunt!

Hi!  I’m Kayla Hunt, your 2024 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon.

Since the pageant I have been finishing my softball season and training a new horse for my 4H season and future pageants. In between all the horse lessons, I have gotten to go to the Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant as your lady in waiting and help wherever I was needed. It was a lot of fun watching them on stage and off.  In between events I got to explore all the fun shows and animals at their fair. A short time afterwards I got to go to the NPRA finals where I had a blast meeting and greeting so many wonderful folks. It was an amazing rodeo to watch and help out at.

My next stop was in Tillamook for the coronation where I got to help show off the auction items to help fundraise for their year. While I was in Tillamook, I also got to join the Columbia County Court in a quick visit to the creamery making new memories and friends.

My second event in November was the Northwest Youth Rodeo Association awards ceremony and coronation where I saw so many of my friends and the 2024 Teen Miss Rodeo Oregon Hallie Haslebacher.  Man, that was a exciting month. My first stop in December was the Toy N Joy event where I ran into Santa and my friends the Columbia County Court where we sold raffle tickets to help struggling families get the supplies they needed to have a good Christmas.

In the spirit of Christmas and helping one another, our community has a Christmas parade competition between each other called the 7-mile Challenge that is a two-day event where they collect food for the local food bank.  It was 32° out both nights and was so much fun seeing the community come together for a great purpose.

Well, I need to sign off for now to finish preparing for my coronation event on February 3rd at the Columbia County Fair Grounds in St. Helens. You should come and enjoy with your loved ones if you can!

Until next time.
Sincerely,
Kayla Hunt
2024 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

Downtime at the MRO Pageant

Canby Fairgrounds

Canby Rodeo with two Juniors and two Teens

NPRA Finals, Salem

Juniors 2023 and 2024

 

At the Tillamook Creamery with 2023 Queen Savannah Moore, 2024 Columbia County Queen Madison Blackburn, 2024 Columbia County Princess Lindsay Weltsch.

At the Tillamook Creamery

At the Tillamook coronation

Tillamook coronation

Northwest Youth Rodeo Association coronation

Ladies in Waiting 2024 JMRO Kayla Hunt and 2024 MTRO Hallie Haslebacher

With Sadie Bateman and NWYRA Queen

 

New horse, Koda

Toy N Joy event

 

 

7-Mile Challenge Parade collecting food for the food bank on Saturday and Sunday nights

 

Thank you, 2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon Zoe Brooks!

All of the MROIF Executive Board was present in Las Vegas to support MRO Zoe at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.  There is always a sense of anticipation and curiosity about how the week will progress.  But the truth is that we don’t measure our Miss Rodeo Oregon by the decision of the four MRA judges.

Our measure is more personal because we have had many, many months to appreciate how well Zoe approached the job of 2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon.  We can state unequivocally that she performed to the highest standards in her professionalism, making all appearances and fulfilling all expectations (and more).  She was tireless in her travel in and out of Oregon and placed her title above personal considerations.

It is also a measure of her success that she is adored and respected by her fellow 2023 titleholders–MTRO Morgan and JMRO Reegan.  A healthy team relationship doesn’t automatically develop but is nurtured and encouraged to flourish.

Thank you, Zoe, for all that you brought to the title of 2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon and always know that you are held in the highest regard by the Executive Board of Miss Rodeo Oregon Inc. Foundation.

 

Sponsor Shoutout

We are grateful for MROIF sponsors who generously lend their resources and talents to the success of our titleholders.

Donna Riva of Western Reflections Originals sponsored the leather suit which Zoe wore during her personal interviews.  Donna also fashioned an Oregon vest which Zoe has donated to the perpetual wardrobe for future titleholders.

Coming on board in 2023 was Denise Stringfellow of Stringfellow Tailored Leatherwork.  She sponsors the chaps Miss Rodeo Oregon wears during her year and at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.

Pendleton Woolen Mills donated the Pilot Rock blanket and a Weekender bag for the Bucks for Bags Scholarship Auction at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.  Along with some Pendleton whisky, the winning bid for the package was around $1200!  The Scholarship Auction generated $43,000.   The following day, $115,000 was awarded at the MRA Pageant with all contestants receiving a scholarship.

 

 

 

Thank you, MROIF Sponsors!



The Oregon Queen — All the News of August, 2023

2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon Zoe Brooks!

While August may have been a bit slower than July, I still stayed busy in and out of the rodeo arenas!

We started off the month by welcoming a new member to the family, Skipp! Skipp is a French bulldog/Boston terrier mix. He might be a little guy, but he has a big personality! After getting the puppy settled, I geared up for a very special occasion. I got to watch one of my very best friends, Kendra, get officially pinned into her dream job. It was so special to be able to be home and watch Kendra accomplish one of her biggest goals! I am always so proud to tell people “My best friend is a firefighter!”

The 2nd weekend of August took me all the way up to Omak, Washington for the famous Omak Stampede! The Omak Stampede has been on my bucket list for quite some time, and I am so happy that I finally made the trip north. I got to experience the world-famous Suicide Race, 2 PRCA rodeo performances, a parade, a queens luncheon and even be a small part of a Powwow where I got to assist with the crowning of the 2024 Encampment Court! I want to thank Miss Rodeo Washington for inviting me to the Omak Stampede and her family for treating me like their own. I will never forget my time in Omak!

After my long drive home from Omak, I had less than 24 hrs to load up the trailer and head back up to Canby for the Canby Rodeo and, of course, the 2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant. Despite the insanely hot weather, I had the time of my life! With 5 days of great rodeo action, 3 days of a fabulous MRO pageant, it was a week I will never forget. I want to thank the Canby Rodeo Board, The Miss Rodeo Oregon Board and all involved who made the Canby Rodeo week and MRO pageant so special! Congratulations to Abby Torgerson for winning the title of Miss Rodeo Oregon 2024! A fun story about Abby and I is that I actually got the honor to crown her once before! I was the 2022 Miss NPRA and she was the 2023 Miss NPRA. I know that Abby will make us all proud next year and I can’t wait to watch her shine.

To wrap up the last full month of summer, I submitted my official application to compete for Miss Rodeo America in December! I cannot believe that in less than 100 days I will be heading down to Vegas with my family. Until next month!

With Thanks,

Zoe Brooks, Miss Rodeo Oregon 2023

 

While in Omak, I got to spend time with the Wecks Family!

My two best friends, Kendra and Mikayla, at Kendra’s fire department badge pinning!

Miss Rodeo Washington and I in front of the famous Suicide Race hill.

Morgan, Reegan and I at Swan Island Dahlias.

Omak Grand Entry!

Miss Stella at the Canby Fairgrounds! She is the best little mare ever.

Our new puppy, Skipp!

A quick photo shoot at my grandparents’ ranch with Shelby Snow Photography!

One of my favorite run ins from Canby!

The best grandparents in the world and I in Canby!

2023 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Morgan Brownell!

My month of August didn’t consist of too much but don’t let that fool you, where I did go, I was busy!

I kicked off the month by going to the KeizerFEST parade in Keizer alongside the St. Paul Rodeo court. Kid got to make another outing this year and did so good! It was so much fun to see the streets of Keizer filled with so many amazing people!

The following week you could find me Wednesday through Saturday for five action packed nights of rodeo at the Canby Rodeo! What fun it was to be able to help all week long with pushing cows, running sponsor flags and throwing prizes to the crowd along with my queen run in. Along with the Canby Rodeo we had the 2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant where I got to help with/be at Orientation, Horsemanship, Mock TV Interviews and Fashion Show where we got to show off our Tin and Paisley outfits!

Congratulations to Abby Torgerson on being crowned our 2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon, I am so excited to see where life takes you!

Watch out for next month to see me go on an out of state trip along with staying a little more local!

With love and until next month,

Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon

Morgan Brownell

The St. Paul Rodeo Court and I with our trophies won.

Getting ready for the parade!

Kid and I at the KeizerFEST parade.

Canby Rodeo night 1 visiting royalty.

Run in night 1.

Night 2 with three of the Wright brothers.

Night 3.

Jackie Crawford.

The newly crowned 2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon Abby!

Miss Rodeo Oregon Horsemanship.

Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Lady in Waiting 2024 Hallie Haselbacher

Fun at Swan Island Dahlias!

Night 4 run in!

Fashion Show Tin and Paisley outfits!

Fashion Show with Zoë and Reegan.

Visiting Royalty at the Miss Rodeo Oregon Fashion Show.

Night 5 run in.

2023 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Reegan Bills!

As July ended and August began, my year started to slow down a little. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t go to some awesome rodeos!

I started my month at the Benton Countr Fair and Rodeo. The highlight of that weekend was watching the cow hide racing. I would definitely like to try that next year!

However, the big thing I had in August was the Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo. I spent five days enjoying hot laps and rodeo fun. It was a privilege to be allowed to do rodeo run ins at their PRCA rodeo, when typically you need to be 18 to be allowed to be there.  During the five days of action-packed rodeo, I had the privilege to meet a lot of world champions and NFR qualifiers. Some big people on that list were Hailey Kinsel, Jackie Crawford and Stetson Wright.

The other big happening that week was the Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant. Pageant started off with the Orientation, where we met the judges. Thank you Gayle Plackemeier, Kent Sturman and Shane Laib for judging the MRO Pageant! Friday morning started off with the Horsemanship section of Pageant. I got to participate in the serpentine, grand entry and rail work parts. MRO Contestant Abby Torgerson, Miss Rodeo Oregon Zoe Brooks and Miss Rodeo Alaska Katelynn House all did a fabulous job!  After Horsemanship, I went to the Royalty ice-cream social hosted by the Canby Rodeo Court after which we went to Swan Island Dahlias for pictures with our favorite photographer, Jeff Wong. I had a lot of fun posing to match the flowers’ names and colors. I had the most fun with the flower named Giddy up.
After pictures was the Canby Rodeo and then off to the pajama party that included the current title holders, pageant contestants and our 2024 JMRO and MTRO ladies in waiting. At the pajama party everyone was split into two groups (Mom and I were on different teams) and played games like Pictionary. My favorite part though was watching what mom’s team did for their 30 second commercial. It was funny and everyone had the perfect part for them!  However, my favorite part of the whole Pageant had to be the Fashion Show. It was extra special because I did 8 years of ballet, so another chance to dance on stage was amazing. After two rehearsals, I was ready to go.
After the Fashion Show I quickly got down to the back rooms to change into my speech dress. It was impressive how amazing Katelynn, Abby and Zoe did on speeches. They only had 10 minutes to write a speech on a certain topic, memorize it, and give their speech to the audience. After each person gave their speech, Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Morgan and I gave them their impromptu questions. It was interesting how different their answers were to the same question. After impromptu was the auction, then off to the rodeo.
It was an honor to watch Abby get crowned the 2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon. Congratulations Abby, I am so excited to see what you accomplish!
Sincerely,
Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Reegan Bills

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miss Pageant Behind-the-Scenes!

Horsemanship is in the books.

Emcee Tanya Cloutier and Austin Lopeman, sound guy.

Junior MRO Reegan showcasing Bob Roy saddle, breast collar, and chaps.

MTRO Morgan with Bob Roy everything.

MRO Zoe with Bob Roy saddle and breast collar with Stringfellow Leather chaps.

2024 Ladies-in-Waiting Kayla Hunt and Hallie Haslebacher were at Horsemanship selling programs.

Sash sisterhood.

We sooooo appreciated being able to use Canby Rodeo Queen Alexis Goughnour’s special area.

Tin & Paisley Boutique, sponsor of the Fashion Show.

Scarlett Burr was given the honorary title of Miss Rodeo Oregon Sweetheart; the award was presented by Tanya Marie Utberg, Jr/Teen Pageant Director.

Miss Rodeo Alaska Katelynn House and her second pair of Stringfellow Chaps.

Who doesn’t love a free tee shirt?

Bold move, Zoe!

Mutual appreciation.

Zoe’s namesake!

Miss Pageant Director Tanya and National Director Kayla taking care of business.

They used up all their autograph sheets over three days.

Congratulations, 2024 MRO Abby Torgerson!

PC: Jeff Wong

The Pendleton Round-Up Queen Trip!

Pageant Raffle!

 

 

Thank you, sponsors!!



The Oregon Queen — All the news of July, 2023

2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon Zoe Brooks!

They say time flies when you are having fun and boy does that ring true for the month of July! It feels like it was just yesterday I started my month with the much-anticipated Cowboy Christmas week!

The beginning of my month took me to Molalla, Oregon to kick off my Cowboy Christmas run! I was so fortunate to participate in the Molalla Rascal Rodeo and the Molalla Buckeroo Rodeo. I want to give a special thank you to Britney Norby, a past rodeo queen, for letting me use her trusty steed, Huckleberry, for the performance. From Molalla, I headed south for the remainder of my week for the Eugene Pro Rodeo!

The Eugene Pro Rodeo really rolled out the red carpet for me! As soon as I got there I was welcomed with open arms and warm smiles. I want to thank the Eugene Pro Rodeo Court and their families for their wonderful hospitality. They treated us Visiting Queens like true Royalty!  During my time in Eugene, I got to ride the coolest little mare named Stella! She made my job look easy all week. Stella is proudly owned by Matt Hogan. Thank you, Matt, for letting me use Stella!

On my downtime in Eugene, the EPR court showed me about their hometown. We made a special trip to Voodoo Donuts. I’ve lived in Oregon my whole life and I have only made it to the famous donut shop twice! I am so grateful to have spent my 4th of July at the Eugene Pro Rodeo!

Bright and early after Eugene, I hopped on a plane to Las Vegas to get my headshots done with Las Vegas Images for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. I can’t wait to share them with you next month!

After my 20 hours in Vegas, I landed back in Eugene and went straight to Elgin for the Elgin Stampede! With 30 minutes to spare, I made it to the Thursday evening PRCA rodeo performance. I can’t thank Rowdy Israel and her Mom, Nicole, enough for having their horse Ricky saddled and ready to go for the performance. Rowdy and her mom were such amazing hosts. They made my time in Elgin so much fun! I have to thank the Wecks family for bringing their Living Quarters down to Elgin for me to stay in during the weekend. Rodeo family is so important and I am so grateful for mine.

The 2nd full weekend of July took me to Colorado Springs for the much-anticipated Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductions  and ceremony! It was such a fun experience to be standing in a room filled with such well accomplished individuals. It was extra special to watch our very own Butch Knowles be inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame! From Colorado Springs, I traveled to the Daddy of ‘em all, the Cheyenne Frontier Days!

I could talk about Cheyenne Frontier Days for hours! The hospitality, kindness and traditions are like none other. I started off my time in Cheyenne with a Queens Luncheon and then we had a parade, a Cowgirls of the West luncheon, the famous tours of the whole Frontier Days grounds, and the iconic track flybys. I will never forget my time in Cheyenne and it was truly one of the greatest weeks I have had this year. Not only was my time at the Frontier days so memorable, I’d like to think I had the best host home! Rick and Michelle treated my roommate, Miss Rodeo Kentucky, and I like we were their own. They also had the cutest little corgi dog named Harper. My favorite part of Cheyenne was being down being the bucking chutes watching the rodeo!

Once I was back home to Oregon, I had 24 hours to load and head north to the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo! This is a rodeo I have been looking forward to all year. Not only did I get to be a part of three iconic PRCA rodeo performances, a parade and a queens luncheon, I also got to go mini golfing and ride Go Carts with MTRO Morgan. I also went tubing with the Canby Rodeo Queen Alexis, and I got to explore the beautiful town of Joesph, Oregon with 2022 MTRO Destiny.

I had so much fun in Joseph, Oregon and I owe it to being surrounded by my rodeo family. My host family, and horse supplier was the wonderful Wecks family! The Wecks family has supplied horses to MRO at Chief Joseph Days for a very long time and I am so grateful to have been able to borrow three of her wonderful horses. I also have to thank Ainsley Goughnour, the 2020-2021 MTRO, for letting me borrow Leo for the final performance. My time in Joseph went by so fast but I am already headed to my next rodeo. I can’t wait to share my travels with you for the month of August!

With Thanks,
Zoe Brooks
Miss Rodeo Oregon 2023

Britney, Huckleberry and I at Molalla!

While in Eugene, we had to go to the famous Voodoo Donuts!

Stella was my partner in crime during the Eugene Pro Rodeo!

At the Greeley Hat Works store in Greeley, Colorado!

How cool is this pink roping chute?!

I got to ride Hershey for my track fly by!

Go Karting with MTRO in Joseph!

In line up with MTRO for Chief Joesph Days!

I was able to experience a wonderful trail ride with 2022 MTRO Destiny and her mom!

Ricky Bobby and I in Elgin!

Selfies with MTRO, JMRO and Canby Queen Alexis in Molalla!

How I signed the famous Chute 9 tabletop in Cheyenne!

2023 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Morgan Brownell!

We kicked off July with the St. Paul Rodeo with the Hall of Fame Inductions on Thursday where my great grandpa Frank Kirsch Sr., a longtime member and director, got inducted! I had such an amazing time being able to be a part of such a special night with my family.

The six performances of the St. Paul Rodeo were ones to be grateful for! Spending my time with past St. Paul Rodeo Royalty that I have had the chance to spend time with when they were on court, letting the 2022 St. Paul Princess Macy ride Custer to carry flags during two performances, and of course I can’t forget being able to be in the same arena as my dad as he is one of the six to present a military flag during the 4th of July performances! It felt so good to be able to listen to Justin Mckee announce my name while in Grand Entry but also talk about my rich family history in the St. Paul Rodeo. My dad is currently a director and Frank Kirsch Sr., my Great Grandpa, was inducted into the Hall of Fame. I first attended the St. Paul Rodeo at just two months old and haven’t missed a rodeo since! So, until next year St. Paul!

Then we were off to St. Helens for the Jr/Teen Pageant! We kicked off Friday morning with Horsemanship where you could find Custer and I setting the pattern and carrying the American flag for our mock Grand Entry! After Horsemanship, we made our way over to Interviews and Written Test. At 7 o’clock you could find all the rodeo queens at the rodeo where Custer and I ran a sponsor flag, did a run-in, then pushed cows for the rest of the night. After some rest, we had another early morning just this time we were headed to the riverfront for Mock TV Interviews where all of the girls did amazing.

Followed by Mock TV Interviews we made our way back to the fairgrounds for speeches. Every one of the girls had such amazing speeches you couldn’t choose a favorite. To end our night, we made our way back to the rodeo to do the same as the night before, but we also got to crown our new title holders! Congratulations to Kayla Hunt, your 2024 Jr Miss Rodeo Oregon and Hallie Haselbacher, your 2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon.

Just a couple days after pageant, Custer and I loaded back up and made the long trip to Joseph for the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo. I got to spend time with Zoe playing mini golf and race go karts! After that we got to participate in three action-packed performances doing the Grand Entry serpentine and being one of the few girls to do a run in! Saturday, we participated in the Chief Joseph Days parade where Custer and I took first for individual rodeo queen. Thank you so much to the Wecks family for letting Custer stay at your house all week and for allowing us to use your truck and trailer to get back and forth between your house and the rodeo grounds! All you do for rodeo queens is like no others!

Until next month,

Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon

Morgan Brownell

Night 2 of CJD

The Display for my great grandpa at the St. Paul Rodeo Hall of Fame

Horsemanship ready for the Jr/Teen pageant

Canby Rodeo queen Alexis and I having some fun at the Rascal Rodeo

Rascal Rodeo at the Molalla Buckeroo arena

Custer and I in the St. Paul Rodeo 4th of July parade

Custer and I ready for the parade

Canby Rodeo Queen Alexis, Zoe, and me.

Night 3 of Chief Joseph Days

With the Pendleton Round-Up Court

All the visiting royalty at CJD Queen Luncheon

Night number 1 of the Columbia County Fair and Rodeo with 2022 MTRO and pageant judge Destiny Wecks

Rocking that Canadian Tuxedo

Custer and I ready for night number 2

Custer and I carrying the American Flag during Horsemanship

Custer and I during our run in at the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo

Mini Golf with Zoe in Joseph

2024 JMRO Kayla and MTRO Hallie

Night 2 with 2016 MTRO and pageant judge Baylee Crawford

Speeches

Day 2 Mock Media Interviews

Interviews

2023 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Reegan Bills!

The month of July was a blur of bright colors and rodeos.

My 4th of July Gauntlet started out in Mollala, Oregon with the Rascal Rodeo where I got to teach people how to do stick horse barrel racing! Later that day I got to do a hot lap at the Mollala Buckeroo Rodeo. My favorite part about that appearance was meeting the Bikers Against Child Abuse. I think it is amazing how they help kids who may not be as fortunate as most.

The next two nights I spent at the Eugene Pro Rodeo! Definitely my favorite of the Gauntlet because of how they honor the state title holders! While most royalty did a lap in and out, MRO Zoe and I got to stay in the area with the Eugene court. I also got to work cows in a rodeo for the first time. Thank you Eugene Pro Rodeo Court for that amazing experience.

After the second Eugene performance Mom, Dad and I made our way to the St Paul rodeo for the 4th of July! All that day I got to do the parade, luncheon, and two rodeo performances in front of a sold-out crowd. Bonus, I got a couple of the Wright boys to sign my chaps! After St Paul I was so tired I slept till noon!

After that was NWYRA in Canyonville! I had some decent barrel racing and pole bending times. The reason it was such a huge honor to carry the flag of the Association is because I have been a part of it for 8 years. I also had a lot of fun playing spoons with the Northwest Youth Rodeo Association Court and their families! It is a honor to have their queen, Hallie Haslebacher as a good friend.

Then for my one weekend off I helped my family put up a lot of fence, which was much less fun than rodeos. Then I was off to the 2024 Jr/ Teen/ Sweetheart Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant! Pageant started off Thursday night at my camp for the welcome party! For the party we ate dinner and played spoons, where I may or may not have had a major belly flop trying to get a spoon. The next day the Jr Miss Rodeo Oregon contestants Kieran, Fallyn, and Kayla and Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon contestant Hallie had Horsemanship, Written Test and Personal Interviews. That night we all had a run in at the Columbia County Fair and Rodeo. For the rodeo I also got to work cows, throw swag and pack flags!

The next day was Mock Media Interviews and Speech. That night was the crowning of 2024 Jr Miss Rodeo Oregon Kayla Hunt and 2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Hallie Haslebacher! Congratulations ladies on your wonderful new titles! Kayla tried for JMRO the same year I did and let me tell you, the personal growth she made is outstanding!

Then shortly after Pageant I had the NWYRA rodeo in Sisters, Oregon! Thank you so much Sisters Rodeo Association for letting us use your wonderful arena for the first time and hopefully many more years to come! One thing that stood out the most was my pole run on Friday night. My first time through the weave, I knocked down a pole. And on the way back, instead of just mowing it over like my horse usually does, Rocket jumped it. I was so surprised I missed a couple weaves, resulting in a no time. But instead of sulking about it, on the to the gate I was laughing my so hard my back hurt. Later that night I played card games with Hallie and went to bed.

The next day I had pole bending, where I knocked down a pole. (And no Rocket was not a Pegasus that tine). That night I watched a movie with two of my best friends, Breanne and Cheyenne Arnzen. Let me take you back to 2015 when I first met them. I was taking care of my horse at a NWYRA rodeo and managed to fall backwards into his water bucket. My five year old self fit just right in that bucket, so I had to borrow some jeans. I have friends with the Arnzen twins ever since. Let’s now zoom back to the present. The day after movie night I had the second grand entry of the weekend. Then after that the twins 12th birthday party! That pretty much sums up my wonderful month!

Thankfully yours,
Jr Miss Rodeo Oregon Reegan Bills

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Columbia County Fair & Rodeo!

We were welcomed with open arms to the Columbia County Fair & Rodeo this past weekend for the Junior/Miss and Sweetheart Pageant. We were wowed by their lush grounds for horse trailers and camping, helpful and kind personnel, the perfect open-air stage for speeches and fashion show, a wonderful rodeo arena for our titleholders and contestants to showcase their horsemanship, and well-maintained grounds.
Nicole Rice and Alice Monroe went above and beyond to work out the myriad of details necessary for a smooth production of our pageant. We cannot thank them enough for their gracious and kind attitudes and for the effectiveness of their efforts.
Thank you to everyone who played a part–large or small–in continuing the legacy!

 

Hallie Haslebacher expressing gratitude at becoming MTRO 2024.

Judges Emily Nodland, Destiny Wecks, Baylee Crawford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Queen Susannah Moore

 

 

 

 

 

Columbia County Fair and Rodeo Queen Susannah Moore

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to our sponsors!!

 



The Oregon Queen — All the News of June 2023

2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon Zoe Brooks!!

The month of June flew by in a blink of an eye! I started off the month with a family trip to the coast. It was so nice to spend some much-needed time with family and relax by the ocean before the summer rodeo run started! From my coast trip I made it back home in time to have a photoshoot with my hometown photographer Shelby Snow! Shelby has graciously donated her time and photos to me since I began my rodeo queening journey. She also took my senior photos back in 2018! After my photoshoot I started my trek to a very long weekend.

First, I drove up to Union, Oregon for the Eastern Oregon Livestock show where I participated in a queen’s luncheon, a grand parade and their fabulous rodeo performance! Thank you to the EOLS for being so welcoming and making my first time at EOLS so memorable. While I was there, I got to use a wonderful horse named Gus! I want to thank Courtney and her mom for allowing me to ride their horse and for their wonderful hospitality.

As soon as the Friday EOLS rodeo performance wrapped up, I made the 7.5 hour drive home to make it to my younger brother’s high school graduation. I was so happy to be able to be there for my younger brother and cheer him on during such a big accomplishment. Right after graduation, I loaded up the truck and trailer and headed back to Central Oregon for the biggest little show in the world, the Sisters Rodeo! This was my first time at the Sisters Rodeo and boy, it did not disappoint. Their hospitality and kindness was so very much appreciated. Thank you to Sisters Rodeo for making me feel so important.

After Sisters Rodeo, I was able to spend 4 days home where I got to celebrate my 23rd birthday! It was so nice to be home and be with my family. From there I traveled south to the wildest richest rodeo in the west, the Reno Rodeo! This was an event I have been looking forward to all year. We were treated like royalty the whole week. From getting our very own Reno Rodeo PRCA sweatshirts, wonderful food and great hospitality, it was a week I will never forget. The highlight from my Reno Rodeo trip was experiencing the grand entry from the Reno Rodeo Stagecoach. Let’s just say I brought home some souvenirs of arena dirt.

The final weekend of June took me to Prineville, Oregon for the Crooked River Roundup! I cannot thank the Crooked River Roundup enough for welcoming me with open arms and treating me like I was part of the family! I was able to spend a lot of time with the Crooked River Round-up Queen, Mayzee, and Miss Rodeo America, Kennadee. My favorite parts of the Crooked River Round up were participating in the famous cattle drive down the streets of downtown Prineville and leading the Thursday night serpentine with Old Glory during the grand entry.

June was a month I will never forget! I am so incredibly thankful for this journey of being Miss Rodeo Oregon 2023! I can’t wait to share where I am headed in the month of July. See you then!

With Thanks,

Zoe Brooks

Miss Rodeo Oregon 2023

Our new “Oregon welcomes you” sign in Southern Oregon!

During the final CRR performance, I borrowed a horse from this sweet girl, Ruby!

Miss Rodeo America and I at the Crooked River Queens Luncheon!

Selfies with one of my favorite families and their pet skunk named Toot!

Shelby Snow Photography. Shelby always makes me feel like a million bucks!

Saw our 2022 MTRO in Union at the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show!

Having fun with the Sisters Rodeo Queen Sadie!

How fun is this photo! We have 2016 MRO Katie Shrock and 2018 MRO Jessi Jackson! Both ladies I have looked up to for years!

My four best friends treated me to a birthday dinner!

Meeting Amy Wilson in Reno was so special!

In the Virginia City Jail!

Miss Rodeo Mississippi and I got to interview all of the round winners 2 nights during Reno Rodeo!

Praying before the first Crooked River Round up Performance! Look at those Stringfellow Tailored Chaps!

Us gals got to climb on the top of a fire engine at the children’s rodeo in Reno!

Welcome, Twisted B Trading Co!!

We want to welcome Twisted B Trading Co. to our organization as a new sponsor!!  Check out their Facebook page for all the products they offer, including gorgeous Pendleton-inspired mirrors and hat racks as well as wild rags and much more!!

2023 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Morgan Brownell!!

As May ended and June started, you could find me all the way across the country in the sunshine state of Florida! Although I was a little nervous to travel across the country and stay without my friends or family in a home with people I had just met, it turned out so much better than I could have ever hoped for! My host home Kalla made sure I was happy and comfortable my whole week’s stay. I was roomed with our neighboring state Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho Ariana Long who was so much fun to be with!

I flew into Florida on Tuesday and relaxed till we had an early wake up to do a Rodeo presentation at the local retirement home where we got to tell them a bit about rodeo queens and the sport of rodeo! We demonstrated 3 rodeo events which included team roping, bull riding and my group’s event, barrel racing! We then headed to the Silver Spurs Rodeo Arena to watch the horsemanship portion of the Miss Silver Spurs Rodeo pageant. The following day, we made our way to Melbourne Beach and I can now say I have been to both the east coast and the west coast!

Shortly after we got home from the beach, we were off to the Miss Silver Spurs pageant where we got introduced on stage along with being able to watch speeches and the crowning of the 2023 Miss Silver Spurs court! Congratulations to all the amazing girls that tried out!

Friday, we were off to Wild Florida where I got to experience air boat rides for the first time along with seeing wild alligators! Along with that while on our airboat rides we got to see a mama alligator with her nest of babies! Friday night we headed back to the Silver Spurs Arena where we greeted people as they came to watch the rodeo. We got to watch the rodeo a little ourselves and sign autographs at the end of the night!

Our last day together in Florida we went to Gatorland where we Zip-lined over alligators, got to watch them be fed and see all of the amazing alligators. One more night of rodeo followed and a week full of amazing memories for me to never forget! After being settled back at home for a week the horses and I were off again for another fun weekend. We were St. Paul bound for the first youth rodeo of the year where Chester, Custer and I competed in Barrel Racing, Pole Bending and Breakaway Roping along with doing run ins in grand entry and carrying the Oregon flag!

With love,

Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon

Morgan Brownell

My roommate Miss Teen Rodeo Idaho, Ariana Long

Wild Florida

Airboat Rides

All the queens at the first night of the Silver Spurs Rodeo

Gatorland

Zip lining over alligators

Silver Spurs Rodeo night 2!

What better than to take a picture in the lighting of a beautiful Florida Sunset!

Miss Teen Rodeo Florida, Ansley Bo

Miss Rodeo Florida, McKenzie Connor

Horsemanship ready outside the Silver Spurs arena

Lunch after the retirement home.

Horsemanship

The Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Crown at the east coast

The states of the Columbia River Circuit

Visiting Royalty at the Silver Spurs speeches

Waiting for grand entry at youth rodeo in St. Paul with JMRO Reegan and NWYRA Court

Run in day 1 with Chester

I got to borrow my friend’s rope horse Cochise for a run in.

Cochise and I with the Oregon Flag.

Custer and I running barrels.

2023 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Reegan Bills!!

The month of June was awesome and my horse liked it as much as I did.
We started out in St. Paul, Oregon for the first Northwest Youth Rodeo Association (NWYRA) appearance. It was fun to get to talk to the NWYRA court for pretty much the first time. I had two hot laps in 3 days. The really fun part was the rodeo events. My barrel runs were pretty unremarkable, and I knocked a pole on the second day, but it was still a blast. I got to really shine during my first Pole Bending run. Rocket was so happy to do something other than queen laps, so we just ran. It was exhilarating to run that fast. When the run was over I learned we got it done in 22.666 seconds, which placed 3rd in the juniors and was our new personal best! What was less fun was clothes lining myself to the ground on the awning arm of our trailer to go see results.
Later that night we celebrated my 13th birthday. I had a few friends at my camp for the celebration. We laughed, we joked, we ate cinnamon birthday cake I made the night before. We even played with glow sticks, which caused many jokes about not drinking the glowy Kool-Aid, aka glow stick liquid. That pretty much sums up the first NWYRA rodeo.
The only other thing I had rodeo queen wise was the second youth rodeo. So we made the trek to Canyonville. That rodeo was pretty much the same except that I made friends with the current NWYRA queen, Hallie Haslebacher, who is only a year older than me and a contestant for 2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon! The thing I like best about Canyonville is the river across the street from the rodeo grounds. We got to go twice with two different sets of friends! Another great month down with more to go.
With thanks,
2023 Jr Miss Rodeo Oregon Reegan Bills

 

 

 

 

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our Miss Rodeo Oregon Inc. Foundation sponsors!



The Oregon Queen — May 2023

2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon Zoe Brooks!

May has come and gone! What a month filled with great memories and lasting impressions. I started my month off in Pendleton at the Pendleton Cattle Barons. Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Morgan, Miss JR Rodeo Oregon Reegan and I had so much fun helping sell scholarship raffle tickets, judging a BBQ Cooking contest, passing out scholarships and helping with the Horse and Dog Sale. We even got to sneak on the Iconic Grass Arena for a once in a lifetime photoshoot. I had so much fun with Morgan, Reegan and their moms.

In the middle of the month I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Oregon High School Equestrian Team State meet in Redmond, OR. This was so special to me because I am an OHSET Alumni. I spent 4 years on the Eagle Point High School Equestrian team where I qualified for State each year. My favorite memories were winning the Freestyle 4’s Drill Team State Championship twice! During my time at the OHSET State meet, I got to participate in their Grand Entry, push cows during their cow events, help set up their cowboy prom and pass out awards during the 30-year OHSET Celebration Party.

Once I was home from Redmond, it was time to gear up for my hometown rodeo, the Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo. I was so lucky to join the Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo Queen in a radio interview to help promote the rodeo. I spent 3 days participating in rodeo performances, public appearances and a Rascal Rodeo on Saturday morning. It was such a fun experience to be in my hometown rodeo as Miss Rodeo Oregon. I will cherish those memories forever.

I finished off the month of May in Spray, Oregon at the One and Only Spray Rodeo! I always love coming to the Spray Rodeo because you never know what to expect. For the Saturday morning parade, we had beautiful sunny weather and then for the Saturday performance we had a hail storm with lots and lots of rain! Sunday was the perfect day with lots of sunshine and great rodeo action. I want to thank the Spray Rodeo Queen and Miss NPRA for letting me push cows with them.

Now that May is over, I am getting ready for my summer rodeo run! It will be a busy and exciting summer and I can’t wait to hopefully see you at a rodeo.

With Thanks,
Zoe Brooks
Miss Rodeo Oregon 2023

Morgan, Reegan and I on the famous colored bucking chutes!

Seeing my Stringfellow Tailored Chaps in person for the first time!

Ice cream stop after selling raffle tickets at Pendleton Cattle Barons!

2018 MRO Jessi Jackson and I at the OHSET State Meet. I bought some beautiful earrings from her that she handmade!

Passing out awards at the OHSET State Meet

One of my great friends, Anabelle, and her niece, Ollie.

Miss Eugene Pro Rodeo Grace Thaut and I at Spray!

This is what it’s all about!

2019 JRMO Rowdy and I warming up at Spray!

Morgan and I sneaking a selfie before the performance!

2023 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Morgan Brownell!

The month of May started off strong for me as I made my way up to Pendleton for the Pendleton Cattle Barons. It was so fun to be back together with Zoe and Reegan. It was my second time at the Pendleton Cattle Barons and it definitely did not disappoint! All three of us got to sell scholarship raffle tickets to help support the local kids, sell rodeo tickets and of course participate in the BBQ contest. It’s a no brainer who I voted for as one of my sponsors and family friends was there, McKillips Catering, also known as Meatsweats BBQ! Zoe, Reegan and I were also able to sneak into the one and only Pendleton Rodeo arena and take some amazing pictures both on the green and on the famous colored bucking chutes.

After that, I was able to sneak in the Silverton Pet Parade in Silverton and what a great day it was to be at a parade! Kid was the lucky one to join me at my first parade of the year. We were able to attend the Silverton Pet Parade alongside Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo Queen Alexis and it was a blast!

Memorial Day weekend you could find Custer Biggie and I in Spray at the one and only Spray Rodeo. With a parade, two performances, rain, hail and sunshine, I had a blast. Saturday, Biggie and I kicked off with the parade where he made his second ever debut as a queen horse but this time, he was hitting the streets of Spray. Thank you so much to my dad for letting me steal your horse once again (even if you didn’t know). After that Custer and I had performance number one where we luckily got back to the trailer before it started raining! Sunday, we had a nice sunny day so Custer and I were able to stay out a bit longer and push some cows!

With love,

Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon

Morgan Brownell

 

 

On the one and only Pendleton bucking chutes

With Cody McKillip of McKillip Catering, who catered my coronation and is one of my sponsors.

Cattle Baron scholarship recipients.

Kat from Armstrong Industrial, one of my amazing sponsors.

Kid and I ready for the Silverton Pet Parade.

JMRO Reegan and I.

Canby Rodeo Queen Alexis and I.

Sisters Rodeo Queen Sadie and I ready for the Spray Rodeo Parade.

One of my sponsors, All Star Tents and Winding Creek Ranch.

Spray Rodeo performance number 1

With the Pendleton Round-Up court.

Spray Rodeo performance number 2

My dad and I.

JMRO Reegan and I.

2023 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Reegan Bills!

The month of May wasn’t as busy as some coming up, but I definitely had stuff to do.

First off, Mom and I took the long road to Pendleton for the Pendleton Cattle Barons. We arrived at Motel 6 pretty late at night. The next day Zoe, Morgan and I spent the day selling raffle tickets for the Cattle Barons Scholarship program. We also took pictures in the legendary Pendleton green mile and played tag in it! We’re probably the only rodeo queens who can truthful say we did that. It was also really cool to see the cow horse exhibitions! Later that day we three Oregon girls went to Dairy Queen for ice cream. We also got to sell tickets to the ranch rodeo that night. During the rodeo we got to toss swag to the audience. Turns out I have a decent throwing arm.

The next day at the Pendleton Cattle Barons we sold a lot more raffle tickets. I sold 66 in two days! If I thought the cow horse exhibitions were cool, oh man, it couldn’t prepare me for the cattle dogs.  It was so awesome! We also got to judge the BBQ competition. It was all so delicious! There was also an auction where the horses and dogs we saw earlier were sold. Then we got to have dinner with the Pendleton court. They are all so generous and nice.  It was great to spend some time with them.

I also got to go to mom’s childhood hometown for the Linn County Lamb and Wool Fair in Scio, Oregon. My flower pack had its maiden voyage in the parade which was a lot of fun. But the best part of the day was watching my little brother shine in the pet show. Before the show, however, we had to get Fletcher and his dog Scrubby ready. For the show there was an option to dress up in costume. Fletcher dressed up as Asher and Scrubby as Pikachu. Scrubby didn’t even mind too much that we spray painted her yellow. We then drove to the show. Scrubby and Fletcher had been practicing their agility course for a week to prepare. They went up on stage and performed for the judges and got Best in Show!  I may have cried a little. Ok, a lot. They did so good!
The following weekend I had my first rodeo of the season, the Spray Rodeo! It was a five hour long drive to get there but it was definitely worth it. The first morning I  got  to ride in the parade and that night was the rodeo itself. I got to do a  hot lap for grand entry. JJ Harrison, the rodeo clown, zip lined in with the American flag. Then during the National Anthem a lot of Fireworks were set off. I was nervous about what my horse Rocket would do, but he was an absolute champ. Mom and dad got to chat with friends from college who they haven’t seen for 20 years. As they were chatting, the heavens opened up. It started POURING DOWN RAIN. My wonderful purple hat was not impressed, so we ran back to the LQ.
The next day was pretty much the same except there was no parade or rain. The truly wonderful thing that day was the drive home. Only thirty minutes out of our way was the Painted Hills. It was so cool to have a photo shoot in front of them. Also on the way home we stopped by Walgreens for road trip snacks and to let Rocket stretch his legs in the parking lot. Dad led him around the trailer.  Rocket was probably thinking that we take him some weird places, which we do. Shortly after that we were driving again and I fell asleep, which concluded the excitement for the month.
Joyfully yours,
Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Reegan Bills

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Columbia County Fair & Rodeo, St. Helens!

It’s a new venue for the 2024 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon, 2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon, and Miss Rodeo Oregon Sweetheart Pageants, but we sure excited to embark on this adventure!!

Travel Oregon provides a map of all Oregon rodeos and their summary of Columbia County Fair & Rodeo provides a glimpse into all the fun that awaits:  “Held Wednesday through Sunday, the third week of July, the Columbia County Fair & Rodeo is just a short 30-minute scenic drive from Portland along the Columbia River to St. Helens where the beloved tradition, more than 100 years old, makes for a wonderful family outing. In addition to the two-day NPRA Rodeo, there is the Jr. Rodeo as well as the Rodeo Queen Pageant. Other activities include stock car races, live music at the entertainment stage, 4-H presentations, vendor booths with great food, a carnival and exhibits.”

The 2023 Columbia County Fair & Rodeo Queen is Savanna Moore!

The Junior/Teen Pageant will be held on July 22 and 23 with the Sweetheart Pageant on July 23.  Further details and a pageant schedule will be found in upcoming newsletters and on social media!

 

Thank you again and again to our Miss Rodeo Oregon Inc. Foundation Sponsors!



The Oregon Queen — April 2023

2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon Zoe Brooks!

I cannot believe that April has already come and gone. The beginning of the month started in Central Oregon for the High Desert Stampede and the 2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon Clinic! This was a busy weekend and one that I will never forget. I was so thankful to have 3 visiting state queens come and enjoy the festivities with us. Miss Rodeo Alaska, Arizona and Nevada all flew in Wednesday and left Monday morning. We enjoyed 4 PRCA rodeo performances where we participated in grand entry each night and pushed cows during timed events. We had 3 great days of the Miss Rodeo Oregon Clinic where we got to expand our rodeo queen knowledge and horsemanship skills. It was such an amazing experience to learn from some of the best in the business in the rodeo queen world and from Miss Rodeo America!

Next, I got to help out at the inaugural Southern District Oregon High School Equestrian Team Fundraiser dinner! It was a fabulous evening filled with great auction items, amazing food and the best company. This was such an important event to me because I was a 4-year member of OHSET and to be able to give back to a program that did so much for me was very special. Not only was this event a success but it was also put on by past MRO, Sam Henricks!

To end my month, I jumped in the car with Miss Rodeo Washington, Bailey, and we headed south to the 102nd Red Bluff Round-Up in Red Bluff, California! We spent 4 days in the beautiful California weather and enjoyed 3 great rodeo performances. We ladies got to help push cows each night and got to participate in their famous “Grand Entry Parade”. I have never seen so many visiting royalty at one rodeo before! On our down time we were able to make a quick trip over to Burney Falls and it was beautiful! I got to spend one weekend at home before I geared up for a busy month ahead.

With Thanks,

Zoe Brooks

Miss Rodeo Oregon 2023

Miss Rodeo America and I having fun at the High Desert Stampede!

Thank you, Beth Bahem, for letting me ride Pink! He was a dream!

Carol surprised us with our own gift from the Easter bunny!

Having fun at the Old Mill District in Bend, Oregon with my fellow state queens!

Miss NPRA Abby and I helping out the SOHSET Fundraiser dinner!

Pushing cows during the Friday night performance at the Red Bluff Round-Up!

“Tough Enough To Wear Pink” day in Red Bluff! How cool was this 4-wheeler?

Exploring Burney Falls in California with Miss Rodeo Washington and Miss Rodeo California!

2023 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Morgan Brownell!

April started off strong for me as I was able to make my way to St. Paul for the St. Paul Rodeo court coronation. We got to celebrate all the good memories and a good job that the 2022 court did. I absolutely loved being able to travel with them around the state as my dad was their director and being able to make so many memories with them so it was a little sad to see Hope, Macy and Sarah pass down their crowns but I am so excited to see where Jessie, Jenna and Mary go!

The next weekend my mom and I made our way to the High Desert Stampede for the Thursday night performance where I was able to meet both Jackie Crawford and Miss Rodeo America! We were able to sign autographs at the Coastal Farm and Ranch booth and be introduced by riding on a carriage around the arena!

The next 3 days after that we were off to the Miss Rodeo Oregon Clinic! I got to learn so many things from our amazing head clinician 2023 Miss Rodeo America Kennadee Riggs, two past Miss Rodeo Washingtons, both of them being 2nd Runner-up finishers at the Miss Rodeo America pageant–Beth Bahem and Lexy Hibbs–and past Miss Rodeo Oregon and Miss Rodeo America top 5 finisher Kayla Vincent! I had so much fun improving my horsemanship skills, learning how to better my hair and makeup and practicing my modeling and, of course, so much more!

With love,

Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon

Morgan Brownell

Visiting royalty at the St. Paul Rodeo coronation

Alexis the Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo queen and I

High Desert Stampede where I got to show off my chaps for the first time

Jackie Hobbs Crawford signing my chaps

All the visiting royalty at the Thursday night performance of the High Desert Stampede

Past Miss Rodeo Washingtons Beth Bahem and Lexy Hibbs

2022 Miss Teen Destiny Wecks

All of the participants that attended the 2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon clinic

Miss Rodeo Arizona Katie Ramos and I at the Miss Rodeo Oregon Clinic where she borrowed my dad’s rope horse “Biggie”

2023 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Reegan Bills!

Each month things get a little bit busier and April was no exception. My fellow title holders, title hopefuls and I went to the Miss Rodeo Oregon clinic. This was the third year in a row that I have had the opportunity to attend and each year is better than the last. Mom’s foal Jinx was not born yet, so it was just me and Dad. We went 200 miles to Madras Oregon.
I was so happy that Kayla and Beth were teaching this year again!  There were also two new clinicians. First of was Lexy Hibbs, 2022 Miss Rodeo Washington and second runner-up at Miss Rodeo America pageant. The main clinician this year was Kennedy Riggs, 2023 Miss Rodeo America and 2022 Miss Rodeo Arizona. Since my Dad was flying solo as my chauffer, he had to learn how to curl queen hair. I’m not going to lie, I was pretty nervous, but my hair turned out decent!
Opening night we learned how to give a good first impression. Food for the whole clinic was amazing because the MRO board made sure that I was well fed. Most of the time I go places I need to bring my own food because I get sick if I have gluten.  There were a lot of learning sessions and great opportunities to see not just where I have improved since last year but also my fellow attendees and friends. Clinic is such a fun way to meet fellow Rodeo royalty hopefuls and catch up with old friends. A few of the sessions were makeup, hair, modeling, appearance, horsemanship, and knowledge.
I was starry eyed when Lexy talked about study material. One of her phrases really stuck with me. She said, “Knowledge is power”. Rodeo Jeopardy is my favorite part each year and this time was no different. Rodeo Jeopardy is played like normal Jeopardy but Rodeo questions. The first year I attended I was only 10 and the amount of knowledge seemed daunting. This year, for the first time I felt like the leader of my team. I was the first person to get time out for answering so many questions correctly. We didn’t win, but it was a whole lot of fun!
Cows with Kayla was awesome as usual. Arena work with Sam was fun. Horsemanship pattern with Beth was very helpful. But my favorite part of the group was probably tack. Tanya and Julie would full a piece of tack out of their magic bag and we would say what the tack is called and say its function. I felt very knowledgeable, and it was absolutely wonderful. We had a mock grand entry. After grand entry, I talked with Lexy about knowledge and she said she was impressed! That made me glow with pride on the whole drive home.
Sincerely, JMRO Reegan Bills

 

 

 

 

Behind the Scenes at the 2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon Clinic!

We had some greatly-appreciated young Madras FFA workers at the Clinic this year who helped with set-up, food, washing dishes, and clean-up.  As the clinic has grown, we have needed more help than the committee can provide!  We won’t have them in 2024 because of a schedule conflict but we will be reaching out to other similar organizations with the promise of a healthy donation!

More than 30 tables and dozens of chairs later, things were getting silly.

Washing dishes the OLD-FASHIONED way!

Alana Durand of Class Act Catering is the boss of the kitchen!

Using their artistic skills with food.

 

Cubing cheese and cutting bars.

Bars and more bars, even delivered to girls on horseback.

Thank you, Jefferson County Fairgrounds!!

 

Miss Rodeo Oregon 2017 is the Horsemanship Chair of the Clinic Committee, marking five years as an instructor or director at the clinic.  Thank you, Kayla!!

Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon 2022 Destiny Wecks gave a presentation on Sponsors and also was a co-director of the Miss Rodeo Sweetheart Clinic. Thank you so much, Destiny, for giving back!

Miss Rodeo Oregon 2020-21 Samantha Henricks presented on Hippology and assisted during Horsemanship, Public Speaking/Interviews, Hair, and Makeup. Thank you so much, Sam!

Sponsorship Opportunities!

We have many sponsors to whom we give our grateful appreciation at pageant time.  Most of the Miss Pageant awards have been sponsored but there are some opportunities we’d like to make you aware of.

Bob Roy makes our wonderful trophy saddles and sponsors half the cost.  In years past, the other half has been sponsored by individuals, some of whom do not want to be recognized.  We are looking for a sponsor to cover the balance of the award.  If you are a business and want to have the benefits of sponsorship (including having your name on the sponsor jackets), please contact us at missrodeooregonincfoundation@gmail.com.

There are other sponsorships available at lower price points so please contact us if you’re interested.

If you are a business and want to donate an item toward the pageant, please send us a note. You can be included in the pageant program or possibly on the website!



The Oregon Queen — March 2023

2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon Zoe Brooks!

February of 2023 will be a month I remember forever! I started my month off in Rapid City, South Dakota for Rodeo Rapid City. We had the wonderful opportunity to attend multiple PRCA Rodeo performances, sign autographs for hundreds of rodeo fans, participate in a fashion show and do some much anticipated tourist activities! The Miss Rodeo South Dakota program kept us busy with a jam packed schedule. We got to visit Mt Rushmore National Park, we got a private tour of the Crazy Horse Memorial Statue, we did an underground cave tour at the Wind Cave National Park, and then we had the wonderful opportunity to tour the Landstroms Black Hills Gold Factory. I had such a fantastic time in South Dakota and I can’t wait to go back in the future. 

I was home for 5 days before I left again for my next trip, but in those 5 days I was able to do some much needed fundraising for my coronation! I was also able to make the trip up north to celebrate our Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Morgan Brownell at her Coronation. It was a fabulous evening at a great venue, with good food and a wonderful support group. Congratulations Morgan on a successful evening. After Morgan’s coronation I was wheels up heading to Kissimmee, Florida for the Silver Spurs Rodeo!

My week in Florida was an experience I will never forget. I was blessed to have had a wonderful host family, Tony and Patrice. They treated my roommate, Lydia Miss Rodeo Idaho and I like true Queens all week! Some of our activities throughout the week included 9 school visits, airboating, visiting gatorland, hog hunting, blueberry picking and trying lots of new foods! I was so excited to experience the East Coast and the Atlantic Ocean! We got to travel to the beach and let me just say, it was a lot warmer than our Oregon Coast but surprisingly just as windy. We also got to attend the 150th Silver Spurs Rodeo! There were 3 spectacular rodeo performances and an Exceptional Rodeo Performance. My favorite part of the rodeo is when they introduced all of the little and Jr Queens on a Big Blue boot with a giant silver spur on it! 

After I got home from Florida, I geared up for the 2023 Miss NPRA Coronation for Abby Torgerson. This was a very special event for me. I held the title of the 2022 Miss NPRA and the NPRA will always hold a special place in my heart.

After a long month of traveling in February, it was nice to stay in Oregon for the month of March! It was the month of coronations! The first coronation I attended was in Eugene to celebrate the 2023 Eugene Pro Rodeo Court. Queen Grace and Princess Grace had a wonderful turn out and it was nice to see so much community support. I look forward to attending the Eugene Pro Rodeo over Cowboy Christmas this year. From Eugene I traveled north to Canby to celebrate the 2023 Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo Queen Alexis. It was so great to see so many familiar faces. I can’t wait to be back in Canby August for the Canby Rodeo and the 2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant! It was also a special evening because it was the first time Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon, Morgan and Miss Jr Rodeo Oregon, Reegan and I got to be in the same place at once! We had so much fun getting to know each other better and we made great memories helping with the Canby live auction. I feel so grateful to have such smart, kind, beautiful and caring cowgirls to spend my year with!

The next two weekends I was thankful to stay close to home! The first weekend was to celebrate the 2023 Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo Queen Laney! This was such a special experience for me as the Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo was the very first rodeo I ever went to and where I started my queening career. To go back to celebrate their Queen as Miss Rodeo Oregon was a dream come true. I cannot wait to go to the Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo in May as Miss Rodeo Oregon 2023.

The last week of March was spent getting all of the final touches ready for my very own coronation! It was a great event filled with fabulous auction items, fantastic food and amazing entertainment. I was so fortunate to have such great support from my family, friends and my community! I can not thank my family enough for all of their help with setting up, taking down and over all helping me plan for such a big event. I could not have done it without them. Now that my coronation is over, I am looking forward to kicking off the first Oregon PRCA Rodeo, the High Desert Stampede in Redmond, Oregon. During that same weekend, we will also be having our Miss Rodeo Oregon Clinic in Madras! I hope to see you all there!

With Thanks,

Zoe Brooks

Miss Rodeo Oregon 2023

 

The beautiful Miss Rodeo Oregon crown in the South Dakota Snow!

Crazy Horse Memorial

Group photo before the Fashion Show during Rapid City

Puppy snuggles during the rodeo performance!

Thank you Rodeo Ready for the fabulous photo of Skeeter and I! He was the best flag horse I could have asked for!

Finding my State Street in Florida!

Showing off my Midwest Twist vest at Wild Florida!

Airboat Rides!

Exploring St Cloud Florida!

Miss Teen Rodeo Florida was our personal tour guide all week! I am so grateful to have met Ansley.

Showing off my new bracelet I received as a thank you from the Miss NPRA program.

The 2022 Miss Columbia River Circuit, Britney and I at the Canby Rodeo Queen Coronation.

Sunday after the Canby Coronation, we made a quick trip to Tillamook to pick up an auction item!

The 2017 and 2019 Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo Queens! They also happen to be my two best friends!

My venue for my Coronation!

Miss NPRA, Abby and I helping with Live auction items! This mirror was donated by Twisted B Trading Co.

This is Shelby Snow! She has taken all of my photos from my senior photos, my first queen title and now as Miss Rodeo Oregon!

My Grandparents surprised me with a pair of earrings in the shape of their brand!

I want to thank Britney for coming down and helping me set up for my coronation!

2023 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Morgan Brownell!

It’s official, I had my coronation and am officially crowned as your 2023 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon!

I’m going to start off with a huge congratulations to Destiny on a job more than well done as your 2022 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon! She set the standards high and I can’t wait to see what I can do!

Thank you to everyone that helped, donated and supported me leading up to and at my coronation! Even just showing up and giving me your support was more than enough. My coronation was a huge success and a night that was to remember. Also congratulations to my brother Clint on winning the Mr. Rodeo title; he put on a great performance! I would also like to say a big, big, big thank you to all of my sponsors, those that were able to come and those that weren’t. My sponsors trust me enough to let me represent them to the best of my ability and show how truly amazing they all are! Thank you again to everyone that made the night possible!

I want to just take a moment to tell everyone the stories behind a couple outfits I will have the pleasure of wearing throughout my year. The story behind my chaps.The purple ribbon in the tooling on the side is for my grandma Gail Kirsch who passed away in August of 2021 due to Alzheimer’s. My beautiful and wonderful grandma was 77 when she passed away and not only meant the world to me but my whole family.

The hair on the back band of my chaps is for my 24 year old buckskin paint gelding Bells Little Badger aka “Tommy”. I had the pleasure of borrowing and riding Tommy for three years before he passed away in March of 2021 due to a neurological issue. Tommy was the first horse I was really able to be competitive on when it came to gaming. Something interesting about Tommy is he was blind in one eye and not only that he was a 21/22 second pole horse and would give me a win almost every time I ran him in poles. With both of these memorial pieces on my chaps I am able to carry a piece of those I love with me and always have them there to cheer me on.

Not only do my chaps have a story behind them but so does my wonderful elk outfit. The base hide itself was given to me in 2019 by a very close family friend who had shot the elk and gave me the hide to make something out of it. Robert was close to me like a grandpa and was always there when I needed him. He sadly passed away in 2022 very suddenly. A few days before my coronation I went to go see his wife and she had given me two pairs of Montana Silversmiths Jewelry that Robert had given her when they had first met. So I decided those earrings were the perfect finish to my outfit. A fun fact about the rabbit fur on my outfit is that it’s from a past Miss Rodeo Washington outfit!

After my coronation I was able to find my way to Canby at the 2023 Miss Columbia River Circuit Coronation and celebrate Britney on an amazing year and support Amber as she heads into a new title! I can’t wait to be able to watch and be with Amber throughout this year and see where she goes!

Coming into March I attended the Eugene Pro Rodeo Coronation. It’s going to be such a fun time being able to see both of the Graces on the rodeo road! Congratulations to the 2022 court and they did such an outstanding job representing Eugene! Just a week after that I made my way up north to celebrate someone who has impacted me a lot in the queen world. Your 2023 Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo Queen Alexis Goughnour! Alexis has helped me every step of the way and been there whenever I’ve needed her. I am so happy I got to help her celebrate such a wonderful night.

My last event of March I was able to make the trip all the way down to Central Point to celebrate your 2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon! Zoe! I’m so excited to see where this next year takes us as we will be able to spend so much time together and get to know one another so much more than we did before!

Now from here we are all off to the Miss Rodeo Oregon clinic and as Custer and I gear up to go to Central Oregon we are so excited to see all the lovely ladies who will be there!!

Until next month,

Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon

Morgan Brownell

 

2022 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Destiny officially crowning me as 2023 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon

My brother, my dad, my mom and I. They are the ones who make everything possible!

My Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon purse I got to show off, donated to me by Ditty Gang Designs,

Visiting royalty at the 2023 Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo Queen coronation.

All the visiting royalty at the 2023 Miss Rodeo Oregon coronation

Wearing all my favorite things and my sponsors: Bailey hat, Winding Creek Ranch earrings, D & D Wild Rag and not to forget my Justin boots!

The three Miss Rodeo Oregon titleholders.

2023 Clackamas County Fair and Canby Rodeo Queen Alexis and I

MRO Zoe, JMRO Reegan, Miss Rodeo Oregon Sweetheart and me

Visiting royalty at the Eugene Pro Rodeo Coronation

2022 MTRO Destiny and me

All the visiting royalty at my coronation

My official Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon chaps I will be wearing throughout my year.

All the visiting royalty at the Miss Columbia River Circuit Coronation.

2023 Miss Columbia River Circuit Amber Cook and I at her coronation.

2023 Jr. Miss Rodeo Oregon Reegan Bills!

February was pretty simple for me. My younger brother Fletcher was sick for his tenth birthday on February 5th. So, of course, I got sick too. When I just barely got better, I was struck with the stomach flu. Because of this, I was devastated to miss Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Morgan Brownell’s coronation. It was massively disappointing to miss a fellow Oregon tittle holder’s big night.  Also because of the stomach flu, I missed Eugene Pro Rodeo’s coronation.

Not long after that, I was feeling well enough to attend the Clackamas County Fair and Rodeo coronation. It was a spectacular event that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was also the first time that we got all three 2023 Oregon title holders in one place at one time. Congrats Alexis, I am so glad you can serve another year as the Canby Queen.
So, as you can see February was mostly a bust. However, I survived and went to even more coronations in March! First off being Miss NPRA Abby’s coronation way down in Central Point! It was fantastic and I especially enjoyed the trivia game. It was also a pleasure to see our own Zoe hand down the NPRA crown.
Best of all was Miss Rodeo Oregon Zoe Brooks’ coronation two weeks later! I loved the detail in her decorations. The center pieces for the tables had Zoes initials on them and the napkins had her name and title on them. It was a privilege to not be sick for that coronation. It was a magical night and I am excited to see what Zoe does with her new title! It was a very long,long drive home for my dad and I. We might have stayed the night at a hotel if there wasn’t critters at home who needed us in the morning. Dad and I finally got home at about 12:30 a.m.
Mom wasn’t at Zoe’s coronation because her horse Pita is pregnant and her foal is due soon. Mom and I are currently at day three of staying on our friends barn with Pita, watching and waiting. Thank you Jennifer for letting us stay in your LQ. This morning Jennifer, who played a huge role in my coronation, helped me with scrap book ideas to chronicle my year. I really hope Pita has Jinx soon so Mom can meet her baby, but also so we can catch up with sleep. I never knew how wonderful sleep was until I didn’t have enough of it.
I am excited to see fellow title holders and title hopefuls at the Miss Rodeo Oregon Queen Clinic!
Sincerely, 2023 JMRO Reegan Bills