Miss Rodeo Oregon 2020 Samantha Henricks!

My first month as Miss Rodeo Oregon was one for the books and flew by just as fast as the Cervi horse I was able to ride in Denver!

I kicked off January by making the snowy trek to Yakima, Washington for the Columbia River Circuit Finals. There, I was accompanied by Ainsley and Miss Rodeo Washington 2020. I was honored to present the American flag at the Friday night performance and had a great time at the Rascal Rodeo on Saturday! On Sunday, I headed for the Portland Airport to catch my flight to Denver for the National Western Stock Show. One thing I never expected coming into my year was the strange looks that get thrown directly at my hat can while walking through the airport! While I was waiting at the gate to board my flight, a woman asked me, “What is in your case?” and when I told her that it was just a hat I heard another woman say, “See I told you that was all it was!” to whom I assume was her husband. Apparently, I need a label for my hat can to ease suspicion in the airport!

I arrived safely in Denver and hit the ground running with WESA Market, three performances of PBR, three school visits, three performances of PRCA Rodeo, Equicross, an animal welfare clinic, and many AQHA classes and livestock shows. I also got to attend a Colorado Avalanche game, which was very fun, as I have never been to a hockey game before. Miss Rodeo Colorado was able to score front row seats and I had a blast watching! The state queens were also given a tour of the Denver Zoo, where we were able to get up close and personal with some giraffes and were treated to lunch before we headed back to the Rodeo. I was able to swing my leg over multiple of the iconic black horses of the Cervi Rodeo Company, which was probably the highlight of my time in Denver.

I really enjoyed my time in Denver, but had to head back to Oregon (and the warmer weather) after seven days so I could attend Ainsley’s coronation. I believe my flight landed at 4:19 pm and I rolled in just as her event was kicking off at 6:00 pm! Ainsley had a great showing and it was really nice to see all the support she has as she embarks on her journey. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making her big night a success!

The following weekend, I made a much shorter trip to Junction City, Oregon to attend the Eugene Pro Rodeo Coronation. Queen Sha Walton and Junior Queen Pip Swan had a great showing! Congrats ladies--I look forward to traveling with you this year!

I wrapped up the last weekend of the month at the Southern District OHSET meet. Here I was able to speak to the athletes about agricultural opportunities after high school, which included Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, Eastern Oregon University’s Rodeo Team, Rodeo Queening and the benefits of volunteering their time to youth programs. I also coach two of the teams in Southern District, Grants Pass and North Valley. And….. I must brag as we ended the weekend with five team event wins, five individual event wins, and a multitude of top five placings throughout the weekend!

This month I will get to visit the sunny, warm state of Florida which I am looking forward to! I will also get to celebrate Morgan, as her coronation is this month. Thank you all who have supported me and will continue to do so; it is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Samantha Henricks,  Miss Rodeo Oregon 2020

Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon 2020 Ainsley Goughnour!

Wow, time sure does fly when you’re having fun!

For my first official appearance I made my way up to Yakima Valley, WA for the Columbia River Circuit Finals. The first thing I did when I got to Yakima was to volunteer at the Rascal Rodeo. I had a great time hanging out with the kids and
their families and signing autographs. That night I had the opportunity to go to the second performance of the Columbia River Circuit Finals. I started out the night signing autograph sheets with Miss Rodeo Washington, Madi Casto and Miss Rodeo Oregon, Sam. Sam and Madi were very welcoming and kind and really helped show me the ropes at my first rodeo appearance of the year. I also met up with the Miss Teen Rodeo Washington, Chloe. I’m looking forward to meeting up with Chloe at future events. The rodeo was a blast and the contestants and livestock were top notch.
I had a wonderful surprise in the mail when I returned home from the finals. My custom made chaps had arrived. They are even better than I had imagined and I couldn’t wait to show them off at my coronation. They are so classy and I’m super excited to wear them in the arena.

The next weekend was my coronation. Coronation Day was so incredible!  It started off with an interview by Clackamas County TV where they also captured the whole night on video. That night I had a blast talking to so many people who came to support me. Thanks to everyone who attended; we had a very successful event. The night's activities included a yummy dinner made by one of my sponsors, McKillip’s Catering, a dessert auction, silent auction, live auction, dutch
auction, and of course the crowning and recognition of Meredith and everything she accomplished during her year as the 2019 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon. Thank you to everyone who came out and supported me. I truly appreciate everyone's generosity. A huge thank you to the Clackamas County Fair and Event Center for being amazing hosts and great sponsors. My coronation wouldn't have been possible without them. I’d like to give another thanks to Christopher Bridge Wines, Little Wagon Bartending and Sip City for providing beverages. I felt so loved and will remember this night forever.

The day after coronation, Meredith and I met up and had an incredible time in a photoshoot of the two of us. I feel so blessed to follow in her footsteps and to have gained a new forever friend. I have no doubt we will see Meredith again as rodeo royalty.

On January 25, I was able to attend the Miss and Little Miss Eugene Pro Rodeo Coronation. I had a great night with Sam, Morgan, MRO Sweethearts and past Jr. Miss Rodeo Oregon Lauren Gibson, and other visiting royalty. I got to help with carrying around live auction items and desserts. It was a fun night celebrating the 2019 Eugene Pro Rodeo girls Katie and Mackenzie as well as the 2020 EPR queens Shay and Pip. I can’t wait to see them on the rodeo road!

I’m looking forward to what February has in store including Jr. Miss Rodeo Oregon Morgan’s coronation planned for February 22.
Graciously,
Ainsley Goughnour
Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon 2020

Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon 2020 Morgan Brownell!

It’s hard to believe that my first month of being JMRO is already over. I have had such a great time and have made so many new memories and have met some amazing people. It has also been a lot of work preparing for my coronation that is coming up very soon!

My first appearance was the 2020 MTRO Ainsley Goughnour's coronation. I had an amazing time helping with the live and dessert auctions. I got to see Miss Rodeo Oregon Sweetheart Paisley Gibson and I was delighted to have her help me with auctioning off items and helping to raise money for Ainsley. Ainsley’s coronation was a blast and it just gets me even more excited for mine!

My next appearance was the Eugene Pro Rodeo coronation where we got to celebrate Queen Shay Walton and Little Miss Eugene Pro Rodeo Penelope Swan. It was a night full of fun with lots of new memories made. I had a blast being able to help out with everything I could. I’m really excited to be able to travel around with the Eugene girls and congratulations to them.

Other than coronations, I have been searching for sponsors, getting donations for my coronation, and getting finishing touches ready. I hope to see you at my coronation on February 22nd!

Gratefully, Morgan Brownell, 2020 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon