Santa & MTRI Come to Town

On December 22, 3 days before Christmas, Todd Crase and I dressed up as Santa Clause and MTRI for the day. We started in Winterset and traveled to all of the Genesis Development group homes handing out candy canes, and finding out what they wanted from Santa. We then traveled to Indianola to the Discovery Program. Everyone had the chance to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. They also got an autographed portrait of myself for them to take home.This is the second year I have done this with Todd and I can honestly say it touches me more and more each time.
Until we ride again...

Iowa Fair Convention

On Saturday, December 11 was the Iowa Fair Convention. Last year I attended this event as Miss Extreme with Todd Crase and Ryan Skillett of the Extreme Bull Riding Tour. I returned this year as MTRI with Todd, Ryan and Elena. We spent the day talking with fair boards and filling up our 2011 tour schedule. A good friend of mine, Lacy Stevenson, was crowned the 2010 Iowa State Fair queen and she was there speaking and helping with the convention. Elena and I also made friends with some pro-wrestlers and had a wonderful time talking with them.For the second year in a row the Iowa Fair Convention has been a success for the Extreme Team and I was glad that I was able to join them again.
Until we ride again...

Viva Las Vegas!

On Wednesday, December 1st, my mom and I flew out of the Des Moines International Airport for Las Vegas, Nevada. We were going out to support Jordanne in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant and saddle bronc rider, Wade Sundell, in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. After we arrived Wednesday morning I attended the Rodeo Royalty Information Seminar. All the Lady-in-Waiting's were there including Iowa's, Heidi Gansen, as well and aspiring rodeo queens from all over. Following the seminar, my mom, Paula Jameson and Heidi's parents, who'd just arrived, and I went out to lunch. Wednesday evening we all attended the fashion show with Bob Britton and Jordanne's mom and grandpa. Afterward there was a reception and I had the chance to finally talk with Jordanne, as well and many other state queens and Miss Rodeo America, Kelli Jackson. After a 2 hour time change and a whole day of running around my mom and I couldn't wait to hit the hay that night.Thursday morning my mom and I had the chance to sleep in. That afternoon we got to attend the PRCA Luncheon. All the Miss Rodeo America Contestants modeled their chap outfits and the "Best-Chap award" was given. The girls also answered a rodeo impromtu question. Thursday night Heidi and her parents, Paula and her brother Bruce, Bob and niece and my mom and I attended the 1st round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Wade won 2nd that night with a 86.5 and started the WNFR with a bang.Friday was spend at Cowboy Christmas. My mom and I loved a day for shopping and we got to see Jordanne auction off a purse to raise money for the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Fund. Friday night Heidi and her parents and my mom and I went to the Las Vegas Strip.Saturday was the day we had all been waiting for...CORONATION. My mom and I started the morning with massages at The Orlean's Hotel and Casino's spa. Coronation began and we all held our breath...Jordanne ended up in the Top Ten and McKenzie Haley, of South Dakota, won the title of rodeo's 1st lady. After coronation Jordanne was aloud to go out on the town with us. We all went to Fremont St. for dinner and some shopping. Heidi and I became very adventurous and rode a mechanical bull as well as zip-lined down Fremont.








I really enjoyed our trip to Vegas and look forward to someday competing in the Miss Rodeo America pageant.Until we ride again...

Some Fun Fall Appearances...

On Saturday, September 25th, Romeo and I returned to Waterloo and the McElroy Auditorium for Dances with Horses. Dances with Horses is a fundraiser event for the Aspire Therapeutic Riding Program. The Aspire TRP improves the quality of life for those they serve. Their primary clients are individuals with disabilities who benefit physically, emotionally and cognitively through animal-assisted activities, primarily through interaction with horses. Aspire TRP provides a variety of programming to benefit qualified individuals through year round programs and outreach programs. I was able to carry the American Flag during the National Anthem and prayer, and then I got to sit and watch the many performers with my mom, aunt, uncle and cousin who had come to support me.One of the performers was Wild West entertainer and mounted shooting competitor, trainer, and clinician, Denny Chapman from Florida. He and his assistant trainer/performer, Stephanie Cons, perform their trick act and mounted shooting act all over the United States. Check them out at www.DennyChapman.com, they put on a great show and were a blast to talk to.
Shannon Arritola was another performer with her beautiful friesian and Texas Longhorn, Cowboy. His horns were 5 feet from tip to tip...she rides him with a saddle and bridle much like I ride my horse...She was so fun to talk to and get to know, and Cowboy was quite the entertainer.
I would like to thank executive director, Marilyn Moore, for the invitation to this wonderful event...it is definitely an experience I will never forget and I would love to attend again in the future to support ASPIRE.
On October 1st and 2nd was Iowa State University's Annual Stampede Rodeo. Jordanne and I both attended. Jordanne rode Romeo and I borrowed Lakoda Kelber's horse for the weekend. Jordanne and I carried flags and chased out cattle all weekend. We could definitely tell that fall was here...Friday night cooled down really fast and Saturday we came better prepared for the chilly evening.
It was so fun because I am involved in the Rodeo Club at ISU and had the opportunity to represent Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa...it almost felt like a hometown rodeo and gave me a taste of what I'd like to do next year on ISU's Rodeo Team. Thank you to Lakoda for allowing me to borrow her horse for the weekend and helping Jordanne and I with anything we needed...you're a great friend and I wouldn't trade you for the world ;) Thank you to the entire Rodeo Club for all your hard work that weekend to make the rodeo a success.

On October 23rd I went down to Des Moines for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at the capitol with Todd and Tammy Crase. We participated in the 5k walk around downtown Des Moines and it was so inspirational to see everyone there walking...and running for a cure...
While promoting the Extreme Bull Riding Tour, the Extreme Princess, Abby McDonald, and I sell 50/50 raffle tickets to raise money for Susan G. Komen Foundation. With this summer being the 4th year that the Extreme Bull Riding Tour has raised money, over $17,000.00 have been raised for this great cause...this is truly something that touches my heart and any chance I can get to support the fight for breast cancer, I'll take it.

The very next day Miss Rodeo Lenox, Kayla Barber, and I headed up to Lake City for Jordanne's Send-Off Fashion Show. We got a sneak peak at all of the outfits that Jordanne will be wearing out at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant at the end of this month in Vegas. Jordanne also had her scrapbook laid out, as well as some snacks and refreshments. She held a silent auction with some beautiful donated items to help raise just a little more money to get her out to Vegas. Heidi Gansen, Miss Rodeo Iowa 2011, and Tally Roepke, Miss Rodeo Cherokee, Kayla and I were all of the visiting royalty.It was good to see the MRI board members again. Jordanne looked absolutely stunning in all of her outfits and did a wonderful job answering questions and performing her speech. I want to say God speed to her in Vegas, I know she will shine to her full potential...my mom and I will be attending to watch her in the pageant, and I am really looking forward to a few days in Vegas.
Until we ride again...

Missouri State Fair & National Cattle Congress Fair and Rodeo

The last weekend of the Iowa State Fair and the weekend before I stated college in Ames, I loaded up with the Extreme Bull Riding Tour and headed for the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.
We got down there Thursday night and set up the arena. Friday consisted of hanging banners and then having the day to walk around the fair. Friday nights bull riding started out great, bulls were bucking and the cowboys were managing to stay on. Right before the short go, it just started to down pour. We were ok with performing in the rain but once it started lightening we had to call off the event. Now I've been to my fair share of rainy rodeos this summer but this was the first to get called completely off.

Saturday was very muddy but way less humid. We started off the morning by going to Gene's Boots and Hats for an autograph signing. The Missouri State Fair Queen even stopped by for a quick picture. Steve and Amy James came down from Winterset to watch Saturday nights performance which stayed dry through the whole thing. After the rodeo everything came down, banners, announcer stand, arena...everything.
Thank you to the Missouri State Fair Rodeo Committee for having the Extreme Bull Riding Tour back again this year. Thank you to Toyota for being the main sponsor for the event, along with all of the other sponsors. Thank you to Gene's Boots and Hats for coffee and donuts Saturday morning as well as the shirts. Todd and Tammy, thank you once again for carrying all of my queen stuff down to Missouri for the second year in a row. Finally thank you to Steve and Amy James for bringing me back early Sunday morning so I could get home and get up to college.

The National Cattle Congress Fair and Rodeo was Sept. 17-19 in Waterloo Iowa. I was only able to attend Saturday nights performance with Jordanne. She carried the American Flag and then I chased out calves during the roping events. You could definitely tell that fall was in the air as it was very chilly but thankfully the event was indoors at the McElroy Auditorium. I had a ton of fun but needed to get back to Ames to study for tests. A huge thank you goes out to Tally Roepke and her mom for making the trip to Waterloo for Jordanne and I on Sunday.

Until we ride again...

8 Performances in 9 Days

DAYTON Rodeo-
On Friday, Sept. 3, Romeo and I headed to Dayton for the Labor Day weekend. The Roepke family joined me and brought a 51' living quarters horse trailer for us to stay in. Friday night's performance was very fun. Tally, Miss Rodeo Cherokee, and I split chasing back with the Dayton Rodeo Queen, Jami Hadaway, and the Dayton Rodeo Princess, Danielle Hadaway. After catching John Payne, The One Armed Bandits, performance and the Wild Horse Race, Tally and I headed out on the hill to sign autographs.

On Saturday night Jordanne joined us up in Dayton. We had a great night again with the Dayton Rodeo Committee along with Announcer, Boyd Pullhamus, Gizmo McCracken and Cory Wall the bull fighter.


Jordanne also joined us on Sunday for Tough Enough to Wear Pink night. It was amazing to see everyone on the hill decked out in pink.




On Monday morning was the parade. Tally and I, along with the two Dayton Queens and Cervi Rodeo Company led out the horses. Dayton is a pretty tiny town but they had a very long parade and so many people came out to see it. Monday afternoon was the last performance of the weekend and afterward I headed back to Ames to get some homework done before I took off for Fort Madison on Wednesday.
A huge thank you goes out to the entire Dayton Rodeo Committee for having me at their rodeo, Paula Jameson for the Cowgirl Pendent, Blake and Tammy Roepke for letting me stay with them in the AWESOME trailer, and of course my mom for meeting me in Ogden to take my dirty clothes and bring me clean ones.

TRI-STATE Rodeo-
After only 1 full day in Ames, on Wednesday, Sept. 8, Romeo loaded back up and headed out for Fort Madison for the Tri-Sate Rodeo along with the Miss Rodeo and Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa pageants.I made it down there in time for Wednesday's Tough Enough to Wear Pink night. The Miss Rodeo Iowa contestants, Rachel Bergren, Rachel Burton, Heidi Gansen, and Abigail Peterson, were already there and checked in.
On Thursday morning Jordanne, Rachel Kelderman, Miss NFPB, and I went to an elementary school for a school visit. We also stopped by a special needs classroom and signed autographs for the kids. After that we met up with the Miss Rodeo Iowa contestants and 3 judges for lunch. At 3:00 that afternoon the Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa contestants, Charity Howk and Caitlin Kuehn, had check in and then went to the rodeo grounds for the rodeo. Before the rodeo, Jordanne and I signed autographs at the Dodge Rodeo booth and also did a quick radio interview. While Jordanne and I stayed horseback the whole night with rodeo announcer, Boyd Pullhamus, the contestants mingled through the crowd with people's choice buckets.








Friday morning started with the horsemanship portion of the competitions. It was kinda rainy and chilly but rodeo queens aren't fare-weathered cowgirls. After horsemanship we all had lunch together and then returned to the hotel for the Teens interviews. Right after interviews were speeches and impromptu questions and then we headed out for the rainy Friday night rodeo. Jordanne and I put on our slickers and our hat covers and braved the rain and the mud.

















Saturday kicked off with the parade. Well it started with Miss Rodeo Lenox arriving at about 3am but then we had the parade. After the parade it was back to the hotel to get ready for the coronation. Coronation started with all of us girls doing a dance...Jordanne and I may have gotten a little carried away with our ending but we had fun. :) Jordanne and I both modeled our dresses and we also did a farewell speech, where we gave each of the board members roses. Coronation ended with Heidi Gansen being crowned Miss Rodeo Iowa 2011 and Charity Howk being crowned Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa 2011. (to see full results of pageant visit www.missrodeoiowa.org)
I know that two lives were truly changed and Heidi and Charity will have the experience of a lifetime. I wish them both luck in their travels this coming year and hope they take it all in. I'd like to thank the Miss Rodeo Iowa board for all their hard work in the pageant. Without them this thing really wouldn't go on. I'd like to thank the Tri-State Rodeo Committee and all of the sponsors for such a great rodeo. A huge thank you goes out to all the sponsors for the donated items given away as gifts and donated items for the silent auction. Thank you to all the visiting royalty for coming down and supporting the Miss Rodeo Iowa pageant. Stacie Baumann, thank you for donating Dalton Wisdom Tee's to all of the girls. And finally, thank you to all of my wonderful sponsors who got me through this year and thank you to my mom, grandpa and grandma for being my support group all year. I couldn't have done any of this without you. I'm sad that my year as Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa is coming to a close but happy for all of the experiences I've had and people that I've met. Jordanne and I truly have had an amazing year and I am so happy that I have had such a wonderful Miss Rodeo Iowa to follow around.Until we ride again...

The one...the only...the Iowa State Fair

On Tuesday, August 10th I moved my two horses, Cicada and Romeo, to the Iowa State Fair grounds. I was able to show Wednesday and Thursday as an FFA member in the horse show.
Thursday morning, the first morning of the fair, was the grand opening of the brand new Jacobson Exhibition Center. Jordanne and I were asked to carry the Iowa flag and the American flag during the opening to America the Beautiful. After that I also carried the American flag for the Central Iowa Dancing Hooves equestrian drill team.
Friday evening was the Iowa State Cowgirl Jr & Sr Cowgirl Queen competition. Jordanne carried the American Flag for the National Anthem and then Tierney Reiste, a Jr queen contestant, rode Romeo in the Jr Division. They didn't make the cut but had a beautiful ride. Then I rode Romeo in the Sr. Division. I was delighted when I made the final round and amazed when I was announced 1st Attendent (1st runner-up).
On Saturday afternoon was the Governor's Charity Steer Show. This show raises money for the 3 Ronald McDonald Houses in Iowa. I was 6th in the ring with my steer, Trouble. Thankfully Trouble didn't feel like causing any trouble that day because it was my first time ever showing a steer. I had so much fun at the Iowa State Fair.
Until we ride again...