Hometown Rodeo-Mtn. Valley Stampede

It’s awesome to be announced at your home town parade and rodeo just days after realizing your dreams. I had so many people coming up and congratulating me. I can’t tell you just how much I appreciate everyone’s support. Stormy Henderson, the Dodge National Circuit Finals Queen and I had a little showdown at the rodeo Saturday night. After all the little kids ran the stick horse race, Stormy and I raced each other. The announcer really got the crowd going- people yelling for Idaho, people yelling for Utah, we had our stick horses and had to run around a barrel and back to the starting line. To be honest, I cheated, on purpose. I took off on “get set” and Stormy went on “Go”, I had the inside lane to run around the barrel and……we still tied. I’m slow but Stormy is like a foot taller than me so I’m okay with that.

Mtn. Valley Stampede Special Kids Rodeo

Friday I was able to go to the very first Special Kids Rodeo held by the Mtn. Valley Stampede-my own home town rodeo. They had a great turnout. There were 33 kids signed up prior to the event and even more showed up that day. The events they had were so exciting: barrel racing, team roping, horseback riding, a Princess contest, and even hide races from the back of a Polaris Ranger. My special cousin Tiffany Simmons was in the Princess contest where all of the girls answered questions and got tiaras and banners and it was so special to have family there.

Castledale

Tonight I had some traveling buddies for the rodeo in Castledale, Utah. My "little man"-nephew Clay, his mom Brandee, my brother Cooper and his team roping partner Craig and another cowboy named Chance all went to the rodeo with me. Its so nice to have friends and family together at a rodeo. My brother was up in the team roping that night so it was very convenient.

I was able to carry the Dodge sponsor flag and clear the arena of calves and steers during the tie-down roping and steer wrestling. They kept me busy and made me feel welcome.

I was even lucky enough to have my brother and Craig bring me chicken & ranch pizza and drinks from the cowboy tent while I was waiting for more work. They would hardley even let me saddle my own horse. Thanks guys! I had a lot of fun!

Wright Signs

Today I went to pick my trailer up from Wright Signs in Ogden, Utah. Cody Wright invited me to his shop to pick out the lettering for my name on my new trailer. I told them that I'm pretty easy going, easy to please..... I was fine with anything that was fancy but bold enough that it was easy to read. I was only there for a short time and they had it all done. And it looks awesome!

Thank you so much to Wright Signs for their great work!

Days of 47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City

Every Miss Rodeo Utah in the past has made her first appearance at the "Daddy of Em All" in Cheyenne, Wyoming but the dates this year would've only allowed me to make the final Sunday perfomance.

So I feel very honored to have been able to make my first appearance right at home at the Days of 47' Rodeo in Salt Lake City.

They were so gracious to me and my family; invited us to sit in the VIP section, involved me in their buckle presentation, and gave me a grand introduction for my first appearance as Miss Rodeo Utah. It was so fun and something I could definitely get used to!

Thank you to Brad Harmon and everyone on the rodeo committee for making me and my family feel so welcome.

Miss Rodeo Utah 2009 Contest

I can't believe that I'm finally here. I've imagined this moment my whole life- when I would be announced as Miss Rodeo Utah; the tears, hard work, determination, and dedication would all be worth it and I could represent the things that I am so passionate about: family, rodeo, the rodeo cowboy, and our western way of life.

It has totally been worth the wait. I started competing in rodeo queen pageants when I was 12 years old, the same year that Mary Shaw from Utah was Miss Rodeo America. It took me five tries at Miss Rodeo Utah to finally realize my dreams, but I am so thankful for each year and the experiences, lessons, and friendships that came with each one. Before winning Miss Rodeo Utah, I was 1st Attendant two times as well as 2nd Attendant one year and to have high expectations for myself to do better each year, made every year I came back even more challenging. I've learned that things happen for a reason and I was supposed to be Miss Rodeo Utah in 2009. My goal this year was not to be the winner, but to be the leader. I wanted to set an example to the new girls and be a friend to my competitors; fix their hair if they needed help, tuck in their shirt if it needed tucked in; and I wanted to leave, win or lose, with no regrets. And what a rewarding experience. Not only will I be able to represent committees, sponsors, cowboys, my family, my self, and the other ten beautiful young ladies that competed at the Miss Rodeo Utah contest this year, but I will be a part of an elite group of women for the rest of my life.

I have to say that the young women that competed at Miss Rodeo Utah this year were so much fun and we had a great time! From Karianne and Chantel's "armpit dance" to staying up until 2:00 in the morning to practice dance steps with Stormy, there was never a dull moment.

I want to thank everyone that has supported me in achieving my dreams and those who will support me this year. It's going to be a great one!