National Western Stock Show- Denver, Colorado

Today I arrived in Denver for the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. First thing I ran in to Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Erin Heffron and Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Michelle Boeshart. Now Utah has a little different program than most state pageants in that we don't have a "lady-in-waiting", so I won Miss Rodeo Utah in July and competed in Las Vegas in December. In other states they win in around June, start their reign January 1st, and compete the following December. Most of the girls that I travel with now are not girls that I competed with in Las Vegas for Miss Rodeo America. Its a little different but I'm lucky to get to meet two groups of great ladies. There were quite a few state rodeo queens attending the rodeo in Denver and even more were arriving later in the week after I left but they had a lot of fun activities planned throughout the whole program. Tonight at the rodeo I got to carry an event sponsor flag and help with the mutton bustin.

Kaysville Elementary D.A.R.E. Graduation

As a 1997 Graduate of the D.A.R.E Program, it was an honor to be invited back as a guest speaker at Kaysville Elementary School. I enjoyed spending time with students who are focused on making good decisions about their future and are lucky to have such supportive parents, teachers, and friends. The program was conducted by Principal Dibble and D.A.R.E Officer Dave Pollard and included three speakers: Mayor Steve Hiatt; Chief of Police, Mike Lee; and myself. I spoke to the group about setting goals for their future as I did at 12 years old to become Miss Rodeo Utah and that they are capable of all the great things that they dream of. I told them about my first time being offered drugs and I also talked to them about celebrities and athletes like Michael Phelps and Taylor Swift and the consequences of them using or not using drugs. Four of the students read their winning written essays and they learned the song "Hot to Not" and sang for their parents. I was so proud to see them all graduate today and listen to the stories they had to tell about their knowledge of drugs and their confidence to choose good friends and make wise decisions. Hooray Kaysville Elementary 5th Graders!

Jaynie Nye Memorial Benefit, Kurt Bestor Concert

It was an evening with a lot of royalty at the Jaynie Nye Memorial Benefit and Kurt Bestor Concert. The event featured a pre-concert dinner, with a silent and live auction to benefit McKay-Dee Hospital’s Cancer Services. Some of the guest royalty included Miss Utah, Whitney Merrifield; Miss Weber County, Kami Alldredge; Miss Kaysville, Mallory Wahlstrom, the Dodge National Circuit Finals Queen, Stormy Henderson; as well as many other beautiful girls. We helped the guests find their assigned seats and assisted during the live auction. During the live auction I held up the Browning Shotgun that was auctioned off and afterwards a guest came up to me and said "we knew that Miss Rodeo Utah would be the only queen brave enough to hold up that shotgun" and they knew what they were talking about. It was a beautiful evening and an honor to be invited.

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Round 4

Boy, I'm sure glad we stayed in Las Vegas a couple more days because our seats for the rodeo on Sunday night were smoking. Not much beats a hot date at the best rodeo in the world and a prime rib dinner. I could make that a yearly tradition. It was unfortunate that I was not able to make it to work in time on Monday since it is a seven hour drive, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I went shopping at Cowboy Christmas and Country Christmas and bumped into friends everywhere we went including Angie Burton, a former Miss Rodeo Utah, who looked beautiful carrying the American Flag at the rodeo that night. I'm already making plans for next year.

Las Vegas Support Group

Okay, okay, I'm back online finally. I'm thankful that someone got these pictures for me so that I can remember how many people were supporting me in Las Vegas; my closest friends and family. I was crying before the fashion show even started that night because my 82 year old grandmother had made the trip to Las Vegas. For someone that doesn't show much emotion I have to admit I was a little emotional a couple times during the week. My mom made me a small scrapbook with pictures of all my friends and family and co-workers and they each wrote me a message next to their pictures. I received it from our chaperons on the way back to our rooms one night and I opened it and the first picture was of my parents and then my grandpa Wade that passed away when my dad was young and the tears just started flowing. Miss Rodeo Wyoming Allie Bass said "Chris, you're so funny" but I couldn't help it. Each time I turned the page more tears would come and soon I was almost laughing because I was being such a baby and then I closed the book and there was this long sigh of relief..... Competing for Miss Rodeo America was one of the biggest events of my life and I didn't want to let anyone down, but throughout the week it became apparent that they would be proud of me no matter the results and honestly I was proud of myself. I placed in the top 10 out of some beautiful, smart, talented young women and I had the time of my life. It was such a great experience and I made some of the best friends that I will ever have. I appreciate everyone that was there supporting me including our Miss Rodeo Utah committee and the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo Committee. I hope you all had an awesome week, as did I. Look at the bright side, I'm still Miss Rodeo Utah for seven more months.

Second day at Miss Rodeo America

The second day at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant started with the Horsemanship portion of the competition. Family and friends of all 28 contestants were at South Pointe equestrian center to cheer on their favorite state queens. As a whole, the group did a fine job. It took several hours for for both go-rounds. Supporters for Chris Wade, our representative from the Beehive State, drew in a collective worried breath when Chris entered the arena on the roan she drew for the first g0-round. That horse had decided he simply didn't want to move forward into the arena. It took Chris nearly a minute to coax the horse, through hand, weight and leg cues, to enter the arena and start his lope down the right side of the arena. The crowd burst into spontaneous applause when Chris, seemingly unfazed by the ornery horse, broke into a lope on the correct lead. From there, Chris, who wore the purple-and-gold shirt and Wrangler pant outfit made for her by her mother, Tami, did a phenomenal job on this horse, which clearly didn't really want to be in the arena. Chris looked confident, didn't lose her patience and stuck with it throughout the ride. We were so proud of her. She did a great job. The second-go round was exciting to watch. Several other contestants had already done really nice jobs so the pressure was on Chris to do a nice job too. We were all surprised at how rapid she entered the arena -- on a sprint down the middle of the arena. She cranked the horse to a nice stop, backed him straight down the middle and then started at a nice clip to the right. Chris executed two flying lead changes during her pattern. You could tell she was having fun -- but she told us later that her legs were killing her. It took quite a bit of leg strength to get that sorrell -- named Floyd -- to properly execute the pattern. Chris told us that later one of the other contestants told her, "Chris, you really rocked Floyd's world." Chris has told us several times how friendly all the other contestants have been, and it seems like they are all having a very good time. This year's bunch are very pretty, and it's been a delight to get to know all their friends and families who are here to support them. We were able to eat lunch with Chris, and she seemed very upbeat about the two go-rounds of horsemanship and the Fashion Show rehearsals. In the evening, we attended the get-acquainted party. We were able to sit with some very nice folks from Mississipi, eat some great food and dance to some music. Red and Cindy Wilk, the couple from South Dakota who judged the Miss Rodeo Utah Pageant several years ago and have been so nice to Chris throughout the years, sponsored the dinner. They also gifted all the girls beautiful rings made of Black Hills Gold. Chris loved it -- and it meant a lot coming from the Wilk family.

First Day at Miss Rodeo America

Quite an exciting day in Las Vegas -- the first day of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. Chris Wade, the gal from Heber who is representing the Beehive State, arrived ready to compete. Thanks to the Miss Rodeo Utah organization, our Miss Rodeo Utah, dressed in a buckskin skirt and vest, was whisked from the airport to the Orleans Hotel and Casino in a black stretch limo. After a restless night in the hotel, Chris officially checked in as a contestant in this year's national pageant. All eyes were on Chris, who was clad head to toe in dark-washed Wrangler denim. Her painted red-and-turquoise boots, emblazoned with scenes from Utah's landscape, matched her chunky necklace, bracelet and belt. We're biased, but we think she looked phenomenal. Chris' family would like to thank all of Chris' supporters. It's taken 13 years to get here -- and we wouldn't be here without all of your help, love and support. Up tomorrow: Horsemanship at 9 a.m. Check http://www.shooterenterprises.com/ for more photos of Chris and other contestants at this year's Miss Rodeo America Pageant.