Gathering of the Guard

After the Roy Parade I visited the Healing Field in Ogden, Utah. This field is a tribute to every American life lost during the Global War on Terror, where an American Flag is raised in the name of each American. There are approximately 5000 flags raised in the shape of the United States, making it the largest flag field display of its kind in history. It was an emotional experience to remember those that have stood for America and fought for the freedoms that we enjoy.

I was able to meet the Bees and Utah State University Mascots and they even allowed me to get my horse out of the trailer "as long as he was pottie trained". The visitors were very interested in my horse and I even had a young girl who had lost her father in the Iraq War get on Congo with me for a picture. It was definitely a "Weekend to Remember" and such an honor.

Roy Days Parade

Saturday was a packed day. The morning began at the Roy Days Parade and I had my first little panic attack as Miss Rodeo Utah. I went to check-in for the parade and they didn’t have me entered! Some how my entry had been deleted from their list but they were so great. They put me at the front of the parade with the dignitaries, gave me a corsage, and made me feel welcome. They weren’t “expecting horses” and I had the only horse in the entire parade, but the attendees really seemed to enjoy the whinnying horse. I’m sure the Roy City Police Department enjoyed the parade right behind us in their clean vehicles more than I enjoyed their sirens the whole morning. Thank goodness they weren’t on duty as they watched my un-registered trailer driving down the parade route. Thank you Roy City for making me feel welcome at your parade!

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.