Dixie Roundup Rodeo and Parade

You know you have a strong testimony of rodeo and the effect it has on families when you travel to a rodeo over four hours from home and you have your mom and dad, Aunt Lisa and Uncle Barry, Cousin Justin and his wife Randy and their children, Cousin Marsha and her husband and children, my brother Cody and his wife Sharlee, and her parents John and Cindy all there for the rodeo. I guess I can honestly say rodeo is in our blood.

My brother was up in the steer wrestling Saturday night and my dad hazed for him and Dustin Bennett. Cody got 2nd in the rodeo and won a check; made his trip well worth it. Both Cody and Dustin have qualified for the Wilderness Circuit Finals in October in Ogden, Utah; so once again I know that I'll have another rodeo with a huge family support. I know that good parents and rodeo have been the structure for the type of person I am and I'm so proud of my heritage and our family relationship.

St. George Lion's Special Needs Rodeo

The St. George Lion's Club organizes an awesome Special Needs Rodeo and it was an honor to be involved this year. I enjoyed working with the Dixie Roundup Queens Shaylee and Summer.

Participating in Special Needs Rodeos is such a rewarding experience and it really teaches me to have a better outlook on life. I had a very special Aunt Bonnie (my dad's sister) who passed away this last year and she was the most amazing person I have ever met. She was born with some mental challenges as well as physical. She was born with deformed legs and the doctors told my grandma that she would never be able to walk. My grandma wouldn't accept that and after multiple surgeries Bonnie was able to walk and play and go to school like all of the other kids. Even with all of the challenges she faced, she always had a positive outlook on life and I know that I am a better person just for having her in my life.

Special Needs children love animals and rodeo and I am so happy that I am able to help share those things with them.

Utah State Fair

Congo and I had such an exciting time at the State Fair, by the fourth night we had to use the fence to stay upright while we were clearing the arena of calves and steers. What a great rodeo. It was an honor to carry the American flag in front of a packed stadium. It was amazing to show patriotism for our flag and country the cowboy way during the weekend of September 11th

Wilderness Circuit Queen Contest

Congratulations to Chenae Shiner, the new Wilderness Circuit Queen. She will represent professional rodeo in Utah, Idaho, and Nevada for the next year and I know she'll do a great job! As a former Wilderness Circuit Queen, it was an honor to be in attendance. Paula Smith and her committee put on such a fun contest.

Evanston, Wyoming

Evanston Cowboy Days was my first out of state rodeo even though it was closer for me than for Miss Rodeo Wyoming Allie Bass. I also had my first funnel cake and my first peanut butter ball at the suggestion of the Ogden Pioneer Days Secretary Jackie Belnap and it was well worth it.

Tremonton Utah

I have officially found the new rodeo queen capital of Utah. Tremonton's petite princess category had 32 contestants and I think I was more excited than they were when their director asked me to ride on the trailer with them through the grand entry. It was so much fun! The people were so nice and they have the best mutton busters that I have ever seen.

Huntsman Cancer Foundation Hope on the Range Gala

I had my biggest shock as Miss Rodeo Utah so far when Jon Huntsman himself planted a big kiss on my cheek at the Hunstman Cancer Hope on the Range Gala. Huntsman Cancer was founded by Jon and his wife Karen who are committed to finding a cure for cancer through genetic research. A cancer survivor himself, Mr. Huntsman has donated over $500 million to the institute during his lifetime. The Huntsman Cancer Institute aids in the research of cancer through the world's largest database for genetics. It was such an honor to be invited to this grand event, where I was able to meet people like Jon Huntsman and Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and his wife. I was able to work along with some of my fellow rodeo queens Stormy Henderson, the DNCFR Queen; Jackie McMullin, the Cache County Rodeo Queen; Martina Wardel, Miss Rodeo Oakley; Bailey Sizemore, the Silverstate International Rodeo Queen; and Courtney Woolsey, the Utah State High School Rodeo Queen. We greeted people at the doors, helped them find their seats, sold raffle tickets, and served as spotters during the live auction. The dinner and the whole event was beautiful and I want to say Thank You for allowing me to be a part of the event. It was such an honor!