Coalville

At Coalville's rodeo I had my good friend Sarah come and visit me. It was her birthday and she wanted to get her picture taken so she sat on Congo with me for her pictures. Hope you had a good birthday Sarah!

Once again, since my mother grew up with the North/South Summit residents, I was able to meet some old acquaintances who had learned that my long journey at the Miss Rodeo Utah Pageant had finally paid off. The local rodeo queens Hannah Nilson, Bailee Richens, and Sierra Boyce were all fun girls that I enjoyed meeting and I hope to see them in future years competing at the Miss Rodeo Utah pageant.

Mtn. Valley Stampede Parade

Two parades and a rodeo in one day and Congo looks like he is loving life- don't you think? You would never guess that this old boy is a stallion. He is my dad's team roping horse and he makes the best parade horse. He's pretty easy going.

It was so neat to have one of my first rodeos in my hometown, especially because I am the first cowgirl from Wasatch County to win Miss Rodeo Utah. Its such an honor and I appreciate everyone and their support and well wishes. It means so much!

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!