July kept me on the road almost constantly and away from a computer, but now I am back and would love to share with everyone what I’ve been up to all this time.
June 26-28th I went across the state to Edgewood,IA. It was nice to see a familiar rodeo company as I had just seen the Moorheads of 3-Hills rodeo in Bellevue, IA he week before. They have great stock and it was a pleasure to work with them again. I would like to thank Mr. John Romig for graciously allowing me to keep my horse, Reba, in his nice barn which is just a couple blocks from the rodeo arena. I would also like to thank my host family Jim & Kathy Funke for their wonderful hospitality during my stay in Edgewood. Elise was the queen coordinator for Edgewoodand she was so much help to as we did summer school and nursing home visits. Thank you Elise for being so nice and helpful during my stay. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Rodney Hayes, The Texas Kid! He is such a great person. He takes in children from underprivileged homes and teaches them responsibility and self appreciation as he incorporates them into his rodeo entertainment acts. He has a trick bull that is awesome and he let me ride it! It moves so smoothly and it seems like you are rolling along with him. I really enjoyed Edgewoodand will be sure to make it back to this great rodeo.
My next trip was to Leon, IA on July 3rd and 4th. I had a great time as I watched the contestants vying for my previous title as Miss Leon Rodeo 2007. I was proud to hand the crown over to Rachel Bergren as she did a really good job during the competition and I look forward to seeing her throughout her reign. Mr. James Sears was the stock contractor for this rodeo and I had a great time working with him.
I was then off to a rodeo in Exira on July 5th to fill in for Rachel Burton, Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa, as she was very ill and was unable to make it. She is doing great now and I hope she doesn’t get sick like that again! The Exira rodeo was a nice refreshment as it was a very relaxed rodeo and I had a great time working with the personnel there. I met up with an old friend who I have worked with for several years, Mr. Rex Strayer the announcer. I had the wonderful honor of presenting the American Flag for our American National Anthem and also the honor of presenting the closing ceremony which was a tribute to our American Soldier. It was great to see Paula Jameson as she can always put a smile on face. The Grand River Rodeo Company is always a pleasure to work with and it was great to see them as I would be working with them the next week in Woodbine.
The next week I found myself in my hometown of Woodbine, IA on July 10-12th and the place I got my start in the Rodeo Queen world! It was so nice to have a rodeo so close to home as I really didn’t have too go far at all. I had a great time visiting with all of my hometown sponsors and I greatly appreciate all of their support. Kid’s night was on Thursday, followed by the rodeo performances on Friday and Saturday. There was also a parade on Saturday followed by our annual saddle club potluck. I had the honor of carrying the American Flag for the closing ceremony, which was a tribute to our American Troops. I enjoyed seeing Mr. Rex Strayer and to work with the Grand River personnel again. Above all, it was great to be home for a much needed break. (well, it was kind of a break anyway J)
The next one down the road...Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Daddy of ‘em All!!! I have been looking forward to this one for a long time, and it was even more than I had expected. My Mom and I left on Friday, July 18th so we could get out there early and spend some time with my Grandpa, whom I hadn’t seen in 8 years. It was great to see him again and I was so glad that my Mom was able to go with me so we could spend some time together. I was in Cheyennefrom July 19th through 23rd. I stayed with Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Stacy Jo Johnson at Ester Moore’s house. Ester is one of the queen directors along with Mrs. Arlene Kensinger. Stacy and I had a great time as we ran all over the place picking up the other queen’s at their host homes and making it to our appearances. We had a jam packed schedule, but we always had a great time with everything we were doing. We got to go to the Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts concert which was awesome! We got to go right up to the edge of the stage and we had stage on 3 sides of us! So, I guess you could say we were in the center of all the action. We got to watch 2 nights of the PBR, and I had a great time as bull riding is one of my favorite rodeo events. To top everything off, we got to ride Harry Vold’s incredibly fast horses as we ran the length of the racetrack straightaway! It was such an indescribable, exhilarating experience as you feel as if your heart is going to jump out of your chest!! Needless to say, it was an experience of a lifetime and I would do it again in a heartbeat!
No time to slow down as Mom and I made our way back into Iowa the evening of the 23rd and left early the next morning to make it for the Miss Rodeo Lenox pageant and Rodeo. We were in Lenox from July 24th through the 26th. Congratulations to Courtney Stark for earning the Crown. A big thank you to Heather Beck, Lenox Queen Coordinator and my Mary Kay Sponsor, for her support throughout my year. I had a great time in Lenox. The stock contractor was Rite ‘N Gear Rodeo Co. and it was great working with them.
July 29th through August 2nd, I found myself in the wonderful town of Sidney, IA for their 5-day rodeo and was welcomed with open arms. I would like to thank Mark and Melissa Travis for their wonderful hospitality as they welcomed me into their home for the week. I would also like to thank Angie, Sarah, and Rosie, the queen coordinators, for helping me enjoy my stay in Sidneyand for giving me the wonderful opportunity to judge the pageant. It was a great experience and I would like to say a big congratulations to Morgan Marshall for earning the title of Miss Sidney Iowa Rodeo 2008! Morgan and I had a great time during the rodeo and I wish her the best of luck in her future quest for the Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2010 title. The stock contractor was Cervi Championship Rodeo and I had a great time working with them along with rodeo announcer Roger Mooney. I had a great time clearing cattle from the arena and making my queen’s run in Sidney’s huge rodeo arena. I had a great time during my stay in Sidneyand I will definitely be coming back! I look forward to working with Cervi’s in Ft.Madison this coming September.
The theme for the 2008 Iowa State Fair was "U Gotta Love It!" and boy did I! The weather was perfect and you wouldn't believe the array of foods you can find on a stick. On the first Friday afternoon Rachel Burton and I signed autographs at the Iowa Horse Council booth. We then got ready for the Iowa State Fair Cowgirl Queen contest. Thank you, Rachel, for letting me ride Tank to carry the American Flag during the National Anthem. He was a lot of fun and I know the crowd loved his prancing antics. Rachel did a great job in the Sr. Cowgirl Queen division representing Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa. There were many familar faces there including Amanda Eason, MRI '07, who was one of the judges. After the Cowgirl Queen contest finished Rachel and I checked our our steers as we were both lucky enough to be selected as 'celebrities' for the Annual Governor's Charity Steer Show. My steer was a bit on the naught side, but Rachel had a great day and was awarded the Showmanship award. If you'd like to see us at the State Fair you can go to the Iowa Public Television websiteand look for the vido clips of the Cowgirl Queen and Steer Show.
The following week I packed my bags for the Miss Rodeo America Premier Rodeo Queen Clinic in Fort Collins, CO. My roommate for the weekend was Tara Trask, Miss Rodeo South Dakota. I really enjoyed my time in CO and thank Tara and Mrs. Wilk for their hospitality.
It's hard to believe Labor Day is nearly here and It's once again time for the Miss Rodeo Iowa and Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa pageants. Rachel will be at the Dayton Rodeo this weekend while I attend numerous pre-rodeo events beginning with a 6:00 am pancake breakfast this Saturday morning and continuing the the next eight days. It just so happens I end my Fort Madison appearances with ANOTHER 6:00 am pancake breakfast!
Now it’s time to hit the books since Rachel and I are back in classes. After Fort Madison I’ll be making more appearances and finishing my preparations for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. I’m also looking for a date to showcase my MRA wardrobe, so please check back to see when and where. Also, best of luck to Lindsey Ahrenholtz, Rachel Bergren, Tia Campbell, Shelby Chapman, Mackenzie Corrigan and Kara Telfer as they compete for our state titles in Fort Madison.
So, until we meet again,
Happy Trails!
Aleigh
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