Oahe Days

My next stop for the summer was back in Pierre, South Dakota for the Oahe Days Arts Festival. I was very excited to ride in the parade in a sponsored Ford Mustang from Capitol Motors. Although it wasn’t my typical mount I was glad it was a “mustang”. A very heartfelt thank you to Matt from Capitol Motors and his family for driving me through the parade and for the enormous amount of candy I was allowed to throw to the local children! My official Miss Rodeo South Dakota vehicle followed close behind the mustang in the parade.

  Later that night I was honored to be announced as a visiting dignitary at the Troop Dedication ceremonies. It was such a memorable event to be part of a ceremony that honors the great service men and women of our country. The remainder of the weekend was spent at my Miss Rodeo South Dakota booth promoting the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center Opening and signing autographs. Thank you to the Pierre Chamber of Commerce and Denise Gehring for inviting me to this special event and the AmericInn for providing my wonderful hotel accommodations during my time in Pierre.

Riding in style in a  Ford mustang sponsored by 

Capitol Motors of Pierre for the Oahe Days Parade. 

My trusty Miss Rodeo South Dakota Durango followed 

my "mustang" mount for the parade.

My sisters and I at the Troop Dedication during Oahe Days in Pierre.

NEBRASKAland Days

My trip to Nebraska was a quick and easy drive compared to a few of the other state queens that joined me in North Platte, Nebraska for the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Pageant and the NEBRASKAland days rodeo. I was overjoyed to find my host home of Dr. Craig and Karen Kelley marked with the infamous “Home of Miss Rodeo South Dakota” sign. I had a wonderful stay at their beautiful home which is bordered by a gorgeous lake. Our first official event as visiting royalty was the horsemanship portion of the Miss Rodeo Nebraska pageant where each state queen was interviewed and introduced. After that it was time to get to know everyone at the beach barbeque hosted by Buck & Cathy Ewing. It was a very scrumptious meal that was followed by a rodeo themed sand castle building contest! I had so much fun visiting with the state queens, the pageant contestants and members of the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association.

The next day started with the Kid’s parade, where local children put on their best costumes and paraded around the town! It was so exciting to see all of the unique costumes and I have to add I was happily surprised to see many little rodeo queens!!! All of the state queens and I signed autographs and participated in the parade. Then we were off to the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association Queen’s Luncheon where the Lil’ Cowgirls served us another wonderful meal. We also had the opportunity to help with their live auction at this event as well. The rest of the day we spent signing autographs and visiting the community. That night we were treated to a special musical titled the Frontier Review, which detailed the history of Nebraska.

The following day we were treated to a Starbucks sample tasting to start off a day of numerous autograph signings. Throughout our time in Nebraska we signed autographs at Starbucks, Wal-Mart, Shopko, the Nebraskaland Bank, First National Bank, Adams Bank & Trust and Town and Country Western Wear. It was so wonderful to meet all of the amazing children that came out to meet all seventeen visiting queens. A special thank you to Lindy Hyatt and Paula Stobbs, our chaperones in Nebraska, and Linda, our bus driver, for accompanying the state queens and me on our travels around North Platte. Later that day we participated in the highlight of the Miss Rodeo Nebraska pageant, the Style Show. Each state queen modeled a dress and our rodeo chap outfits. Overall, it was an evening packed with glamour and a load of laughs.

The next morning started early with the Queen’s Breakfast, where the new Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska was crowned. Congratulations to Matisyn Humphrey on her new and exciting title! Later that afternoon, we had a delightful lunch following by some old-fashioned bowling. After bowling we were off to the rodeo, where we signed autographs and were introduced during the grand entry. A special thank you to the Mueller family for allowing me to use their horse for my queen’s run. The rodeo that night was spectacular and it was capped off with the coronation of Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2010, Michelle Boeshart.

My trip to Nebraska was a wonderful MRSD memory thanks to the amazing organization and support of the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association and its members. The community of North Platte welcomed me with open arms and I was very proud to represent my state of South Dakota in our neighboring state to the south!

The visiting state queens, Miss Rodeo Nebraska contestants and 

myself at the welcome barbeque.

Having fun at the Kid's Parade!

My beautiful host home in North Platte, Nebraska.

Two of the cute Lil' Cowgirls and I after the Fashion Show

All of the visiting state queens in our chap outfits!

Miss Rodeo America, Maegan Ridley and I at the Fashion Show.

Our host queen Miss Amy Amack, Miss Rodeo Nebraska and I at the Fashion Show.

My wonderful host family Dr. Craig & Karen Kelly at the Queen's Luncheon.

Bowling at the Cedar Bowl in North Platte, NE with 

Miss Rodeo Colorado and Miss Rodeo Tennessee.

Casey Tibbs Match of Champions

My first official stop of the South Dakota summer rodeo season was at the Casey Tibbs Match of Champions held in Ft. Pierre, SD. The Friday before the match, I had the opportunity to promote the event with a radio interview at KGFX in Pierre. Thank you to Dorene Foster and Jeri Thomas for allowing me to talk about my job as Miss Rodeo South Dakota and for promoting the Match of Champions.

This is my fourth year as a visiting queen at the 17th annual Casey Tibbs Match of Champions and I must admit that it was definitely the COLDEST year of them all. Although it is June in South Dakota, you never know what type of weather you’ll get sometimes! Even though the temperatures were low many rodeo fans turned out to enjoy world class entertainment by watching the country’s best saddle bronc riders. During the match I was joined by Junior Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Kristina Maddocks, Miss Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo, McKenzie Haley, and the South Dakota 4-H Rodeo Ambassador, Kelli Jo Page. It was an action packed evening that concluded with a sudden death final round where Wade Sundell came out as the cowboy on top. It was a very special event and as my grandpa said, “Casey Tibbs would be grinning ear to ear to see what they’ve done in memory of his rodeo legacy.”

I owe a very special thank you to the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center board for supporting me in my travels this year. I’ve always enjoyed attending their events and I am excited to participate in their rodeo center opening August 14th-16th in Ft. Pierre. I’m looking forward to my next stop on the rodeo trail, which will take me to the Miss Rodeo Nebraska pageant and the Nebraskaland Days Rodeo in North Platte, Nebraska.

(L to R) South Dakota 4-H Rodeo Ambassador-Kelli Jo Page, Miss Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo-McKenzie Haley, myself, and Jr. Miss Rodeo South Dakota-Kristina Maddocks at the 17th annual Casey Tibbs Match of Champions.

Dorene Foster and I at my KGFX radio interview in Pierre, SD.