2010 Miss Rodeo America Pageant

My journey as Miss Rodeo South Dakota concluded with my trip to the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in Las Vegas. My family and I drove down to Las Vegas on Thanksgiving Day with a loaded trailer of 4 dresses, 19 pairs of Justin boots, and about 20 other colorful rodeo queen outfits. The Miss Rodeo America Pageant was a whirlwind week full of interviews, horsemanship patterns, modeling, speeches, rodeos, dancing, and lots of FUN! It was such a wonderful experience to spend the week with 27 other cowgirls who share the same passion for the sport of rodeo that I hold dear to my heart. Another highlight of the week was attending the opening performance of the 51^st Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

I was so proud to come home to South Dakota with the title of 2^nd runner-up, the Miss Rodeo America Chap Award, and 2^nd place in the Scrapbook Competition. There are so many people that have helped me this past year and it would take a long book to thank each and every one! But first and foremost, I would like to thank my family for always supporting me and helping me live my dreams, my friends for standing by my side and always encouraging me and my sponsors for making my year as Miss Rodeo South Dakota the best it could be. It has been such a privilege representing the people of South Dakota and our official sport of rodeo. I know that I will not always wear the Miss Rodeo South Dakota crown on my hat, but the memories and lessons of this amazing year will last forever. Thank you for the ride of a lifetime!

The journey continues for our Miss Rodeo South Dakota crown, as I will have the honor of crowning McKenzie Haley at her Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2010 coronation in Winner, SD on Saturday, January 16, 2010. The event will be held at St. Mary’s Hall with a social hour at 5 PM and dinner following at 6 PM. There will be a live and silent auction with a dance following, with music provided by Left Lane Rodeo Productions. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information please contact McKenzie at mrsd2010@hotmail.com. Please join me in wishing McKenzie a successful year as our Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2010!

God Bless,

Courtney Smith

Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2009

Riley and I dropping off the prize winning scrapbook

Miss Rodeo America Horsemanship

Miss Rodeo WA, NE, OR and I at the Get Acquainted Party

My family and I at the Get Acquainted Party

Cindy Wilk, my South Dakota state delegate

and I at the Get Acquainted Party.

McKenzie Haley, MRSD 2010 and I at the Get Acquainted Party

Miss Rodeo America Get Acquainted Party

My family and I after the Miss Rodeo America Fashion Show

Opening performance of the 51st National Finals Rodeo!

My parents and I at Cowboy Christmas

My sisters and I after the Miss Rodeo America

Scholarship Foundation Cowboy Christmas auction

Miss Rodeo America Coronation

Christmas in the Valley and NFR Send-Off

In November, I had the opportunity to showcase my Miss Rodeo America state speech at the annual Christmas in the Valley event, which is held at Stagestop Receptions in Black Hawk. I enjoyed visiting with vendors and giving my prepared two-minute state speech before the Ray’s Western Wear Fashion Show. The following weekend, I ventured to Belle Fourche, for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Send-off Party at the Branding Iron. It was so great to see a few of the fabulous rodeo committees that I’ve had the opportunity to spend my year with. The Black Hills Roundup Rodeo Committee, who hosts the event, has had such a monumental impact on the Miss Rodeo South Dakota pageant and I cannot thank them enough for everything that they do for our association. I spent the evening signing many autographs, socializing with the NFR qualifiers and visiting with my rodeo family.

Christmas in the Valley event

Visiting Royalty and I at the NFR Send-off

NFR Send-off Radio Interview

South Dakota NFR qualifier Jesse Bail and I at the NFR Send-off