Days of '76

The Deadwood Days of ’76 Rodeo has a special slogan, “Best Rodeo. No Bull,” and this is exactly what I experienced at every rodeo performance. It was such an honor to attend another award winning rodeo in South Dakota. The Days of '76 Rodeo has been named the PRCA Small Outdoor Rodeo of the Year four times and has been named PRCA Midsize Rodeo of the Year every year since 2004! The Deadwood community and the Days of ’76 rodeo committee truly put on a spectacular rodeo that includes authentic old west re-enactments and the top PRCA cowboys and cowgirls.

During the first rodeo performance McKenzie Haley, Miss Rodeo South Dakota Lady-In-Waiting and I helped with the kid’s roping and carried sponsor flags. I had the opportunity to participate in a special ceremony honoring Jaycie West and the Western Wishes program. Western Wishes is a program that grants wishes to children that are  faced with adversity and who love the western way of life. In a freak accident while riding with her barrel racer mom, Amber, Jaycie fell off and was kicked in the head by her horse. Jaycie, a miracle child, survived a five-hour brain surgery to remove large bone fragments from her brain and was temporarily paralyzed on one side. But in less than three months, Jaycie stunned them all and was back in the saddle again! Jaycie is truly an amazing spirit and cowgirl and I was so grateful to meet such a brave little girl.

During my time in Deadwood, I was able to relive the western history of the area by posing in an old-time photo at Woody’s Old Time Photos who sponsored a photo for myself and McKenzie. We also participated in the historic Deadwood main street parades. The PRCA Clown Reunion was also in town during the Days of ’76 and it was truly a sight to see, over 40 rodeo clowns from all over the United States joined together to re-live their rodeo clown days. I owe a very special thanks to Ron Burns and the Days of ’76 Rodeo Committee, Glenn our horse helper, and the First Gold Hotel for providing our hotel accommodations. 

McKenzie and me during the first performance of the Days of '76 Rodeo.

Carrying the Western Wishes flag followed by the very courageous Jaycie West.

Rodeo Queens, 1876 style! 

(Photo courtesy of Woody's Old Time Photos)

McKenzie and me before the historic Deadwood parade.

Trying to "fit in" with the clowns during the PRCA Rodeo Clown Reunion.

McKenzie and me pictured with the legendary rodeo clown Jim Hill and his son.

Cheyenne Frontier Days

I was excited to travel north to Wyoming for the Daddy of ‘Em All, Cheyenne Frontier Days. My experience in Cheyenne started at the legendary Arlene Kensinger’s house where we were treated to a wonderful Taco John’s meal. It was such a treat to view Arlene’s historic museum in her basement complete with a rodeo queen room covered in autographed pictures! After dinner we ventured to the rodeo grounds for the Sawyer Brown concert where the visiting royalty and I introduced ourselves. The Sawyer Brown concert was fantastic memory.

The next morning started early with the pancake breakfast in downtown Cheyenne. I love to cook, so making pancakes and tossing them in the air was right up my alley. Thankfully I made several dozen perfect pancakes and the Boy Scout helpers caught every one of mine as I threw them cautiously in the air! After the pancake excitement, we attended the Cowgirls of the West Brunch, where I was honored to sit with many fellow South Dakotans. The Cowgirls of the West Brunch was such a wonderful tribute to the many women who have helped preserve our wonderful western heritage.

Then it was off to the rodeo to do our well-known Cheyenne Frontier FLY-BYS! The beautiful black Harry Vold horses did a spectacular job running around the track at top speeds! It was such an exhilarating moment for me to realize that I was Miss Rodeo South Dakota and that I was about to run an incredible fly-by at the largest outdoor rodeo of the year.

Later that night I enjoyed the Professional Bull Riding tour performance. The next morning my Harry Vold horse, Sport and I joined up again for the famous Cheyenne Frontier Days parade, which hosts more horses than any other parade in the world. After the parade I enjoyed visiting with the Frontier Days committee and watching the parade. After another thrilling fly-by and PBR performance, sadly it was my last day at this great rodeo. I had the opportunity to flip more pancakes and to meet the outstanding Thunderbird pilots, which we had the opportunity to watch their spectacular air show later in the day. Overall my experience in Cheyenne was remarkable, thanks to Arlene Kensinger and Esther, our chaperones, the community of Cheyenne, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo Committee, and my wonderful host home of Carol and Byron Rookstool.

Miss Rodeo Wyoming, Miss Rodeo Texas and me at Arlene's house.

Enjoying the Sawyer Brown concert

Tossing pancakes at the Chuckwagon Breakfast in downtown Cheyenne.

Miss Rodeo Oklahoma, Miss Rodeo Oregon, and me before our rodeo queen fly-bys!

The Cheyenne Frontier Days Queen, Kim Kuhn, myself, and

Rachel Shutter, the Cheyenne Frontier Days Lady-In-Waiting.

Play-by-play radio interview during the rodeo

Behind the chutes tour at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo

The legendary Cowgirl Hall of Fame Inductee, Arlene Kensinger and

me before the Cheyenne Frontier Days night show introductions.

My wonderful Harry Vold horse, Sport and me before the parade.

The parade line-up in front of the Cheyenne Capital building.

Indian Village

All of the visiting state queens before the PBR performance.

Participants of rodeo royalty turn their cameras toward the sky while watching a USAF Thunderbirds air show at Laramie County Community College in Wednesday July 22, 2009 in Cheyenne, Wyo. (AP photo/Laramie Boomerang, Andy Carpenean)

Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, PRCA Hall of Fame Inductions and the Miss Rodeo America Seminar

The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and the PRCA Hall of Fame Inductions in Colorado Springs was a trip I will never forget! I experienced three wonderful nights of action packed Pikes Peak or Bust rodeo. My first night in Colorado Springs, I handed out Tough Enough To Wear Pink bracelets, helped with the mutton busting, and signed hundreds of autographs following the performance. The next morning I was overjoyed to visit the Western Horseman magazine. At the magazine offices they gave us a special tour and they even treated all 23 visiting queens to lunch! It was an amazing afternoon learning about this special horse industry publication that has grown great strides in the past few decades. Thank you Western Horseman!

Later that night the visiting state queens and I experienced another spectacular Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo performance. The following morning I had the opportunity to attend the very special Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association Hall of Fame Inductions. It was so special to be in the presence of so many rodeo legends. This year’s PRCA induction class included fellow South Dakotan and legendary stock contractor Erv Korkow, 1934 Triple Crown Champion Leonard Ward, 1985 World Champion Bull Rider Ted Nuce, Seven-time World Champion Dan Mortensen, 1969 World Champion Steer Roper Walt Arnold and Ace Berry, the only cowboy in PRCA history to win two National Finals Rodeo average titles in both a roughstock event and a timed event. Each acceptance speech was very touching and truly displayed the heart and try of each rodeo cowboy. A very special thank you to the PRCA for including the state queens and I at this special event.

After another outstanding rodeo performance in Colorado Springs, the state queens and I were back at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame for the Miss Rodeo America Premier Pageant Seminar. The seminar included several wonderful clinicians, Miss Rodeo America 2005, Selena Pope, Miss Rodeo America 2000 Brandy Whitlow, Katie Hill, Megan Grieve, MRA President Tracy Damrell, Raeana Wadhams, DeAnna Power, Jeana Allen, Deb Dilley and our current Miss Rodeo America Maegan Ridley. Thanks to all of these outstanding contributors we learned about horsemanship, modeling, impromptu questions, interview techniques, and the role of Miss Rodeo America. We even got to tour the PRCA offices to learn about the behind the scenes work of the association. It was a superb clinic and I would suggest this seminar to any state level rodeo queen. I truly enjoyed spending time in Colorado with the other 22 visiting state queens and I’m excited to experience the Miss Rodeo America pageant with these wonderful ladies in December!

Tough Enough To Wear Pink night at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo

Visiting the Western Horseman offices in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Western Horseman Tour

Signing autographs with Miss Rodeo Arizona, 

Miss Rodeo Missouri, and Miss Rodeo Nevada.

Miss Rodeo Mississippi, Kelli Jackson and I 

A few rodeo fans at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo

Visiting Queens and I pictured with Tom from 

the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Committee.

(L to R) Miss Rodeo Arizona, Miss Rodeo California, 

Miss Rodeo Mississippi, and I before the Hall of Fame Inductions. 

World Champion Bull Rider, Don Gay, and the visiting queens before the inductions.

The legendary Larry Mahan and I 

Dan Mortensen and I, he is the only other man besides 

Casey Tibbs to hold six world championships in Saddle Bronc Riding.

Pictured with fellow South Dakotans Jim and Carol Korkow 

who accepted the award for Jim's father, Erv Korkow.

PRCA Hall of Fame Inductions

Posing for a picture with "The Champ" statue of fellow South Dakotan Casey Tibbs 

Preparing for the mock pageant during the MRA Seminar

Participants at the Miss Rodeo America Clinic 

90th Black Hills Roundup Rodeo and Miss Rodeo South Dakota Pageant

This past week, I was very honored to be a part of the 90^th Black Hills Roundup Rodeo as Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2009. For ninety years, the Black Hills has been celebrating our western heritage and the great sport of rodeo during our Country’s birthday and I was so proud to represent all of those fundamental endeavors once again during this special anniversary.

My busy week started with a newspaper photo session at the Tri-State Museum in Belle Fourche, where the museum hosts a special section of Miss Rodeo South Dakota memorabilia. The next day was the kick-off of the Miss Rodeo South Dakota pageant, where the contestants and I ventured to KBFS for a radio interview with Karl Grimmelmann. Later in the day I made my way to KOTA television in Rapid City where I appeared on their noon show to promote the Black Hills Roundup and the MRSD pageant. The first day concluded with the Black Hills Roundup press party, where I did a live auction. A very special thank you to all of the businesses in the Belle Fourche community that contributed to the live auction, your support will definitely help my travels this summer.

The following morning the contestants and I had the opportunity to visit several local pageant sponsors. It was so wonderful to see so many familiar faces and thank them for all of their support of our pageant. Later that night it was time to showcase all of the Miss Rodeo South Dakota and Junior Miss Rodeo South Dakota contestants at the Style Show. It was a magnificent evening filled with lots of glamour and many outstanding speeches. Horsemanship started early the next morning at the Black Hills Roundup grounds. That afternoon I enjoyed getting to know the MRSD judges and emceeing the salad luncheon hosted by the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

            After the salad luncheon it was time to RODEO, but not before Belle Fourche was covered in rain! Thankfully a beautiful rainbow came out followed by the sun for the first performance of the Black Hills Roundup Rodeo. During the rodeo performance, McKenzie Haley of Winner, South Dakota was crowned Miss Rodeo South Dakota Lady-In-Waiting 2010! Congratulations McKenzie, you have an amazing year ahead of you!

            The next day I attended a special autograph session at my host hotel, the AmericInn. Everyone was there, including announcer Chad Nicholson, Black Hills Roundup Chairman Gabby Bush, specialty act performer Jerry Wayne Olsen, and rodeo clown Dennis Halstead. It was so fun getting to visit with them all and working with them during the rodeo. The Powder River rodeo company did an exceptional job this year producing the rodeo.

During the rodeo the Black Hills Roundup Committee made a special presentation to Faye Kennedy, the queen of the 90^th Black Hills Roundup Rodeo. Faye has been a long time supporter of the rodeo and the Miss Rodeo South Dakota pageant. It was a very special presentation to a woman that has done so much for the community and our western heritage. The rodeo ended with a bang as an enormous fireworks display set to music truly made me feel proud to be an American!

            On the Fourth of July I rode in the Tri State Area’s largest parade and during the rodeo performance, I was so honored to carry Old Glory into the arena as an Ellsworth Air Force Base B-1 Bomber flew over the arena. It was quite a rush! I could not have asked for anything more, carrying the America flag on our nation’s birthday celebrating my favorite sport of RODEO!!!  I had an excellent week in Belle Fourche, the center of the nation, thanks to the Black Hills Roundup Committee and the community of Belle Fourche. They put on an outstanding Fourth of July celebration! 

The Miss Rodeo South Dakota contestants, McKenzie Haley and Kate 

Moen, joined me for a radio interview at KBFS in Belle Fourche. 

Eric Gardner and I during my KOTA 

television Noon Show appearance.

The Miss Rodeo South Dakota contestants and I before our pageant sponsor visits.

Miss Rodeo South Dakota Style Show

Outgoing Junior Miss Rodeo South Dakota, 

Kristina Maddocks and I at the Salad Luncheon.

The newly crowned Miss Rodeo South Dakota Lady-In-Waiting,

 McKenzie Haley and I at the AmericInn autograph signing.

(L to R) Specialty Act Performer Jerry Wayne Olson, Manager of the AmericInn Stacey Raisanen, myself, announcer Chad Nicholson, and professional bullfighter 

Mick Thompson at the AmericInn autograph signing. 

My amazing Miss Rodeo South Dakota horse trailer, donated by 

Carl's Trailer Sales of Belle Fourche, in the Fourth of July parade. 

Carrying the stars and stripes on the Fourth of July at the 

Black Hills Roundup Rodeo in Belle Fourche, South Dakota!

Proud to be an AMERICAN!

Crystal Springs Ranch Rodeo

         The Crystal Springs Ranch Rodeo in Clear Lake, South Dakota was one that I have been looking forward to all year. In 2007 the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association named this rodeo best small rodeo of the year and they were a finalist in 2008 as well. This rodeo is so unique because it takes place in an old duck pond; the rodeo fans sit on the side of the hill surrounding the arena. The Sutton rodeo company outdid themselves again at this special rodeo. I enjoyed carrying flags during the rodeo performances and participating in the parade with fellow queens, Kristina Maddocks, JMRSD 2008 and Becca Stevens the Jackrabbit Stampede Ambassador. The highlight of my trip at the Crystal Springs Ranch Rodeo was when the entire crowd was prompted by announcer Steve Kenyon to scream, “Hello Courtney” as I was clearing cows from the arena. I have never had such a loud welcome!

An overhead view of the Crystal Springs Ranch Rodeo Bowl

Carrying Old Glory during the national anthem

Becca Stevens, Miss Jackrabbit Stampede and I 

at the Crystal Springs Ranch Rodeo.