State 4-H Rodeo Finals

          4-H Rodeo has had such an influential impact in my life, it is where I started to love the sport when I was 9-years-old. So it was only fitting to return back to my roots for the 38^th annual South Dakota 4-H Rodeo Finals in Fort Pierre, South Dakota. The finals rodeo itself was very special to me because I represented the association as the State 4-H Rodeo Ambassador in 2005. I was very honored to attend the Ambassador luncheon and the speech portion of the Ambassador contest. I also had the opportunity to cheer on my sister Hayley in the pole bending and three of my cousins, Dylan, Brielle and Jaxon.

         During the Saturday night performance I ran in the grand entry and I did a 50/50 fundraiser during the rodeo. A very heartfelt thank you to the State 4-H Finals committee and the Ambassador committee for allowing me to fundraise during your rodeo, thank you for all your support! On Sunday morning I assisted with the Ambassador coronation, congratulations to Kristina Maddocks of Hecla for taking home the title! Overall it was a great weekend spent with my entire South Dakota 4-H Rodeo family.

State 4-H Finals Grand Entry

South Dakota 4-H Finals Ambassador Coronation

Dacotah Stampede Rodeo

This past week I made my first trip to Aberdeen, South Dakota for two nights of action packed rodeo at the Dacotah Stampede Rodeo. It was great to see the Korkow family again doing what they do best, producing remarkable rodeos! During the rodeo performances I carried Old Glory and sponsor banners each night. I was joined by the newly crowned Miss Rodeo Aberdeen, Krystal Carlascio, Jr. Miss Rodeo Aberdeen Morgan Schultz, the Rosebud 4-H Rodeo Ambassador, Kristina Maddocks, the South Dakota State 4-H Rodeo Ambassador, Kelli Page, and Becca Stevens, the Jackrabbit Stampede Rodeo Ambassador. A special thank you to the Maddocks family for allowing me to stay in your home during my time in Aberdeen.

All of the visiting royalty during the Dacotah Stampede Rodeo

Pictured with good friend and past Jr. Miss Rodeo

South Dakota, Kristina Maddocks.

Carrying the American Flag

Carrying Old Glory

The newly crowned Miss Rodeo Aberdeen,

Jr. Miss Rodeo Aberdeen and me before the rodeo.

New York Trip

At the beginning of August I made a quick trip to New York to visit family. They were all very enthusiastic about learning about the sport of rodeo and what I do as Miss Rodeo South Dakota. They have all been very supportive of my dream to be Miss Rodeo South Dakota and I was so happy to spend some quality time with them during my busy summer travels!

My cousins in New York showing off their Miss Rodeo South Dakota programs!

Grand Opening of the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center

Since 1989 the state of South Dakota has been waiting anxiously for the opening of the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center. This past weekend the center opened its doors for the very first time. The center was amazing, it encased enormous sculptures of Casey Tibbs and legendary trick rider Mattie Goff-Newcombe as well as special sections highlighting the PRCA, High School Rodeo, Little Britches Rodeo, Indian Rodeo, Rodeo Royalty, Stock Contractors, Specialty Acts and so much more. I would highly encourage you to visit this historical museum that pays tribute to the legends of South Dakota rodeo and its roots. Several queens joined me during the grand opening and we all enjoyed signing autographs, selling rodeo center memberships, and greeting visitors at the doors. On the opening day McKenzie and I attended the Sponsor Tribute dinner. It was such a special evening because all of South Dakota’s rodeo supporters attended and shared their memories of Casey Tibbs and discussed why rodeo was so important to the history of South Dakota. Once again I would like to thank the Casey Tibbs Foundation for supporting me during my reign as Miss Rodeo South Dakota.

Posing with the "Iron Man" sculpture that greets visitors to the rodeo center

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo exhibit room

Riding broncs in the virtual NFR exhibit at the rodeo center!

Pictured with Bill Miles and his team during

the Casey Tibbs Memorial Wagon Train Parade.

Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center Grand Opening

Watching the wagon train parade from the South Dakota Rodeo center.

Myself, Kourtney Hauge, the S.D. High School Rodeo Queen and McKenzie Haley, MRSD Lady-In-Waiting pictured with the legendary Casey Tibbs.

Catfish Stampede Rodeo

During the first weekend of August I had the opportunity to attend the Sully County Fair and the Catfish Stampede Rodeo in Onida, SD. This rodeo was very special to me because my mom grew up in the tiny town of Onida and I’ve spent many years attending these special events. The Sutton Rodeo Company put on a wonderful home-town rodeo complete with a scrumptious catfish dinner for all of the contestants before the rodeo. During the rodeo I carried sponsor banners with Jessie Eidsness, the Sully County 4-H Rodeo Ambassador and the Wientjes sisters, Rylae, Remi, and Racquel. It was so nice to get to know all of these extraordinary cowgirls, each of them competed in the hometown exhibition barrel racing during the rodeo in addition to carrying flags all weekend. The following week I was invited by my cousin Margo Northup, to speak during the Pierre-Fort Pierre Rotary Club meeting. I enjoyed sharing my experiences as Miss Rodeo South Dakota and teaching the club about the sport of rodeo.

My cousin, Margo and me at the

Pierre-Ft. Pierre Rotary Club Meeting.