What exciting and busy months that June and July have been! Rodeo season is in full swing in Wisconsin and we have only just begun. If you think that rodeo is only west of the Mississippi, I have experienced some of the finest rodeos right here in our great state.
June 9-12 started the month with the Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo in Merrill. This is a very special rodeo for Miss Rodeo Wisconsin as they are the host to the Miss Rodeo Wisconsin Pageant queen contest. Contestants were Laura Taysom from Arcadia, Brayvyn Brockman from Tomah, Amber O’Shea Dorn from Cumberland, and Rachel Ziebell from Manawa.
I think back on a year ago when I was preparing for the competition and it was tough. Not only does the state queen have to ride a horse like no other, but she also has to be able to speak publicly through radio interviews, speeches, interact with children and answer every question about rodeo, our beautiful state of Wisconsin, how to be a rodeo queen or whatever pops into the minds of the general public. She must be the epitome of perfection looking great at all times, but also not be afraid to get down and dirty in the arena doing whatever the stock contractors ask.
The Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo was the first outdoor rodeo I attended since I took reign in January of 2011. The weather was everything that June in Wisconsin has to bring. It was cold, it was hot, and there was rain. That makes some difficult choices when it comes to wardrobe. I froze, I perspired, and I got wet but I love this job!
In addition to running flags for our sponsors during the performances and selling 50:50 raffle tickets during the 3 action packed rodeos, there were many activities that I and the queen contestants completed between the performances. The T.B. Scott Library organized time for us to read short stories about horses and rodeo to the children. We made a special trip to the University Wisconsin Stevens Point for the Special Olympics where more than 1700 athletes took part in the State Summer Games. If you think my smile is big, theirs is enormous! A shotgun start early Sunday morning started the 5 K race “Running with the Bulls”. The runners were greeted during the first few blocks by the queen contestants on their horses. What a great event that raised money for breast cancer and rodeos “Tough Enough to Wear Pink’ campaign.
Each one of the queen contestants vying for the 2012 title did a fantastic job. Only one person can win and it came down to a really tough decision. Rachel Ziebell won the horsemanship award and was awarded first runner up. The speech category was awarded to Brayvyn Brockman. Laura Taysom took high score for the Written Test, and was awarded top in Photogenic, Congeniality, and Overall Appearance. Amber O’Shea Dorn was simply stunning throughout the weekend and a smile never left her face. Our Lady-in Waiting for 2012 is the charming Laura Taysom. Congratulations, Laura! You will have a busy 6 months of planning getting ready for reign in 2012.
June was also host to 2 rodeos that I was privileged to attend. Stanley and Glenwood City. It is always interesting to see what I will be doing at each rodeo I report to. Each one is different. One thing I know for sure is they keep me busy from the time I arrive, until the time I depart. A rodeo takes a lot of work and whatever I can do to help is always appreciated. Most of the time the public sees me carrying flags in the arena and chasing back cattle for the steer wrestlers and tie down roping. The most gratification I realize comes from all the volunteer workers offering high fives following a successful performance.
I spent Cowboy Christmas (July 4th week) at the Mid-Western Rodeo in Manawa. It’s called Cowboy Christmas for the reason that during this week there are numerous rodeos that are held across the nation happening the same weekend. This is a cowboy’s paradise to catch as many points as they can in a very short time. Mid-Western Rodeo was one of them and all 4 performances were amazing!
Since I was 8 years old, I have ridden my horse in the Perkinstown parade. As part of the Black River Riders and the Asprie de Corp Drill team I have never missed the P-Town Fourth of July parade. The people of Perkinstown are my people. They welcomed me with open arms and I hope I could give back to them the same hospitality they showed me.
Heart of the North Rodeo in Spooner was my last Wisconsin rodeo until August. All workers at this great event are volunteers. Thank you to them and the rodeo committees who make our Wisconsin rodeos successful.
The remainder of July will be spent at Pikes Peak Rodeo in Colorado Springs, the ProRodeo Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I will get the chance to mingle with the other state queens. This is my chance to represent my home town of Medford and all I love about our great state. I can’t wait to tell them about all the great Wisconsin rodeos that I have attended so far. Wisconsin is undeniably a great state for rodeos!
Even though the Wisconsin rodeos are winding down my most exciting months are yet to come my agenda remains very full. The Great Lakes Circuit finals are coming up in Kentucky. I will be representing Wisconsin during the National Finals Rodeo at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in Las Vegas Dec 3rd- 10th for the title of Miss Rodeo America. I invite you will all to follow me as I keep you updated through Wisconsin Horsemen’s News.
