Miss Rodeo America 2008 Pageant

A Busy Day of Interviews and Dance Practice

This morning contestants, judges and pageant personnel were treated to a buffet breakfast at the French Market Buffet sponsored by Dodge Rodeo and Buck's Bags.  The selection of food is just what you would expect from a premiere Las Vegas hotel.  From breakfast cereals to omelette's, from Chinese cuisine to fresh fruit no one should go hungry!

Throughout the day contestants rotated between fashion show rehearsal and personality interviews.  Dress for the personality interviews is either a dress or a skirt with a blouse.  Contestants have the option of wearing a jacket or vest with their outfits.  Photos of the contestants choices will appear on http://www.ShooterEnterprises.com on Tuesday evening.

When a contestant is not in an interview she is most likely at dance rehearsal.  The fashion show theme for the 50th Anniversary is appropriate - The '50's!  Tara Graham, Miss Rodeo America 2001, is working with other volunteers to choreograph the dances.  Look for coverage tomorrow night after the event!

At mid-day contestants, judges and chaperones took a break for lunch sponsored by Desert Oak Homes and Frank and Anne Kocvara.  It was a relaxing time and all were refueled for a few more hours of interviews and jitterbugging.

Tonight they will enjoy dinner at Billy Bob's Steak House at Sam's Town followed by shopping at Shepler's.  Boyd Gaming, Inc is sponsoring tonight's event.

On the Agenda for Wednesday - Public speaking skills will be put to test when 1/3 of the contestants are chosen to present their three-minute state-themed speech.  Contestants will begin rotating through their horsemanship interviews while fine-tuning their shuffle steps for the fashion show.  At noon they will answer their first impromptu questions during the PRCA Luncheon  at the Mirage Hotel.  Evening activities will begin with a reception followed by dinner and the highly-anticipated fashion show and program.  If you don't already have your ticket to the event you'd better hurry as only a few remain.

Fifty Year Fun Fact - When Dallas Hunt George from Nebraska reigned as Miss Rodeo America in 1957, she was chaperoned by her Grandfather.  She made over 100 appearances during her reign and at one time was greeted in Las Vegas by Abe Schiller with his guns a blazing.  He had made arrangements for all of the passengers to remain on board and he boarded the plane to escort her off wearing his finest Western wear and toting shooting off his fancy pistols (with blanks of course!).  Mr. Schiller was the PR person for the Flamingo Hilton which was the host hotel for Dallas as she attended Helldorado Days.  Dallas earned the Miss Rodeo America title in Chicago at the International Rodeo and Dairy Show and then passed the title on to Jan Porath from Michigan the next year at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California.  Today Dallas continues her involvement with the Miss Rodeo America Pageant serving on the Specialty Items committee and is an avid showperson, having recently attended the AQHA Select World Show entering the Trail class.

Volunteers Make Pageant Possible

Without the help of numerous volunteers the Miss Rodeo America Pageant would not be possible.  During the annual business meeting volunteers were recognized for their continued service to the organization.

Miss Rodeo America, Inc President Bronc Rumford presented appreciation plaques to Sherry Smith in recognition of her 13 years of continued volunteerism and to Dorothy Secrest for her 12 years of continued service.   

State Delegate pins were presented to Delegates who had served one, five and ten years.  Others received newly updated pins for their previous service.

Volunteers head up all of the committees who plan and make each event possible.  State Delegates, members of the National Advisory Council and the Exectuive Board Members also serve on the various committees.  Committees include Fashion Show, Horsemanship, Hospitality, Tickets, Media, Silent Auction and more.  Hundreds of hours are spent before, during and after the pageant to produce America's premiere rodeo queen pageant.  Volunteers organize events, set up rooms, plan decorations, prepare impromptu questions, set menus and choreograph dances.  Others help fit clothing, chaperone contestants and provide support for others involved.

For information on becoming a member of Miss Rodeo America, Inc visit our website at http://www.MissRodeo.com.

$28,000 to be Awarded in Scholarships

Contestants competing for the 2005 Miss Rodeo America title are also vying for $28,000 in educational scholarships.  The following award winners will receive scholarship monies managed by the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation.

Miss Rodeo America - $10,000 following her reign and if she chooses to attend the University of Nevada Las Vegas she will be awarded an additional $2,500 by Las Vegas Events.

First Runner-up - $3,500

Second Runner-up - $3,000

Third Runner-up - $2,000

Fourth Runner-up - $1,500

Appearance, Horsemanship, Personality, Speech, Photogenic, Congeniality and the Raeana Wadhams Spirit Award - $500 each

Regional Scholarhips (Eastern, Central, Western) - $1,500 awarded to the highest scoring contestant in each region who does not place in the top-five.

Recognizing the importance of education, the mission of the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation, Inc is to:

* Provide higher educational opportunities, through scholarhips, to selected Miss Rodeo America Pageant contestants

* Broaden the scope of the scholarship program through selected fund raising efforts

* Assure the peerpetuation of the scholarship program

The foundation is managed by a board of directors headed by President Patricia Fulcher.  Others include Deboraha Dilley (Vice President), MiQuel Holyoak (Secretary), Paula Gaugan (Director), Ina S. Ginsberg (Director), William H. Hervey (Director), Arlene Kensinger (Director), and Raeana Wadhams (Executive Director).  All contributions are tax deductible and all funds received are used only for their intended purpose.  Funds are invested as a lump sum into a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other instruments which is monitored by an Investment Commiettee. 

Miss Rodeo Iowa Takes Home Scrapbook Award

Megan Wiemold, Miss Rodeo Iowa, has been honored with the Miss Rodeo America Scrapbook Award.  Her first place rosette and $500 cash prize is sponsored by Miss Rodeo America, Inc.  Taking second place and receiving a $250 cash award and rosette is Kim Willer, Miss Rodeo Missouri; Lacie Stockstill, Miss Rodeo Mississippi earned the third place rosette and a $150 cash award and Lindy Quaney, Miss Rodeo Nebraska rounded out the top four and received a $100 cash award.

Miss Wiemold's scrapbook was created on natural colored 12 x 12 pages and incorporated cranberry and brown paper.  She used a brown border on each page with a brown horseshoe and cranberry star in each outer corner.  Throughout her album she scattered brown and cranberry stars in a variety of sizes.  Her album begins with an index followed by a photo of her as an infant and then as Miss Rodeo Iowa.  Within her album she included photos and journaling beginning with her Church activities, followed by early childhood, preschool, family, 4-H and horse shows, High School and College, Miss URA 2002, Miss Rodeo AKSARBEN 2003, Miss Rodeo Iowa Pageant attempts, Miss Rodeo Iowa 2004 and finally a page honoring WIll Ghormley, the leather artist who created her album cover.  Megan titled her pages using sticker letters and hand journaled her captions. 

The cover of the album is a medium tan leather featuring cut-out letters, an oval frame, floral tooling and brass star studs.  The frame is accented with braided leather and includes a background that has been buckstitched and includes a small horseshoe and star.  Whipstitching finshes the edges of the album cover.

Contestants are not required to submit a scrapbook but are encouraged to do so.  A panel of committee members judges each submission, scoring them according to appearance and attractiveness, content, workmanship and ingenuity, organization and identification along with originality and presentation. 

First Judged Event is in the Books

After an early morning breakfast, sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Association at host hotel The Orleans, contestants and pageant personnel boarded the bus for a quick trip to the Excalibur for their first judged event.  The horsemanship portion of the Miss Rodeo America Pageant accounts for 25% of each contestant's overall score and is equal in weight to their appearance and personality scores.  This unique division sets the Miss Rodeo America Pageant apart from 'mainstream' competitions.

Thirteen horses are provided by various stock contractors who are also providing stock for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.  These horses are used daily by cowboys moving cattle to and from pastures, in the arena and as pick-up horses for the roughstock events.  They are not horses the contestants have spent time riding prior to the pageant.  A crew of volunteers, headed by Bronc Rumford and Jeana Allen, are up early in the morning to groom, saddle and warm up the horses.  They number each horse and contestants ride in a random, pre-drawn order.   They do not have any time to ride the horse they've drawn prior to their turn.  Once they are mounted in saddles provided by sponsor Court's Saddlery they are allowed to adjust the stirrup length.

Tim Fuller, Master of Ceremonies for the week, kicked off the competition with a reminder of the Western heritage the Miss Rodeo America Pageant celebrates.  PRCA Specialty Act Max Reynolds sped in on his black horse to the theme of "The Lone Ranger" and thrilled the crowd with a mounted bullwhip cracking exhibition.  But men weren't the only ones who tamed the Wild West.  Ladies such as Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane also made their mark on history.  Shots rang out as Lori Bortner, Miss Rodeo America 2003, came riding in on her trusty steed with six guns a blazing. 

From one horse 'power' to another, in came the official truck of Miss Rodeo America.  Members of the Horsemanship Committee filled the back of a fire-engine red Dodge pick-up as CMA Horizon Award winner Gretchen Wilson's "Here for the Party" energized the crowd.  Reigning Miss Rodeo America Darci Robertson and Tommy Rumford showed off their fancy footwork as they swing-danced to the high-energy beat.  Riding on the truck as a special guest was National High School Rodeo Queen Emily Aldredge of Kansas.

No rodeo event would be complete without recognizing those who have made America free and proud.  Darci Robertson, mounted on an American Quarter Horse, rode in to present Old Glory.  The lights were dimmed and the arena floor was bathed in stars as Tim Fuller paid tribute to our American Soldiers.  As Darci made her way to the center of the arena Lori Bortner sang our National Anthem. 

After riding out, Darci re-entered the arena to set the first horsemanship pattern.  This pattern consists of a long trot down the rail and into the center of the arena to begin a figure eight to the left.  After making two circles with a lead change, the pattern then calls for a second lead change back to the left.  Contestants finish the pattern by riding at a canter along the rail to the opposite side of the arena, where they then stop and back their mounts.  The horses were challenging but the contestants showed their true cowgirl spirit by giving each ride their all. 

The second pattern, ridden on a different horse, is a freestyle pattern.  Contestants have no guidelines other than their 1 1/2 minute time limit will begin after crossing a start line and that they must include a queen's wave in the time allowed.  The panel of judges also asked that after finishing the queen's wave the contestants stop, dismount and then back their horses before leaving the arena.

Following the final contestant, Darci Robertson once again entered the arena for her final presentation ride.  "Friends are Friends Forever" by Michael W Smith, played as emcee Tim Fuller recognized Darci's extensive travels throughout her reign and thanked her for her dedication to ProRodeo and the Miss Rodeo America title.

A special thank you to Absorbine for sponsoring the opening acts, to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in the Excalibur Hotel for providing morning refreshements to the Horsemanship committee and contestants and to the American Quarter Horse Association for sponsoring the horses used for the competition.  Check back later this week to see which stock contractor is recognized with the Top Horse Award sponsored by Absorbine.

On the Agenda for Tuesday - Contestants meet individually with the panel of judges for their personal interviews followed by dinner sponsored by Boyd Gaming, Inc at Billy Bob's Steak House at Sam's Town followed by shopping at Shepler's at Sam's Town.

Fifty Year Fun Fact - The crown worn by Miss Rodeo America has been provided by Landstrom's Original Black Hills Gold Creations since 1965.   Each year the outgoing Miss Rodeo America receives a special commemorative gift made for her by Landstrom's.  Contestants also receive a pendant to remember their Miss Rodeo America Pageant experience.

Purchase Official Videos from the 50th Anniversary Pageant

Official pageant videos of the 50th Anniversary of Miss Rodeo America can be purchased from Video II Productions.  Tapes include Check-in, Orientation, Speeches, Fashion Show, Current Event Questions, Luncheons, Horsemanship and more! 

Video Tapes - Top Ten set of four tapes for $145 or Top Ten plus One Other Contestant set of four tapes for $155

DVD - Top Ten DVD set of four disks for $155 or Top Ten plus 1 Other Contestant set of four disks for $165

All Contestants Video or DVD Tape - All 26 contestants as they compete in all phases of the pageant.  This set is an excellent momento for each young lady and includes all events plus scrapbooks, state table awards, press conference and the awards presentation.  This set is also a valuable study resource for up and coming pageant contestants.  $289.95

Contact Tom House at Video II Productions by calling 405-650-2544.

A Distinguished Panel of Judges

Sharon Camarillo is an equestrian clinician, motivational instructor, author, TV and radio commentator, horsewoman and merchandise designer   She is a businesswoman who is recognized as an innovator in the equine industry.

Sharon is a four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, intercollegiate champion and Women's Professional Rodeo Association Champion.  She is the author of Western Horseman's best selling books, "Training, Tuning and Winning" and "The A.R.T. of Barrel Racing."  Sharon is a contributor to Horse TV.  Her 13 show series aired in 2004.  She co-hosts her own cable program "Spur of the Moment" with rodeo legend and friend, Bob Tallman.  Bob and Sharon share 2 of the 4 announcing positions at Rodeo Houston.

Sharon was inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, OK in 1997 as the recipient of the prestigious "Tad Lucas Award" in recognition of her multifaceted career.

Her internationally acclaimed seminars have trained over 10,000 students.  Sharon encourages riders to enjoy the process of developing their equine partners to their personal level of competitive capability.  Sponsors of the Sharon Camarillo programs have an opportunity to reach influential horsemen and women on a personal level through her private clinics and seminars.

As a business management graduate of California Polytechnic University, Sharon believes in the power of education.  Some of the synonyms used to describe this talented lady are teacher, coach and role model  She is the epitome of the "contemporary western woman".

Paul Cleveland is a professional horse trainer and also operates =P Fencing Construction.  He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor o science degree in General Agriculture.

Paul was a National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association qualifier five times in three events - steer wrestling, calf roping and team roping.  He was the 1989 Nebraska State Rodeo Association Steer Wrestling Champion and a two time Steer Wrestling qualifier for the PRCA Prairie Circuit Finals.  He is a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association, currently competing in Steer Wrestling and Team Roping, and also a member of the American Quarter Horse Association.

He served a term as President of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, as well as regional director for two years.  Paul was the director of Judging Officials for the NIRA for four years, served as a judge at the National High School Finals Rodeo eleven times, the National College Rodeo Finals four times, the College regional playoff rodeo three times, the Silver State International Rodeo Finals, various State High School Rodeo Finals as well as high school and college qualifying rodes and the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in 2000.

Paul has done television color commentary for the College National Finals Rodeo, Nebraska State High School Rodeo Finals and several PRCA rodeos.  He and his wife Deb have three children, Jade, Brody and Annie.

Bridget Trenary was raised around the arena and is a truly modern cowgirl.  Growing up in California, she was either going to rodeos with her step-father Harley May, the three-time World Champion Steer Wrestler, or traveling the country to watch her mother show Cutting Horses.  At age 6 Bridget began showing Quarter Horses and competing in junior rodeos, which led to a life-long passion of showing cutting horses.  Her devotion to rodeo and her horses soon began paying off.  Bridget was usually among the Top 15 riders in the world in the Non-Professional and Youth categories in the National Cutting Horse Association and earned more than $60,000 on the competitive circuit.  Over the years she has placed or won many NCHA Aged Events.  She was the owner of many successful cutting horses and was fortunate enough to spend her childhood summers riding with some great American horsemen including Buster Welch, Pat Earheart, Shorty Freeman, Don Dodge and Greg Welch.  Of all her horses, her all-time favorite was her World Champion Cutting mare "Annie Glo".

Her adventuresome spirit led her to her most rewarding accomplishments, meeting her husband Phil and raising their three children.  Despite the demands of a busy and involved family, Bridget continues her passion for horses through involvement as a director of the Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.  She has been Chair and Co-Chair of innumerable civic functions, most notably promoting the American Cancer Society, Memphis Symphony, Victory Ranch and Muscular Dystrophy.  She is a member of several philanthropies.  However, Bridget is never far from her cowgirl roots, teaching others, riding, and working to kindle the pioneering spirit of young men and women by reaching their dreams.

Walt Fletcher is a graduate of Colorado State University and is a native and current resident of Lakin, Kansas.  He has been an AQHA Director since 1993.  Since 1995 he has served on the Racing Rules and Regulations Subcommittee and has been an active member of the AQHA Racing Committee for more than 10 years, serving as its chairman for the past two years.  Mr. Fletcher currently serves on the AQHA Hall of Fame Committee and the MBNA American Racing Challenge Subcommittee.

A full-time rancher and farmer, he works on the farm that has been in his family for more than a century.  He also served eight years on the Lakin School Board and one term on the Co-op Board.

Long active in the American Quarter Horse racing industry, Mr. Fletcher in his own name has bred 27 winners and earners of $614,580.  Horses he has bred include stakes winners Sweet Katrina, Sterling Sport and Pacific Mooner.  He also raced five stakes winners, including the 1990 champion 3-year old filly Sweet N Special and Grade 1 winner Heza Ramblin Man, one of only five horses to win the prestigious Los Alamitos Invitational Championship (G1) more than once.  Horses campaigned by Fletcher have earned $1,288,691 and he was also a member of the partnership which raced 1999 Heritage Place Futurity (G1) winner Classified as Dash.

Fletcher and his wife Pat have three children and two grandsons.  Their daughter, Katie, her husband Chris and sons Jack and Patrick live in Owasso, Oklahoma, son Eric lives in Lakin and son Ben lives in Breckenridge, Colorado.

And the Pageant Begins!

The lobby of the Orleans Hotel and Casino was bustling as the twenty-six contestants gathered to kick-off the fiftieth Miss Rodeo America Pageant.  As Deb Dilley introduced each state queen reigning Miss Rodeo America Darci Robertson welcomed them and presented them with their official Miss Rodeo America Pageant banner.

The contestants were then escorted to the Showroom by their chaperones and briefed about what to expect during orientation.  Miss Rodeo America, Inc president Bronc Rumford welcomed the contestants, their guests and pageant personnel, and encouraged each to focus on the journey they were about to take and not the end result.  He then introduced the distinguished panel of judges and other pageant personnel.  Darci Robertson welcomed all in attendance and related a story about attending the Country Music Awards in Nashville, TN.  Each contestant then introduced herself and told either a brief tale about her reign or an interesting fact about herself.  Following the reading of official pageant briefs and other details, it was time to move.  And do we mean move!

Entire families, bell hops and more were enlisted to move boots, dresses, pants, blouses, and a multitude of accessories from private rooms to official pageant lodging.  After moving into their rooms, the contestants and chaperones enjoyed a private lunch sponsored by Karie O'Donnell Jones and Candy Gratton.  Then they began rehearsing for the Wednesday night fashion show and were fitted for outfits donated by pageant sponsor Wrangler.

This evening they will attend the Miss Rodeo America Pageant Scholarship Foundation dinner sponsored by Trish and Dale Fulcher.  Pageant judges, chaperones, Foundation Board of Directors and contestants will be encouraged with a motivational presentation.  Then it's time for more rehearsals and a "quick nap" before tomorrow's early morning wake-up call.

On Tap for Monday - Contestants will perform two horsemanship patterns on horses provided by PRCA stock contractors, tour the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and cut loose with guests at the annual Get Acquainted Party.

Fifty Year Fun Fact - Kay Dennis has chaperoned 27 of 50 pageants.  With at least twenty-five contestants a year, Ms. Dennis has chaperoned well over 700 contestants.

John Shooter to be Official Photographer

John Shooter of Shooter Enterprises has been selected as the official photographer of the 2005 Miss Rodeo America Pageant.  Photos from the pageant may be viewed and purchased at shooterenterprises.com.

Welcome to the Miss Rodeo America Pageant

In just a few short weeks the exciting and highly anticipated Miss Rodeo America Pageant will begin.  You'll be able to follow the daily action with postings and photos added daily beginning Saturday November 27, 2004.