Miss Rodeo America 2008 Pageant

Behind the Horsemanship Scenes

Have you ever wondered how the horses are selected for the horsemanship competition and where they come from?

Prior to Monday’s horsemanship competition, Bronc and Kate Rumford, along with Jeana Allen, go to the barns at the Thomas and Mack and look over all of the horses that the stock contractors bring for WNFR grand entry horses.  Because the AQHA is our sponsor, they make sure that all of the horses are registered American Quarter Horses.  They ride the horses a few times and make their initial selection.  Bronc Rumford also meets with each stock contractor to make sure they are all right with the horses being used at a different facility (all of the horses are hauled to the South Point’s Equestrian Center).  This year, 16 horses were selected, including a few that had been used in previous years in the horsemanship competition.

Monday morning at 4:30AM, the horsemanship committee leaves the Orleans to go to the barns and get the horses.  The horses were all saddled at the barns and then loaded onto trailers and hauled to the South Point.  Two of the horses chosen were for Ashley Andrews to choose from.  That left 14 horses left for the draw.  The committee then rides each of them at least once, to see how they are behaving that way and acquaint them with the surroundings.  After that, each horse is ridden one at a time in a simulated pattern.  Jeana Allen and Bronc Rumford watch each horse go and give final approval on each horse.

After warming up the horses and selecting them, committee members add the horses' draw numbers to their hips, groom them and make sure they are all ready to go.  Amanda Jenkins, Miss Rodeo America 2006, applies Absorbine products to the manes and tails to each horse to finish the grooming process.

The saddles used are all identical court’s saddles, and all of the saddle pads are the same.  This year, since they only have 12 saddles but had 14 horses, there was also a lot of tack-switching going on in between.  The horses’ bridles are their own; however, the reins are changed so that all of the reins are identical.

Once the competition is over, all of the horses are loaded back onto trailers and go back to the Thomas & Mack; they are unsaddled, brushed, put away in their stalls and fed.  We thank all of the contractors who supplied horses for the competition, and a big thank you to the entire horsemanship committee for the great job in finding a quality group of horses for the girls to ride and putting on a great competition!

PRCA Luncheon Includes Rodeo Knowledge and Presentations

The annual PRCA Luncheon showcased the immense rodeo knowledge the twenty-seven contestants must have to do their public relations jobs well.  Held at the South Point Hotel, the event began with a parade of colorful beauties led by two-time 20X Extreme Talent Contest winner Brett Hall.  Hall, a former NHSRA competitor from Lexington, NE, is an up and coming Country and Christian Music Entertainer.  Each contestant wore her state chaps with matching blouses and the bling was immense.

Tim Fuller, the voice of Miss Rodeo America, and reigning Miss Rodeo America Ashley Andrews called each contestant to the stage to answer her question.  They also entertained the audience with a few stories of Ashley's adventures as Miss Rodeo America.  This year the questions were single words or phrases in which the contestant had to expand upon.  Examples include "Cheyenne, WY", "Grated Coconut" and "Kyle Whitaker".  The contestants were as cool as cucumbers as they shared their knowledge of these topics with the judges and audience.

Following the invocation by Dale Woodard of Canon City, CA guests enjoyed a delicious pork chop lunch complete with banana cheesecake.

Keith Martin, Interim CEO and Chairman of the Board for the PRCA, addressed the contestants and congratulated them on their achievements.  In addition to his service to the PRCA, Mr. Martin remains the CEO of the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo.  He presented a check for  $10,000 on behalf of the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo to the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation.  A live auction, sold by famed stock contractor Harry Vold, raised another $1,075 for the foundation.  Bids were accepted for Wrangler NFR tickets and a signed and numbered pair of Tough Enough to Wear Pink chinks.

Tara Graham-Rowe, West Coast Regional Sales Manager for W.F. Young, Inc., presented the Top Horse award to Iowa stock contractor Bob Barnes.  Mr. Barnes was one of the stock contractors who provided horses for the Miss Rodeo America contestants to ride during the horsemanship portion of the pageant. 

Another presentation was made to event sponsors John E. Cavey and Pat J. Thompson for their continued support of the Miss Rodeo America program.  Ashley shared her stories of spending time with John and Pat while at the Denver Western Stock Show.  Each Miss Rodeo America contestant, along with their chaperones, received commemorative jackets from John and Pat.

One lucky guest from each table received a door prize from Montana Silversmiths.  Judy Wagner of Montana Silversmiths was also a special guest at the event.

After the luncheon and presentations, the contestants headed back to The Orleans to put the finishing touches on tonight's fashion show gala.  "Happy Birthday Wrangler", the theme for this year's event, is sure to bring a lot of surprises to those in attendance.

Gifts Galore

When the contestants checked in on Saturday and then moved into their rooms, they found their rooms already full with gifts from the generosity of many companies throughout the western industry.  Prior to their arrival in Las Vegas, each Miss Rodeo America Pageant contestant received a gift certificate from Wrangler, Media Guide from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Rule Book from the Professional Women's Barrel Racing. 

Kelsea Walker, Miss Rodeo Illinois, and Amanda Eason, Miss Rodeo Iowa, show off the limited edition Miss Rodeo America guitars they received from Copley Instruments.  Each guitar is emblazoned with the Miss Rodeo America Pageant and Wrangler logos burnt into the wood.  Upon seeing her gift, Amanda exclaimed 'I've always wanted a guitar!'.   

Also found in their rooms were clothing items from Wrangler, Lady Justin Vintage Boots from Justin Boot Company and Belts from Chambers Belt Company, all of which will be worn during the Tuesday night Fashion Show.

The contestants also received:

• Special Handcrafted Pendant from Landstorm's Black Hills Gold Creations
• Absorbine Products from W. F. Young Inc.
• Briefcase from Buck's Bags
• Jewelry gift from West  & Company, Inc.
• Gifts from Brandy Parfums, Ltd.
• Lip Sense Products from Ina Ginsberg
• Wrangler Bandanas
• Gift from American Buffalo Knife & Tool
• Thank You Notes from Leanin' Tree
• Bible from the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys
• Western Art Print and Special Note Cards from Western Horseman Magazine
• Contestant Gift Bag from Boyd Gaming
• Special Gift from Mr. Red Wilk & Family
• Buckle from Rogers/Whitley Company
• Wrangler Aura CD
• Collapsible Trash/Laundry Bag by Professional's Choice Sports Medicine Products, Inc.
• Wrangler NFR Logo T-Shirt from Main Gate, Inc.
• Clutch Purse from Yak Pak Imports
• Leather Gloves from Wells Lamont
• Certificate of Participation from Miss Rodeo America, Inc.
• Official Miss Rodeo America Pageant Program from Miss Rodeo America, Inc.

It's time to cowgirl up!

It's Monday and it's the day the 27 contestants will showcase their horsemanship skills at the beautiful South Point Equestrian Center.  Horses are provided by PRCA Stock Contractors and have been used in the rodeo arena as pick up horses and to move livestock, and outside of the rodeo arena to move livestock and to compete on.  There is no time to warm up the horses, contestants simply get on, adjust their stirrups and ride.  The first go-round pattern is a set pattern but the second pattern is up to the contestant and must include a set of maneuvers as outlined in the rulebook.  They have two minutes to showcase their skills.  Here's a glimpse of what will happen today, provided by official pageant videographer Tom House:

http://prorodeo.rodeoup.com/kickapps/service/displayMediaPlayPage.kickAction?mediaType=VIDEO&mediaId=50219&as=3808

Later today we'll fill you in on all that happened.

It's time! The Miss Rodeo America 2008 Pageant has Begun

Twenty-seven western beauties checked into the 2008 Miss Rodeo America Pageant this morning at The Orleans Hotel and Casino.  Joined by Ashely Andrews, Miss Rodeo America 2008, the contestants turned in their tickets for the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation drawings and were then introduced to the audience.  Chaperon Debbie Dilley had the honor of introducing each state titleholder as Ashley presented official state banners to each representative.

Following the introductions, which were held in the Gator Lounge this year, contestants were taken for lunch.  At 1:00 they joined parents, pageant personnel and other guests in the Showroom for the official orientation.  MRA, Inc Executive Board President Tracy Damrell introduced members of the Executive Board on stage and then turned the program over to MRA Executive Director Raeana Wadhams.  She continued with introductions of the judges and pageant personnel. Media Director Sue Lynn Perry covered information concerning media and the contestants, then Raeana conducted the official business portion of the orientation required of the pageant.  Each contestant introduced themselves and their hometowns to the audience.

The contestants are required to wear a Wrangler brand pant product and blouse to check in.  An array of colors were represented, including greens, yellows, salmons, purples and the basics of black, white and chocolate.  Some contestants chose traditional five-pocket Wranglers while others wore suede or classic polyester dress pants.  No matter their choice, each looked spectacular in their chosen color and the judges have their work cut out for them.

As part of the official business portion of the orientation two parent representatives were selected to be members of the "Draw" committee.  Just like rodeo, the order of competition for each judged event is drawn for. 

The contestants are now moving into their rooms.  They are paired together, and you can imagine the amount of clothing, boots, hats and other accessories two queens can have for a week-long competition!  Tracy Damrell remarked that a chiropractor should be put on staff for the parents after moving their daughters in.  After they are all in, the contestants will have a casual dinner in the contestant suite followed by the first rehearsal for the Tuesday night fashion show.   Their parents will enjoy a parent social which will include members of the Executive Board and Ashley's parents.

Tomorrow morning the contestants will start their day early with breakfast followed by a day of personal interviews, photogenic photo sittings and the taping of their one-minute media interview.  In the evening they will attend the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation Dinner, take a written test and have a few more minutes of dance practice before heading off to bed and getting a good nights sleep prior to the Horsemanship competition.

Your blog team is looking forward to bringing you the exciting action of the Miss Rodeo America 2008 Pageant.  We have several special interest interviews planned and we'll be speaking with each contestant throughout the week.  Please check back often as we'll be updating posts with photos and adding information daily.  We'll do our best to keep you on the edge of your seat as we await the announcement of Miss Rodeo America 2008.