Miss Rodeo America 2009 Pageant

Chat with Designer Dona Riva

I had the opportunity at the Get Acquainted Party to ask western designer Dona Riva her thoughts on this year’s competition styles, trends, and her outlook for 09.    Here’s what she had to say:

 

On the Horsemanship Competition:  The two trends this year seemed to be more “black” and also some very “pale” colors.  Not as many dyed-to-match outfits as we have seen previously.  Dona feels that it isn’t as easy to find the dyeable jeans anymore and that may be having an impact.

On Colored Hats:  Dona believes it’s a tough call.  With the right outfit, it can be in very good taste, however… because it’s not widely accepted, you never know how a particular judge feels about that, so it might be more risky to wear colored hats.

 

On Embellishments:  There seems to be a trend towards less fringe, largely due to the influence of the most recent Miss Rodeo America’s.  All of the girls tend to follow the lead of the reining Miss Rodeo America, if she wears a particular style, you will generally see more of that at the next pageant.  And bling… big surprise… STILL “IN!”

Hair Styles:  It seems that lately we’ve been seeing some changing styles – Ashley Andrews re-introduced us to the “short hair” queen, and this year, Amy has worn her hair straight at some apperances.  It has a lot to do with personal preference, but from a designer’s point of view, Dona says she likes to see some styling, not necessarily the “big” queen hair, but not straight, either.  The barrel racers wear their hair straight, she says, and the Queens should look different from the barrel racers.

Skirt Lengths:  Trends are still for longer skirts, and maybe too long.  This year with the girls having to walk down stairs during the Fashion Show, it might change some girls’ minds on how long the skirts should be!

 

Hats:  Definitely trending towards more shaped – almost taco-styled! 

Prediction for 2009:  Depends upon who wins Miss Rodeo America.  Whatever her style preferences are, you can bet that will set a trend for next year.

 

Submitted by Jody Rempel

Horsemanship Committee Volunteer Spotlight: Johna Niedfelt

The horsemanship committee is one of the hardest-working committees of the Pageant.  Their work starts before the Pageant begins in lining up the horses from the Stock Contractors that will have horses at the WNFR, and then “selecting” them after watching them being ridden a day before the competition.  One committee member, Johna Niedfelt, has been an outstanding volunteer, and her fellow committee members say she should get the "volunteer spotlight."

 

The morning of the competition, the committee is up and at’em by 4:15am, preparing to go to the arena where they will meet the horses (transportation already having been arranged for horses) and to begin preparing them for the competition:  cleaning, brushing, saddling, bridling and warming up.  So by the time the girls arrive at 9am and the show is ready to start… the committeeepeople have already been up for 5 hours!

 

Johna’s job during the competition is to help the contestants when they get on the horse:  hold the horse, adjust the stirrups, pull their pant legs down, brush the dust off of their boots, and make sure that all of the equipment on the horse is good to go.  While they had 14 horses to compete off of, there were only 12 Court’s Saddles… meaning that there was a lot of saddle changing going on behind the scenes.

 

Johna, our hat’s off to you for the outstanding job that you do as a volunteer on the horsemanship committee!

 

~ Jody

Best Horse Award at the MRA Horsemanship Competition

A total of six PRCA Stock Contractors provided horses for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant Horsemanship, and at the PRCA Luncheon, the “Top Horse” award winner was announced.

There were a total of 14 horses used in the competition, and the judges were WNFR Pickup Men Gary Rempel and Bobby Marriott.

 

The 3^rd Place horse was #12 “Skip” from the Rumford Rodeo Company.  The 2^nd Place horse was #1 “Floyd” – of the Barnes Rodeo Company and incidentally was last year’s winner.  First Place went to #3 “Nick” owned by Hank & Lori Franzen of Powder River Rodeo Company. 

Tara Hank & Lori with a plaque and a check for $200.00.

~ Jody Rempel

PRCA Luncheon Introduces New Award

TheSouth Point Hotel was the site of today's PRCA Luncheon.  Special guests of the event included members of the PRCA committees who hosted Amy Wilson, Miss Rodeo America 2008, during her reign.

MRA Executive Board President Tracy Damrell began the event by welcoming those in attendance and inviting the 2009 Miss Rodeo America contestants to enter the room.  Led by Amy to Rascal Flatts "Me and My Gang", the ladies paraded through the luncheon tables wearing their custom made chaps and arena wear.  Each introduced themselves and described their chaps. 

Following their introductions Master of Ceremonies Tim Fuller introduced those sitting at the head table.  Honored guests included Donna McSpadden, Sharon Shoulders, Harry Vold, Judy Wagner,Steve Miller, Tara Graham Rowe, John E. Cavey and Pat J. Thompson, Amy Wilson, Lonnie and Lori Wilson and Tracy Damrell.  Keith Martin, Chairman of the PRCA Board,  presented a check from the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo to Tracy Damrell for a $10,000 donation to the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation.  Also in attendance was Karl Stessman, Cheif Executive Officer, who spoke to the contestants on a job well done as their state titleholders.  Judge Dale Woodard provided two stories from the previous day's visit to Opportunity Village and presented the invocation.

Following lunch Tara Rowe presented the Absorbine Top Horse award.  The award was judged during yesterday's Horsemanship Award by WNFR pickup men Gary Rempel and Bobby Marriott.  Third place honors went to the number 12 horse, Skip, owned by the Rumford Rodeo Company, second place went to the number 1 horse, Floyd, owned by the Barnes Rodeo Company and the top honors were given to Powder River's Mick, the number three horse.  A plaque and a $200 cash award was presented to the company.

Montana Silversmith representatives Judy Wagner and Steve Miller presented Amy with her official Montana Silversmith portrait.  Hall of Famer and one of only two stock contractors who have had stock at all fifty National Finals Rodeo Harry Vold served as the auctioneer for the live auction.  Bids were accepted for two different sets of WNFR tickets as well as a gift certificate for a 100X Bailey Hat.  Special thanks to Karen Troyer and Carol Grencecvicz for helping with the auction.

The contestants then showcased their rodeo knowledge.  A poster was placed on stage which had six categories with six terms.  They included (along with the terms pulled out during the luncheon) were:

Sponsors:  Dodge, Absorbine, Justin, Wrangler, AQHA, Montana Silversmiths
Cowboys: Don Gay, Bruce Ford, Roy Cooper, Shawn Davis
Rodeo Terms 1: Turnout, Barrier, Buddy System, Mark Out, Reride, Legal Catch
Rodeo Terms 2: Cross Fire, Dally, Slack
Stock Contractors/Stock: Benny Butler, Stace Smith, Blood Brother, Voodoo Child, Grated Coconut
Grab Bag: Circuit System, Heartland Series

Members of the WPRA were in attendance and judged the chaps.  At the conclusion of the event Carly Hagey, Miss Rodeo Illinois, was awarded a $500 scholarship for having "Best Chaps".  Her chaps, and matching vest and cuffs, feature cognac alligator with gold fringe, black and gold crosses and scroll work and gold outlining and studs.  They were made by Jill Veteto of Diamond J Leather in Montana.  WPRA Vice President Phyllis Wells presented the award to Carly on behalf of the WPRA.

~ Bobbie

Photo Courtesty of Shooter Enterprises and my not be used in any way or printed for personal use without written permission from Shooter Enterprises.

Miss Rodeo Contestants Visit Opportunity Village

Following Monday's horsemanship competition the contestants, judges, and chaperons visited Las Vegas' Opportunity Village.  Founded by a group made up of 7 families in 1954, Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people throughout southern Nevada with intellectual disabilities, to enhance their lives and the lives of the families who love them.  Opportunity Village is dedicated to helping people with severe intellectual and related disabilities become the very best they can be. Through vocational training, employment, day services, advocacy, arts and social recreation, people with severe disabilities are able to find new friends, realize future career paths, seek independence and community integration and unleash creative passions.

Upon arrival the group was treated to a BBQ buffet lunch complete with coleslaw, spicy beans and three types of meat.  Everyone received a gift bag complete with tickets to the Bette Midler show and Opportunity Village's Magical Forest.  Chief Development Officer Linda Smith spoke to the group about her history and involvement with Opportunity Village and provided an overview of the programs provided. 

Three groups of contestants and chaperons then toured part of the campus.  Each year businesses from throughout Las Vegas sponsor areas of the Magical Forest.  There are over 320 permanent, live tress that feature larger than life decorations.  The Village includes buildings, figurines and millions of lights.  The area also includes a carousel and big slide and everyone, including the chaperons, enjoyed a ride and a slide.

A tour of the employment facilities was both moving and uplifting.  In the employment center clients were packing gift baskets for a local casino, wrapping dinnerware for use by airlines and completing a myriad of other jobs that enable each client to earn a paycheck.  Clients do many different jobs including making buttons (we each received a special Miss Rodeo America button), shredding documents and cleaning offices throughout Vegas.  Former jobs include making the scarves Elvis passed out during his concerts and making buttons for political campaigns.

The visit was finished with a video featuring a client and his mother.  The client was a young boy when an accident left him severely brain damaged.  Opportunity Village provided a place where her son could receive physical therapy and make a contribution to his community while earning an income.  The Great Santa Run is held on the first Saturday of December and in 2007 set a world record of having 7,269 Santa's running down the Fremont Street Experience.  Many of Vegas' celebrities attend the event and the community turns out in full force.  The 2008 Santa Run will be held on December 6 and event organizers are gearing up to set another world record.  A booth will be set up at Wednesday night's WNFR Downtown Hoedown for race registrations and many of the Miss Rodeo America Lady-in-Waiting titleholders will be helping register runners.

Of all of my experiences in Las Vegas this trip was the most touching and uplifting.  While in Vegas for your WNFR experience I would highly recommend visiting the Magical Forest and supporting Opportunity Village.  If you would like to learn more visit their website.

~ Bobbie