Monday, December 7, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
2010 Miss Rodeo America Pageant Official Results

First Runner-up: Freya Ford – Miss Rodeo Idaho
Second Runner-up: Courtney Smith - Miss Rodeo South Dakota
Third Runner-up: Taryn Brady – Miss Rodeo Arizona
Fourth Runner-up: Amber Dell – Miss Rodeo Tennessee
Appearance: Kelli Jackson – Miss Rodeo Mississippi
Personality: Kelli Jackson – Miss Rodeo Mississippi
Horsemanship: Allie Bass – Miss Rodeo Wyoming
Photogenic: Taryn Brady – Miss Rodeo Arizona
Speech: Kelli Jackson – Miss Rodeo Mississippi
Congeniality: Eileen Lenzner – Miss Rodeo Wisconsin
Raeana Wadhams Spirit Award: Allie Bass – Miss Rodeo Wyoming
Written Test: Ashley Hoffmann – Miss Rodeo California
Western Region Scholarship: Allie Bass - Miss Rodeo Wyoming
Central Region Scholarship: Jenna Johnson – Miss Rodeo Minnesota
Eastern Region Scholarship: Charla Wacker – Miss Rodeo Virginia
Top Ten Contestants:
Taryn Brady – Miss Rodeo Arizona
Jenna Johnson – Miss Rodeo Minnesota
Kelli Jackson – Miss Rodeo Mississippi
Allie Bass – Miss Rodeo Wyoming
Audra Dobbs – Miss Rodeo Colorado
Freya Ford – Miss Rodeo Idaho
Courtney Smith – Miss Rodeo South Dakota
Chris Wade – Miss Rodeo Utah
Amber Dell – Miss Rodeo Tennessee
Brooklynn Chester – Miss Rodeo New Mexico
Other Awards
Scrapbook Awards:
1st Place – Jenna Johnson – Miss Rodeo Minnesota
2nd Place – Courtney Smith – Miss Rodeo South Dakota
3rd Place – Amber Dell – Miss Rodeo Tennessee
4th Place - Kelli Jackson – Miss Rodeo Mississippi
Achievement Award (given to high seller for MRA Scholarship Foundation Drawing): Victoria Jeffcoat – Miss Rodeo Alabama
Chap Award (Scholarship from Women’s Professional Rodeo Association for contestant with unique chaps & story): Courtney Smith – Miss Rodeo South Dakota
People’s Choice Text Voting Award: Brooklynn Chester – Miss Rodeo New Mexico
Special Congeniality Award: Jessinta Hammer – Miss Rodeo North Dakota, Jessinta was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease and was unable to participate in the pageant per doctors orders.
Random Scholarships:
Meredith Holland – Miss Rodeo Kansas
Andrea Lynch – Miss Rodeo Nevada
Amy Amack – Miss Rodeo Nebraska
Brooklynn Chester – Miss Rodeo New Mexico
Friday, December 4, 2009
Alumni Reception
Alumni were treated to light hors d'oeuvres and champagne, John Shooter took lots of pictures, and discussion was held as to how the alumni could better stay in touch through the year.
Melanie Mooney is sponsoring an Alumni Membership for the next year, for anyone who signed up that wants to join.
In addition, Gayle Plackemeier handed out sheets earlier in the week to all National Directors, with a listing of all of the known contestants from their state, and places to gather their contact information. Gayle will do her best to update the information as it is given to her. For many of us, just having the list of former MRA Pageant Contestants is a great start. Thanks Gayle.
Hopefully next year we will see more alumni attend - and make this a fun, annual social event for former MRA contestants!
Pageant Emcee - Creed Roberts
I had the opportunity to talk to Creed for a few moments in between events on his busy schedule, to find out what it has been like for him to be the emcee for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.
Creed says he didn't really know what to expect coming into the pageant. He came in with an open mind, and it is a good thing. Over the course of the events we've seen Creed dance with another man, wear a captain's outfit and a sailor's cap and even jump off a pier to catch the boat. Was it difficult? Sure, Creed said - "I kept drawing the line and telling DeShannon & Jeana 'I ain't gonna do that' ... but in the end I guess I did end up doing that. Somehow the line just kept getting farther and farther away!"
When I asked how it was working with the girls, he says they have been great. "It's all so positive, there's no negative," says Creed. "These are the neatest girls and they've all been really great to work with."
One thing he didn't realize was how many volunteers there are in this organization and how each and every one of them pays their own way to get here, to stay here, and pays for their own tickets to each event. "It's an amazing organization, I had no idea," Creed said.
He feels that his experience as a parent helps him in that he can imagine what the parents are going through, and he tries very hard to be mindful of everything he says and how the parents will perceive it. Creed has a great sense of humor and has had fun at every event. Jeana Allen, Fashion Show Production Coordinator, said she has developed some new muscles from laughing so much with Creed.
While the schedule has been very tight and Creed is with the girls just about all of the time - including late night rehearsals and early mornings; he thinks the schedule is put together just right, and it all works out.
It's been great, he says... it's been a blast!
Speech Session #3
Miss Rodeo Missouri
Miss Rodeo Wisconsin
Miss Rodeo Oklahoma
Miss Rodeo Tennessee
Miss Rodeo Nebraska
Miss Rodeo New Mexico
Miss Rodeo Illinois
Miss Rodeo Colorado
Miss Rodeo Wyoming
Miss Rodeo Utah
Maegan entertained the crowd with stories from her year. Door prizes were provided by Montana Silversmith, Absorbine & Tandy Brands Accessories, Inc.
More than 200 people were in attendance for speeches this year.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
PRCA Luncheon
Special guests included:
- Mr. Keith Martin, Chairman of the Board, PRCA
- Mr. Karl Stressman - Commissioner & CEO of PRCA Properties, PRCA
- John Cavey & Pat Thompson, Miss Rodeo America Sponsors
- Mr. Steve Miller, Montana Silversmiths
To start things off they conducted a fundraising auction for the MRA Scholarship Foundation, first up was a 100X Hat, donated by MRA sponsor Bailey, it was purchased for $450; and two plaza level tickets for tonight's rodeo which went for $300.
Miss Rodeo America, Maegan Ridley, had the opportunity to speak and say that the most special things to her over the past year were the friendships that she made in all of the places that she went - thanking rodeo committees, sponsors and host families.
After the contestants came in and gave an introduction/information about their chaps, Mr. Karl Stressman was invited to speak on behalf of the PRCA. He talked of the similarities between his job and that of Miss Rodeo America, how stressful it is to be traveling all of the time, and also of the common bond that they share - a passion for the sport of rodeo. He also said that next year he would like to have Miss Rodeo America be "Commissioner for a Day" - during the Hall of Fame week - and actually sit at his desk, answer his phone, and see what it's like to be the Commissioner of the PRCA.
Mr. Stressman made the announcement that Keith Martin had a $10,000 check from the San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo, to be given to the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation. The San Antonio Livestock & Rodeo has been extending their generosity to MRASF for several years now and their contributions to the scholarship fund are greatly appreciated.
Contestants then had the opportunity to give their rodeo impromptu question answers. The format this year was new. Each contestant was given two topics on the bus ride to the luncheon, allowing them to prepare their answers. It worked well, all of the girls did great on their answers and I have to say, this is one SHARP group of contestants! They have truly studied. Miss Rodeo Washington was the first to go, her topics were "Luke Branquinho" and "Hall of Fame".A sampling of other topics were:
"Justin McDaniel & Media Guide"
"JW Harris & Buckeye"
"Donnie Gay & Wrangler"
"Trevor Brazile & Rodeo Camp Series"
"Larry Mahan & Roughstock"
"Erv Korkow & ProRodeo Live"
"Ike Sankey & WNFR"
"Clem McSpadden & Justin"
"Joe Beaver & WPRA"
On behalf of the Women's Professional Rodeo Association, Randy Rae Britt presented the Chap Award, the winner receives a $500 scholarship from the WPRA and a Back Chap Belt sponsored by Beastmaster Rodeo Products, Inc. The winner: Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Courtney Smith. Her chaps were a tribute to Casey Tibbs, purple in color, featuring rhinestones and bucking horses.
Speech Session #2
Day two saw Miss Rodeo Arkansas, Micky Musick present her speech along with Miss Rodeo Iowa, Lindsey Ahrenholtz; Miss Rodeo Oregon, Jackie Gibson; Miss Rodeo Texas, Devin Felger; Miss Rodeo Alabama, Victoria Jeffcoat; Miss Rodeo Mississippi Kelli Jackson; Miss Rodeo Idaho, Freya Ford; Miss Rodeo Florida, Jessica Davis, and Miss Rodeo Nevada, Andrea Lynch.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Fashion Show Cruise!
The master of the ship, Captain Creed Roberts, set the stage for each port of call. The contestants were divided into two groups. The first "port of call" was Mardi Gras in New Orleans, which featured all of the contestants modeling clothes from Wrangler. The second "Port of Call" was Viva Las Vegas, featuring contestants Alabama through Montana The third "Port of Call" was Aloha Hawaii, featuring contestants Nebraska through Wyoming doing a Hawaiian dance. The fourth "Port of Call" was the Mexican Riviera Fiesta and the first group of contestants came out with maracas and did the limbo. The final port of call was Rock 'n Roll in New York, and the contestants had sunglasses and pink guitars.
Captain Creed welcomed some special guests onto the cruise, including the pageant judges, the escorts: Mr. Berlyn Miller from Las Vegas Events, Mr. Joe Hertz - Wrangler Vice President and General Manager, Mr. Craig Errington - Wrangler VP of Consumer Marketing, and Kelly Baxley, from the MRA Scholarship Foundation.
Special entertainment was provided by MJ2 of Las Vegas. They are two sets of twins with wonderful voices, from Las Vegas - and ironically, each sets of Twins has one Mollie and one Jackie! You can find them on facebook, twitter, and myspace; and their new song "You Can't Say Love Enough" is available for download on itunes.
The contestants then came out one at a time, in alphabetical order by state, in their fashion show dress. This year, there were four black dresses, along with just about every other color of the rainbow. At the very end, Miss Rodeo America Maegan Ridley came out in a stunning floor-length black gown with gold trim, an off-the-shoulder dress that was complimented with her Landstrom's Original Black Hills Gold Jewelry and Crown atop a black hat.
The performance lasted approximately 90 minutes after which the contestants were able to come out and visit with family and friends.
The Fashion Show Committee and Sponsors deserve a special thanks for putting on such a great show!
Jeana Allen, NE - Production Coordinator
DeShanon Davis - Choreographer
Sponsors: Red Wilk Construction, Red & Cindy Wilk
Shumway Farms, Weekley Brothers/David Pro Rodeo, Miss Rodeo Florida Pageant, Miss Rodeo Oklahoma Pageant.
Rodeo Royalty Seminar Detail

Lady-In-Waiting Social
Top Horse Awards
Fourteen horses were provided by these Stock Contractors:
Bennie Butler
John Smith
Sparky Dreesen
Mike Cervi
Bob Barnes
Bronc Rumford
Each horse was ridden a total of 4 times. The judges' pick for the Top Horse, who will receive a check for $200 and a plaque, was horse #9.
#9 - "Chance" is owned by Chance Ramsay and Bronc & Kate Rumford. Chance broke the horse himself and was a cowboy and loved horses and rodeo, and competed in High School Rodeo. Chance, just 19 years old, was tragically killed in a ranching accident this past summer. While gathering a bull, the bull took Chance and his horse into a lake, where he drowned. Next summer, Bronc Rumford is putting on a high school "memorial" rodeo for Chance, and the funds from this award will go towards a Chance Ramsay scholarship that will be awarded.
Two other "finalist" horses were the #12 horse owned by Bob Barnes, and who won the Top Horse Award two years ago; and the #4 horse owned by Mike Cervi, a gelding called "Lily".
Rodeo Royalty Information Seminar
In a three-hour period, participants were joined by a wide variety of speakers on different topics:
- Miss Rodeo America, Maegan Ridley spoke about the titleholder experience
- Jodie Witt, with the Denver Stock Show & Rodeo, spoke about attitude and behavior
- Judy Rogers & Sherry Stickelman spoke to the "Four Pillars of Strength" -(Food * Movement * Supplementation * Rest & Stress Management)
- Tara Rowe, former Miss Rodeo America, spoke on "What Every Queen Should Know But Might Not"
- Deb Dilley, Pageant Chaperone, spoke about personal safety issues
- Ike Sankey, Stock Contractor, spoke about the sport of rodeo
- Marjorie Murphy, National Director for Texas and MRAI Past President, spoke about drawing ticket promotion and selling your organization
- Kiki Shumway, MRAI Past President, spoke about public relations and getting sponsors
Speech Session & Media Interview #1
Maegan served as the official emcee for the event, and in between contestants, shared stories from her year.
Contestants giving their speeches today included:
Miss Rodeo Minnesota
Miss Rodeo Kansas
Miss Rodeo California
Miss Rodeo Virginia
Miss Rodeo Montana
Miss Rodeo South Dakota
Miss Rodeo Arizona
Miss Rodeo Washington
Following each contestant speech, the pre-taped media interview was shown. The girls did their media interviews on Sunday morning, immediately after check-in and before orientation.
The Media Interview questions were:
1. You just finished checking into the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. What events do you look forward to the most this week?
2. If you are selected as Miss Rodeo America 2010, what is one of the first things you will do?
3. Prior to coming to Las Vegas for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, you spent 2009 promoting your state. What legacy do you hope to leave in your home state?
4. What advice would you give to a young lady who approaches you who is interested in becoming a Rodeo Queen?
As always, the speeches were clever, the outfits were stunning, and it was a great start to the speech portion of the competition. Two more mornings of speeches remain.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
President's Breakfast
After introductions of past MRA Presidents, MRA Executive Board, Sponsors, Guests and Judges, Marjorie Murphy was the auctioneer for two sets of National Finals Rodeo Tickets. The auction raised $900 for Miss Rodeo America, Inc.
The contestants lined up and began their current events questions - Miss Rodeo Missouri was the first to go, and Miss Rodeo Utah was the last. Questions covered a range of current events including topics such as:
- Do you feel the Cash for Clunkers program was successful?
- Should the "Balloon Boy's" parents be charged with child endangerment?
- What are the dangers or concerns with using Facebook or MySpace?
- Is the Going Green movement making a difference?
- Should the Government be in the health care industry?
- How will school district budget cuts affect our children's futures?
- Why do you feel enrollment for post secondary education is on the increase?
- Do you feel it's good or bad that the President took so long to decide how many troops to send to Afghanistan?
- What factors contribute to obesity in our youth and what can be done about it?
The contestants did FABULOUS with their answers this year - what a talented and sharp group of young women.
Scrapbook Awards were handed out - and there is a special blog post just about the scrapbook awards.
Miss Rodeo Alabama, Victoria Jeffcoat, was awarded the sales achievement award, for selling the most raffle tickets.
A 50/50 raffle was held and the proceeds will all be donated to Miss Rodeo North Dakota, Jessinta Hammer, who has just recently been diagnosed with Cushing's Disease and was unable to compete in the Pageant. We all send our thoughts and prayers to Jessinta today and wish her the very best and a speedy recovery!!
Thanks to everyone on the President's Breakfast committee for such a great job -chaired by Linda Ebest, TX and Nyla Bristow, CO. Also special thanks to the following state pageants who sponsored the breakfast: Arkansas, California, Kansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Get Acquainted Party
Red also paid special tribute to those who have served our country by calling all to the front to be recognized.
Scrapbook Awards
All of the scrapbooks are judged by the scrapbook committee and the Top-4 will receive the Zona Vig Scrapbook Awards: cash awards are sponsored by Glenn Klaus, Hondo, TX, and Rosettes are sponsored by Miss Rodeo America, Inc.
First place receives $500 & Rosette
Horsemanship Competition

The opening featured Maegan Ridley who entered the arena riding her horse in a beautiful Spanish dress to commemorate her travels. This year including a trip Spain. She welcomed all of the contestants who followed behind her, on foot, wearing funky dark sunglasses and waving balloons. It set the scene for the theme - "Party in the USA!"
The competition began shortly after Master of Ceremonies, Creed Robert, said a prayer and the national anthem was sung by Laura Kessler and the colors presented by Maegan Ridley.
The winner of the Horsemanship Competition will receive a $1500 Miss Rodeo America Memorial Scholarship honoring Marie Mass Gatlin, Miss Rodeo America 1960: $1000 sponsored by the AQHA and $500 sponsored by former Miss Rodeo America's and the Marie Mass Gatlin family. She will also receive a beautiful Tex Tan saddle sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Association. In the eyes of many contestants, this is one of the most coveted awards at the competition.
A total of 14 horses were in the draw, meaning that with the two go-rounds, each horse was ridden four times. Horses were provided by stock contractors Bennie Butler, John Smith, Sparky Dreesen, Mike C

Stay tuned - the Top Horse Award will be given out during the PRCA Luncheon on Thursday!
The outfits were gorgeous for horsemanship and all of the girls did an outstanding job with their mounts. In the first go, Miss Rodeo Kansas started things off, and the last to go was New Mexico. In the 2nd "Freestyle" round, Miss Rodeo Colorado was first and Miss Rodeo Nebraska was the last to go.
All of the committee
Chairmen: Bronc and Kate Rumford, Kansas
Linda Ebest, TX
Johna Niedfelt, NE
Tara Rowe, CO
Laurie Thoman-Hernandez - WY
Nicole Cypers, UT
Amy Means, MN
Melanie Mooney, NV
Suzie Kendall, UT
Manny Azevedo, TN
Bill Olson, MI
Doug Beehler, ID
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Day One
After lunch they all moved into their rooms and were off to their first coronation rehearsal. This evening they were treated to a steak dinner by the foundation board before taking their rodeo/horsemanship knowledge test. Photos of the days events can be viewed at http://www.shooterenterprises.com/mp_includes/body.asp
Tomorrow morning horsemanship begins at 9 a.m. at the South Point Equestrian and Event Center.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Hello Las Vegas
In addition to great volunteers the pageant also attracts some of the Western industries finest as pageant judges. This years judges are…
Bill Brewer
Bill Brewer of Amarillo, Texas, began a long-time career with the America Quarter Horse Association in 1971 as an Advertising Sales Representative for The America Quarter Horse Journal. In 1992 and became the AQHA’s Executive Vice President. As the Executive Vice President he worked closely with the Executive Committee and department heads in planning and coordinating the business of the world’s largest equine breed registry. In March of 2009 he retired from the AQHA after 37 years.
Diana Friend
Diana Friend of Ozawakie, Kan., served as Miss Kansas High School Rodeo in 1975 and Miss Rodeo Kansas 1979. In 1980 she became the first Kansan to win Miss Rodeo America. She’s currently the Communications and Marketing Manager for the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. She has been a board member of the Kansas Quarter Horse Association since 1995. Diana’s given riding lessons, horsemanship clinics and is a volunteer for 4-H.
Terry Swanson, D.V.M.
Terry Swanson, D.V.M., is a practicing veterinarian at the Littleton Large Animal Clinic. He is currently the president of the Littleton Large Animal Clinic/Littleton Equine Medical Center, where he has been practicing since 1968. Through the years he’s served on numerous boards and committees for multiple professional societies he belongs to. He’s also a published author and when time allows, he still enjoys team roping.
Wanda Waters
Wanda Waters from Utopia, Texas, is an advocate for Western Heritage. She’s played an active role along with her husband in ranching and land management. On the Waters Ranch they have bread more than 600 American Quarter Horses many having high accolades in the show ring. One of their most renowned stud horses, Colonel Freckles, was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 2004.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Pageant Contestant Video
Text to select the MRA Pageant People's Choice Winner
Miss Rodeo America Pageant
People’s Choice Award
Text Your Vote!
Support your state rodeo queen by texting your vote to choose the Miss Rodeo America Pageant 2010 People’s Choice Award winner. Voting will be accepted thru, midnight, Dec. 3, 2009. The winner will be announced at the MRA Scholarship Foundation Cowboy Christmas Auction, Dec. 4. Each vote is $.99 standard text rates apply.
Text to 40841 – type “MISS RODEO” then space and the “STATE ABBREVIATION” of your choice (example: “MISS RODEO ME”). Send a text now with your favorite state to chose the winner of the People’s Choice Award.
Terms & Conditions: Each vote is $.99 standard text rates apply. This is not a subscription service. The charges will be billed to your wireless phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. You confirm you have read and agreed to our Terms and Conditions, and are the owner of the phone or have permission of the owner to incur these charges. If you are under 18, you confirm you have parental permission to incur these charges. You may stop service at any time by sending ‘STOP’ to 40841. Supported carriers: AT &T, T-Mobility, Sprint, Nextel T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Alltel, Virgin, Boost and Cellular One. For information text ‘HELP’ to 40841.
Pageant Video Presales
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Counting down...
http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/customcounter.html?month=11&day=29&year=2009&hour=&min=&sec=&p0=0
Monday, September 14, 2009
Contestant Photos
Friday, August 21, 2009
Pageant Tickets
