Get Acquainted Party

It certainly was a heartfelt message sent out to our troops tonight by all who were in attendance at the Miss Rodeo America Get Acquainted Party. With each contestant decked out in red, white and blue, they were a sight to behold. The entire crowd joined in the singing of our National Anthem, and then the party began.

A larger venue this year provided everyone with ample space and room to gather around their favorite contestant. As always, The Orleans provided a wonderful array of food to enjoy.

Both the contestants and their families look forward to this event, and one of the highlights is always the presentation of the Landstrom's Black Hills Gold rings by Red and Cindy Wilk of Huron, SD. This year the Wilk's went an extra mile and called several contestants forward to present special gifts to either a mom or dad after their state had been drawn from a hat.

Red also paid special tribute to those who have served our country by calling all to the front to be recognized.

During the GAP, there are several opportunities for people to get involved with the raising of funds for the MRA Scholarship Foundation, from purchasing rubber ducks, 50/50 raffle tickets, and participation in the dollar dances. This year Tracy Damrell and Bronc Rumford were challenged by Red Wilk along with John Cavey to introduce five past Miss Rodeo America titleholders that were in attendance. If they were able to provide the former queen's home state and year they reigned, $100 for each correct answer was added to the scholarship fund by Red Wilk and John Cavey. New to the pageant this year, Master of Ceremonies, Creed Roberts was the high dollar earner in the dollar dance.

At about 10:00 p.m. the contestants were whisked off by chaperones to head to yet another dance practice, then off to bed for an early morning.

Scrapbook Awards

While judging the contestants is a very difficult task, an equally tough job is judging their beautiful scrapbooks. It is truly amazing the work and effort that goes into each book, from the beautiful covers to each and every page.

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

Second place receives $250 & Rosette

Third place receives $150 & Rosette

Fourth Place receives $100 & Rosette

The winners are:

4th Place - Miss Rodeo Mississippi, Kelli Jackson

3rd Place - Miss Rodeo Tennessee, Amber Dell

2nd Place - Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Courtney Smith

1st Place - Miss Rodeo Minnesota, Jenna Johnson

Horsemanship Competition

Wow, what a great horsemanship competition at the South Point Arena this morning! Despite starting a few minutes late, it was a really good 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 Cervi, Bob Barnes, and Bronc Rumford. NFR Pickup Man Bobby Marriott, along with Bobby Berger were the "horse" judges for the event - they were in charge of selecting the top horse provided for the competition. The Top Horse Award is sponsored by Absorbine, the contractor providing the Top Horse is awarded a plaque along with a check for $200.

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 members for Horsemanship deserve a pat on the back - they were not only up at 4 a.m. getting the horses down to the South Point and getting them groomed, warmed up and ready, but they also were involved in selecting the horses the day before.

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

Day One

The pageant is underway and the contestants checked in bright and early. After receiving their sashes they were off to their media interviews. This year an impromptu question was taken from their applications and iplemented as part of their introduction on stage.

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.

Hello Las Vegas

Today final preparations are underway for the start of the 55th Annual Miss Rodeo America Pageant. Volunteers, contestants and their family and friends began converging in Las Vegas Thanksgiving Day and will continue arriving throughout the week. Miss Rodeo America Inc., is fortunate to have a wonderful volunteer base that returns to the pageant annually and helps organize and carry out all the events.

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.

Pageant Contestant Video

Visit this link to see all of the 2010 Miss Rodeo America Pageant Contestants on You Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_GTdALLpOM

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.

There is no limit on how many times you can vote for your favorite!

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

Contact Tom House to sign up to pre-purchase your set of DVDs of the upcoming 2009-2010 Miss Rodeo America Pageant.