| February - April 2008 Washington County 4-H Horse Club Sorry about the long wait since my last blog but things have been busy in my life! On Tuesday, February 26th, I spoke to the Washington County 4-H Horse Club meeting at the University of Arkansas about setting goals and how to go about achieving the ideas you really want. It seemed to be very beneficial to them since they all had big dreams of doing something great with their horses. I even emphasized to the older students about the fact that applying for scholarships help to pay for college. I felt like I was a good one to prove that you don’t have to have straight “A’s ” to get money, but you do have to have good grades and try your hardest. Numerous students and parents came up to me thanking me for my talk. They appeared very grateful!!! Forth Smith Queen’s Clinic That weekend, Saturday, March 1st, I went to Fort Smith, Arkansas and helped the queen’s committee put on a queen’s clinic. There were four other title holders there to help with the six participants. I spoke about horsemanship. As most of you all know, that is right up my alley! The response I got from most of the participants, is that it was useful for them to know what is expected of them in the horsemanship part of a queen’s pageant. I really enjoyed being there and felt like the most valuable piece of my horsemanship section was the hands on riding. That way it was not just a lecture, but the girls were able to experience what I was actually talking about. Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo Then it was off to the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo (DNCFR) in Pocatello, Idaho on March 18th. This was another one of those exciting trips outside the state, and I had to strategically pack my two huge suitcases in order to oblige by the airlines rules. It was very hard with all the leather and two dresses I needed to take! I was able to fly into Salt Lake City, Utah with Miss Rodeo Florida and then meet up with Miss Rodeo Washington and Miss Rodeo New Mexico before we got on the shuttle that took us to Pocatello. I don’t think the shuttle driver was excited to see all four of us queens with our entire load of heavy luggage!! After we made it to Pocatello and got into our room we had to hurry and get ready for that night’s annual DNCFR Kick-off Party of snacking and mingling. It was very thrilling because it was in the pool area of the Holiday Inn. We were all introduced while we were standing on the balcony, as well, as the contract act and personnel getting their awards for being a part of the rodeo. In addition, we were able to go around and speak to contestants and personnel as the party had different activities to participate in. The next morning, we were up early to make sponsor appearances. We split into groups and went different ways in order to touch all the sponsors. The group I was in went to two sponsors: the local Dodge dealership in town and the Harley Davidson dealership. I had a lot of fun at both locations but would have to say I really enjoyed the Harley dealership since I had never been to a place like that before. The owner was very pleased to see us. He let us play dress-up in all the motorcycle leathers and sit on the bikes as he took lots of pictures. That was astonishing!!! That night was the first night of the rodeo. It was amazing to be a part of such a prestigious rodeo. I wore my Arkansas shirt that night and my new red chaps that my father made for me. Luckily, the photographer for the rodeo got a really good picture of me carrying one of the sponsor flags. I have to brag a little; my picture was the only queen picture that the photographer had blown up and posted by all the good contestant pictures. I was very tickled it was a picture of me! The next day, all of the queens went to the ski slopes. Picture this…. I have never skied before, I barely got my skies on, had a pole in each hand, and trying to ski without falling down on the kiddy slope. Wild picture! After my one trip down the kiddy slope, I decided that that was enough for me for the day. However, I got in the Downhill Barrel Race, which was me on a barrel with skies drilled to the bottom of it, and then two guys pulling the barrel down the hill. They had to maneuver me through some ski gates and over a couple of jumps all while I stayed on the barrel. When we got to the end of the hill, I had to get off the barrel and run to a roping dummy and rope (Yes, rope!). Then run on through the finish line. This was a real adrenaline rush; I could definitely do that again! Afterwards, it was time to go back to the hotel and get ready for the second performance. Friday was the competition day for the state queens; no, we did not have a pageant. We went to Wal-Mart and split into two group: one at the food center door and one at the other door. We were raising money for the Primary Children’s Network, which is located in Pocatello. The door that raised the most money won bragging rights. Luckily, I was on the door that raised the most, giving use bragging rights and helping out children health care!!! The final day started with the Special Kids Rodeo. I was paired with my little buddy Robert. He was a great sport; he tried all the different activities. However, like all little boys he really enjoyed the bull-riding dummy. Following that was the finale of the DNCFR. The crowd was large and cheering every bit of the way. It was magnificent and such a rush and helped to encourage me to come home and try even harder to accomplish more of my own goals! Dallas Market I was back for a couple of days then gone again! Mom and I made a trip to the Dallas Market in Texas, March 27th – 29th. While there, I got to make some great contacts and get some new merchandise. I graciously say thank you to Lone Star Hats by Hat Biz for donating a hat for me to wear during my reign. They were very hospitable to me! ReCESS ReCESS is a group of volunteers that come together the first Friday of every month and take care of about 7-15 special needs children while the parents have a free night to go on a date or just go grocery shopping. This is in Fayetteville, Arkansas at the Church of Arkansas. They also take care of the siblings if needed. When I arrived on April 4th everyone welcomed me with excitedly. I went around to every child and they were able to get their picture taken with me to take home and show their parents. All of the children were smiling and really loved my shinny pink shirt. After the pictures, all the children came together to watch a skit. The skit was about one of the volunteers wanting to be a cowboy. He had done everything there is to do to be a cowboy, except he did not know how to rope. So he asked if the children knew if there was anyone in the crowd that could show him how to rope? All the children pointed at me!!! I got to go show off more of my roping talents! I had a lot of fun and enjoyed seeing how I had put smiles on so many children’s faces that night. Judge Old Fort Days Dandies Hosted Beauty Pageant On March 12th, I was invited down to Fort Smith to help judge a beauty pageant that the Old Fort Days Dandies hosted. There were children in the pageant from 5 months to 18 years old. This pageant was a fundraiser for the Dandies so they can go on a trip to do their routine. I was proud to be a part of their fundraiser and want to thank them for asking me to help judge. Appear at Ozark Literacy Council Fundraiser I was asked to appear at the Ozark Literacy Council’s Fundraiser at the Arkansas Air Museum in Fayetteville on April 12th. Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks was also in attendance. To help raise money, it cost $1 to dance with either one of us; or there was Mr Arkansas Literacy, David Jolliffee to choose from. They also had a pie auction in which I helped show off the pies by walking around and letting the bidders see the pies up close. While there, I was able to get my picture taken with some planes, jets and helicopters in the museum. I had a wonderful time being able to show off some of my boot scootin’ moves! Judge Coal Hill Riding Clubs Queen Pageant In years past, I have competed in the breakaway roping and sometimes the barrel racing during the Arkansas Rodeo Association’s rodeo at Coal Hill, Arkansas and had the opportunity to see the queen contestants. It was a pleasure to get asked to help judge the Coal Hill Queen’s Pageant and to judge with the 2007 Miss Rodeo Arkansas, Brittany Sing. The contest consisted of an interview and then horsemanship. There were 7 girls split between the 3 age divisions. All the girls did very well and were very polite towards us. One little princess even came back to us after it was over to thank us for our time. I really enjoyed the opportunity to judge and talk to Brittany again. -Dilynn |
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