Sanders County Fair ~ Plains

            I could not believe what a BEAUTIFUL fairgrounds they have in Plains! And the arena just got brand new Priefert chutes and a roping box to match! The food and carnival area is all thick, lush grass instead of pavement or dirt. I just wanted to lie down on the grass and take a cat nap! But I was supposed to be walking around the grounds, so I figured that wasn’t such a good idea. Instead, I watched some paintball matches and talked to my friend Larry who owns WesTrends. He cleaned up my hat for me like he always does and made it look great.

            Then it was time to get ready for the rodeo, so I headed over to the 4-H barn where my horse was staying. When I went inside to get him out of his stall, I couldn’t believe how HUGE this horse was! He had to be part warm blood or draft or something… because he had a three foot wide chest and he was close to 17 hands tall!!! Talk about a long shot to get the saddle on. And I was dreading having to get on him without the assistance of a ladder or fence! But for being such a giant, he was a total teddy bear. The only problem we had was going into the arena for the first time. I didn’t get the chance to warm him up in the arena, so he thought the signs, chutes, and everything else were bogey men. But he got over it and grand entry still went well. . It was great to see Samantha Manley, Miss Missoula Stampede Princess at the fair that night too. Her whole family came up with their horses and dogs and we had a good time talking and relaxing in their trailer. My horse’s owner, Jessica, was also riding that night in a drill team. Unfortunately, after grand entry was over Jessica’s horse reared up and fell over backwards on her, slamming her into a truck. Thankfully, she got right back up and wasn’t hurt at all. The truck on the other hand didn’t fare so well and ended up with a few dents.

            One thing that I don’t do that often is act as a barrel woman picking up barrels, especially when I’m in rodeo queen attire. But the dodge truck guys wanted some help and Sam and I were more than happy to jump in the back. And when we got out into the arena, we pushed the barrels off the tailgate to one of the judges who would then set them up. When it was time to pick the barrels up again, the guys who were supposed to throw the barrels up were nowhere to be found. So I jumped out, grabbed the barrel, and threw it into the bed without thinking twice. My mom on the other hand decided that it was hilarious to see me throwing barrels all dressed up! Even Laura Bakker, MRM President saw the pictures. Now I will never be able to forget that!

            Bright and early the next morning, I drove the half hour from our hotel in Thompson Falls to Plains for the parade. Night two of the rodeo was just as fun, and Sam and I once again walked around the grounds signing autographs. That night I switched to one of Sam’s horses named Billy. He’s a trained team penner, so I had way too much fun pushing cows.  

            The following morning was the PBR where I just did the grand entry. After that I got the chance to just sit and enjoy the rodeo. One thing I wont ever forget is the clown. HE dressed up as a woman in short orange shorts and a way too tight hooters tank top! (He even filled out the tank top with some stuffing if you know what I mean!!) Then he/she proceeded to run around the stands sitting on laps and doing some very interesting dances… I don’t think I ever have or hopefully ever will see a man dance like that again! But he did his job because everyone was rolling on the floor laughing!

            Until next time, I wish you all the best!

 

God Bless,

 

Jennifer Marshall

MTRM 2008