NILE Rodeo ~ Billings

            The week before the NILE I came to do some school visits with a truly one of a kind program called REACh. This program brought rodeo to the kids with a ton of fun displays, pictures, and rodeo equipment. While the program ran, the kids learned about our nation and rodeo in a way that included a history lesson and even math. It also taught the kids to “Cowboy Up” and stay away from drugs, gangs, and bullies and to make their own path. I really can’t say enough about this wonderful program and I hope to work with them again.

            It was great to be back in Billings for the NILE Rodeo this year. Just this time last year, I remember coming to the MRM Clinic and learning what really goes into the state pageant. It was fun to meet other title holders from all over the state, and to share stories about our years. I had no idea that I would have the chance to come back as royalty once again.

            After a blustery, cold, and snowy drive home from Billings, I was back on the road again. Thankfully for this trip, the weather was great. Once I got back into Billings I was off to the first of four nights of action packed rodeo. The stock brought by the Sankeys was great as always, and it was great to see their pickup men J2 and Bobby. The grand entry every night was top notch, and even included fireworks.

            Friday and Saturday were the days of the clinic which included everything from makeup to rodeo lingo to horsemanship. And I was impressed with how many participants we got this year, including 3 of the Miss Rodeo/ Miss Teen Rodeo Montana Contestants. The pressure was definitely on with the pageant just around the corner. I had fun and learned a lot while sitting in on the modeling and listening to Kate recite her awesome speech. Later that day I also got the chance to sign autographs at Big R with a couple of the cowboys and the barrel man.

            The clinic participants also got the chance to attend the rodeo during the clinic and help out with the Mutton Busting. As they signed up and waited for the names of the riders to be drawn, you could see the excitement on the kids’ faces. And when it was time for the big event they were suited up in a vest and a helmet, placed onto the back of “rank” sheep, and told to hold on. Half of the kids would beam with pride after brushing off the dirt after their ride, but the other half didn’t think it was all that great. But in the end they would all get a prize and a t-shirt, and the winner got a buckle.

            After my cold and snowy adventures back and forth from Billings, I was glad to be back home.

            Until next time, I wish you all the best!

 

God Bless,

 

Jennifer Marshall

MTRM 2008

NW Montana Fair & Rodeo ~ Kalispell

The drive to Kalispell is one that I know like the back of my hand. I could do it backwards with my eyes shut and still tell you where all of the passing lanes and little towns are. Fortunately for all of the other drivers out there, I made this trip facing forwards with my eyes open…

This was the first time that I had ever been to the Kalispell fairgrounds, but it reminded me of Missoula and Hamilton with the way everything was planned out, so I felt right at home. When I first arrived, all was well. That was until I couldn’t find my horse or its owner. Then I ran into the first Miss Teen Rodeo Montana for 2006, Kaitlyn Tracy. She immediately hooked me up with all of the right people and got me back on track. My horse was a huge palomino with an easy going personality. My next problem was getting a saddle. Thankfully, I ran into an old friend from Missoula who recently moved to Kalispell. He and a few of his buddies came to watch the rodeo that night, but I recruited them to help me find a saddle. It turned out that my friend lived right down the road and he had a saddle in his room. So they ran off to get the saddle for me while I waited nervously. When they finally got back, I had just enough time to throw the saddle on and do a couple circles on the track to warm up my trusty steed. For my queen buzz, my trusty steed got pretty nervous and we didn’t move much faster than a trot. It turns out that he really needed a couple circles in the arena with all of the scary flags before doing a buzz. As I carried the Montana flag into the arena, he spooked and didn’t quite get why he had to go in the arena. But we worked it out, even with my horse on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

After grand entry, I finally got the chance to meet the Kalispell Royalty. Miss Rodeo Northwest Montana Elise Anderson, Princess Sidney Meyer, and Little Miss Trinity Williams. They were all very fun and welcoming from the get go; little did I know it would lead to the most fun and interesting rodeo weekend this year!

The next day, Elise and her family invited me to spend the day at their place on the lake. We had a blast canoeing and then getting our arms practically ripped off going tubing. My arms felt like noodles even after a quick ride! But I couldn’t resist going for another. After that, it was a relaxing cruise around the lake, which was good for my white legs!

Have you ever had anyone ask you a question in a way that makes you think they’re up to something? This was definitely one of those times when Trinity and Elise asked me what I was doing the next day before the rodeo. I wasn’t going to be doing anything, so I said so and they both got huge smiles on their faces. And that was how I got myself into a round of pig wrestling! It was the rodeo queens vs. the pig in a pen of slop, mud, and water. And the idea was to catch the pig as fast as possible, and put him tail end first into a plastic barrel that had been cut in half. (Just to let you know how slippery it was, I almost fell flat on my face with the first step I took into the pen!) But we were all ready for it in our pink t-shirts and pig tails when the whistle blew, and we tackled the pig like old pros! We had a game plan that Trinity and I would grab his belly, Elise would get his head, and Sidney would grab his tail end. When we finally caught the pig, he squealed like crazy and was squirming all over the place. But we still managed to put him into the barrel in under 40 seconds! And by the time we got out of there, we were a sloppy mess from head to toe! From there we were off to hit the shower and clean up a little before the rodeo. Unfortunately, we didn’t have as much time as we would have liked so it was in and out as quick as possible.

At the rodeo that night, I was honored to carry Old Glory, and my big palomino seemed to like it too. Half way through the program were two events that were completely new to me, the Wild Pony Riding and the Indian Relay Race. The wild pony riding was when a team of kids had to catch a wild pony coming out of the chute, then two would mug it and the third would hop on for a wild ride for as long as possible. And after that was the Indian Relay Race, which I think is even better than traditional racing! This was when a team of 2 or 3 people brought out three horses to the track without ANY tack except for a bridle. Then the rider would hop on the first horse bareback, and wait for the whistle to blow. Then the 7 to 9 horse and rider pairs would make one lap around the track. When they made it back to the start line, where the other team members were standing with the second and third horse, they would jump off horse number one and swing onto horse number two. The process repeated one last time as the riders would switch for horse two to horse three to make the final lap. And remember that all of these horses have on only a bridle or halter! It was fun and action packed, and I can’t wait to go back next year.

Until next time, I wish you all the best!

 

God Bless,

 

Jennifer Marshall

MTRM 2008

Western MT Fair & Rodeo

The weather finally started to feel like August as I stepped out of my air-conditioned car onto the rodeo grounds in Missoula. I can’t believe that at this time last year, I was just about to meet Laura Bakker and find out about the Miss Teen Rodeo Montana Pageant. But it felt good to be at my other “hometown” rodeo, knowing every other person I ran into.

First on the agenda was horsemanship, and all of the girls looked fabulous. I think there were a total of 10 girls competing for three different age categories. Unfortunately, no one applied for the queen title. But that meant the 2008 Miss Missoula Stampede Princess would be the lucky duck who got to wear the NEW chaps and crown! Since the title of the rodeo changed from Western Montana to Missoula Stampede, it was time to get a new pair of perpetual chaps. None of the girls knew this yet though, and they were all concentrating hard on their upcoming horsemanship patterns.

I didn’t get too much time to get to know all of the girls, but I did know a few from summers past. Jennika O’Neil, who was competing for the princess title, and I got pretty close over the summer since we attended a ton of rodeos together. She was Little Miss Big Sky Pro Rodeo. Another familiar face was Sari McCollum, who I knew from competing in the Bitterroot Gymkhana Club. I almost didn’t recognize her with all of the beautiful clothes and the makeup. But she was riding was riding her same little rodeo pony, Oreo. And a family who I know very well was also there supporting their youngest daughter, Elizabeth. The Roberts family attended cowboy church with me, and their daughters were also in the gymkhana club. AND their other daughter Callie holds the 2008 Jr. Miss Rodeo Ravalli County title. It felt great to see all of their familiar faces.

One other very impressive group of girls was the reining Western Montana Royalty; Lesli Furniss, Hannah Burlingham, and Reagan Tracy. They all have made such an impression on me with their big hearts. And besides that, they’re all a blast to hang out with and talk to. I feel honored to know these wonderful ladies, and I can’t wait to see them again. (Hopefully at the state pageant!!)

That night at the rodeo, I got to ride one of the best, and most well-known, horses around. His name is Cecil, and he’s the biggest teddy bear of a horse I have ever ridden. That is until you put him around some cows or ask him to do a queen buzz. He may be old, but his age didn’t show once. Thank you so much to Laura Bakker for letting me use him for the entire fair.

The next morning was speeches. I shivered at the thought of it, but was incredibly thankful that I wasn’t the one up on stage! I couldn’t believe how creative these young women were with the rhyming and the clever touches. One speech I thought was especially clever and very cute was about the point of view of a pair of boots. After the speeches came the modeling, and I had no clue what I was doing once again. So I just hopped into the line and pretended to know what I was doing. It all went well, and I had a little fun too. And last on the list for the morning were the ever intimidating impromptu questions. All the girls did an awesome job and didn’t falter once. But you could see the relief on their faces when it was all over.

 It was great to hear the familiar voice of Will Rasmussen come over the speakers when I entered the arena for the second night. And I loved watching all of the other girls make their buzz in the arena, seeing their pure excitement. But as I entered the arena I realized I had forgotten one very important piece to my rodeo wardrobe… bobby pins! This may not seem like a big deal to anyone who hasn’t been around a rodeo queen, but to us, its bad news. Within the first 10 feet of the arena my hat started to lift off. So I had no choice but to wave for a few seconds and then cram my hat back down onto my head. I did this for the entire lap around the arena. I felt pretty embarrassed and silly when I came out, but I’m glad it wasn’t something worse.

This night was also the BIG night of coronation! All of the girls rode out into the arena with huge smiles on their faces and their best outfit on. I couldn’t help but feel for them because we all know how nerve wracking it is to be out in front of a crowd waiting for the announcement. Congratulations to your 2008 Miss Missoula Stampede Princess… Samantha Manley! Also to the Little Miss Sarai McCollum and Elizabeth Roberts, the Junior Little Miss. Congratulations to all of you, I know you girls will have an awesome time this year!

After my hat “trauma” the night of rodeo went very well, and I even got the chance afterwards to grab some greasy fair food.

Until next time, I wish you all the best!

                                      

God Bless,

 

Jennifer Marshall

MTRM 2008