Asotin Rodeo - "Country Ways in Modern Days"

Just got home from our first rodeo in Asotin, Washington - a small, Pro-West rodeo near Lewiston, Idaho. Had a blast with Brooke! Left Friday afternoon so we had time to hang up posters for CJD along the way and get some stuff organized for the big day which marked the start of our season of rodeos. After arriving at the Americas Inn, we organized for the morning and put in my sponge rollers while watching some gruesome horror CIAish show. We went to bed around 12 after ironing and agreeing to get up at 6:45. The next morning we woke up and went directly to continental breakfast after putting Brooke's hot rollers in (I was still in my curlers and pajamas). After some skeptical looks at the breakfast room, we hurried up to get dressed, do makeup, and pack. Before we knew it, we were running a little more than fashionably late to the parade. Brinda Stanley (our chaperone) pushed our retro van to its limits while trying to make it to our tacked-up horses and parents waiting in Asotin. When there, we mounted our horses and then waited for at least an hour for the parade to start (definition of hurry up and wait if you ask me). We looked pretty sharp in our new suedes (parade outfits). The horses were all spiffed up by our parents who are taking active roles as the court girls' grooms (which is greatly appreciated!) It was a beautiful day - the sun was shining and the temperature was perfect with a gentle breeze. Met some of the other courts - Lewiston Round-Up being my favorite girls. The parade started and Andy (Brooke's horse) started to get pretty excited and nervous, but relaxed and did really well for the rest. At the beginning of the parade, it looked as if there were hardly any people, but as we moseyed down the clippity-clopping pavement streets, the crowds enveloped around us on either side - full of little children with candy bags and adults in lawn chairs. My favorite part was when we passed a group of people who cheered and told us how great of a rodeo we had - it feels pretty good to represent such a renowned rodeo! When we got done, we headed straight for the Queen's Luncheon hosted by the Asotin Rodeo Court. As we walked in, we signed up for the Grand Entry (run-ins) and right as we walked in the secretary said, "You guys must be Pendleton or Joseph." (by the looks of our suede split-skirt outfits) Pretty good rodeos to be associated with! The luncheon was laid back and nice, but when we reached the time to introduce the courts, the scripted awkwardness began (not with Brooke and I of course) (: After the luncheon, we hurried to get changed and on our horses to warm up for the run-ins. Purple shirt, blue jeans, tan and silver chaps, white neck tie, CJD jewelry, hat, and purple boots. Warm up was dusty as heck, but I'm not complaining - it's better than muddy and rainy! Fun to finally do a run-in again! However, this one was not the full arena - it was more like a backwards P. First time going in wasn't as fast, but as we went out we picked up the pace. It'll only get faster from here! 

66th Annual CJD Coronation

This post is a littttttle late seeing as the last week of ticket sales was pretty hectic and the last thing I was thinking about was posting something about coronation on the following Sunday (actually, I took a 5 hour nap). But I have finally got around to it! Yayyyy! First of all, I would like to thank all the people that have helped me along the way: if you supported me with ticket sales, made me smile (which a lot of you have), or even just kept your viscous dog locked up - I truly appreciate it! I could not have done it without the support of family, friends, and our incredible community. Oh, and hugeeeee shout out to past Queen Alex McCadden for all her tips along the way. Thanks to the sponsors and CJD board of directors - you guys are awesome! Anywhooo, I guess I'm assuming you all know I received the honorable title of the 66th Annual Chief Joseph Days Queen. I would like to say that my friend and competitor, Brooke Greenshields, put in many hours of hard work and did so well - there were only 2 points between speeches and 1 point between riding - close! I am also very proud to say that together we raised $48,000 ($20,000 - BG, $28,000 SC) in the ticket sales which is the second highest amount for our rodeo ever! I am looking forward for a great year! 

First Week of Ticket Sales Checked Off the List!

March 17, 2011 - St. Patrick's Day. Done with the first week of ticket sales! Yayyyyy! And thankfully, all the tickets and money balanced, so that relieved unneeded stress. Looking forward to the weekend to rest and prepare for the final stretch! Thanks to everyone who has helped me through the journey - ticket sales, speeches, morale support, you name it!

Winter Life

Had my second lesson today. Riding is going great! Just have to focus on my speech for the next week... oh and school, basketball, FFA, staying healthy, the list goes onnnnnn - but all worth it! District basketball last weekend. Girls got second, boys took first. Not only did they win, but they got the sportsmanship award and Steve Lear got coach of the year. Outstanding day for the Outlaws. Went skiing yesterday after a long weekend of ball where there was a much needed 25" of snow. Powder, babyyyyyyy!!! Dug in a couple tele runs and then prepared myself by resting for today. 10:00 - English tutor, 11:30 - interview for CJD speech, 1:00 - Riding lesson with June Becker, 4:00 - interview for CJD speech, 5:00 - pick up groceries for Ma, 7:00 - FFA meeting, 7:30 - interview for CJD speech. Pheeeewwwwwww. Still lovin' life! 

Winter sunrise - February 2011

Nostalgia

In response to the "more pictures" comment, I decided to look through my computer for appropriate pictures to add for y'all to look at. When I hit the old riding and 4-H pictures, it got me thinking about the  eager days at horse shows, frustrating days in the dusty arena, and successful days where I felt like all my hard work finally paid off. I have come a long way from the girl with the green, velvet helmet with the chin-strap riding the fat paint horse that rolled her off at the Imnaha Play-day Rodeo. Oh, and the girl who was afraid to lope as a first-year junior? Yeah, that was me. Looking back on these days makes me realize what it took to get here. Chief Joseph Day's court. Something I've always dreamed of doing, but always seemed so far away. Tempus fugit - time flies. Now I am living the dream. I can't even describe how amazing it felt to do a run-in at try-outs - time after time I've watched (in awe) previous court members (at the time my biggest idols) race around the arena. My turn. Closest thing to flying? Maybe not, but it sure feels like it. 

Elsa Steen (2005ish) and Buddy at Eastern Oregon Livestock Show. Thanks to Elsa and her family I have the privilege of riding this beautiful animal and I can't express the extent of my gratitude.

Speech Topic!

On February 7, 2011, six days after my 16th Birthday (wahoooo!) Brooke and I received our speech topics. "What does it take to produce Chief Joseph Days and what are the economic impacts?" It'll be great to interview the head-honchos and get a better understanding behind the scenes of what makes CJD such a fantastic rodeo. Oh, and speaking of behind the scenes, volunteers are needed this year! Just thought I'd throw that out there... But anyway, we're giving our speeches in about three weeks to the Chamber for critiquing. Yesterday we had a fitting for our Pendleton jacket where we were told to try on a mock-jacket made out of a not-so-attractive bed sheet. I liked the style - a little more tailored than the usual boxy cut. I also have a hunch that one of our colors is purple (which I would love) but I'm not getting my hopes up... Just hunchin'. With regards to riding, Buddy has been checked by the vet, had his teeth worked on, and is getting shoes with snow pads on this weekend. Last weekend I attended a tremendously helpful Reining Clinic put on by a prestigious local reining horseman by the name of Matt McDowell. Oh and new snazzy saddle - hopefully the last one I ever have to buy... Ready to step it up a notch!