It's Fair Time!

The Iowa State Fair is the number one state fair in the United States of America. This statement was proved to me after the many funfilled days I spent there. On Tuesday, August 11th, I showed my mare, Savannah, in the 4-H Barrel Racing and Pole Bending. This was my last year showing in 4-H since I gratuated from high school last spring. With being away at rodeos this summer and having little time to practice I was pleased with how we did.

Thursday, August 13th, was the first official day of the fair and it was already packed full of visiters. I became aware of this after spending an hour to find a parking place and walked around a mile carrying my rodeo queen necessities. I spent the day with my fellow Dallas County Cattlemen as we worked at the "Famous" Cattlemen's Quarters. I, along with other livestock queens were the hostess for the afternoon to the late evening. While working I meet a lot of people from my hometown and others that I had meet at rodeos. The hourly wage that I earned as hostessing was donated to the Dallas County Cattlemen's Scholarship Fund.

Friday night was the annual Iowa State Fair Cowgirl Queen Contest. This is where the different saddle club queens and rodeo queens from Iowa compete for the Iowa State Fair Cowgirl Queen title. Miss Leon Rodeo, Miss Leon Rodeo Princess, Miss Dallas County Fair Rodeo, Miss Rodeo Iowa, and I spent our evening competing and watching. I was in the third cut of the senior Cowgirl Queen division. I rode my gelding, Tucker. We had a great ride and a fun filled night.

After a long Friday night and an early Saturday morning at my job, I was excited to go to the fair that afternoon for the Governor's Charity Steer Show. I have shown cattle at the Dallas County Fair for 5 years in 4-H. I love showing, and because of this I was very excited to show at the State Fair. My steer's name was Big Man, which fit him very well. He was a thirteen hundred pound Angus Crossbreed owned by Dalton Smith of Charter Oak, Iowa. I had a lot of fun meeting the family and showing the steer. Dalton and I did very well and placed in the top ten!

How much better can it get with two amazing pro rodeos in one week?

How much better can it get with two amazing pro rodeos in one week? On Tuesday I loaded up my horse and traveled down to Sidney, Iowa. Tuesday night was the first performance of the week. Before the rodeo the 2009 Miss Sidney Rodeo, Morgan Mowery from Denton, Nebraska was crowned. Miss Rodeo Iowa, Lindsey Ahrenholtz, Miss Rodeo Aksarben, Holly Sucie, Miss Sidney Rodeo, and I worked cattle, signed autographs, helped with the mutton bustin',and enjoyed the best show on dirt. The next day, Wednesday, the queens and I visited the sponsors of the Sidney queen pageant to thank them again for their donations. The second rodeo performance was later that evening. I enjoyed my last night at Sidney by working cattle during my favorite event, tie down calf roping, and signing autographs after the rodeo. On Thursday the queens and I visited the Corner Stone Kids Days care in Hamburg, Iowa. There I met many cowboys and cowgirls who were excited about the Sidney rodeo.
Later that day I loaded up again and traveled to Carson, Iowa, for my second pro rodeo of the week. There was three great performances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening. The crowd came together every evening to sing the verses of the National Anthem as I was giving the honor to carry the American Flag. The announcer Doug Mathis did a wonderful job keeping the rodeo running smooth and was a pleasure to meet.
I would like to thank my host families in Sidney and Carson. I really appreciate their hospitality. I had a great time at the two rodeos, thanks to the very nice people I met.