Saturday, October 3, 2009

Wow, it has been awhile since I have blogged. My travels are keeping my busy! It looks like my last blog was about the 2009 Iowa State Fair. That means I have a month and a half of rodeos to blog about!


After the fair, I traveled to the Grand River Rodeo. I was accompanied by the 2009 Miss Leon Rodeo Princess, Jenna Kool . Thank goodness for Don Staver's Western Store, because I forgot my saddle pad. After I purchased my new saddle pad from Don, I got “gussied up” and realized I had forgot my Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa Crown as well. I ended up being crown less that evening, but my horse did have a saddle pad, which is essential. At every rodeo I have been to this summer I have learned a lesson. At my future rodeos I will always take a few short moments to check my tack and rodeo clothes. This way I will not forget anything. Crown less but having a saddle pad, Jenna and I had a wonderful evening. We cleared cattle out of the arena and signed autographs after the performance.



The next weekend I traveled to Nevada, Iowa, for the IRCA/URA rodeo. It was the Lincoln Highway days celebration. I realized this when Abraham Lincoln introduced himself to me with a huge hug in the announcer's booth. At the rodeo it was nice to see several ropers and barrel racers from my hometown compete. They did a great job!

The next weekend I headed north to Dayton, Iowa. On Thursday, Miss Dayton Rodeo Queen, Miss Dayton Rodeo Princess, Cory Wall, the Dayton Rodeo Committee, and I visited the local schools. We introduced ourselves, explained the rodeo events, and encouraged the children to come to the rodeo. The kids were dressed in their cowboy boots, hats and they were very excited to see us. The PRCA rodeo was held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night. There was also a parade and an afternoon rodeo performance on Monday. The Dayton Saddle club queens and I cleared cattle, helped with muttin busting, and signed autographs. Miss Rodeo Iowa, Lindsey Ahrenholtz, accompanied us on Saturday and Sunday evening.
I would have to agree that Dayton was one of the best professional rodeos I attended all year. I had a wonderful time at the Dayton Rodeo and meet many amazing people there! I would like to thank Duane Heschke for letting me stay in his horse trailer. My stay was very comfortable thanks to him!


Fort Madison, Iowa, was the next stop after Dayton. I drove home for a day to repack my belongings. Then I traveled to Fort Madison for the biggest PRCA rodeo in Iowa. It was a very long and fun week. Every evening was an entertaining professional rodeo held in the Eddy Richardson Tri-State Rodeo Arena.
Along with the rodeo was the Miss Rodeo Iowa, Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa 2010 Pageant. The pageant was held Thursday through Saturday. I would like to congratulate the well qualified contestants. They did a wonderful job in the horsemanship division, as well as their personal interviews, speeches, modeling, and impromptus. Congratulations to the 2010 Miss Rodeo Iowa, Jordanne Blair, and the 2010 Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa, Hannah Hilsabeck. Good job girls! I hope you have wonderful year. Enjoy your travels, because they will go by very fast!

God Bless,
Shelby Chapman