Lake City Rodeo

What beautiful weather we had in Lake City, Iowa, during the 50th annual Top Rail Saddle Club Rodeo. On Friday night, June 26th, there was the Andy Thompson bull riding benefit. I was honored to carry the American Flag during the National Anthem. On Saturday and Sunday, June 27th and 28th, the stands were packed for the rodeo performances. Also on Saturday, was the Lake City parade with many floats, fast cars, and all of the past Top Rail Saddle Club Queens to celebrate the 50th anniversary.
Congratulations to the 2009 Top Rail Saddle Club Queens, Senoir Queen Miss. Bailley Richardson and Junior Queen Sydney Batz.
I would like to give a big thank you to my new friends Mr. and Mrs. Blair and their daughter Miss. Jordanne Blair for allowing me to stay with them during the rodeo. I really appreciate their kindness!

Adel IRCA/URA Rodeo and the Miss Dallas County Fair Rodeo Pageant

It was a huge honor to represent my title of Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa at my home town rodeo. Adel, Iowa was packed full of cowboys and cowgirls for the annual prefair IRCA/URA rodeo. The rodeo was held on Friday and Saturday evening.

On Friday the second annual Miss Dallas County Fair Rodeo Queen pageant was held at the fair grounds. There were three very qualified contestants, Kara Christensen, Hannah Hilsabeck, and Emily Chaddock. The three judges, Rachel Bergren, the current Miss Rodeo Leon, Connie Wiemold, and Alisa Eason were the judges.

The contestants started the day with the horsemanship division. The girls performed a reining pattern, a queens run, a flag run, and rail work. After horsemanship was the personal interviews with the judges. Then the contestants, their friends, and their family enjoyed a delicious lunch made by Paula Jameson. After lunch the girls modeled, gave their speeches, and answered impromptu questions.

I would like to thank everyone for their help with pageant. The cordinator, Callie McCauley, did a great job putting on the pageant. Jenna Kool was a huge help working the gates and handling the flag during the horsemanship division. Paula Jameson made a wonderful lunch and decorated the entertainment plaza beautifully. Kara Telfer was a lot of help during the impromptu questions and the rodeo. The three judges did a very professional job of choosing the new queen and the sponsors made the pageant possible. And finally thank you to all the beautiful, smart, and qualified contestants who made the pageant great.

Congratulations to Kara Christensen the winner of Congeniality, Emily Chaddock the 1st Runner Up, and to Hannah Hilsabeck the winner of the horsemanship division and the new Miss Dallas County Fair Rodeo Queen 2009!

Cherokee PRCA Rodeo

What a fun rodeo!
On Thursday, May 28th, the former Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa 2005, Callie McCauley, and I traveled to Cherokee for the annual PRCA rodeo and Miss Cherokee Rodeo Queen Pageant. On Thursday the contestants exhibited their horsemanship skills by riding a horsemanship pattern and answering questions asked by the judges. Before the Horsemanship judging, Miss Rodeo Illinois, Rebeca Kloker, Miss Rodeo Virgina, Charla Wacker, Miss Cherokee, Jessica Rausch, Miss Days of 56, Erika McCarthy, and I visited the nursing homes of Cherokee. That evening the start of a fun filled weekend was kicked off with the first night of exciting professional rodeo.

On Friday the queens woke up early for a radio interview. We then attended the Chamber Coffee meeting where I received the honor of meeting Bob Barnes, PRCA hall of fame stock contractor. I also met many other amazing people that dedicate their time to the Cherokee rodeo. We then headed over to Danny's Sports Spot to enjoy a tasty meal before the personality and appearance judging for the contestants took place. Before the rodeo on Friday evening the queens and contestants helped with the kids calf catching. Not only were the kids catching the calves but the rodeo queens too!

Saturday was another beautiful day. The queens meet at the Cherokee arena to help at the Exceptional Rodeo. We then went to the Depot to eat lunch and traveled back to the rodeo grounds to get ready for the parade. The Miss Rodeo Cherokee Coronation was held in the rodeo arena before the final performance on Saturday evening. Congratulations to all the contestants and to the new Miss Cherokee 2009, Melissa Tabke from Sioux City, Iowa!

Iowa Horse Fair April 3-5th 2009

I had a blast at the Iowa Horse Fair. It was a busy and very fun weekend. On Friday I was honored to carry the american flag during the national anthem before the Bulls and Broncs performance.
On Saturday I woke up bright and early to have a radio interview with Van and Bonnie from WHO 10.40 a.m. radio station. I was suprised to find out that Van is from my home town, Adel. I then hurried over to the Western Fashion Show held in the Varied Industries Building. I modeled my green jean outfit and leather dress. There was some beautiful outfits. After the modeling Lindsey and I helped out with the stick horse race that was also held in the Varied Industries building. After that, I got my horse saddled up and made a queen run in the pavillion. I then stayed at the Miss Rodeo Iowa booth and signed autographs along with many other queens. I ended the night by attending the Bulls and Broncs held in the pavillion. Lindsey, Miss Rodeo Iowa, and I had a blast helping with the boot scrample. There is nothing better than tears, dirt, and missing shoes!
On Sunday I helped out at the Miss Rodeo Iowa booth and the Kids Center booth in the Varied Industries Building. I am very glad I was apart of the Horse Fair. I had a great weekend!

My spring break started with a rodeo queen bang! On March 14th I traveled to Ames, Iowa, for the two day Miss Rodeo Iowa Clinic. I enjoyed meeting and working with many future rodeo queens. On Saturday we started the day off with Amanda Eason and Paula Jameson giving an introduction on becoming a rodeo queen. After the introduction Kimber Dall and Amanda Eason informed the girls about setting a relistic budget for a rodeo queen wardrobe. Judy Rogers wowed us with her horsemanship presentation, and Jill Perkins did a great job helping the girls become comfortable with giving speeches and answering impromtu questions. We ended the jam packed day with a western/rodeo queen clothing swap.
On Sunday morning Kimber Dall was the leader of the Cowboy Church. After that, the girls went over apperance and modeling, interviews, and performed a mock pageant. It was a very informative and fun filled weekend. A big thank you to everyone who helped!

Dallas County Cattlemen's Association Annual Banquet February 20th 2009

On Saturday night my family joined me at the annual Dallas County Cattlemen's Association banquet. It was hosted at the Lake Robbins Ballroom in Woodward, IA. The night was started with a delicious prime rib dinner. Then the association elected its new director and the audience was given a brief summary of the association's activities throughout the year. Shane Boston, the auctioneer, kicked off the trophy auction. With many generous people the Dallas County Cattleman's Association had a great night. I would like to thank Justin Rowe, the president, for inviting me to the banquet.

My first adventure as Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa

I set out for my first adventure as Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa! Unfortunately we had a snow storm on Friday, but this didn't hold me back. Miss Rodeo Iowa, Lindsey Ahrenholtz, and I enjoyed our Saturday night at the Bulls and Broncs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We started the night by signing autographs. Then, Lindsey carried the American flag during the national anthem. Later in the evening we were announced during the rodeo. I was happy to have Lindsey at my side to guide me throughout the evening. I really enjoyed myself and I am very excited for my future travels.

Coronation Success!

The coronation was a success! It was held at the River Valley Golf Course in Adel and decorated beautifully by Cowboy Up from DeSoto. We had great baskets to bid on, thanks to the many sponsors and the committee members who contributed to our success. The dinner was delicious and the band was great! Callie McCauley, the M.C., Chad Daughtery, the auctioneer, and the visiting royalty helped make the night run smoothly. The victims, I mean contestants, of the Mr. Teen Rodeo Iowa Contest rode their stick horses, flaunted their modeling skills, and answered difficult impromptu questions. Congratulations to Mr. Mark Wolfe, AKA Wolfee, who won the title of Mr. Rodeo King 2009.

Thank you for celebrating an exciting night with my family and I. It was wonderful to have the support of the community and to see so many familiar faces!

It's a Cowboy Fiesta!

You are invited to a Coronation Celebration for Shelby Chapman,

Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa 2009!

Please join me as I celebrate the beginning of an exciting year and recieve the official crown of Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa 2009. You will have the oppurtunity to socialize with friends, meet visiting royalty, enjoy a delicious soup and sandwich supper, and bid on great auction items. The money earned will go towards offsetting my expenses as I travel Iowa promoting the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. It will be a fun-filled evening that you do not want to miss. I would love to see you there!

Saturday February 7, 2009 at the River Valley Golf Course-Adel, IA (hwy 169 North)

5:30 p.m. Social time and a chance to bid on silent auction items

6:00 p.m. Dinner Served

6:45 p.m. official crowning

7:00 p.m. Live action begins

8:00 p.m. Live entertainment

Dunlap Nursing and Rehab Center Christmas Caroling

Wow, I better catch you all up on what I have been up to since Ft. Madison. Appearance slowed down, and it was time to focus on school. I went to Aleigh's Send Off fashion show and saw all of her amazing and gorgeous clothes! Now that I am home for Christmas break I am getting ready to finish out my year as Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa. Last night mom, dad, and I braved the oncoming weather to visit Dunlap's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for Christmas Caroling. Vincent Leinin originally from this area, but now from California, sets it all up. People from all over Southwest Iowa came together and sang for the residents. Cookies were served afterwards, but we had to head out because the ice storm had begun. I had so much fun singing a collection of Christmas favorites. I hope everyone is staying warm and getting ready for the Holiday Season. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Tri-State Rodeo, Ft. Madison, Iowa

It doesn't seem like a year now since I was in the boots of the lovely ladies competing for a title! I left Wednesday morning after one of my classes to meet dad near Des Moines to make the trip our annual trip to Ft. Madison. We had Tankers and Cosmo(previously) Cupcake, for Miss Sidney Iowa Rodeo, in tow. That was the first trip with two horses in the trailer, very exciting. Once we got there we unloaded ALL of my clothes and 'junk' to the hotel room. Obviously I still need to work on my packing skills, Amanda, I just didn't quite learn! Once we did that, we took the horses to settle them in and get the trailer parked and plugged in. I started getting ready for the Wednesday night performance which was Tough Enough to Wear Pink night! Tank looks so good in pink! After the rodeo dad decided to stay the week in the trailer so Aleigh and I headed back to the hotel.

Thursday morning I headed out to watch the very exciting Miss Rodeo Iowa 2009 horsemanship competition in the rain! After that we got all cleaned up and headed to eat lunch. Shortly after lunch Aleigh and I headed to a nearby school, to visit with the students and sign some autographs. Before we knew it, it was time for the Thursday night performance. Gizmo, Boyd, Corey, and the Cervi crew were all there again, I felt like I really knew them! After the rodeo we headed back to the hotel again, the Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa 2009 competitors were there, and we had a short dance practice! Some cowgirls just aren't meant to dance, and unfortunately, I am one of them. However, the other girls did a great job! After dance practice we headed to bed.

Friday morning was the Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa horsemanship competition, which went outstanding for the contestants! I am glad they didn't watch me set the pattern too closely because Tankers had eaten his Wheaties that morning and was raring to go, literally! After horsemanship it was time for the grueling interviews. Only kidding, they all came out with a smile! Shortly after that it was time for the speeches. I must say, the teen contestants blew me off my feet! They all did an amazing job. Aleigh and I even had a chance to talk about our years. Some how I managed to talk fast enough to get it all in. A new thing this year, was that the MTRI contestants got to go out to eat with the MRI contestants, judges, Paula, Bobbie, Jessie, Aleigh, and I. Then we headed back out to the rodeo grounds for the third performance of the week. Aleigh and I were joined by Carly Hagey, Miss Rodeo Illinois 2008, chasing out and carrying sponsor flags for the night. After the rodeo we headed back to do a little more dancing and modeling practice.

Saturday morning came bright and early with a parade! Morgan Marshall, Miss Rodeo Sidney, joined all of the contestants, Carly, Aleigh, and myself for the parade! Once that was over we headed back for our final dance practice, I could have used a hundred more if time would have allowed. Then we all went to our rooms to get gorgeous for the fashion show. Again, all of the contestants did a fabulous job, looked great, dance beautifuly! They surprisingly gave the microphone back to me for my fair well speech! With such great sponsors, supporters, committees, and family it was hard to get everyone in! Congrats to Lindsey, Miss Rodeo Iowa 2009 and Shelby Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa 2009. Right after we crowned our replacements, we went to a local nursing home to met with the residents, and maybe brighten their day. After a quick stop at Taco John's, Aleigh and I were hungry, we headed to the last night of the Tri-State Rodeo. Lindsey, Carly, Shelby, Aleigh, and I took turns chasing out and carrying flags! I had such a great time with all of the girls that week, and wish it could have lasted a little longer!

Thank you to everyone that has made my year such a success! I couldn't possibly have enough gratitude for all that has been done for me! Another big thank you to my sponsors! It made my year so much easier to know that many of my expenses were taken care of! Lastly, thank you to my parents. I don't know how many miles you drove me, how many dollars you spent on me, how many times you tightened my saddle so I wouldn't have to get off in my tight pants, and so much else you did for me. Without you I couldn't have had the amazing experience! I have a few appearances left this year, and after that, this won't be the last you hear from me!

Pictures are here!

Dayton PRCA Rodeo

Hello All! Hope you are enjoying the early signs of fall! It has been a crazy first couple weeks of school, so I am glad to finally get a moment to catch you up on my Labor Day weekend in Dayton, Iowa. Right after classes I head to Dayton, where my wonderful parents met me with the truck, trailer, and Tankers. I was honored to be parked right next to the arena with all of the big names, Gizmo, Corey Wall, Boyd, and of course the Cervi crew. Thank you so much to Kris Fleener for arranging all of that for me! I had such a blast being introduced, doing a hot lap on Tankers, riding in the grand entry, and chasing out with the Dayton queens! A huge thank you to Karen Madsen for getting some great action photos that weekend! No offense dad, but you might be out of work when she takes my pictures. They took the one of my queens run and me helping with the mutton busting. I might have to say that the picture of my queens run might be my favorite! Tankers loves to go. The entire weekend I was so entertained with Gizmo's acts and hanging around behind the scence with the entire Dayton Rodeo Committee. They had a great parade turn out on Monday, which I was honored to ride in. A big thank you to everyone who helped me out and made my first Dayton experience such a great one!

Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa 2009

Congratulations to Shelby Chapman of Adel, Iowa. She is Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa 2009.

During the pageant held Sept. 5 & 6 in Fort Madison, Iowa, Shelby also won the horsemanship award. Kara Telfer of Underwood, IA was named first runner up along with winning the speech award, photogenics, Larry Roberts Rodeo Spirit award and Miss Congeniality.

Nevada, Iowa Lincoln Highway Days

After a busy week in Ames doing recruitment for my sorority, Pi Beta Phi, I made the short trek to Nevada for their annual Lincoln Highway Days and rodeo. Heartland Rodeo Company was the stock contractor. Dad drove Tankers down and I met them there. With perfect weather, John and Jeep put on a great show, with tons of contestants. My highlight of the weekend happened on Saturday night however...I got to ride on a stage coach! Not once, not twice, but for several short trips! I was even on when there was four horses! Both nights of rodeo I got to chase back cattle with one of the pick-up men, Glen. Tank even walked away this weekend with a brand new bronc halter, but of course it has some pink rhinestones on it. I was very excited to have some of my Iowa State friends come to watch Saturday too. Thank you to everyone who made my Nevada trip so fun! A HUGE thanks to my dad for bringing my horse up and helping get him ready.

Headed to Missouri

I moved back to Ames the week of the 11th, so dad came through to pick me up on our way to Downing, Missouri. Once we got there we walked around and set up. Once I was all ready to go I headed up on Tank to warm him up. I was so honored to get to be so involved: carrying the American Flag, leading grand entry, chasing out, helping with the kids event, and doing the closing ceremonies. The Downing Rodeo Committe was so great, and so welcoming! If you ever have a chance to visit their rodeo, go for it. During the day Saturday, dad and I had a chance to catch up on all of the olympic events, clean a saddle, catch up on quite a bit of scrap booking, and even sneak in a little nap! Time just flew by, because soon enough I was back up to the arena warming up. There was two awesome nights for rodeo again this weekend. The weather was gorgeous, the crowd was fantastic, and the livestock were intense. Thank you to the Heartland Rodeo Company for letting me be such a big part of their rodeo, and the Downing Rodeo Committee for being so kind! I hope to come back and visit that rodeo.

State Fair - Cowgirl Queen and Steer Show

I can't believe August is already here and it is State Fair time! On the 8th, we headed down in the morning for the Cowgirl Queen contest. I had the day to walk around, see the fair, and meet my steer for the Governor's Celebrity Steer Show. Soon enough, it was time for me to start getting ready for the Cowgirl Queen contest. Aleigh rode Tank in for the National Anthem, then I jumped on to warm him up. I happened to be in the third go of the senior division, so I had a while to wait. I had a chance to visit with a lot of the crowd sitting out side watching all of the gorgeous girls warming up their horses. They helped pass my time! Once we got to go in, Tank did an amazing job! I couldn't been more proud of him, we picked up the correct leads, had a pretty and slow trot, and had a decent head set! I didn't make the cut, but there were tons of great girls, and great riders. After that was all over, I went and stayed with my sister in West Des Moines. Saturday I got up bright and early to head back to the fairgrounds. I walked around for awhile, met the family I was showing the steer for, and headed to the Iowa Horse Council booth to sign autographs and visit with people. After I changed into what I was wearing to show, we went and visited with everyone around the biggest bull and celebrity steers. I even got to help 'fit' the steer, O'Malley. Next thing I know we were walking into the pavillion, with just me holding a 1400 pound steer in one arm and a pink show stick in the other! O'Malley did awesome! Everyone was surprised I have never shown a steer, let alone led one before! I was so confident in my showing skills, and it paid off when I was announced Showmanship winner. That was my proudest moment this summer! I couldn't wipe the smile off my face even once I was out of the show arena. Congrats to all of the other celebrities showing! I am glad to report that the sale, benefiting the Ronald McDonald House foundations, did so well! It was such an awseome experience!