From the Mountains to the Praires

These two weeks have been all about my home state of Tennessee! I started out in East Tennessee at the Sequoah High School Rodeo in Madisonville. This event is an IPRA rodeo put on by the high school to raise money for the FFA program. Both nights we had a great crowd, despite a little rain on Saturday. My month long trip of being on the road ended, and Sunday I drove back west to spend a week at home.

Tennessee has three stars on its flag which represent the three different landscapes of Tennessee. East Tennessee holds the Smokey Mountains and Middle Tennessee has gentle rolling hills. Where I am from in West Tennessee, we have flat farm lands. In one drive, I was able to see all three regions of Tennessee. It was a neat experience to watch the landscape change as I drove closer to home. I was home all week long and was able to catch up on some much needed sleep! This past weekend, I visited the Tennessee Youth Rodeo Association’s State Finals in my hometown of Martin. Visiting this association was very special to me because it was the first rodeo association I ever joined! Formerly known as the Tennessee Junior Rodeo Association (TJRA), I competed four years and won the rodeo queen title twice. If it hadn’t been for that association, I am certain I would not be where I am today! I was very active in TJRA, competing in barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, break away roping, and ribbon roping during my four years. I qualified for Junior High National Finals Rodeo twice during that time, and won several buckles, including state barrel racing champion, state pole bending champion, and reserve all -around champion.

I spent Mother’s Day on the road with my mom, traveling to a photo shoot sponsored by Southern Exposure Photography in Oneonta Alabama. Pictures coming soon from this session, shot by the great Jack Bains! Now it is time to get back on the rodeo road! I’m off to Newnan, Georgia for another great IPRA rodeo!!! Always remember to enjoy the ride!

​“From humble beginnings come great things.”