Almost one year ago, I was embarking on a journey that I had spent years into making come true. I had no idea that I would walk away with lifelong friends, amazing memories, or even the crown. Standing out in the arena floor at the International Finals rodeo with eleven other amazing women, I took in just what a blessing it was to make it to that point. I remember that moment just like it was yesterday, but yet it has been almost a year. The announcer called my name as the 2017 Miss Rodeo USA and it took a minute for me to realize what just happened. I did all the customary things of stepping out and waving, grinning from ear to ear, to taking my first ride around the arena. Next, I was standing in the alleyway looking at the sign that said world champion. Those moments will forever be a part of me and I am truly grateful for each and every second on that day, January 15th, 2017.
                I have traveled at least 75, 000 miles this year representing the International Professional Rodeo Association. Each mile has been a memory. I have been East to West, North to South, and all the way across the world. I have loved traveling and getting to see parts of the world that I would have never had this opportunity to view. Not only were the views amazing, but the people were priceless. There are so many amazing people in this world, especially the rodeo world. They have picked me up at airports, driven me around to sponsors, took me on adventures, and have blessed me with a memory of them. Many have become lifelong friends and people that I will always stay connected with.
                I could never pick an absolute favorite part of my year because it was all pretty amazing. I have to say though, gaining a MRUSA sisterhood, friends, and the experiences that were a part of my year is what I will remember. I will always remember how the IPRA and MRUSA impacted my life and what they can do for so many other women who will follow behind me.
                The last two weeks have been packed, much like how the last year has been! I have been doing final pageant preparations and working around the clock to get things together and ready to go. My biggest project has been scrapbooking. I wanted to create a book so that others may have an insight on what this year has been for me. Of course, one scrapbook wasn’t enough so I had to make a separate one for my trip to Australia! I hope you enjoy looking back through my year in my scrapbooks that will be on display at the host hotel in Oklahoma City!
                During my time at home preparing for the pageant, I took time to record my farewell speech at a local recording studio. This was more bittersweet than I thought it would be. As I read through my speech, I was reminded of what this year has meant to me.  I was reminded of all the memories, people, and experiences that I have been blessed to have. This was another item off my final to-do list that I checked off before I left home.           
              The day before I packed up to head West, I made a surprise visit to my cousin’s elementary school! My cousin is 6 years old and loves cowgirls! What 6 year old doesn’t?! I walked into her classroom and you should have seen her eyes light up! She instantly knew it was me and was so excited that I came to visit her. Her other classmates loved to hear about horses and get autographs! While I was in their school, I stopped by the special needs classroom to hand out autographs and spend some time with them. They also enjoyed the visit from a surprise guest! This was my last appearance as Miss Rodeo USA in my hometown.
                I left for Oklahoma City on Tuesday, January 9th. It was a 10 and half hour drive that I made by rocking out to Pandora and calling friends. I arrived and started the long process of unloading all my stuff! I do believe that was more tiring than driving all day! The next day I went to the IPRA office and did some work with Lindsay! We worked on setting up my schedule and deciding what coffee place we would visit next. I visited sponsors and started on my school visits. The first school I went to was West Field Elementary. This school had 874 students all in the gymnasium and eager to hear about the rodeo! The staff was so friendly there and I am glad I was able to bring light about rodeo and the importance of staying focused to the students. I also visited their special needs classrooms and received hugs from all the kids! They each received personalized autographs from me and have the sweetest hearts! It always makes my day to see the little ones! I also visited Parkland Elementary and had a blast there with their students. One kindergartener asked me if I came from the desert. The next little boy said, “no, she came from the wild, wild west!” Oh, how I love how little ones think! School visits have been a big part and I am grateful for all of the memories I have with students all over the United States.
                This week has also brought a lot of autograph sessions at local Oklahoma City sponsors. I have spent time at Shorty’s Caboy Hattery, Boot Barn, and Tener’s just to name a few. I am starting to learn my way around, but have still managed to take wrong turns frequently! Sometimes, I look back and wonder how I even made it to the places that I have been this year!
                I have a week of media interviews lined up for me. I even did one bright and early this morning on Channel 9 here in OKC. The rest of the week is booked solid between promotions for the IFR and the start of our pageant on Tuesday! It is so exciting to be here, but hard to believe that it has already been a year!
                This year could not have been possible without all of the support from sponsors, the Miss Rodeo USA Association board of directors, IPRA, and my family. Thank you to my Mom, Dad, and brother Chad for their continued support, sacrifices, and never ending love. My family has been one of my biggest supporters and I cannot express how thankful I am for them following my dream with me.
               Thank you to the Miss Rodeo USA Board of directors for all of their continued support, guidance and help whenever I needed it. To the IPRA, stock contractors, announcers, clowns, bullfighters, judges, timers, and secretaries, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives this year. I am forever grateful for all the experiences I gained this year from you.
              This year has been an opportunity of a lifetime. I cannot thank you all enough for your support, friendship, and love that I have received throughout the year. I am truly blessed to have been your 2017 Miss Rodeo USA!

               Today, is the last day of 2017. A day that I first thought was so far away. They said don’t blink, or you will miss it. When I was crowned in January of this year, there was so much to do and be involved in. December seemed so far away when I had so many things to look forward too. And now that 2017 is almost over, let me share a few of my favorite stories and memories from this incredible year representing the International Professional Rodeo Association.
                I’m not sure if I could pick a favorite rodeo of the year, but I sure enjoyed my time in Brunswick, GA for Rodeo at the Beach! This rodeo was put on by the Exchange Club of Brunswick, an organization that I enjoyed learning about how they do so much for others. I remember Joe O’Connor and his wife picking me up at the airport at 1 in the morning because my flight had been delayed. Steven Floyd made sure that I didn’t leave South Georgia without trying boiled peanuts (yuck!) and REAL southern fried shrimp. Apparently, the shrimp was the best I would ever eat; I thought they were O.K. with honey mustard. John and Charlene Franklin took me to the local airshow where I saw the Blue Angels perform, talked aviation with fellow aviators, and saw the Trump plane. Pat Browning brought me back to the airport to take a walk inside a famous designer’s airplane, one in which I will never see the same thing  again! I met the Hedrick’s and the Georgia biting gnats at the same time when I stopped by to help unload the stock.  I topped of the week with a horse ride on the beach on Indiana Jones on a private island.
                Another highlight of my year was getting to help Danny move stock to the next rodeo. I threw on a ball cap instead of my hat and crown and met Danny at the arena in Statesboro.  They loaded the stock and I drove off following Danny in the freightliner and bull trailer. It took us an hour and half to get to where the stock would stay the night. We pulled up and I remember asking Danny if he wanted to me to back up to the gate where he was looking. He didn’t know yet that I grew up helping my Dad move with the same equipment.  I backed the trailer up and Danny figured out that I may have done that before! I remember meeting one of the sweetest couples at the arena we dropped the stock off at. This is still one of my favorite stories to tell!
                I can’t forget riding around in the little red wagon with Bill Anderson for the Statesboro Kiwanis Rodeo.  I had a week in Statesboro and they had my schedule PACKED! Any spare time we were whipping the little red car into spur of the moment sponsor visits. This is where I met Freedom, the Bald Eagle that flies at Georgia Southern University. I had a blast with the ladies in the Kiwanis club, especially Ashley! In fact, her number in my phone is “Ashley – Statesboro”. I may or may not have a lot of number from this year saved with what rodeo they are a part of!
                And then there’s Evans, Georgia. Oh, how I loved this one and the people it brought me closer too. David and Wendy Speight were my host’s for this one and the crew that put on the rodeo to benefit  the Burn Unit at the hospital they worked at. I had such a humbling experience at the Ronald McDonald house with Wendy. Both David and Wendy took me through the burn unit to meet a few of their patients and coworkers. I rode a camel for the first time at the rodeo and watched it drink a mountain dew. I about lost my eyelashes riding a motorcycle down the road while holding my hat and crown. I met the Speight family and had a blast shooting an AR for the first time. They said beavers were a problem there, so I tried to help with that!
                During my time in Oklahoma, I learned to dance with Allie Burgin at the Wynnewood Senior Citizen Center. This became an event every Wednesday night when I was in town! I ate too many dozen chocolate chip cookies to count at Donnie’s.  I hung out with Trisha and DJ at their ranch. I only missed the Wynewood exit once and ended up driving a good hour to get back.
                I visited Las Vegas for the first time on Mother’s Day Weekend with my mom by my side. This is also where I used Uber for the first time. Later in the year, I was able to go back to Vegas for the NFR and Cowboy Christmas. Mom and I had a great time together on both of our trips to Vegas.
                Decatur, Alabama brought some flying fun with Mary Ashley! Her mom arranged for us to fly in the police helicopter. I remember taking off my crown and putting on the headphones, departing the Cullman Airport and viewing Alabama. We dipped down into a river and flew around the curves and turns like we were in a racing movie, all to the sound of Hotel California playing through the headset. The pilot let me fly the helicopter for a few seconds too. This flying adventure I will not forget!
                How could I forget Australia?! I made lifelong friends Sharon and Carl Piggott, director of the Rodeo Queen of Australia Quest. Had a blast with Bessie and the queen contestants for a whole week in the Gold Coast. Learned the Aussie slang and how to drive on the wrong side of the road. Stayed at the Wrangah Wildnerness Lodge and gained an unforgettable Australian experience. Went on a hunting trip with mom, dad, Carl, and some of their family. This was a pretty big highlight of the year!
               All-region finals in Lexington, Kentucky was a great event in my home state. I met Esther, staff of the horse park, and she took me around to the different events. I got to room with Lindsey and we toured the Clairborne Farm to see Secretariat’s grave. I carried the greatest flag on earth around the Alltech arena. Met our family friends, Denny and Joanne at the rodeo along with a Walker Hayes and Walker Montgomery artists.
               This is just a few of my great experiences that I have had throughout 2017. We would be here forever if I went through every memory that I have had this year! As this year comes to a close, I am so thankful for all the great people that I have met, memories I have made, horses I have rode, and friends that have become family. It’s New Year’s Eve and I will be looking forward to my time in OKC promoting the IFR and a great MRUSA pageant in 2018.
               
 

                I left you all with Happy Thanksgiving as my last blog left off just a few days before turkey day! November is such a wonderful month and the start of many family celebrations for the holidays. I certainly was glad to be given another Thanksgiving here on this earth. I think too often we take for granted for just being here another day to spend with family and friends. We get all wrapped up in our daily lives, work, never ending to-do lists, and forget to be thankful for all the little things in life. This year, I have so many things to be thankful for. I’m thankful that God blessed me with this wonderful opportunity of a lifetime and gave me the people in my life that He knew would help me along the way. I am thankful to represent the western way of life and the sport of professional rodeo with the IPRA. I can’t thank my parents and my awesome brother enough for their support not only through this year, but for throughout my life.
                I also am very thankful for the farmers. Growing up in a small farming community, it was more likely that you followed a combine down the two lane road then a horse trailer. Harvest time was from dawn to dusk and farmers would greet one another in the early hours of the morning at our local Downtown Market (the only place for food) in Slaughters. It was corn mazes, pumpkin pickin’, and sweet tea for the holidays. I am thankful for the farmers that work endless hours to feed the world. I’m thankful  for the cotton grown in South Georgia that helps clothe the world, the chicken farmers that help feed the world in Alabama, and the row crop farmers in Kentucky that make sure we have corn, bread, and beans. I say all this to tell you that I attended the 43rd Annual Hopkins County Farm City Breakfast the day before Thanksgiving this year in honor of the farmers.
                The Farm City Breakfast is an event that is held annually to honor a farm family of the year and present to the county the yield winners. This event had over 300 people in attendance and also recognized the accomplishments of the youth in our county through 4-H and FFA organizations. Walking in the door at 6 AM this year was an honor to be with several of the farmers that help feed our world. Last year, I attended this event as Miss Sunbelt Rodeo and would have never thought that I would be back as Miss Rodeo USA the following year. I greeted farmers, Hopkins County Officials, and members of the community at the doors. It was wonderful to see familiar faces and meet new people in my county.
                After the morning breakfast, I met with the Slaughters Mayor for a sign dedication downtown.  I walked into the Slaughter business office to find my autograph picture hanging on the wall with my reception invite from February of this year. I had no idea that was even there! Slaughters has three signs placed at different entrances into our town that say “Welcome to Slaughters, Kentucky”. Through the support of our town officials and Mayor, I now have a sign underneath it that says, “Home of the 2017 Miss Rodeo USA Brittany Howard”. This is truly an honor and I am so thankful for the support that my town of 250 people has given me!
                Turkey day for me was helping my mom cook Thanksgiving dinner and enjoying the beautiful 60 degree weather! For the last several years, Mom and I have made it a tradition to go for a little trail ride around the house.  I saddled up my horse (is this real life?!) and then saddled my mom’s horse for a sunny ride around the farm. Never take for granted getting to spend time with your mom! I enjoyed every minute of our ride and look forward to many more with her!
                Middle of the week I was fortunate to do a 30 minute interview with the local cable TV show called Focus with Tim Thomas. We met in front of the green screen and started filming one of their Christmas editions. It was a great interview with Mr. Thomas and I am proud to be from Hopkins County, Kentucky. It was also ironic that almost 17 years ago, my mom did an interview with Mr. Thomas for her job position. Things have come full circle and who would have thought that I, her daughter, would be back doing an interview 17 years later! In my interview, I strived to inform people about the IPRA and what Miss Rodeo USA is. I also discussed my platform and a few of the fun things that I have been blessed to take part in this year.
                As we enter into the spirit of Christmas in December, there are so many events to take part in. I hauled my horse to a neighboring town to ride in their Christmas parade. It was a blessing to see so many little ones and adults taking a moment out of their busy lives to enjoy the parade. I loaded Fancy and moved on to our Madisonville Parade at night. Fancy was decked out in her sparkling green hoofies, red bows, and Christmas lights! I wore my beautiful blue Kristi Q with the patriotic Wynn Custom Leather Chaps. Thanks to the many sponsors who make my everyday outfits!
                The last two weeks have been fun and things are only going to get more exciting as we near the end of my reign. I have a to-do list that I work on everyday so that I can continue to stay focused! Many thanks to all of the supporters, friends, sponsors, family, and team that it takes for this wonderful year!