Cowboy Christmas

Typically the couple weeks surrounding the 4th of July are considered the richest weeks of rodeo. Therefore, this time is commonly called Cowboy Christmas because contestants have a chance to rake in the money by competing at multiple, big money rodeos in a short amount of time. This year definitely didn’t set any records on how much money was up for grabs but at least we had rodeos to attend! I traveled from Canadian, Texas to Moline, Kansas for the 4th of July. The following weekend I stayed in my home state and attended the Fort Scott, Kansas rodeo. It felt good to be headed from one rodeo to the next especially during the most patriotic time of year!
 
While starting out in Texas, part of me felt like I was in Canada when referring the Canadian rodeo in Texas. This was a quick one performance stop as I was headed back from Amarillo, Texas and Canadian was right on the way. Without hesitation I added it to my schedule to stop there on the 2nd of July. I was excited for this rodeo not only to break up the drive back to Kansas but also because I’m good friends with the stock contractor which was the Medicine River Rodeo Company! I have spent many hours at rodeos with this crew and it was just as fun as I remembered.
 
I finished out the holiday weekend in Moline, Kansas with Big Horn Rodeo. The best part of working with them is the two little girls that come along to each rodeo. Liz is the stock contractor’s daughter and Annika is one of their pickup men’s daughters.  We laugh, play, and just enjoy life. They make me forget about how hot it might be or how late it is after slack. I sometimes can’t always answer all the “but why” questions that any typical 4 and 6 year old have but I sure do get a kick out of them!
 
Moving forward to Fort Scott, I ended up riding quite a few different horses in just one performance! For perspective, I typically ride one to two different horses in a weekend. So it was very comical by the end of the first night when I had swung my leg over four different mounts between the performance and slack! My favorite equine athlete of the weekend was a retired bucking horse who was now used as a pickup horse to clear the arena after rough stock events. He was calm and easy going but was big and could tow a bull right out of the arena if needed.
                                                                                                 
I stuck around in the Sunflower State for one more rodeo and went the following Tuesday and Wednesday to an IPRA rodeo in Erie, Kansas. I felt like the red carpet was laid out for me as I arrived in this small town. Everyone was so willing to say hello and help me with whatever I needed. Committees at each event work hard all year to put on their hometown rodeo and they do it for the same reason that I do!  It’s for the sport and community we love. The friendships and family you make along the way make up for all the hard work and sweat, especially in the dead of summer with no breeze in Kansas. I was back with Big Horn Rodeo Company this rodeo which meant more time with Liz and Annika. This week the girls really wanted to start carrying flags in the grand entry. I got them hooked up with flag boots and they both successfully carried flags! I was so proud of them both for trying something new.
 
The best part about spending time at rodeos in the state of Kansas is the friends and family that get to come out and see me in action! I can’t quite put into words how much it means to see those special people sitting in the stands with a familiar smile on their faces as I ride by.  It seriously means the world to me and I sure hope they know!
 
Miss Rodeo USA 2020
Brooke Wallace
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Brooke’s Bloopers: I have been asked to sign a number of items throughout the years like boots, hats, and t-shirts. When walking through the crowd in Moline, Kansas a group of kids asked me if I had the letter “O” in my name and I of course said yes and that my name was Brooke. The next thing I knew one of then asked me to sign my name on their stomach using their belly button as one of the “O” in my name. I definitely was caught off guard but figured it didn’t hurt anything and agreed to it. They of course couldn’t believe I agreed and I could tell they got quite a kick out of it. After a number of laughs, I bid them goodbye and couldn’t help but shake my head as I giggled while walking away.
 
Queens Corner: One helpful trick I picked up while being a rodeo queen over the last six years is to wear compression socks when I know I will be on my feet most of the day. I couldn’t believe how much it helped my aching feet by the end of the night. The other great benefit is that my socks don’t fall down and I don’t have to work about getting rub marks on my legs after hours on horse for performances and slack.
 
Statistically Speaking: 

• Miles Traveled: 6,413
• States Visited: 5
• Rodeos Attended: 11
• Number of Performances: 20
• Horses Ridden: 19
• Other Appearances: 12