When in Rome, rodeo- right? That’s what Southern Rodeo Company and I did for the Rome Rodeo. The Brooks brought in some of the best stock and contestants along with top notch announcer David Sharp and funny man Dusty Meyers. I rolled in Friday night before the rodeo and was welcomed with the smiling faces of Southern Rodeo Company and SAY JR. rodeo princess miss temperance. After the opening ceremony I stepped off of “Roach” and was on my way talking with the crowd and passing out autograph sheets. Temperance and I both agreed a sno cone was necessary, one of us didn’t think through our flavor choices and ended up with a blue smile! (Check out the pictures to find out who). Friday night came to a close and Saturday was quick to follow. The whole rodeo group met up for lunch at a sponsor restaurant and we celebrated worker and friend Caleb Combs birthday with a whip cream fight in the parking lot! After eating we all made our way to the rodeo grounds, saddled horses and pushed cows before the rodeo. Before we knew it might 2 of the #RomeRodeo was underway. The arena was a little sticky from rain overnight but we were all ready to rodeo. The opening ceremony song “Wave On” played while I made my entry lap, and we had a trip in the ground but just as the song says we got up and waved on! The rest of the rodeo was a success and finished strong. Southern Rodeo Company finished yet another great rodeo weekend on a high note. 


My next rodeo was one I had been anticipating since May when I first met announcer Jaime Osbrink and we did a promotional video for Blue Ridge, Georgia- “God’s Country” as Jaime likes to say. I was able to have my first round of school visits since May in Blue Ridge and was joined by Justin Hedrick pickup man for Hedrick Rodeo Company, but he wasn’t dressed in jeans. He joined me as the “rodeo clown”! After doing school visits at six different schools we stopped by a daycare to play with the kids. Some of the kids were excited over the clown and rodeo Queen coming. However, one wasn’t too keen on my rhinestones and crown. For the first time all year- I made a little kid cry! We came during snack time, the little boy decided he was over it and threw his spoon across the table and went into fussing. To say I was shocked is an understatement! We finished up with the daycare and stopped by the Dairy Queen for a blizzard! Friday before the rodeo we prayed for the rain to go away long enough for us to rodeo and it did! Friday night I was joined in the opening ceremony by the local Drill Team and ran sponsor flags throughout the night. Between two age groups of calf scramble for the kids, a women’s calf scramble, steer dressin and a boot toss I was one busy rodeo Queen during the rodeo all weekend! Saturday was another day of praying the rain away and barely sprinkled during lunch. The Hedrick rodeo crew and I were joined by Dan and his wife Robin Dailey who is a past Miss Rodeo USA! It was great getting to meet and talk to such iconic people in rodeo history. Saturday nights rodeo started with a bang and ended on a high note as well! Circle N Rodeo and Hedrick Rodeo Company put on yet another successful Georgia rodeo. 


If you’re in the Georgia area and haven’t been to a rodeo yet, you’re in luck! This coming weekend I will be at the Sandy Oaks Pro Rodeo. As always, keep your eyes peeled for my American Hat, Ariat Jeans and Lane Boots on the rodeo road. Don’t be afraid to holler and say “hey”! ​

​After the IFYR, I moseyed my way to Lincoln Co. Arkansas to Sherry Smith’s for a photo shoot with the newly crowned Miss Teen Rodeo USA, Lana Carter. Lana, Sherry and I spent the evening getting shots in our Lazy P Creations chaps. After having a few days of photography with Sherry, it was off to Huntsville Arkansas for the first -ever street dance and kid’s day. After dancing the night away and having ice cream for supper (thanks Leslie!), I headed to my host home and got ready for the next day of sponsor visits. Wednesday two rodeo board members, Leslie and Brooke, joined me and we drove all around Huntsville and neighboring towns saying thanks to the many gracious sponsors. We even were able to have some fun and make a TikTok dance video at Willow Brooke Farms. Thursday morning was an early start at the Kiwanis, Club. I was able to share my platform of Mentoring Matters along with what being Miss Rodeo USA entails. Throughout the day, we met with a local radio broadcaster and did live remote interviews at several different sponsor locations. While visiting with the White River owners, they mentioned toilet and bathtub go-carts. Me being me, I asked if I could take them for a spin! You can see videos from my time on the Miss Rodeo USA TikTok. Thursday evening we had slack, and I was able to help throughout the night. Friday was another full day of live remote interviews and driving around in our sponsored Ram truck before the first performance of the rodeo. Three other local queens who helped in the mutton bustin’ and passed out autographs during the rodeo joined me. I was horseback for the majority of the night, helping push cows and assisting with the calf scramble. Thank you Shawn Prater for letting me borrow Big Yella Friday night.  I always seem to find palominos wherever I go.  Saturday I was joined in the parade by Miss Teen Rodeo USA, Lana Carter, and we got to spend some quality sash sister time together before the rodeo. You can keep up with her by following the Miss Teen Rodeo USA Instagram and Facebook pages. Night 2 of the Madison Co. Rodeo, I was privileged to hop on “Percy” the black half quarter horse/mustang that I rode during the IFYR, as well as a paint of Brandon Harris’s. The whole weekend I ended up riding four different horses and each of them were superstars! We had our champion mutton buster announced and some great rides and runs during the rodeo. Being from Alabama, football is something taken seriously and the same goes if you are in Arkansas. I had the experience of ‘calling the pigs’ thanks to Jeff Lee bringing attention to the fact that I’m an Alabama fan. Sunday I got to relax with my host family and practice my roping skills for the first time on a tracking dummy and was able to catch at the lope! Thank you to The Reeds, Madison Co. Rodeo Committee, and sponsors for all you did to make this rodeo happen.
 
This past weekend was the highly anticipated Miss Rodeo USA Clinic.  To say I was excited is an understatement. I was able to attend the clinic in Alabama last year as a participant,  but was ecstatic to be a clinician at a new location at Jasper Springs Ranch in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Several past Miss Rodeo USA’s and board members were able to attend,  along with some impressive cowgirls that wanted to be part of helping these young and upcoming queens advance their knowledge in the industry. We had 25 young ladies attend, along with parents and even had sponsors stop in during meals so the attendees could meet those who helped put on the clinic and support our organization. Thank you to all the sponsors who helped make this event the success it was! From a full day of horsemanship, modeling, rodeo 101, media interviews, hair and makeup tips, and even a photo shoot for each participant, everyone attending was sure to walk away with new and improved rodeo queen skills.  We had attendees from 8-27 years old, and each person improved throughout the weekend.  I can’t wait to watch the journey of each and every one of these queens. 
 
I am now back on the rodeo road to Rome, Georgia with Southern Pro Rodeo, loaded down with my Ariat denim and Lane boots for both inside and outside the arena.