Packed down and loaded after the Limestone Sheriffs Rodeo, I made my way to Richmond, Kentucky for the Madison County Pro Rodeo put on by Spurn S and JR Drake. I started my time in Richmond Thursday doing a radio interview with local station “The Coyote” and got to talk about not only the upcoming rodeo, but also how rodeo is a family event where whether you are a seasoned spectator, or it’s your first, you’ll have a blast! After my radio interview, JR and I spent the evening at Texas Roadhouse, one of the main sponsors for the rodeo. I passed out free kids tickets and autograph sheets, and answered questions people might have had about the rodeo or for me! One family I met even had a graduate from the University of Alabama and we shared a “Roll Tide” before saying bye. The majority of people I spoke to had not ever been to a rodeo before, but by the end of our conversation, they had their nights cleared so they could make it! Friday morning there wasn’t anything scheduled for me to do, so I joined in at the arena helping set up for the night’s performance. While helping set up at the T-shirt and toy tent, the Madison County Firetrucks came in to hose down the arena. After watching the boys struggle to hold the hose for a few minutes, one of the women who work at the tent dared me to go up and ask if they needed help. Without skipping a beat, I walked up and asked! Sure enough, they took a break and let me handle wetting the arena down for a little. I will say, it was not as easy as it looked but it was still a blast! Once the arena was worked, it was time to move cow. I joined in on horseback with Ronnie, Wes and my new favorite little cowboy Ren. Ren and I determined we were the better team pushing cows and could go pro. Once the cows were taken care of, it was time for me to get rodeo ready. The first performance was such a hit that Saturday we brought in more bleachers! At the rodeo there werepony rides, toys and shirts from the Swag Tent and a tent set up for Line-X, another big sponsor to the rodeo. Line-X had corn hole and goodies for people to enjoy before the rodeo and during. After talking with the Line-X workers Friday night, I was excited to spend Saturday morning there for free burgers and pony rides. The bullfighters, pick up men and the one and only Mighty Mike Wentworth joined me at Line-X for meet and greets. Although this is technically work, we always have time for fun, and I joined in with a few kids playing corn hole. I told them to go easy on me because I do not really play, or know what I am doing. I spoke too soon because I ended up being 3-0 with different people on my team each time! We all decided after my year as Miss Rodeo USA, I needed to join a corn hole league. I had a quick break to eat, then it was time to rodeo! The final performance of the Madison County Pro Rodeo could not have gone better. Even with bringing in extra bleachers there were people standing to watch the rodeo. The stock, cowboys and entertainment were all top quality and put on a show everybody loved. Thank you to Jon, Wes and JR for letting me be a part of this event! 
 
    I had a week until my next event in Hiwassee, Georgia and found residence with the Hedrick’s of Hedrick Rodeo Company for a few days before my time in Georgia. I told them whatever they needed help with I was willing to try, and they took that seriously! I learned how to work a skid steer and excavator and helped with dirt work on the farm. When I told my Mom, she said “Oh no! Please do not break anything your insurance doesn’t cover this!” After a few (maybe several) learning curves, they set me loose and had me work on my own. I would not say I amready for hire, but I didn’t break anything! Along with learning machinery, I helped bring in hay.
 
    After working with the Hedricks for a few days, I was off to Hiwassee to Southern Rodeo Company and their rodeo located next to a lake. Friday when I arrived, I sawmany familiar faces, along with many new ones. As the start of the rodeo got closer, we noticed the weather was quickly shifting from warm and sunny to cloudy. The forecast called for rain, rain and more rain all night! About 20 minutes before start time, it came a monsoon and my old and new friends  all huddled under the announcers tent together. A few of us made a run for the truck after a 20-minute delay was announced. We snacked on pretzels and hoped for the rain to let off enough so we could rodeo. Whether rain or shine, rodeos still go on! After a 45-minute delay, we started the rodeo. The rodeo fans in Hiwassee are something special, because several stayed in the rain waiting for the rodeo to begin, and those that went to their car came back. It was not a sold out night, but the stands were filled with enthusiastic spectators who were there because of their love for rodeo. Saturday we could not have asked for a better turn out. The weather was perfect, especially in comparison to the night before. Before the rodeo began, photographer  Warren Petty and I grabbed a horse and walked over to a baseball field right next to the arena. Warren and I were joined by another cowgirl and cowboy and the three of us helped each other wrangle horses and wind to get the perfect shot. The rodeo began as scheduled, and the night went on thanks to Robin Brooks and his crew. Dusty Myers (the rodeo clown) and David Sharp (the announcer) kept the crowd entertained and informed throughout the night. They worked great together and the crowd loved them! Although it was muddy, there was still stiff competition and the times and scores in each event were competitive. 
 
    Once the night ended, I said my goodbyes and left,excited for my next rodeo with Southern Rodeo Companyin Shady Dale, Georgia this next weekend. After Shady Dale, I’ll be back with the Hedrick Rodeo Company in Thompson, Georgia. As always, keep an eye out for me in my Ariat denim, Lane boots and American Hat! If you see me, holler! 

     ​My first rodeo as Miss Rodeo USA is officially in the books, thanks to the Shelby County Cattlemen’s Rodeo Association (SCCA). It was not my first time visiting this rodeo in Columbiana, just a few hours south of my hometown.  When I held the Jr. Miss West Point title in 2017, I was able to attend the rodeo with 2017 Miss Rodeo USA Brittany Howard. After this experience, the SCCA fell in love with the idea of having their own rodeo queen competition.  The following year they held their first-ever pageant, and of course I could not miss out on that fun! I competed for and won the new title of Sr. Miss SCCA, and had a blast throughout my reign. This made making my first official rodeo appearance as Miss Rodeo USA 2021 at this event even more special.  Rodeo committee chairpersons Clifton and Ritcha Garret were kind enough to open their home to me for rodeo weekend.  (They even picked up all of my favorite snacks).
        After completing sponsor visits, we met up with the current Miss Shelby County Cattlemen’s Rodeo Dara Hay and Miss West Point Rodeo Michaela Cooper for lunch. As a self-proclaimed food connoisseur, I highly recommend the strawberry salad and mac-n-cheese from Longhorn Steakhouse. It was definitely a ten out of ten! After lunch, Dara and I went back to the Garret’s to get ready for the rodeo. We traded some queen ‘secrets’ during our sash sister time doing hair and makeup together:  I helped Dara learn all about “queen wings” and she told me more about her experiences with horses. Dara is new to the rodeo queen world and asked all kinds of great questions about rodeo queening, my platform of Mentoring Matters, and about the Miss Rodeo USA Association.  It was so nice getting to share my experience while making a new friend in the process.
      Once we were finished getting ready, it was off to the rodeo! The first performance of the 33rd Annual Shelby County Cattlemen’s Rodeo was a huge success.  Although they had to limit ticket sales due to COVID, they still had a SOLD OUT night.  The Treadway Rodeo Company provided the stock and entertainment for the weekend.  I knew I was learning the ropes from some of the best in the business, Ken and Pam Treadway and the flag girls of Treadway Rodeo Company. I was definitely in good hands for my first rodeo appearance as Miss Rodeo USA.  
     The first night was a learning curve, but by the end of Friday night, I was” rockin’ and rollin’” and ready for Saturday’s matinee and night performances. Saturday during the matinee performance we had yet another sold out crowd.  My coach from The University of Alabama’s Equestrian team drove out to support a friend competing in barrels, which meant I got to catch up with her as well.  My Mom and Stepdad were also able to make the drive down.  It was their first time to see me in action as Miss Rodeo USA.  My parents and longtime sash sister Jolye Durrett made sure I had water and pickle juice pops (or pickle-sickles, as Jolye likes to call them) in order to keep me hydrated throughout the weekend.
    Once the matinee performance was over,  it was time for BBQ. The other rodeo queens, Jolye, Ritcha and I packed into a car like sardines: we were all ready for some food! By the time we finished eating, it was time to rodeo one last time. Before mounting for the grand entry, I visited with a young mother, her daughter, and another young boy.  After talking with the two children,  I asked the mom how old the little boy was, and found out he did not belong to her. I then asked the boy where he came from, and his answer was, “my Momma”. We all cracked up laughing and he just continued to hang out with us. After a few minutes he started sniffing me – yes, sniffing me! I asked him if I smelled funny, to which he replied with a big ole, “Uh huh, you do!” I was shocked, to say the least.  I asked what I smelled like, thinking he would say horses or cows, but he sniffed me again and said “pineapples” with a crinkled nose. Talk about never knowing what a child will say….
      After that, it was time to hop on our horses and get ready for grand entry. I am so thankful for the Treadway Rodeo Company and their wonderful staff. They were all so kind and welcoming. I even got to swap some trick riding stories with the two trick riders who performed at the rodeo. One of the things I love most about rodeo and the western way of life is that you never meet a stranger. I am looking forward to working with the famous Treadway Rodeo Company again throughout my year and making more memories!
     I am currently getting ready for my next rodeo (and considering trying out a different body spray so that I don’t smell like pineapple, since kids apparently don’t like that).  Does anybody have any guesses as to where my next rodeo will be? Here is a hint: I will be soaking up the sunshine and salt water down south.

“Hello, I’m Miss Rodeo USA 2021, Kylee Campbell” - boy hearing myself say that, it still doesn’t feel real! Those who know me, know that being Miss Rodeo USA has been a goal of mine since I was 10. When I first dreamed of being a cowgirl and wearing a crown, I knew very little about all the hard work and preparation that goes into what it takes to wear the Miss Rodeo USA crown!  Six days of being tested on your equine science, rodeo and current event knowledge along with prepared speeches and impromptu questions that could literally be anything; not to mention those beautiful outfits you get to show off!  As I got older and realized all that went into being a rodeo queen, it just made me want it more.
 
I can truthfully say the Miss Rodeo USA pageant was an experience I would never want to trade. I met some of the best people from across our country thanks to this organization and made friends for life. The early mornings, late nights, and long days in between were made so much easier thanks to the support and camaraderie between the girls I competed with. That’s what rodeo is though, a sport where you give your competitor a leg up when needed and push them to be THEIR very best no matter the outcome. During the whole competition we all built each other up and we were there for one another if something didn’t go as planned. Before coronation I was expecting to have all kinds of nerves running through me- those didn’t hit until they were announcing placings! Instead I just thought “This is my 10-year-old dream coming true. I made it to the Miss Rodeo USA competition, I’m at the infamous Lazy E and have learned so much about rodeo and myself from my experiences through rodeo queening.” I didn’t have nerves, I just was soaking up every detail of the rodeo, the rodeo competitors, the fans, the lights and announcers. I didn’t seem to be worried about placing because I knew I did my absolute best and was proud of the improvements I had made on my rodeo queen journey.
 
When you hear people say “it’s a whirlwind once you are announced as Miss Rodeo USA” they aren’t lying!! I had so much adrenaline and emotions running through me, I felt like I just ran a 5K! Shout out to Heather Morrison (Miss Rodeo USA 2019) for making sure I downed two glasses of water- it was needed! I was fortunate to have my Grandparents, Mom, and step-Dad along with my second mom who I call Mama Juju and her husband. Although my whole family wasn’t able to make it out, my best friend who I met through rodeo queening years ago ,surprised me during the first performance. Again, you make friends for life in this ‘biz! After the Gold Buckle Presentation, announcement of World Champions, and contract signing it was off to Arkansas for me and my best friend who surprised me to have pictures done with our pageant photographer and sponsor Sherry Smith of Sherry Smith Photography. I’ve never had an actual full on professional photo shoot and Sherry made my first experience one I will remember for a lifetime! Normally after pictures girls will go home and try to catch up on sleep, apparently, I like to be on the road. I drove home to grab some extra clothes, and then headed off to Jackson, Mississippi! With Johnny and June playing on my radio I was rockin’ and rollin’ down the highway! Keep an eye out for my next blog to hear, or rather read, about my adventures in Jackson!