God. Country. Rodeo

      Spur’n S Rodeo put on another successful, action packed weekend of rodeo in the Mountains of East Tennessee. The Mountain City Rodeo was a weekend filled with laughter, even outside of the arena. I rolled in to Mountain City Friday but got a little off track; the address I put in my GPS took me to somebody’s house where I was greeted by a giant white rooster! Chickens and I do nothave a good history, so I was quick to turn around. After driving around and getting verbal directions, I found the arena, which was hard to miss if you are on the right road. The arena was decorated with American flags, military flags and a designated trailer that had 13 American flags for each military member lost 3 weeks before the rodeo overseas. With the weekend being the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the opening ceremony was dedicated to remembering the tragic loss of American citizens and first responders, while still celebrating that we live in the Land of the Free. During the roping events, I helped push calves out, and when I wasn’t in the arena I was joined by Dallas Stalins. While I passed out autograph sheets, she sold trick ropes. Together we taught kids how to use the ropes, danced and sang along with the crowd and clown. Friday night came to a close and Dallas and I finished the night playing by the camper with her little cousin Colt. Saturday morning the owners of the Bed and Breakfast I stayed at made breakfast before I went on my way to Double C Western Wear. Eggs, fresh tomatoes and bacon never tasted so good! A huge thank you to Silver Keys B&B for welcoming me like family and making sure I was taken care of. I was greeted at Double C Western Wear by smiling faces of rodeo enthusiasts of all ages. The owners of Double C are no strangers to rodeo, Dianais a past high school rodeo queen and currently is a competitor in the cowgirls’ barrel racing. Diana and her crew would not let me leave empty handed and stocked me up with Double C merchandise. With only a few hours left until the final performance of the weekend, I made my way to the rodeo grounds. The stands were packed and everybody was ready for the rodeo. Throughout the rodeo, contestants, pickup men and even the judges all joined in the sing- alongs with Eugene Fowler, the rodeo clown. Spur’N S had yet another sold out rodeo weekend and I was thankful to be a part of it.  
​   The next weekend I joined another amazing family who rodeo together. The Brooks, the personnel of Southern Rodeo Company, and I spent a fantastic weekend in Gainesville, Georgia. The relief and joy I had when I pulled into the grounds and saw a fully covered rodeo arena was unbelievable. The whole weekend forecastcalled for rain, but it would not bother us a bit. Before thegates opened, the personnel, timers, and I spent some time catching up with one another. Dusty Myers and David Sharp were our clown and announcer for the rodeo, and the banter started early. Once rodeo time approached, I hopped on my mount for the weekend, Ole Yella. After the grand opening of the Seventh Assembly of Praise Rodeo, I visited with the crowd and signed autograph sheets. Dusty kept the crowd laughing with his acts, and the contestants brought the heat. During the rodeo, I met the North Carolina Rodeo Queen, Amber Welch and the new Sunbelt Ag Expo Rodeo Queen, Moira Taber. After chit- chatting and exchanging numbers, it was back to work for me, meeting the people of Gainesville and talking rodeo. Moira joined me again Saturday night in title. Shout out to Stacy Benton for always pulling through and providing great mount for rodeo queens.  Saturday night was standing room only. It is always great to rodeo with a full house! 
     My next two weekends will be busy, busy, busy! I will be joining The Lawrence County Cattlemen’s Association in Moulton, Alabama this next weekend. This will be my first rodeo back in my home state since May, and I cannotwait to see familiar faces in the crowd. My Lane Boots and I will be heading to Tennessee October 1st and 2nd to the 4th Annual FCA Rodeo in Lebanon. As always, keep your eyes peeled for my American Hat and Ariat Jeans. I may be in your hometown soon!