September 08th, 2021

    The 15th annual Sandy Oaks Rodeo in Edgefield, South Carolina was one for the books. Ed and Traci David were not only my host family for the weekend, but also work with Helios Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation Center, who sponsor theSandy Oaks rodeo. On Thursday we had a sponsorship supper at the rodeo arena where rodeo committee members, sponsors, the rodeo clown and specialty act gathered to fellowship together. We all exchanged stories about rodeo and I even got to share some of my favorite corny jokes! Once we got back “home” for the night, we made a game plan to visit sponsors in Appling, Georgia and Edgefield, South Carolina before the rodeo Friday evening. While visiting sponsors, Ed asked me if I knew who Paul Revere is. Of course I said yes, and when I asked why, he told me I would be meeting him. Thinking he was joking, I laughed it off, but later that day I got to meet Paul Revere who is the county sheriff, a pastor, and was a third grade teacher for 34 years. I made him show me his driver’s license just to be sure they were not pulling my leg. Along with sponsor visits, we spent some time visiting with the horses and workers at Helios Equine Rehab. If you are in the southeast and are looking for topnotch equine therapy for your horse, make your way to Helios. After sponsor visits, meeting Paul Revere, and checking out the equipment at Helios it was getting close to rodeo time. Ed let me take his new truck for a spin to the rodeo grounds, which was like Christmas for me. Once I got to the rodeo grounds, I met up with Pam Treadway of Treadway Rodeo Company, the stock contractors for the rodeo, who I have not seen since my first rodeo in February. After a quick catchup, we made our game plan and I went to hop on “Semi” her retired western pleasure AQHA paint. My job for the night was to run sponsor flags with Haven Jarman, the Miss American Bull Riders Tour Queen. I have ran sponsor flags all year; however, this rodeo I rode on four wheels instead of four legs. Haven was the best driver I could have asked for on the Kubota that carried the Helios Equine Rehab flag, even if we almost ran into the arena gates a few times. 
 
    Saturday morning was an early one for Ed, Traci and me. We switched things up and started our morning with a trail ride at Foxboro Farms, English style! It had been roughly a year since I rode English, and I had a blast riding the farm with a group of great people. Although I was in Ariat jeans and my Lane cowboy boots, I was having the time of my life riding English. After a morning trail ride and a quick bite at a local Mexican restaurant, we had enough time to change clothes, grill, and have steak before rodeo time in Edgefield. Saturday before the opening ceremony, a friend I met during last year’s Miss Rodeo USA Clinic, Brittany Baker, and her mom surprised me. All through the night, they would stop by my “horse” for the night, say hi, and share stories. Rodeo family is a unique and one of the best types of family to have. After passing out autograph sheets and talking with the people of Edgefield, I helped Haven load up and take care of horses and said my goodbyes to the Treadway Rodeo Company crew. 
 
    Be on the lookout for me in Northeast Tennessee with the Spur’n S Rodeo Company! We will be throwing down rodeo style in Mountain City September 10-11, so bring the whole family and enjoy our western lifestyle with us.