Northwest Horse Expo

Last weekend I got the chance to ride in the Northwest Horse Expo, not only representing my pony's breed (POA) but also as the Eugene Pro Rodeo Queen! Friday through Sunday, the Oregon POA Club had a ten minute slot to ride in the arena. On Saturday, March 20th, we rode in the main arena and I got to do my first official run-in as queen! I was already pretty pumped and I was even more excited when I actually heard a some people cheering for me when they made my introduction. Right after getting off, my pony and I got stuck in the congestion of people outside and I got off to remove my chaps and a little girl came and asked to pet Dusty. I said yes, if she didn't mind a sweaty pony. (Ten minutes of being amped up in the arena!) She had a good time and told me about the pony she was going to get when she grows up and I remembered why I love this job out of all of the horse things I've ever done.

The weekend was long, lots of driving back and forth from Springfield to Albany, but I definitly had a blast. And since our arena slots were so late in the day, I got lots of laughs and comments on my hot rollers in my hair! And even more comments asking how I keep my white jeans and white pony clean! And I learned it is very hard to try to warm up a hyper pony with hot rollers in! A lady even asked if she could take a picture of me trying to ride with them. I declined :)
The next appearance I plan on being at will be the Yoncalla Rodeo Tryouts on April 10th. That way I can represent my rodeo, visit some old friends from my reign in 2008 and help out a couple friends trying out. Good luck Katie and Whitney!

My Coronation- March 15, 2010

It's hard to think the coronation was less than 2 weeks ago! I have already bagan the hectic preparations for the rodeo season!
First of all, I want  thank the girls that tried out for Miss Eugene, Jessica Shaffer and Whitney Richey. It was great to see the hard work that everyone put in and getting to know Jessica. I'm very thankful that Whitney was there, becaue we were both on The Yoncalla Rodeo court in 2008 together and I definitly needed someone to vent with at the tryouts when my WHITE hat came off during our first flag run. Talk about a nightmare! Good luck to Whitney who is trying out for the South Douglas Queen title this weekend, hope to see both of you at the rodeo this summer!

Well the coronation was in the Feed Room at Oregon Horse Center and I was surprised to see the entire room fill up! Earlier that day, Beth Oberst (family friend and OHSET drill coach) assisted me in picking out the perfect brown pants for my becoming-queen-outfit, which was a huge help. So many people came out to support me and I am very greatful! I was happy to have Natalie Napier be visiting royalty as the 2009 Sutherlin Stampede Queen. She was also part of the Yoncalla court in 2008.

Many MANY picutres later, (thanks mom) I got to talk with a few of the people who make the Eugene Pro Rodeo a success, like the owner of Oregon Horse Center, Major Defoe; the announcer, Wayne White; and the 2008/2009 Queen, Rachel Anderson. I also met some people from the rodeo committee like Chris and Miranda Sloan, Larry Von Moos and his wife Char, and many others! I look forward to working with everyone and having a great year.
Dusty and I look forward to traveling the state as the Eugene Pro Rodeo Queen and Cute-Pony :)