Hey guys! Boy have I been busy the last couple weeks… The weekend of June 3, 4 & 5, I was in Licking, MO. This was a fantastic rodeo produced by the Licking Chamber of Commerce and the outstanding stock was provided by Mr. Johnny Walters of Mid-States Rodeo Company. Every night we had great rodeo action that kept the fans on the edge of their seats. Their funny bone was constantly tickled all weekend by the great John Harrison. He is also an amazingly skilled trick rider.
During the day on Friday, McKenna and I went around town visiting with the local business people and thanking them for sponsoring the rodeo. Everyone was great and seemed to really appreciate us coming and seeing them. It was also great for us being able to meet the people from town; the ones who help make the rodeo possible every year. For lunch, we headed down to P.J.’s Café, another great sponsor. Along with being able to eat some great food, we also met a local farmer and former team roper. He was great! He was one of the original people who helped bring the rodeo to Licking over 20 years ago.
Saturday was the parade and rodeo festivities in and around Downtown. To start the day off, they had McKenna and I judge the cutest cowboy/cowgirl contest. This was so not fair!!! Every one of them was so cute and deserved to win. Of course they would not let us do that so we had to pick. While talking with the kids, congratulating them on their placing, one of the girls had her guitar with her. Of course we had to have her sing us a song. She did a wonderful job of singing Jesus Loves Me. She was adorable!
After we made our difficult decisions and chatted with the kids, we headed down the street to do a little shoppin’! There was so much great stuff to choose from. After we worked up a sweat from shopping and signing a few autographs, we headed down to Hoods Frosty Treats to cool off and have some lunch. Since we received some coupons for a free ice cream cone from Landmark Bank we of course had to get a cone. Let me tell you it was the absolute BEST ice cream I have had in a very long time! I had a long internal fight with myself not to get another cone:). If I lived near Licking, I would probably have to buy some bigger jeans!!
I had a great time in Licking. The rodeo went great and everyone was, once again, extremely nice and very helpful.
From Licking, I had to go to Oklahoma City for the week. I attended a training all week fro my “real” job at NRCS. I had a good time and learned a lot more about all the great ways NRCS helps farmers and others with conservation efforts. After class, I was able to study for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant and get some stuff done that needed to be finished up. In all it was a very productive week.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Carthage Saddle Club Rodeo in Carthage, MO. I unfortunately had to miss the TV and Radio interviews on Friday mornings as my training did not end until noon. McKenna was not very happy with me that I got to “sleep in” until 6:30 am and she had to get up at 3:45 am to be ready for TV. From what I hear everything went great and the guys that went along with her gave her a hard time for me! :)
The rodeo Friday night went very well, all except a few moments! Unfortunately, for me, during the National Anthem I got bucked off! It does not happen very often but it definitely happened Friday night. I guess Dandy, the horse I was riding, decided he was in charge and wanted me to know he did not agree with what was going on! But all was well, neither I nor Dandy was hurt. Do not worry Tim Fuller, the announcer, gave me a hard time about it and let everyone know Saturday night what happened! Thanks Tim:)!!!
After I knocked off the dirt, assured Dandy’s owners that I was ok and it was not a big deal, it was time to run the steers out for the Steer Wrestling. So back out Dandy and I went. He was a perfect gentleman the rest of the night and Saturday night as well. Guess he was over his tiff! Lol
During the day Saturday, McKenna and I had a couple sponsor visits. The first stop was a store called Race Bros. Let me tell you they have a little bit of everything you could possibly need for you home or farm. And everything was priced to sell! Along with talking and visiting with the wonderful owners and staff, I was also able to squeeze in a little shopping. A great pair of jeans, sweet sign for the house I do not have yet and an awesome ring later, I was ready for lunch!
After a very entertaining and delicious lunch at the Chinese buffet, it was off to John Hoffer Dodge. McKenna and I got to looking at the new Dodge truck and noticed a brand-spanking new Dodge Challenger sitting in front of the truck. Oh it was so pretty and we just had to check it out! The very nice guys inside the show room went ahead and unlocked the doors for us; I do not think they knew what they were getting into! So as we are sitting in it being goofy and taking pictures, the salesman says, “Hey why don’t ya take it for a spin?” I tried to talk him out of it, I swear :) So McKenna and I took it for a drive through town waving and honking at everyone we passed. I did not get to “floor” it or anything crazy like that because the manager was sitting in the back seat making sure I did not get too carried away. But that is ok because it was still AMAZING to get the opportunity to drive such an awesome car like that!
The rodeo Saturday night went great! I did not get bucked off!! Haha
I would like to thank everyone who had anything to do with both the Licking and Carthage rodeos. Without you it would not have been possible. Thank you for inviting me and allowing me to help represent your rodeos. I had a great time at both rodeos. Everyone was extremely helpful and so very nice! I can not wait to come back when I am able to run barrels again!
Well I have a break for a couple weeks until my next rodeo. I will spend this time unpacking and cleaning my room (it is a disaster zone right now!). As well as preparing for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. I hope all is well with you and your family and stays that way!
Until next time, Happy Trails and God Bless,
Erin Watts
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Franklin, Tn
The day before I left for Franklin, TN, I got an awesome surprise/gift…. My boots from Dan Post!! First impression, WOW! These are awesome looking, can’t wait to wear them this weekend. When I got to wear them, there were very comfortable and looked great! I totally recommend anyone to go out and get a pair. Dan Post has a great selections and they look and feel amazing!
I had such a fantastic time at the Franklin Rodeo. Everyone there was so nice and helpful. We had a couple of history lessons that were fascinating and very informative. Thursday morning, I arrived bright and early to watch the slack. Afterwards we had a luncheon with the Franklin Rotary Club; they are the driving force behind this great rodeo. All the money raised from this years rodeo went to help the recent flood victims right there in Franklin and surrounding areas.
After the luncheon, we were able to go to the historic Carter House. The Battle of Franklin (Civil War) took place in the back and side yards here. During the battle the Carter Family along with neighbors hid in the basement! The house was so neat. This sort of stuff is really interesting to me, to learn individual stories such as this, about the history of our great country. Our tour guide was fantastic, she knew so much about the family and area. She could almost take you back in time and feel like you were there!
Thursday night started the rodeo action! Many current, past and future World Champions were entered. It was exciting for the fans to be able to see them in their home town.
Friday morning, we watched the horsemanship portion for the Ms. Rodeo Tennessee pageant. Lauren and Breezy did great. Afterwards, we had some down time before lunch, so we all headed downtown, where we planned to visit some shops, but we were distracted by the yogurt shop we walked past. So of course, we stopped in for a before lunch treat! After that we headed to Shane’s BBQ for lunch, which was fantastic. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend stopping and sampling their great BBQ.
On Friday night, Ms. Rodeo Iowa Jordanne Blair received a phone call no one wants to receive; her brother was in a terrible ATV accident. An update…. He is already improving by leaps and bounds, but still has a long road ahead. So, if you could, please keep the Blair family in your prayers. I know it would help them all! Thanks…
Saturday afternoon, Ms. Kelly Azevado, TN Pageant Director, had a special treat for all of the queens… a tea party!!! Now, for the ones of you who know me, I can hear you all laughing!! Thinking “Yeah right, Watts at a tea party!” But it was a lot of fun… We all got dressed up in our Sunday dresses, complete with the big floppy hats! The Homestead Manor Plantation is another historic house from pre-civil war. It has recently been turned into a tea room. It was such an amazing experience to attend a tea party. This is very far from my normal activities! But it was so much fun and no one dropped or broke anything!!!
Saturday night wrapped up the rodeo and the Miss Rodeo TN Pageant. Lauren Berner is the new Ms. Teen TN Rodeo and Ms. Breezy Smith is the new Miss TN Rodeo Queen. Congratulations to both girls. I can’t wait to see them again.
I would like to take this time to thank everyone who helped out anyway with the rodeo, the pageant and all the visiting queens. Everyone made it a wonderful experience. I can’t wait to come back next year just to watch! Also can’t wait to see my fellow queens, Jordanne, Ms. Rodeo Iowa and Heather Hall, Ms. Rodeo Florida at our next big function! We all had a great time!
That’s all I have for now! I have a slight break for a couple of weeks, where I am going to work on obtaining new sponsors before the Licking and Carthage, MO rodeos. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.
Until next time have fun and God Bless,
Erin Watts
I had such a fantastic time at the Franklin Rodeo. Everyone there was so nice and helpful. We had a couple of history lessons that were fascinating and very informative. Thursday morning, I arrived bright and early to watch the slack. Afterwards we had a luncheon with the Franklin Rotary Club; they are the driving force behind this great rodeo. All the money raised from this years rodeo went to help the recent flood victims right there in Franklin and surrounding areas.
After the luncheon, we were able to go to the historic Carter House. The Battle of Franklin (Civil War) took place in the back and side yards here. During the battle the Carter Family along with neighbors hid in the basement! The house was so neat. This sort of stuff is really interesting to me, to learn individual stories such as this, about the history of our great country. Our tour guide was fantastic, she knew so much about the family and area. She could almost take you back in time and feel like you were there!
Thursday night started the rodeo action! Many current, past and future World Champions were entered. It was exciting for the fans to be able to see them in their home town.
Friday morning, we watched the horsemanship portion for the Ms. Rodeo Tennessee pageant. Lauren and Breezy did great. Afterwards, we had some down time before lunch, so we all headed downtown, where we planned to visit some shops, but we were distracted by the yogurt shop we walked past. So of course, we stopped in for a before lunch treat! After that we headed to Shane’s BBQ for lunch, which was fantastic. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend stopping and sampling their great BBQ.
On Friday night, Ms. Rodeo Iowa Jordanne Blair received a phone call no one wants to receive; her brother was in a terrible ATV accident. An update…. He is already improving by leaps and bounds, but still has a long road ahead. So, if you could, please keep the Blair family in your prayers. I know it would help them all! Thanks…
Saturday afternoon, Ms. Kelly Azevado, TN Pageant Director, had a special treat for all of the queens… a tea party!!! Now, for the ones of you who know me, I can hear you all laughing!! Thinking “Yeah right, Watts at a tea party!” But it was a lot of fun… We all got dressed up in our Sunday dresses, complete with the big floppy hats! The Homestead Manor Plantation is another historic house from pre-civil war. It has recently been turned into a tea room. It was such an amazing experience to attend a tea party. This is very far from my normal activities! But it was so much fun and no one dropped or broke anything!!!
Saturday night wrapped up the rodeo and the Miss Rodeo TN Pageant. Lauren Berner is the new Ms. Teen TN Rodeo and Ms. Breezy Smith is the new Miss TN Rodeo Queen. Congratulations to both girls. I can’t wait to see them again.
I would like to take this time to thank everyone who helped out anyway with the rodeo, the pageant and all the visiting queens. Everyone made it a wonderful experience. I can’t wait to come back next year just to watch! Also can’t wait to see my fellow queens, Jordanne, Ms. Rodeo Iowa and Heather Hall, Ms. Rodeo Florida at our next big function! We all had a great time!
That’s all I have for now! I have a slight break for a couple of weeks, where I am going to work on obtaining new sponsors before the Licking and Carthage, MO rodeos. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.
Until next time have fun and God Bless,
Erin Watts
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Pocatello, Id
Hey everyone!! Sorry it's been so long, I will try to do better!! My trip to the DNCFR in Pocatello, Idaho was awesome. I had so much fun. I really got to know the other girls a lot better. The trip out there wasn't the best but hey I finally made it and that's all that matters.
On Tuesday night we all got dressed up in our beautiful dresses and went to the Kick-Off party. We were introduced and then able to mingle with all the guests. It went very well. This rodeo, for the queens, was a little different than most of us were used to. We were given a schedule of places to go and when the vans were leaving. We were to pick where we wanted to go for the day and jump in that van. For most of the week, Iowa, Illinois, Idaho, Florida and I stayed with the best van driver EVER, Fred. He was great and told us all about Pocatello and some of it's history along the way. During the days we went to numerous places around town to help promote the rodeo and thank all the generous sponsors. We went to schools, radio stations, hospitals, and an assisted living home. At the hospital we also got to see the Air Evac helicopter. That was really cool to see and hear just how fast it could go! Something like 200 miles/hour!
On Wednesday morning before our practice for the opening, Shane Passey of Lone Wolf Boot & Saddle Repair in Arimo, Idaho presented each one of us queens with our very own custom made flag boot. They are beautiful and so thoughtful. A few years ago, he had seen a girl in a bad wreck due to not using a flag boot and has since made them for queens who come to the rodeo. Thank you so much Shane, they are awesome!
Each night we attended the rodeo. We got to help with the opening and also run sponsor flags. I got an awesome horse named Garfield from Sutton Rodeo. He was a great horse who knew his job and did it well! Now if only I can be so lucky to have ones just like him the rest of the year! Or figure out how to rig it so I can! lol
One afternoon we had a few hours of free time, very rare! Seeing is how it was April in Idaho and the mountains still had a lot of snow left, we just had to go. Heather, Miss Rodeo Florida, had never seen snow in person and really, really wanted to go. So us girls in the van bit the bullet and went with her... We are from the Midwest, we've seen plenty lol. So up to Pebble Creek we went to play in the snow. It was actually a lot of fun, probably just because we had a great time seeing Heather experience it for the first time.
On Saturday morning we had the privilege of attending and helping out with the special kids rodeo. These events are one of my favorites and every time reminds me of how lucky I am to be Miss Rodeo Missouri. I am so lucky to be able to spend an hour or so with these great kids and help put a smile on their face as well as them keeping me in stitches the whole time!! I got to be Colton's helper and rodeo with him for the morning. This was his third year to attend and he even talked a couple of his friends into coming. His favorite thing of course was riding the horses. I was also able to talk him into trying to rope the bale and take a spin on the "bucking" horse and bull. We both had a great time getting to rodeo together.
I had a great time and met a lot of really neat people out there. I want to thank everyone who had anything to do with the rodeo and my stay. It was fantastic!!!
Until next time,
Erin Watts
On Tuesday night we all got dressed up in our beautiful dresses and went to the Kick-Off party. We were introduced and then able to mingle with all the guests. It went very well. This rodeo, for the queens, was a little different than most of us were used to. We were given a schedule of places to go and when the vans were leaving. We were to pick where we wanted to go for the day and jump in that van. For most of the week, Iowa, Illinois, Idaho, Florida and I stayed with the best van driver EVER, Fred. He was great and told us all about Pocatello and some of it's history along the way. During the days we went to numerous places around town to help promote the rodeo and thank all the generous sponsors. We went to schools, radio stations, hospitals, and an assisted living home. At the hospital we also got to see the Air Evac helicopter. That was really cool to see and hear just how fast it could go! Something like 200 miles/hour!
On Wednesday morning before our practice for the opening, Shane Passey of Lone Wolf Boot & Saddle Repair in Arimo, Idaho presented each one of us queens with our very own custom made flag boot. They are beautiful and so thoughtful. A few years ago, he had seen a girl in a bad wreck due to not using a flag boot and has since made them for queens who come to the rodeo. Thank you so much Shane, they are awesome!
Each night we attended the rodeo. We got to help with the opening and also run sponsor flags. I got an awesome horse named Garfield from Sutton Rodeo. He was a great horse who knew his job and did it well! Now if only I can be so lucky to have ones just like him the rest of the year! Or figure out how to rig it so I can! lol
One afternoon we had a few hours of free time, very rare! Seeing is how it was April in Idaho and the mountains still had a lot of snow left, we just had to go. Heather, Miss Rodeo Florida, had never seen snow in person and really, really wanted to go. So us girls in the van bit the bullet and went with her... We are from the Midwest, we've seen plenty lol. So up to Pebble Creek we went to play in the snow. It was actually a lot of fun, probably just because we had a great time seeing Heather experience it for the first time.
On Saturday morning we had the privilege of attending and helping out with the special kids rodeo. These events are one of my favorites and every time reminds me of how lucky I am to be Miss Rodeo Missouri. I am so lucky to be able to spend an hour or so with these great kids and help put a smile on their face as well as them keeping me in stitches the whole time!! I got to be Colton's helper and rodeo with him for the morning. This was his third year to attend and he even talked a couple of his friends into coming. His favorite thing of course was riding the horses. I was also able to talk him into trying to rope the bale and take a spin on the "bucking" horse and bull. We both had a great time getting to rodeo together.
I had a great time and met a lot of really neat people out there. I want to thank everyone who had anything to do with the rodeo and my stay. It was fantastic!!!
Until next time,
Erin Watts
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Hello
Hi everyone!! Welcome to the new Miss Rodeo Missouri blog. I guess the best way to start off is by introducing myself and telling you some of what I hope to do this year.
As you probably already know, I am Erin Watts. I am the 24 year old daughter of Brad and Whitney Watts. I live in Bloomfield, MO a small town just above the Bootheel. I work at the NRCS office in Dexter and New Madrid as an Office Automation Clerk. I absolutely LOVE my job. I have always rodeoed and had horses. I barrel race, team rope, breakaway rope and used to tie goats and run poles. But I quit goat tieing due to bad knees and lack of talent lol and since I really didn't like poles (read: lack of talent) so I have not run since the final round of my senior year of high school rodeo!!!
I am so honored to be your Miss Rodeo Missouri 2010 and am very excited to represent you this year. Since beginning my rein in January I have been to the Denver Stock Show and Rodeo, Missouri Equine Council Expo in Columbia, Mo, Sedelia, Mo's PRCA rodeo and Horse Fest in Springfield. Every place I have been as been a blast and a great oppurtunity to meet people and spread the word of this organization as well as Rodeo.
Throughout the rest of the year I will have to opportunity to travel the country as well as Missouri to different events. In fact I leave Monday for Pocatello, Idaho for the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo. I am super excited to have been invited to this rodeo. I will also go to the Cowboy Hall of Fame, Cheyenne Frontier Days and Rodeo, Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, Licking, Carthage, Ashland, Mo. to name just a few.
Most queens have a platform of sorts that they use to spread a message that they believe in throughout their year. When I was trying to decide what I wanted to pursue I made one up called Shine the Light. It started by wanting to shine the light that rodeo and equine activities are in fact not cruel to animals. That we care about and treat our animals with respect. While thinking about different angles of this issue and how I would be able to involve kids in it I expanded the platform. It is very important for us to research and see both sides of an issue, find the facts about it before forming your viewpoint on the issue. We are all guilty, including myself, of hearing someone's emotions on one side and believe that is the way we should feel also as they are very convincing. But we forget that it is in fact emotions and not facts. We need to use facts before jumping on the bandwagon so to speak. Animal rights and animal welfare are very good examples of this.
Okay enough rambling from me for the first of many, many blogs. I will tell you guys all about the Miss Rodeo Missouri Pageant and my travels as the year unfolds. I hope you guys enjoy!!
Until next time,
Erin Watts
As you probably already know, I am Erin Watts. I am the 24 year old daughter of Brad and Whitney Watts. I live in Bloomfield, MO a small town just above the Bootheel. I work at the NRCS office in Dexter and New Madrid as an Office Automation Clerk. I absolutely LOVE my job. I have always rodeoed and had horses. I barrel race, team rope, breakaway rope and used to tie goats and run poles. But I quit goat tieing due to bad knees and lack of talent lol and since I really didn't like poles (read: lack of talent) so I have not run since the final round of my senior year of high school rodeo!!!
I am so honored to be your Miss Rodeo Missouri 2010 and am very excited to represent you this year. Since beginning my rein in January I have been to the Denver Stock Show and Rodeo, Missouri Equine Council Expo in Columbia, Mo, Sedelia, Mo's PRCA rodeo and Horse Fest in Springfield. Every place I have been as been a blast and a great oppurtunity to meet people and spread the word of this organization as well as Rodeo.
Throughout the rest of the year I will have to opportunity to travel the country as well as Missouri to different events. In fact I leave Monday for Pocatello, Idaho for the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo. I am super excited to have been invited to this rodeo. I will also go to the Cowboy Hall of Fame, Cheyenne Frontier Days and Rodeo, Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, Licking, Carthage, Ashland, Mo. to name just a few.
Most queens have a platform of sorts that they use to spread a message that they believe in throughout their year. When I was trying to decide what I wanted to pursue I made one up called Shine the Light. It started by wanting to shine the light that rodeo and equine activities are in fact not cruel to animals. That we care about and treat our animals with respect. While thinking about different angles of this issue and how I would be able to involve kids in it I expanded the platform. It is very important for us to research and see both sides of an issue, find the facts about it before forming your viewpoint on the issue. We are all guilty, including myself, of hearing someone's emotions on one side and believe that is the way we should feel also as they are very convincing. But we forget that it is in fact emotions and not facts. We need to use facts before jumping on the bandwagon so to speak. Animal rights and animal welfare are very good examples of this.
Okay enough rambling from me for the first of many, many blogs. I will tell you guys all about the Miss Rodeo Missouri Pageant and my travels as the year unfolds. I hope you guys enjoy!!
Until next time,
Erin Watts
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)