Granny's Quilts of Love

I called up my grandma to see if they needed help serving food, setting up or handing out items at the upcoming auction. Instead, she invited me as 2013 Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks to help draw door prizes!

I attended the 10th Annual Granny's Quilts of Love Auction on Saturday August 24th. This year over 280 baskets of items from local companies was donated and over $16,000.00 was raised! That's a new record. This organization of sweet ladies makes quilts for children at Arkansas Children's Hospital; all of the proceeds to go to purchase the material. These quilts are more than just gifts, they are a representation of hope, home and love for kids who do not always have those three things. 

I spent Saturday evening in my hometown, visiting with old friends and families and of course, making a few new ones!

This ain't my first rodeo. Actually it is.

Okay so it wasn’t exactly my first but it was my first appearance as Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks, the first to pull my gooseneck trailer by myself that long of a distance and first rodeo for my new horse.\

As you may know, anything that involves horses usually takes longer than expected. I figured in an extra two hours because I had to go pick up my little brother, Chris, and then head to the ranch to get my horse, Maximus. Of course my little brother had not yet had lunch so we stopped at the diner in town and hit the road to Rush Springs Ranch, where I had been working with my horse throughout the week. I get my boyfriends’ big Dodge Cummins backed up to my trailer and crank the hitch over the ball, perfectly lined up but… my gooseneck wouldn’t latch. Yes the hitch had unaligned and it would not set down right. After an hour and a half of struggling and sweating, I along with the great help of my “never wrong” 13 year old brother, a 14 year old girl who stays around the ranch and three dogs. We got it hooked up and ready to go.

The Madison County parade was supposed to start at 3pm. We pulled into Huntsville, AR at fifteen after and made it up the treacherously steep hill to the rodeo grounds; only to find out that the parade was in town. So we made a U-turn and I called a co-worker of mine to get directions to the parade. We pulled in just as it was about to start and I was not dressed in my shirt, crown and sash nor was my horse saddled! First mistake.

As the parade line came into sight I was prepping my little brother. “Okay Chris, when we pull in, it’s going to be a little crazy. I need you to get everything out of the back of the truck and put in the living quarters so I can get ready. While you’re doing that I’m going to get Max ready. When we finish, take Shiloh and go sit with Jerri Faye and her son. She’s parked over there (I point to her blue Silverado, she greets us with a big wave and her small town smile.)”

Max handled his first parade like a champ! After the parade, we visited with Jerri Faye and her son, Dugger rode Max around. When we were almost back to the rodeo grounds I somehow managed to put the truck into fourth instead of first gear.. and killed it. With a line of vehicles behind us, I couldn’t get the truck started because my legs barely reach the floor so I slammed in the clutch in three hard times and still couldn’t get the motor to turn over. Thankfully, rodeo is about helping others out and a man walked up to start my truck and get us parked. For the rest of the evening, Chris and I hung out, had sonic drinks, ate peanuts, I worked Max in the arena and gave Chris a little riding lesson.  Max did so well the entire time and it was so much to help with the Muttin Bustin and stick horse grand entry. I love seeing kids get excited about rodeo! Despite our initial setbacks, it was an overall successful “first rodeo.”

We learned the following:

Make sure your trailer is in full working condition. Know WHERE you are supposed to be. Put a radio and sunscreen in the trailer. Be sure you can start the truck you’re driving. Always keep smiling because it could be worse!

Life Changing

On July 6th 2013, Boyd Polhamus called our names over the echoing sound system as the crowd of several thousand cheered. The six of us flew into the arena knowing that there was no turning back. The week of public appearances, interviews, speeches, horsemanship, friendships and rodeo was behind us and the moment of truth was upon us. 
Our horses could feel our anticipation as they pranced underneath us because our nerves were on end. It was hard to hear to the announcements. Not because of the noise from the fans but the sound in my saying a prayer that my preparation was enough to make the cut. The awards seemed to take a lifetime but for everyone else it was only a few short minutes. "Your new 2013 Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks... is... Kelsey Parmenter!" I could not believe it. I do not know how my horse knew to move forward because I think I was too excited to ask her too.

I have previously received several runner-up titles but God new that the timing at the rodeo was not right. I had a lot to learn and even more to work for before being prepared to have a title.I sold my horses in order to attend college and originally view this as a setback but through riding other people’s horses I have had the opportunity to learn from several very talented riders that I may not have otherwise. As a financially independent college student, I have faced a number of obstacles but none to challenging to overcome with the help of family and friends. The hours spent studying and practicing has been well worth it because it is what I genuinely enjoy. From riding lessons to honest opinions about outfits and from speech rehearsals to quizzing me on current events, I wouldn’t be half as prepared without the help of others. If it weren’t for those who helped me along the way, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

I am ecstatic to write the next chapter in my life and hope that you'll come along for the ride!

"Ride with passion & Rope your dreams!"