Queens n Things

In my opinion, Saturdays should be spent relaxing or doing house chores but not this one.

I started off Saturday morning off at 7am with a 7 mile jog in 29 degree weather, NO slacking because I am doing a half marathon, on March 30th!

Then spent some time with my family and grandparents that were in town from Texas and got  ready for the 3-hour trek to Conway.

I left at noon so I could make a stop in Russellville, Arkansas to see my second family and visit with them. While attending Arkansas Tech University, Houston and Carol Townsend took me in (you could say) and welcomed me into their family along with 2 horses, a donkey, several cats, 3 dogs and a raccoon. Stopping to see them helped to break the trip up a little.




I made it to Conway right on time to jump right into getting ready for the Miss Rodeo Arkansas 2014 Coronation & fundraiser. I had to opportunity to visit with several other reining queens as we participated in the fashion show and helped sell 50/50 raffle tickets. The fashion show was a whirlwind but so much fun! Ladies modeled western outfits by Barbara Ware Western Wear, Jewelry by Cali Worthen and clothes by The Flirty Chick. We also got to highlight the sponsor, Daniel's electric. The night was filled with entertainment, fashion and celebration as we officially welcomed Stephanie Kaeppel to her duties as Miss Rodeo Arkansas 2014. I am so excited to follow her adventures throughout the coming year! After the dinner and live auction, the queens congregated for pictures. We were asked to put our Daniel's Electric T-shirts back on to get a photo with the sponsor. I got caught up chatting (imagine that). So I rushed to change into my T-shirt and hurried back to the stage, we all get posed and put on our biggest smiles...  when the princess next to me graciously points out that my shirt was on backwards!! Of course that would happen... Leave it to me, to livin' things up a little. Thankfully, at that point, almost everyone had cleared out. I am not quite sure how I manage sometimes!

Thanks to Daniel's Electric, I already had a comfy T-Shirt on so I loaded up and headed for home around 8:15pm. Thankfully, Alma makes for the perfect Braums Ice Cream stop to give the extra kick I needed to stay awake. I enjoy road trips by myself because it gives me much needed time to reflect and think. It made me so excited to think about the possibility of one day being in Stephanie's shoes and embarking upon such a life changing experience. I concocted a game plan for the practice and preparation I plan to do as I prepare to hopefully become the next Miss Rodeo Arkansas! I made it home around 11:30pm. Ya know, people give me a hard time about driving my "old farm truck" but for a '93 model with 195,000 miles, he sure is reliable and probably has a lot less problems than most modern vehicles.

Wishing you much sunshine in the days to come!
KP

New Year, New Dreams

2013 was a year of some pretty huge changes. I transferred colleges. I became Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks, which is a huge milestone. I met a man who changed my life. I was sponsored a horse that has become my other half. I’ve changed jobs and changed back jobs. I began photography. I’ve been through family trials that are close to indescribable. Every time the roller coaster called Life seemed to bring me to lowest point, God pushed the cart back up and brought me back to the highest hill.

2013 was a crazy one but the year has shaped a bright future and changed my perspective on a lot of things. It made me decide to become an Agricultural attorney. Go big or go home. Right? It also made me decide to run for Miss Rodeo Arkansas.

Several years ago I would not have imagined myself in the boots that I am today. I didn’t have the opportunity to grow up on the back of a horse like most rodeo queens. But I have had the opportunity to grow up in a family of discipline. I want to overcome the stereotypes. I want to prove that if you have a dream; you can reach it with hard work and determination.

 I am a typical small town girl from a middle class dysfunctional family and divorced parents. I drive an old ’93 Ford. I am 5’2” on a good day, which makes mounting tall horses a workout. I have freckles that I can’t stand. I am average but I have a dream. It is my goal to be an example for children and a role model to those who don’t have one. I want to make kids realize their own dream and to have the opportunity to share a sport that I have fallen in love with. Rodeo has shaped me into who I am and I dream of the chance to share it with others.

In 2014 I plan to run for Miss Rodeo Arkansas. With past queens like Kirbi Allen, Shana Carter, Jessica Chitwood and Dilynn Dodd I have some big shoes to fill. But it is ladies like them who have inspired me. My work will be cut out for me because it is a big commitment. I will be riding every chance I get and learning every moment I can.

“Keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart.” May 2014 be a year of reaching your dreams!

Happy Fall Y'all

The smell of pumpkin spice everything, leaves changing into panoramic views, hot chocolate, campfires and sweatshirts. Ah yes, all the sensations of things starting to move in a slower pace... right? Wrong! After wrapping up the fall rodeos in Little Rock, I rolled right over into getting involved in my surrounding community. 

University of Arkansas fall break was on the 21st and 22nd of October, so I was finally able to attend a Rodeo of the Ozarks board meeting. I typically cannot because I have a Monday night class and meetings are held the 3rd Monday of each month. It was such a pleasure to spend some time with the board. They are so supportive and I am honored to be a part of their team! Get ready for some big plans at the 70th annual Rodeo of the Ozarks. 

That same week, I attended Kirbi's Fundraiser. She had a great turnout for her silent auction, chilli cookoff, city slicker rodeo fundraising event as she prepares to compete for the title of Miss Rodeo America this December. We enjoyed a day of crazy critters and some serious baggo winning! Best Wishes to Miss Kirbi as she heads to represent Arkansas, the sport of rodeo and the western way of life. 

The following Monday, I attended a Farm Credit Customer Appreciation Dinner. It is always an honor to attend Farm Credit events! Not only are they a fantastic sponsor and employer but my second family. Farm Credit of Western Arkansas embraces the true meaning of community involvement in more ways than we recognize. One of which, is the annual Customer Appreciation dinner. With about 200 in attendance, I'd say it was a hit!


Last Friday I was invited to Asbell Elementary to talk about Responsibility during their Red Ribbon Week. I forgot what it was like to have energy at 7:45am! With 450 elementary students assembled in the cafeteria, the day after Halloween it was quite the way to begin an early Friday. The students sang several interactive songs then I spoke about the importance of responsibility and some of my responsibilities as a rodeo queen.

Although the fall hasn't quite brought the slower pace, one may expect, I am not the least bit remorseful. I love everything that I do am honored to have the opportunity to play an active part in my community while promoting rodeo.