In the mean time and between time...

I just glanced down at my planner to make a Spring Break schedule and in big letters on Monday, the first thing you'll see is "SLEEP IN!!" While my Spring Break is about to be filled with photo shoots, work, riding and volunteering, I don't mind a bit because I am absolutely in love with what I do!

I get to come to work and watch the sun go down behind a stadium that tells a story of 70 years of tradition. I wish those bleachers could talk because the stories they could tell would be quite amazing. My job as the Parsons Stadium social media marketer, helping the secretary with upcoming events and behind the scenes work has given me the opportunity to work closely with the rodeo board and stay current with events.

This past month has been filled with a little bit of Nashville, TN, local events and lots of school work. Let me first disclose that I am not complaining because I love attending the University of Arkansas and I know it will pay off but this semester has been a true challenge to keep up with all of my classes. I can usually get away with a few easy classes and few harder ones. This semester, they are all hard and time consuming!

While Nashville was not rodeo related; I was requested by the National Rural Electric Cooperative to be a chaperon for some 47 high school students from across the United States. In 2010-2011 I was honored by being the Arkansas representative and enjoy returning to play a part in making it a memorable trip for the current representatives! I was able to catch up with some great friends of mine and play a part in the NRECA National Convention by carrying the American flag in front of some 14,000 (I was corrected) cooperative members.

Several weeks ago I attended the Springdale Chamber of Commerce After Hours, hosted at the Parson's Stadium Community Building. It was a great evening of networking and visiting with influential members of the community as they enjoyed refreshments, food and prize drawings.

On March 8th, I was excited to take part in the 4th Annual Denim & Diamonds Gala held at Cherokee Casino it included a night of entertainment, live and silent auction and a steak dinner! There was some 270 plus in attendance and over $28,000 was raised to benefit the scholarship and youth funds presented by the Rodeo of the Ozarks and Springdale Benevolent Foundation. It was encouraging to see so many people willing to support the youth of their communities and help build the future of agriculture. During the event, Miss Rodeo Old Fort Days, Jessica, and myself sold iPad raffle tickets and visited with attendees as they arrived. Very few things can match a good time catching up with great friends!

With Sponsor, David Edwards, owner of
Lone Creek Performance Horses!

Last Friday, I took a day to thank a few of my sponsors and stopped in at the Pea Ridge Vet Clinic, Pea Ridge Arvest and ended the day with a trail ride at Rush Springs Ranch. At the ranch, we tested out a few new trails created by owner, Russ Van Elk. If you are looking for something to do with your kids on their spring break, be sure to check out Rush Springs as they have trail rides, buggy tours, camp grounds, extreme off roading tracks and anything in between!

In the mean time and in between time, I will be headed to Springfield on Saturday for Horsefest plus April has so much in store! Happy Spring Y'all!

Credit where Credit is Due

I am constantly posting about all of the events, rodeos, schools and local volunteer opportunities that I participate in but all to often I forget to mention those that make it possible. Without my sponsors, I literally could not do my job. The duties of a rodeo queen can be overwhelmingly expensive; from chaps and belts to diesel and repairs. My sponsors are so generous and simply inspiring. Their willingness to help me reach my dreams has encouraged me to give back in the same way when I am financially stable and able.

One of my largest supporters is my Farm Credit of Western Arkansas family. After two years of employment and making some of my closest friends there, I cannot be more thankful for their monetary help and overall supportiveness. FCS opened up opportunities and helped me gain experiences that I undoubtedly could not have done otherwise.

I am grateful to Pea Ridge Veterinary Clinic and Arvest Bank of Pea Ridge for their financial support. It is such an honor to recieve support from the community where I grew up; they shaped me into who I am and I am so glad to call Pea Ridge my home town.

Lone Creek Performance Horses has played a HUGE and irreplaceable part by donating my beautiful autograph sheets. I met Davids Edwards at Rodeo of the Ozarks last year and he quickly became my friend. His enthusiastic willingness to help me is such a blessing.

Rush Springs Ranch is another family that I am proud to be a part of; after riding there several summers, I have grown close to the owner and workers. Rush Springs Ranch paid my entry fee for the contest in addition to gave me a horse to use throughout the year. Maximus, my sponsored horse, was not being used and needed some polishing. Owner, Russ Van Elk, quickly offered to sponsor him to me during my rein. Max and I have become quite a team; as I work with him and he has taught me so much.

I have my great friend, Nicole Shelton,  to thank for my awesome photograhpy on my autograph sheets. Nicole Shelton Photography does a great job at making you feel special during your photoshoot and is so such a sweet young lady to work with.

The Rodeo of the Ozarks Board of Directors has quickly become another extension of my family. I have turned to them with any needs and they are quick to meet them. I am overwhelmed by their continued support and willingness to help. 

Various others have supported through monetary contributions for gas to rodeos, trucks to pull my gooseneck and even new tires on my truck. I never dreamed that becoming Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks was a dream I would fulfill and the experience has been a hundred times more rewarding than I imagined.

When looking back over this list. I realized that I repeatedly use the word "family" to describe my networking throughout the year but that is truly what my supporters have become. My family.