Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Silver Spur Rodeo, Florida

The day had finally come, but it seemed like it has taken forever to arrive! Maybe that was because my buddy Miss Rodeo Florida Jessica Davis had been texting me every day with a count down until the Silver Spurs PRCA Rodeo!“Sunshine state” Kissimmee Florida, here I come !!
Some how, I keep winding up at the airport in the very early morning hours. Usually there aren’t many people , but standing in line this particular morning I met a very nice young man from Arkansas also. I didn‘t get his name, but he was a charming twelve year old that was also heading to Florida to compete for the title of World Champion Mounted Shooter! He told me all about it and when I asked if he was nervous…… he just gave me a little grin and said “Nope.” His Mom then informed me that he had won the title the year before! How awesome is that?
I didn’t get to talk to him as long as I‘d liked, soon we were seated and on our way. I was especially excited for this trip. I have heard almost all of the good rodeo queen stories originate at the Silver Spurs Rodeo. I was also looking forward to meeting all eighteen state rodeo queens which would take part in the fun that week.
I was one of the last queens to arrive in Florida, so when I walked in for lunch that afternoon the table was lined with beautiful girls from all over the country. It was quite a sight even for me. I can’t imagine what the locals thought! After we had eaten, the day was booked with school visits. It was such a wonderful experience. All eighteen of us filled the small classrooms and each of us shared with the children some thing special about rodeo and the western way of life. Miss Rodeo Colorado Audra Dobbs even had a special rodeo song that we sang with every class we visited.
That night the Silver Spurs Little Miss Pageant was taking place. I’ve have to say that I’ve never seen such a bright group of young ladies. They are all destined for Miss Rodeo America! It was so much fun to see all the young girls compete and talk about their Florida history. Listening to them I learned all about the Florida “Crackers.” If your like me and not familiar with this, it is one of two things. A type of horse or a person who uses a whip to herd cattle out of the swamps. I seen both first hand while here. I rode a Cracker during one grand entry and a few of the Florida girls showed me just how the whip cracking technique is done. It’s one of the perks of being Miss Rodeo Arkansas and traveling, I learn so many new things !
The next morning we were off to more schools. I think my favorite part was seeing all the different questions the children would come up with at each school we visited. Miss Rodeo America Meagan Ridley did a fine job of answering their many questions. After all of our school visits ,we had a quick stop to change clothes and then we headed for the air boats! I had never experienced this before and wasn’t so sure I was going to enjoy it. Our driver assured us that if we fell over board the water was only three feet deep and that we wouldn’t drown. Then he followed up with, “ but if the alligators don’t get you, the water moccasins will.” He was only joking. . . I think?
I would definitely recommend every one to go on an air boat at least once in their life. I had a blast! We saw some very large alligators and even a couple bald eagles! It’s amazing the places the air boats can go. I think Brooklyn Chester Miss Rodeo New Mexico was a little disappointed with our adventure. She had brought her rope along hoping to rope an alligator, but no such luck.
Dinner that night was a special treat. Our tables received a large plate full of alligator and turtle bites. Honestly, I was a little worried at the thought of eating turtle!!! MRA Meagan Ridley talked me into trying it. In fact, we all tried some of the Florida favorites. I have to admit the alligator did taste a little like chicken…… Seated next to me was Miss Rodeo Nevada Anna Bavor. This was our first chance to sit and visit . It’s amazing how much we all have in common, besides our love of rodeo!
Friday morning we were up and ready by 6 a.m. We had a television interview at the arena with the local news station. They had each of us announce our state and then PRCA cowboy Tator Porter explained to them what the sport of rodeo is all about. They even had a short segment about the TETWP (Tough Enough To Wear Pink) and how many rodeos participate in and encourage everyone from the cowboys & cowgirls to the fans to wear pink to help raise money for cancer! I don’t know about you, but I’m always impressed when I’m at a rodeo and there is pink as far as you can see.
GatorLand was our next stop. It was a entire park filled with alligators. They even had some that were albino! Each of us had a chance to get some photos with the huge animals. Then we watched one of the shows. Miss Rodeo Wyoming Allie Bass was chosen out of the crowd as a volunteer. They had her close her eyes and hold out her hand. It was a tarantula!! The tarantula didn’t stay in her hand long though, it quickly scuttled it’s way up and into her hair. I’ve never seen any body move as fast as she did that day. We all had a good laugh.
Each night at the grand entry before the PRCA rodeo ,we all took part in a special flag posting. Each girl had brought her own state flag. We would run out two by two in alphabetical order and post our flag in the arena. We had numerous compliments on it, it really is unusual to see that many state queens in one place. This was a first time for the Silver Spurs Rodeo to put on this program. I felt very special to be part of it and was honored to carry the Arkansas flag.
When you're in Florida on the weekend and the sun is shinning, you have to head for the beach. Cocoa beach is where we ended up! After an hour or so. . . of shopping at the surf shops we headed for the sand. Florida has a lot of beautiful scenery, but the beach was definitely my favorite part. It was only 75 degrees that day but Miss Rodeo Utah Ranae Cowley and I didn’t care. We pulled out the swim suits and headed for the water. After collecting some sea shells and leaving our marks in the sand we all headed to lunch.
One of the chaperones served us the most amazing homemade Mexican food I had ever tasted. Mexican food and a visit to the beach in the same day. . . I must be in heaven! We all spent some time visiting and then we headed back to get ready for the PRCA rodeo. One of my favorite Arkansas cowboys was competing that night, Mr. Mule Tyus.
Sunday was the last day of the rodeo and the last day I would spend in Florida. We headed to the arena early that morning to take part in the Special Rodeo. It was a lot of fun. Each of us were partnered up with a special child. A little girl named Grace was my partner. I helped her with all the different events and then we both had a chance to get our picture taken on a bull named “Black Jack.” Grace was so cute and we had a lot of fun together. I think her favorite part was receiving her trophy for taking part in the rodeo! It was a really neat to be able to help with this amazing event.
It was another great round of PRCA rodeo that afternoon. We all enjoyed watching the rodeo together. I think most of the girls were getting really excited for the wild hog hunting trip they had planned after the rodeo. Most of them could hardly sit still!
After changing in to our wild pig hunting gear. . . Tee shirt and jeans. . . We headed into the wilderness. When we arrived to the perfect hog hunting ground ,we met up with some professional hog hunters. Some friends of Jessica’ (MRFl) that had dogs trained for just the occasion. Miss Rodeo Iowa Lindsey Arenholts and I jumped in the back of the first of three trucks.
It was very dark that night and all that I could see were the spot lights. We drove for quite a while following the dogs, but there was no luck. Not a single wild hog in sight. Soon, more girls joined our truck. Every time we stopped for a quick break more girls loaded into the back, before the night was through I think every one had joined Lindsey and I. We all laughed and told stories about what we did back home for fun. It was a great night.
The only wild life we saw that night was an armadillo. My roommate Miss Rodeo Wyoming Allie Bass had said all week how much she had wanted to catch an armadillo. So when we spotted the poor unlikely little guy we both bailed out of the truck and chased after it. The other girls looked a little shocked at first but soon they were cheering us on.
We both caught up to the armadillo fairly quick, but once we got to the little critter neither of us wanted to grab him. So we let him run away safe and sound. I still can’t believe we did that!
My trip in Florida was a special one. All my trips are amazing for different reasons. I think this one was so much fun because we all got to really know each other. We were able to talk and spend quality time together. I’m am so excited for this years group of girls! You are all so unique & beautiful and I'm lucky to be able to share all this time with you.
I need to say a BIG THANK YOU to the Davis Family. Not only did they have to put up with me at the South Eastern Circuit Finals but they took me in again. Thank you for having me at your home. I consider you my second family. Thank you Laura Kessler for keeping track of me and all the other girls and for planning all the great events we took part in. Thank you Miss Deon for the awesome lunch at your home. That was the best Mexican food I have ever tasted. Megan, thank you for letting me use your horse and for being such a great hostess even though you didn’t have to be. Thank you to each and every one of the girls there that week. You were all so great. I look forward to seeing you all again on the rodeo trail……..

Create the world you dream of with every choice you make!
Micki Musick
2009 Miss Rodeo Arkansas