BLS Horse Sale/ Special Olympics

I was home from Florida for only two days then off to work I go. I love my job at the Billings clinic where I work as a CNA on the Inpatient Cancer Care (ICC) floor. I am re-packed and ready to hit the road. Before heading up to Whitefish for Special Olympics winter event, I made a quick stop by the Billings Livestock Sale (BLS) monthly horse sale. Thank you to Bill and Jan Parker the sale coordinators for inviting me. It was special for me to be in the company of, Tom Hanel the Mayor of Billings. Together we started the sale and I got to invite everyone to my Coronation, which will be March 19, 2011 at the Holiday Inn Grand Montana from 6-9 with a wine tasting at 5:00.

I thought I would break the long trip up to Whitefish and stay the night in Missoula with my ND Laura. We finished up my schedule for the year and catch up on all of my travels and I really appreciate all she has done and continues to do for me! While in Missoula I also got a chance to stop by Longhorn Trading Co. and use one my MRM prizes and they have the coolest stuff! I appreciate what they do for the organization every year. Thank you so very much!
The drive to Whitefish was very beautiful and it’s a place I could definitely move to. The parade of athletes was amazing and I got to meet Mrs. Montana United States and Mrs. Montana. This was my first parade where I wasn't horseback but I did get to ride in a sleek black dodge charger! After lighting the torch I headed to Columbia Falls where my host family lived. I got to stay with Lynette and her husband Jon and they made my trip to Whitefish very enjoyable. We hung out at their house ate pizza and watched the Oscars and I appreciated their warm hospitality.
It was a long 7 1/2 hour drive home but I made it safe and sound and have a few days off now before a few bull sales and the NRA Finals! Books on tape are the way to travel.

Until next time, I'm Headin' Down the Trail,

 Lorissa Harris, MRM 2011

Florida!!!!

My second out of state trip was to the warm and tropical state of Florida! Talk about an adventure. I landed in 70 degree weather which was quite a heat wave compared to my negative 15 at home. The first night I was there we went hog hunting which is definitely something I had never done before. This trip there were about 18 state queens and we were all shown a great time. They use dogs to hunt the hogs and it was very interesting to see. They put GPS on the dogs and when we hear that they have a hog we go running after them. The first one we heard led us waste deep in swamp water. Of course we weren't really thinking and all just went for it. After sitting there in the water our minds started to get the best of us and we all started getting a little nervous, they told us anywhere there's water there's bound to be a gator! Luckily we made it all out alive and captured 2 hogs! They don't kill the hogs but take them home fatten them up and then eventually sell them.

While in Florida we got to do school visits, go to the beach, meet the Kissimmee Sheriff and see the K9 unit at work. We also got to go air boating another activity I had never done before. We ending up seeing a ton of huge gators and one really up close. That is definitely a lake I won't be swimming in! We also got to eat some very interesting food while in Florida, I tried gator tail, flounder, fried green tomatoes, and catfish. All were actually pretty good, tasted like chicken!

There was also a rodeo in Kissimmee, we didn't just go down for vacation! There were three nights of the Silver Spur rodeo and we got to ride in every night of the rodeo and then sign autographs after. I ran out the second night! I got to stay with the Hall family, Miss Rodeo Florida 2010 Heather Hall's parents and Jourdon's new rommie. I couldn't have asked for a better family and really appreciate all they did for Miss Rodeo Tennessee, Miss Brezzy and I. The last day of the rodeo we also helped put on a Special Rodeo and it was amazing and I am very honored to have gotten to be a part of that. Overall my trip to Florida was a BLAST!!!! I was sad to come home to freezing cold weather, but you have to love Montana weather!

Until next time,

Lorissa Harris

MRM11'

Rapid City/ Hall of Fame/ Harlem

Rapid City/ Hall of Fame/ Harlem

January was busy as I was home just ten days that month --- and February is shaping up to be a very busy month as well! I am ENJOYING every minute of my busy schedule. My first out of state trip was a six-hour drive to Rapid City, South Dakota for the 53rd Annual Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo. This was a wonderful opportunity to meet eleven other state rodeo queens for the first time and it was more than just a little bit exciting AND just a little bit overwhelming!

Sutton Rodeo has been producing rodeos for the past 82 years.  As the primary stock contractors, they once again produced a top-notch rodeo. It is traditional that when there are several rodeo queens appearing at a rodeo, they trade off riding during rodeo performances. I was fortunate to ride  the great Sutton Rodeo horses in two performances while carrying sponsor flags. During our days at the stock show, we got to visit Landstroms, the company that makes the beautiful crown that is awarded to Miss Rodeo America.  We took their tour and watched a demonstration on how the famous Black Hills jewelry is made.  Then we visited one of South Dakota's true treasures ... the breathtaking Mount Rushmore National Monument..

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Friday morning found me up early, preparing for my last afternoon rodeo appearance. Then I was “on the road again” headed for home to get prepared for several events scheduled for the weekend.  I got home late Friday night and early Saturday was off to Helena for the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center dinner and auction fund raiser. Miss Teen Rodeo Montana, Amy Hager, and I got some  practice time in perfecting our Vanna White impression (walking around displaying the “live auction item’s)  and were glad to be a part of another wonderful organization.  

The next morning (Super Bowl Sunday) we traveled  to Great Falls for a day at  Great Rockies Sport Show at the Montana Expo Park signing autographs at the Montana Trapper’s Association  Booth. It was enlightening to learn more about trapping and I absolutely love the fur they provided me as Miss Rodeo Montana and I know Amy loves hers as well!   After spending time with the Trappers I was off to Butte for the night and stayed with Jourdon Han, the 2010 MRM, and Heather Hall , 2010 Miss Rodeo Florida   I truly appreciated their warm hospitality.  

The next day found me headed to Darby to meet with Jimmy “The Hat Man” Harrison to start working on the hat that his company traditionally provides to each Miss Rodeo Montana!  It was a hard decision, but I chose a black hat with gold jewels around the hat, the state of Montana on one side, and my initials on the other side.  It is going to look fabulous in the arena, a fitting tribute to Jimmy's skill and craftsmanship!!! 

Then I was off to Chinook to stay the night with my Auntie Kathy and cousins before heading to Harlem for the Annual Mid-Winter Fair.   It was an honor to be a part of this year's Mid-Winter Fair in Harlem.   It is my understanding that this was the first time Miss Rodeo Montana had ever taken part in this annual event. I was presented with a beautiful Star Quilt and I feel very honored to have received such a prestigious gift.  

One could say I'm becoming quite the traveler ... this coming from someone who isn't a fan of driving long distances and especially driving alone, Thank goodness for those entertaining audio books on CD!  Jourdon Han introduced them to me and they certainly help pass the time during long road trips. I am now home for a few days and will be catching up on some sleep and eagerly getting ready for my next adventure!

Until next time, I'm Headin' Down the Trail, Lorissa Harris, MRM 2011

The beginning of my year!

When they said I would “hit the road running”, they sure weren't kidding! I literally have done just that.
Since being crowned, January 16, 2011 I have been busy busy busy! My very first appearance was one week later at the Northern International Livestock Exposition (N.I.L.E) "Stetsons and Stilettos” foundation fund raiser. It was great to be introduced in my hometown and from an organization I have been a part of since I was Miss Teen Rodeo Montana in 2007.

On Friday, January 28^th, I headed to Lewistown for the 65^th Annual Lewistown Winter Fair which hosts one of the largest Kiddie Rodeos in Montana. Because I arrived a day early I was able to have my first official meeting with Laura Bakker, National Director of Miss Rodeo Montana Inc. Such an awesome lady! While there, I also got to visit with Kate Ruland the 2010 Montana National Director and her beautiful new baby girl Delayne.

 After an afternoon of autographs and visiting vendor booths, I did a quick change then headed to the Eagles Hall where I was scheduled to introduce The Ringling Five at their concert. It was my first time to hear and enjoy the music performed by seven very talented gentlemen who throw in a very comical side. During the concert as part of their act, they pick out an audience member to come up on the stage while they are singing and then have that person dance as a backup dancer! It was a smash hit for everyone at the concert.

After an early breakfast Saturday morning, I headed to the Central Montana Fairgrounds Livestock Pavilion for the “Stick Horse Rodeo”.  I was excited to have Amy Hager, Miss Teen Rodeo Montana 2011 join me. Over 60 kids, ranging in age from 3 to 18 participated in: Prince and Princess Contest, Steer Dogging, Calf Roping, Wild Cow Milking, and Barrel Racing.  Amy and I had a great time, (perhaps even more than the kids) and we truly appreciated the long hours and hard work that each committee member of the Lewistown Winter Fair puts in. I would to take this time and say a special thank you to Mary Keer, coordinator for the “Stick Horse Rodeo”.

Amy and I left Lewistown and drove directly to Billings for the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall Fame, 6^th Annual Cowboy & Cowgirl Reunion and Scholarship Fund Raiser. This year’s theme, “The Year of the Rodeo Clown", afforded us an opportunity to meet some world famous rodeo clowns, bullfighters and numerous rodeo celebrities. Not to forget rodeo royalty, Hanna Heckman the 2011 Miss Montana High School Rodeo joined us to help with various duties during the event. The Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame fund raiser provides coveted $3,000 college scholarships for twelve eligible Montana high school senior rodeo athletes, as well as a scholarship to the Miss Montana High School Rodeo and to Miss Rodeo Montana.

Overall, the month of January was a very exciting one and I am looking forward to many more experiences and the great memories this wonderful year has in store.

Until next time, I'm Headin' Down the Trail, Lorissa Harris, MRM 2011