Montana Fur Trappers!!!!

When I got home from Missoula I learned my blood pressure had been running really high. The doctor needed three consecutive readings before anything could be done.  After the third reading, the Doctor was a little concerned as it was dangerously high.   Laura Bakker decided it would be best for me to skip the Kalispell rodeo and to take the weekend off.  Everything is getting back to normal and I’m doing better!!!

On September 10^th my mom and I traveled to the annual Montana Fur Trappers Rendezvous in Lewistown.  The Montana Fur Trappers have been strong supporters of Miss Rodeo Montana for many years and I truly LOVE my fur! The Rendezvous is a fun time and everyone should experience it at least once in their lifetime.   A couple events during the Rendezvous are a trap setting contest and a skillet tossing contest. With the trap setting contest, we each had to set five traps and the fastest time wins. I had never set a trap before but am actually quite good at it now! Overall I finished 3^rd and Amy finished 2^{nd …} not bad for two rodeo queens! Next was the skillet tossing contest.  I really wanted to win this one, except this year they changed the rules. Instead of tossing it the furthest, the winner had to toss the skillet closest to the stake. Mine hit the stake which bounced it further in the opposite direction!  Tough luck, but my mom joined in and ended up taking 3^rd and winning some money!

After a big dinner that evening, came the best part of the night!  The rodeo queens modeled about 20 of the most beautiful furs imaginable.   I loved getting to help model the furs and appreciated how much they are worth.

It’s fun to get to attend functions other than rodeos and try to give back to the sponsors that do so much to support us and the Miss Rodeo Montana organization. 

The National Rodeo Association Finals are coming up the end of September and following that the Northern International Livestock Exhibition (N.I.L.E.) in October.  Then my time will be focused on preparing for the Miss Rodeo American Pageant in December!!  Las Vegas, here I come!

Missoula Stampede!!!

The drive from Glasgow to Missoula is not one favorite route in the state…However I was excited to stay with my National Director Laura Bakker!

The sponsors of the Missoula Stampede really do a lot for the rodeo.  Amy and I got to know Missoula fairly well while doing autographs at various places, thanking folks for their sponsorship. While in Missoula we helped with the Missoula Stampede Rodeo Queen pageant which was a lot of fun and all of the contestants did a wonderful job!

About a half hour before grand entry of the second night of the rodeo, my horse stared limping.  Luckily a family who brought a horse for Briana Caldwell (Big Sky Pro Rodeo Queen) offered their other horse to me. Thankfully the horse got saddled and ready to go at the last minute just in time to run in for my queen buzz. This horse was an awesome red roan named “Red” and a barrel horse, so we were scooting around the arena and I loved it!!! Amy (MTMR) and Jade Byington (Missoula Stampede Queen) also switched back and forth in the timed events helping me push cattle.

A Miss Rodeo Montana Scholarship/Tough Enough to Wear Pink golf tournament was held on Saturday morning.  I loved playing high school golf and my senior year our team finished 2^nd and I got 8^th overall so I knew how to golf!  I had a stacked team with Kyle (Noon’s, my gas card sponsor), Jeff (Special Events Coordinator from Wranlger), and Harry. Even though our goal was to win, unfortunately we didn’t, however I did win the women’s longest drive from the men’s tee!  His was such a great fundraiser and the proceeds benefitted two really awesome causes.

The queen pageant also ended Saturday with a new set of royalty crowned.  The 2011 Missoula Stampede Queen was won by Mariah Rys-Sikora, Princess- Bobbi Lee Taulbee, Little Miss- Annika Erickson, and Jr. Little Miss- Claire Bagnell! All the contestants did a great job and I know they will have a great year!

I’m headed home for a little while ---  it’s been almost three weeks on the road  and I’m excited to sleep in my own bed, see my family and my dog!!!

Glasgow Rodeo!

Early Sunday August 7^th Jennika and I were off for Glasgow for a rodeo performance that night! It was a five hour drive and I was very thankful to not have to drive. We made good time and it was my last Brookman rodeo of the year.  I was privileged to ride one of their awesome horses and loved attending all the rodeos they had put on throughout the summer.

On Monday the 8^th we were scheduled to put on a kiddie rodeo at the Valley View Nursing home.  As most people know I’m very prompt, however the nursing home in Glasgow was really hard to find and Jennika and I got lost! Luckily we finally found our way and were only a few minutes late.  Rodeo Clown Dennis Halstead and I put on the kiddie rodeo for about 15 kids for the residents of Valley View and it was a big hit.  Later, we signed autographs before the rodeo and I truly had a great time working with Dennis throughout the year.  Dennis was one of my favorite clowns to work with and I enjoyed getting to know him.

It was different having a Sunday/Monday rodeo but that’s what I love about Glasgow.  Some of the smaller rodeos can really be some of the best times.  I was very thankful that Jennika took time out of her week to help me drive and keep me company. After I dropped her off, I had a few more hours to go to Missoula for the Missoula Stampede rodeo and Queen Contest!!!

Big Sky Pro Rodeo- Great Falls!

The Big Sky Pro Rodeo Roundup, in Great Falls is one of the biggest outdoor rodeos in the state with five nights of rodeo. This rodeo is in conjunction with the State Fair and special to me because I was the State Fair Rodeo Princess in 2005-2006.

The rodeo committee and sponsors of the rodeo were also really great to me and Amy (MTMR 2011).   The O’hare Motor Inn was our host hotel for all five nights and a great sponsor of the rodeo. Big R of Great Falls was very generous to us as well. We held an autograph signing there with the Big Sky Pro Rodeo Queen Briana Caldwell and the store gave us three Wrangler outfits!!! One can never have enough Wranglers!

Sue Thompson was nice enough to bring her paint horse “Tugs” for me to ride each night of the rodeo. There were five amazing rodeo queens from all over the state at this rodeo which really made the week extra special …. Carly Sykes (Livingston Roundup Queen), Jade Byington (Missoula Stampede Queen), Briana Caldwell (Big Sky Pro Rodeo Queen), Amy Hager (Miss Teen Rodeo Montana), and me. It was great to get to spend time with all these girls and encourage them to run for Miss Rodeo Montana!!

Each night of the Big Sky Rodeo had a special theme:  Military night, Family night, “Tough Enough to Wear Pink: night, Pepsi night, and Spirit night.  We all helped carry sponsor flags each night and switched out pushing cattle so that everyone could gain experience at a rodeo of that size. Libby Gurnett (MTRM 2010) also came to keep me company, which was great because she always keeps me laughing!

I had a great time in Great Falls during this long and awesome week of rodeo. From Great Falls I’m headed to Glasgow, but this time I will have a travel partner.  Miss Jennika O’Neil (a rodeo queen and 1^st runner up to MTRM 2011)  is going to help me drive so that I can sleep!!!   

Last Chance Stampede- Helena!

On July 27^th I was off to Helena for the Last Chance Stampede. This rodeo was one of my favorites as Miss Teen Rodeo Montana and I was really looking forward to going again. I stayed with the Gurnett family (Miss Teen Rodeo Montana 2010 and her parents) and we had a TON of fun!

On Thursday I helped put on a kiddie rodeo at Capitol Sports also a wonderful sponsor of the rodeo.  This was one of the biggest kiddie rodeos I’ve ever seen!  I was then off to get ready to lead the parade carrying the American flag.  When I was Miss Teen Rodeo Montana, I met a wonderful couple who provided me a horse back in 2007, (thanks to Sue Thompson).   Bev and Sonny Stiger are the nicest people and this year they let me ride their new horse “Rocky.” They are great supporters of MRM and I truly appreciate all they have done for me over the years.

The Last Chance Stampede is a truly unique weekend. There is a Grand Entry each night before the rodeo.  All the flag carriers and queens walk a lap carrying a flag or waving to the crowd.  Just before the National Anthem, I loped a lap carrying the PRCA flag and posted in the middle of the arena.  Then Wayne Brooks, the announcer, rode in on horseback and interviewed a cowboy or cowgirl in the top 15 in the world. I then came out carrying the American Flag for the National Anthem, when that song ended, the enthusiastic crowd of 4,000 people started cheering, giving me goose bumps!! What an amazing experience, and one I will always remember.

On ‘Tough Enough to Wear Pink’ night I wore the pink chaps that the rodeo committee was going to auction off just before the bull riding event.  They were truly BEAUTIFUL!!! When it came time to auction them off, I rode Rocky back and forth in front of the grandstands so that the crowd could see how beautiful they were and bid on them.  After it was all said and done, the chaps sold for $4,750 with the proceeds going to help breast cancer patients in Montana.

While I was in Helena, I got two surprises … one was great and the other … well, not so much… The great one was my parents surprising me Saturday night of the rodeo, since I had not seen them much this summer! The unpleasant surprise was my wallet and camera and Libby Gurnett’s camera getting stolen out of my pickup… Luckily I didn’t have any cash and not very many debit/credit cards.  Thank goodness my parents were there because I was to leave right away for Great Falls and not returning home until the middle of August. But it all worked out in the end and I wasn’t going to let it affect my next couple of busy weeks!

I will be in Great Falls for five nights of the Big Sky Pro Rodeo Roundup!!!

Havre/Shelby!

Some people believe that state rodeo queens only attend PRCA rodeos, when in fact we support all rodeos no matter if they are pro or not.  On July 21^st I was off to Havre for an NRA rodeo (Northern Rodeo Association) where I had an absolute blast. The rodeo committee was very welcoming and made me feel right at home.

I was provided a very nice grey mare that had been roped off of in the past, but had been in the pasture for a few months, so they warned me I should warm her up pretty good. She was perfect and can now add “Queen Horse” to her resume!   

Some quality time was spent with Jayedee Han (Jourdon Han MRM 2010’s mom) and I really appreciate all that she has done for me this year. While traveling alone can get pretty lonely, the people I met and working with the rodeo committees really helps.

After spending two nights in Havre, the next morning found me headed to Shelby for the parade and Saturday night performance.  I dread ever being late, so I usually leave a little extra and arrived in Shelby an hour early.  This gave me a chance to meet and visit with the Mayor of Shelby, a very nice man!  This was the only parade this summer in which I didn’t ride a horse …but instead rode in a red convertible Mustang.   Before the rodeo I was introduced at the 4-H sale and toured the fair a little bit.  It was fun to  hang out and visit with one of my favorite rodeo announcers and Miss Rodeo Montana Pageant Emcee, Mr. Barney Sheridan.

Another interesting thing about coming back to Shelby as MRM, is that I got to ride one the Brown’s family horse. I rode one of their horses when I was Miss Teen Rodeo Montana, and they brought him back for me but unfortunately, he had gone lame.  Instead, I rode BJ Brown’s steer wrestling horse, who I just LOVED! I carried the American flag on him and we pushed out cattle.  I wisely stayed back a little during the steer wrestling event, because I didn’t want him to think we were steer wrestling and take off with me!

I was able to spend a few days at home – got caught up on laundry and recuperated before I headed to Helena for the Last Chance Stampede and make my three week stretch!

Calgary Stampede!!!

After the Wolf Point Stampede I drove to Chinook where I met my mom and we were off to Canada! I had heard a lot of great things about the Calgary Stampede and couldn’t wait to get there. Getting across the border wasn’t too bad, but when they asked if had any weapons or firearms I told them no.  After going through security, however, I realized that I had my pink stun gun with me!

Five hours later we finally arrived and on our first night there we had dinner with Jody and Gary Rempel and toured the Calgary Stampede grounds! Gary has been the pick-up man for the last 20+ years, so it was nice to have them show us around behind the scenes.  The Calgary Stampede is an invitation only rodeo with some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the country competing. It is not a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo and has its own rules for certain events.  For example the rough stock riders don’t have to mark the horse out (have their spurs on the horse’s point of the shoulder) when the horse leaves the chute.   In the tie-down roping event, the time stops as soon as the cowboy ties the calf and the calf only has to stay tied until the cowboy gets back on his horse.   PRCA rules state that the time stops after the calf is tied but the calf has to stay tied for a full six seconds after the cowboy gets back on his horse.

No state rodeo queens ride in Calgary, however Miss Rodeo Kansas Alyssa Morrison and I were “hosted” one day and got to do some amazing things! We were introduced at a huge breakfast, the off to go square dancing… I had never square danced but it was a lot of fun.  It’s even pretty easy because they tell you exactly what to do!  During the rodeo we were introduced in front of the whole Calgary Stampede crowd … thousands and thousands of people!!!   After we were done being hosted, my mom and I spent some quality time together and watched the legendary chuck wagon races and one of the Night Shows, which were completely AMAZING!

Coming back through the border on the way home, I was a little nervous because I heard sometimes they are a little harder. When we came through they asked if we had bought anything and we had bought jewelry cleaner.  Mom told the border patrol guard that it really made my crown shine! We told him who I was and what we had been doing in Canada and he wanted a few autographs!

I loved our trip to Calgary - we were treated like royalty and Jody and Gary Rempel were awesome hosts. It was very special to take a trip with my mother, my number one supporter. I’m off to Havre and Shelby when I get back into the states!!!

Wild Horse Stampede- Wolf Point!!!

After the 4^th of July weekend, I was off to Wolf Point for the Wild Horse Stampede.  This was the only rodeo of the year that I hadn’t attended while I was Miss Teen Rodeo Montana.  It was a good five hour drive to the High-Line and when I got there I was greeted by Miss Vanessa Hardy, my former roommate and a Wolf Point native. This was the only rodeo where my dog Quigly came with me, because he is one “high maintenance” Corgi!

While in Wolf Point for the Wild Horse Stampede rodeo I did radio interviews, put on a Kiddie Rodeo at the nursing home, and also rode in a parade every day.  The Hardy family offered  to haul a horse in for me every night of the rodeo. I got to ride “Honeybucket”, Megan Hardy’s (Miss Rodeo Montana 2007) horse . ”Honeybucket” and I also were included in the rodeo clown act… Mr. Donnie Landis was the clown and asked me to be a part of his act. He rode a fake Llama- looking creature and the object was for my horse to “spook,” which she did and then show that I could lope a better circle, do a spin, and back up.  It was definitely a different experience and the crowd loved it.

This rodeo is also unique in the fact that the arena is called the Marvin Brookman stadium after the late Marvin Brookman of Brookman Rodeo. It is also famous for the Wild Horse Races in which each team that was auctioned off went for over $1,000 and the horses that were auctioned off went for even more!     

Overall, my first trip to Wolf Point for the Wild Horse Stampede was amazing and I thank the Hardy family for all they did for me!!! I’m now off to Chinook to meet my mom and from there we are headed out of the country (all the way to Canada) to Calgary for the Calgary Stampede!!!!!

Home of Champions Rodeo- Red Lodge!!!

The 4^th of July, 2011 was very special to me as Miss Rodeo Montana.   It was fun to spend the entire weekend in Red Lodge just an hour from my hometown, and especially fun to ride the “Queen Horse” Shug!  The 4^th of July weekend is very important for cowboys because in this single weekend, there are the highest numbers of rodeos for cowboys to attend and make a LOT of money.

Every year in Red Lodge the rodeo queen’s help with slack at 6:30 am where we see some of the best cowboys in the country come to Montana to compete.  I spent the weekend with company also … the Red Lodge Rodeo Royalty was there and it was great to meet them and share stories about their year.  Each day at noon there was a parade down Main Street in Red Lodge with the crowds growing each day leading up to the big July 4^th celebration.  It was Shug’s first parade and he did an awesome job and obviously LOVES doing queen buzzes.

Another tradition known to the Red Lodge Rodeo is one particular section of the grand stands known to get pretty rowdy and is referred to as the “Oh S**t section”.  When a cowboy misses or gets bucked off the crowd in that section stands up and in unison shouts that particular phrase.  They definitely keep things interesting during the rodeo.

Returning to Red Lodge as Miss Rodeo Montana after having attended as Miss Teen Rodeo Montana was very special to me and I was honored to get to go back!

Next, I’m off to Wolf Point for the Wild Horse Stampede and I get to see the Megan Hardy, former Miss Rodeo Montana and her wonderful family!  

American Legion Rodeo- Augusta!

After driving three hours to Fort Shaw from Chinook, I got a good night’s rest and then headed to Augusta to sign autographs at the very cute western store Latigo and Lace. For those of you who have never attended the American Legion one day rodeo in Augusta, you have really missed out! The number of tourists and spectators at this rodeo is truly amazing!

While at Latigo and Lace, I met Jack Hanna, the well known wildlife expert and Director of the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo.  It was a pleasant surprise to meet such a well known expert who traveled all the way Montana for his vacation.  

It was then off to the 82^nd Annual Augusta American Legion rodeo put on by Kesler Championship Rodeo Company. The well-known PRCA Rodeo Announcer Steve Kenyon (one of my favorite rodeo announcers), was there and it was nice to work with a familiar face! He does such an amazing job and also directed great attention to me in the arena and I really appreciated it. While I was in the arena during the Steer Wrestling event, Steve had the entire crowd of 4,000 people say “Hi Lorissa!” it was pretty funny and I enjoyed it.

During the rodeo, I rode Cody, a horse that is very dear to my heart. Sue and Jeff Thompson have been tremendous supporters of the Miss Rodeo Montana organization since I have been involved and I TRULY appreciate all that they do … not only for me but for the MRM organization as a whole. Sue brings me horses whenever I need one and I always know I’ll be safe and taken care of.  This particular horse, Cody, and I go way back to 2007 when I rode him in Helena when I was Miss Teen Rodeo Montana.  It’s always a joy to ride him and I will keep the tradition alive when I ride him again this year at the Last Chance Stampede in Helena!

After an awesome but crazy rodeo, I was off to Missoula to stay with my National Director Laura Bakker.  I am scheduled to tape a radio spot for Noon’s Gas Station … a valued supporter who provides us with a gas card which definitely comes in handy and is very much appreciated.!

I will be at home for a couple days and then will be at the Home of Champions Rodeo in Red Lodge, Montana for the 4^th of July!!!

Until next time,
Lorissa Harris
MRM 2011

Bear Paw Round-up

June 23-25 marked the 13^th Annual Bear Paw Roundup PRCA Rodeo in Chinook, Montana.   This rodeo is very special to me since I spent fifth grade through freshman year up on the Highline.  I arrived on June 23^rd for their Annual Silver Spur dinner and Calcutta where I got to socialize and enjoy all of the festivities.  Merylee Ramberg, one of my very best friends, is from Chinook and her mother Debbie Ramberg is on the rodeo committee.  It is always such a treat for me to go back up to the highline and visit all my childhood friends.

 Each night before the rodeo, I put on a “Kiddie Rodeo” in front of the grandstands, I love putting on kiddie rodeos as they provide a great opportunity to interact with the local folkss and give the kids a little something to do before the rodeo.  It also helps to educate them about the various events involved in the sport of rodeo. Each night at the rodeo, I carried the American flag during the National Anthem. This is always quite an honor and something I really cherish doing.  It still gives me goose bumps every time! I rode “Scooter”, Shane Shwenke’s Montana PRCA team roping header and National Finals Rodeo Finalist. Scooter is a roping horse but got to be a “Queen Horse” for the weekend and I loved riding him, I wanted to take him home!

Following the two great performances at the Bear Paw Roundup PRCA Rodeo, I headed off to Fort Shaw to stay the night with the Thompson’s before an appearance at the Sunday rodeo in Augusta.  A sincere thank you to the Bear Paw rodeo committee in Chinook for the wonderful job they did and for making it one of my favorite rodeos!

Until next time,

Lorissa Harris

MRM 2011