Miss Rodeo USA

Miss Rodeo USA 2012 Trisha Smeenk of South Dakota

I am honored to introduce myself as Miss Rodeo USA. Those words were a dream of mine as I grew up on a ranch in western South Dakota. I have been fascinated with rodeo since I was born. Continuing a family legacy, I competed in my first rodeo at age 5 and the rest is history. I find myself now, 24 years old and still as much in love with the sport of rodeo as I have ever been. I grew up on the back of a horse where I competed in 4-H, Little Britches and High School Rodeo. I then rode as a western rider for South Dakota State University’s Equestrian Team. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Counseling and Human Resource Development at South Dakota State University. The South Dakota Air National Guard is also a big part of my life where I serve as a staff sergeant in the Public Affairs office.

Being involved in rodeo and the western way of life has taught me valuable skills for success in all areas of my life. I knew I was ready to take the next step in my life and rodeo journey. I wanted to do something to promote the sport that has done so much for me, so I made up my mind to compete for Miss Rodeo USA. I could feel the excitement in the air as I arrived in Oklahoma City for the 42^nd International Finals Rodeo. During the week long competition, I made some wonderful friends and memories that I will treasure for a lifetime. The contestants were some of the brightest and toughest contenders I have ever had the privilege of competing with. Since we did not have much outside contact with our family or supporters during the competition, the other contestants and I really grew some strong bonds and I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world. The judge, staff and contestant support during the week was incredible.

Three judges spent the week getting to know the contestants. Doug Wade from Oklahoma is an avid horseman and involved several facets of rodeo and the horse industry. Lana Grubb Hickok and Sandra Stephens, both from Texas, are each a former Miss Rodeo USA.

I know this is only the beginning of an amazing year to come surrounded by and working for people who have a passion and love for the sport of rodeo similar to mine. My life has already been touched by some remarkable people at the International Finals Rodeo and Miss Rodeo USA pageant. I have big dreams and high hopes for the year to come. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity of a lifetime and I can’t wait to soak up the experience that lies ahead of me.

I will give 110 percent to this sport and organization. I am excited to share knowledge and a love for rodeo and the western way of life. I am prepared to dedicate 2012 to traveling and to being an ambassador for the sport of rodeo, the International Professional Rodeo Association and its sponsors. I am excited about this opportunity to meet and educate people, experience the industry I love while traveling to as many places as possible. With the desire and commitment I have, I can’t imagine a better way to spend 2012 than representing the International Professional Rodeo Association.

The new Miss Rodeo Pageant 2012 blog will be posted shortly. Check in on our facebook page, "Miss Rodeo USA Pageant 2012" for all the up to date news from the pageant...

Just Have Fun Girls!!!

Just Have Fun Girls!
 
Last year around this time, I was studying, putting final touches on clothes, and rolling hair constantly to get it perfect.  I know all the contestants for the 2012 pageant are doing the same right now.  As you all are getting ready here is some food for thought: I know your nerves will be on edge, and they will only get worse as the pageant gets closer.  I just want you all to try to let your nerves dissolve if at all possible, and most of all just have FUN!  Don't worry about how the other girls do. Your only competition is yourself, and you are your biggest critic.  As long as you give it your best, that's all you can do.  I will say that the power of prayer is unbelieveable.  I remember last year, right before state speeches, I got sick.  As I sat there waiting for my turn, I kept saying, "God just please take this sick feeling away long enough for me to give this speech."  Guess what?  As soon as the door opened, and I walked in that room, I felt like a million bucks and gave that speech the best that I could.  Your week may not go perfect, but just remember to never quit on yourself!  Every day is a new day!  I wish you all the best of luck and remember to keep a smile on your face no matter what!  I will see you all in a couple of weeks, and hope you have safe travels.

Liberty Bowl Rodeo Was A Ball-

Liberty Bowl Rodeo Was A Ball-
 
On the morning of December 28th, I headed toward Memphis, TN in the Payton Chevrolet Avalanche with the company of my mother. We arrived in Germantown at the Shelby Showplace Arena just in time to watch the slack performance.  Shortly after the slack was complete, several of the rodeo personnel and contestants loaded up and headed to eat lunch at Chili's.  The conversations focused on the excitement of the quick approaching IFR 42.  After filling my belly with good food, Mom and I headed to the hotel to get ready for the rodeo performance.  The performance started off at 7:00 with a patriotic opening that I had the honor of carrying the American Flag in.  I was decked out in my Sherry Smith Designs red, white, and blue shirt with my James Smith Saddlery red, white, and blue perpetual chaps.  I also had on my custom Corral red, white, and blue boots.  As I left the arena with the American Flag, I made a quick turn around in the alley way to enter back in the arena and lead the grand entry.  As the rodeo performance moved right along, I made a lap after each event with the Ford flag who was a major sponsor.  Intermission rolled around and all the kids ages 7-11 piled around the alley way for the boot race.  Their incentive?  A $100 gift card to Academy Sports. I led them inside the arena, lined them up, and listened as the parents grumbled when we asked them all to take one shoe off and ruin their socks.  They made it to the other end of the arena as I piled all the shoes into one large pile.  The countdown went off and the stampede was on.  A young girl won the race and walked away with the prize presented by the Autozone Liberty Bowl Queen.  The rodeo continued on till the last bull rider gave it his all.  I made my way to the front of the building and took a post ready to sign autographs.  A line formed to my side with kids of all ages.  I met several cute kids, always my favorite part of being Miss Rodeo USA.  I said my farewells and told everyone I'd see them at IFR.  Mom and I made our way back to the hotel, and then headed home Thursday morning making stops along the way and enjoying the ride.  As soon as I made it home and got unloaded, I started to load everything up again.  The IFR will be here before we know it along with the end of my reign as Miss Rodeo USA.  I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and has a very Happy New Year!

Viva Las Vegas

Viva Las Vegas!
 
Thanks to one of our many great Miss Rodeo USA sponsors- Angie Burton with Chicken Coop Couture, who also happens to be in charge of the flag carriers at the WNFR, I have had the amazing honor of spending the past week in Vegas. I arrived on Tuesday November 29th, and I have been going nonstop since then.  We have practices every day to make sure that our routines are spot on as well as riding to just get our horses out of their stalls and their muscles stretched.  I was assigned good ole Sunny boy who is a Veteran of the WNFR.  I have enjoyed getting to know each of the other 20 girls who are participating as well and feel that I will make friendships here that will last forever.  For those of you watching at home, I am one of the four pivots during the contestant introductions, 18th in the sponsor line up, and in the fourth pair in the closing ceremony.  During all of this I carry the WPRA flag which is white with red fringe and blue writing-so be watching for me!  I even got to chat with country music star-Craig Morgan-during an interview about the inside life of a flag girl on our first day of practice.  GAC is airing all the performances held here in Vegas at the Thomas and Mack, and they will also be showing the segment on us flag girls as well.  Over the past week, I have experienced a little of the Vegas life by treating myself to a meal at the Hard Rock Cafe, visiting the M&M and the Coke store, drove around town looking at the sights, shopped at Country Christmas, and even had fellowship with fellow christians.  I attended Elevation Sunday with the 2010 Miss Rodeo USA, Dakota Missildine, at the KA Theatre at the MGM Grand.  It was a heart moving service with music by Susie Dobbs as well as Clay Walker who gave me goose bumps with his version of "Amazing Grace" and his new song "Jesus was a Country Boy".  The contestants also took part-Jake Barnes led the opening prayer and Stran Smith gave the closing prayer.  The remarkable story of Ryan Gray was followed by the featured speaker, Dr. James C. Dobson.  This past year was a hard year for the PRCA family as they lost many loved ones. However, uniting together is what keeps the rodeo family strong.  PRCA or IPRA- we are all children of God which makes us brothers and sisters-we need to be willing to give each a smile, hug, handshake, or whatever it may be to help each other through the good and bad.  The service ended with a motivational video for the contestants. They have 6 more performances to go, so they need all the motivation that they can get.  I am looking forward to one more week in Vegas as the 2011 PRCA World Champions get closer to being crowned.  But remember as they get closer to being crowned, so do the 2011 IPRA World Champions with IFR 42 right around the corner.  Remember to look for me on GAC with the WPRA flag as we have 4 performances down with 6 more to go!