Just call me the rain maker! It truly seems as if wherever I end up, the rain follows but as one wise first-grader told me, “We need it pretty bad.” Oklahoma is getting its share of rain thanks to this girl and the town of Pryor, Oklahoma was no different this past weekend! My trip up north began in the early morning hours to get me to Tulsa for an 8am interview with Fox 23 Tulsa news station. After doing battle with morning traffic, I arrived at the station to meet Jami Daniels (Pryor Queen Director), her daughter and princess contestant, Chenoah, along with Hannah Ayers (Queen Contestant), and Raegen Theys (Queen Contestant). Raegen joined me in our quick interview and helped give away free tickets to those calling in. It was over before we knew it and we were loaded up and headed to our first of three school visits in Pryor.
I enjoyed having the queen contestants with me as we greeted the school kids and went through my rodeo/platform presentation. While it may have been three different school, we did multiple presentations in each as well as gave free tickets to all the kids! They got out of class AND got free rodeo tickets, that would have been a good day at school in my book! Friday afternoon brought us making the rounds to meet many of the generous rodeo sponsors around the town of Pryor. I would like to express a big thank you to Roberts Auto Center for providing me a beautiful new Chevrolet for the weekend. It was a pleasure to cruise around in as well as tow the queens in! We were ridin’ in style!
Friday night rodeo came upon us quickly and we were all frantic to get ready for the performance and the big crowning moment for the Sweetheart, Princess, and Queen contestants for the Pryor 4-Way Rodeo. I quickly saddled up on a beautiful dun horse, appropriately named Dunny, owned by the Hampton Rodeo Company. Thank you to them for not only loaning him for Friday night but allowing me to steal another one of their horses for Saturday night. Once I was well mounted and flag in hand, it was time to roll! Grand entry, then the National Anthem, then it was time for the butterflies as the girls filed into the arena to hear the announcements. I quickly hopped off my horse and was on the ground ready to crown. Congratulations to Kylee (Sweetheart), Chenoah (Princess), and Raegen (Queen)! You will all do wonderful this year!
As the rodeo continued on smoothly, Jami Daniels and I kicked back a minute to complain about the muggy heat. As quickly as we could spit out a comment, the wind picked up and brought in a biting cold breeze along with sprinkles of rain. I’ve never seen a storm come on so quickly! Less than five minutes later, the rain was coming down in sheets and the bull riders were still waiting their turns. The stands cleared out quickly and I made a mad dash for the concessions stand (I know where to go when there is danger!). I’m so thankful for a helpful rodeo volunteer grabbing the keys to my pick up and bringing it as close as he could to the front door, unfortunately 10 seconds outside left you drenched! Soon I was back at my hotel room and crashing to prepare for the next full day!
We woke up to Saturday slack in a VERY muddy soupy arena. There to serve biscuits and gravy to the early morning contestants, we all enjoyed getting away to watch the steer wrestling in the foot-deep mud mess as well as tie-down roping. Now is the time they might be wishing they had been team ropers! J The afternoon was very laid back and brought us time to rest up for the big night and we needed it! We had a full evening of trekking through a thick arena and praying for no more rain. Grand entry went smoothly and I couldn’t resist splashing in the mud puddles on my already-covered-in-mud horse! Sorry Hamptons, I think I owe you a horse wash next time around! As much as I tried to stay clean during the opening ceremonies of the rodeo, all was lost by calf scramble time. We all made our way out to the middle of the arena and when the announcer said, “Ready, set, GO!” He may as well said, “FREEZE!” because no one moved an inch because they were all stuck! Needless to say, we had winners but no one came out clean and not all came out with both shoes on! The sacrifices kids make for five bucks! The rodeo wrapped up and we all enjoyed coming down from a busy weekend to the live music of Colt 45. I even got roped into dancing before I left but he found out quick that this girl has two left feet!
THANK YOU to the Pryor 4-Way Rodeo committee! I had an amazing time in your town and felt truly welcomed into your community. I appreciate your hospitality and kindness. A BIG thanks to Jami Daniels for all the laughs and some fun memories! Congratulations to all the royalty contestants and we may be seeing you on the rodeo trail! Not long after arriving back in Henryetta was I on the move once again…this time up to the Northwest. I had a bit of down time and I decided I would go see family and friends at home as well as get my fill of my Washington mountains! I’ll be back in the Sooner State shortly but until then, time to kick back and relax! Until next time, God bless!
Just wanted to thank you again for having your picture taken with Flat Stanley! They came out great and my niece and her class in Maine will truely enjoy them!
Posted by: Michelle | May 21, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Just wanted to say a big thank you to you Jamie for being such a great sport through all the rain and mud we really enjoyed having you in Pryor! I will always be grateful for the way you looked after all of our contestants. Also watching you fret over making sure you had something to give the waitress at Chili's for her nephew was awesome. May God bless you always.
Rae's Dad
Posted by: greg knotts | May 21, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Enjoy your time in the Great Northwest, Jamie-kins! :-) Cheryl
Posted by: Roy & Cheryl | May 22, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Hey Jamie,
What an experience you had in my wonderful hometown, haha. To the picture of me, that was a very appropriate title...me being me.
Garrett-
Posted by: Garrett Yerigan | June 16, 2009 at 02:23 PM