What a Weekend!

The Edgewood Rodeo was another first time event for me. I arrived there last Thursday and met up with Hannah, Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa. We attended a children’s carnival that afternoon where we signed several autographs.
Hannah and I had a radio interview before the rodeo on Thursday and we carried sponsor flags and chased out cattle during the rodeo.
On Friday we had a wonderful tour of Edgewood, that little town has so much to offer! We were able to stop and visit a nursing home and a daycare. We toured the Edgewood locker and stop at the golf course where they held a charity golf tournament. Before the rodeo on Friday we had another radio interview and an interview with News Channel 9.
The rodeo started on Thursday night and ran through Saturday, but I was only able to stay for Thursday and part of Fridays rodeo because my home town rodeo was held last weekend too.
I had a great time in Edgewood. I would like to thank Jim and Kathy Funke who opened their home for Hannah and I to stay and thank you to John and Sue Romig who let us stall our horses at their home.

My weekend was rather busy in Lake City with the rodeo, a parade, my class reunion, Emily’s bridal shower and the Exceptional Rodeo! I was also selling raffle tickets throughout the weekend for a horse that was donated to me for a fundraiser.
The parade was Saturday afternoon and boy was it hot! With temperatures around 100 degrees, there was really nothing you could do to cool off.
Each night at the rodeo I led the grand entry and carried the American Flag. Throughout the rodeo I signed autographs and sold raffle tickets. On Sunday afternoon I held an Exceptional Rodeo. Contestants were able to rope, barrel race, saddle bronc ride and ride one of my horses. It was so much fun and it couldn’t have been done without all of the volunteers. A big thank you to everyone that helped. I had a wonderful weekend at my hometown rodeo and I am so thankful to represent such a wonderful community!

I will be heading to Leon on Friday to judge their queen pageant. I am really looking forward to it!

Until next time, “My future is brighter because of God's goodness and grace and I will choose to praise and worship Him today.” Proverbs 23:18

God Bless,
Jordanne

Miss Rodeo Iowa Travels

From Fort Madison to North Platte, Nebraska and back to Bellevue…the last couple of weeks have been crazy. After Cherokee I headed to Fort Madison to judge the Iowa High School Rodeo Queen Pageant. It was a tough competition and all the girls did a wonderful job. I had to leave for NebraskaLand Days before the coronation. Alex Soukup was crowned the IHSRA Queen for 2010-2011. I arrived in North Platte around noon on Sunday for the Miss Rodeo Nebraska pageant. There were 15 other state queens and Kelli Jackson, Miss Rodeo America was also there for the week. We had a very busy schedule throughout the week; it started Sunday night after the horsemanship competition. We had a BBQ with a live auction and then a “fun” rodeo. We made up teams of 5 and competed on stick horse’s doing multiple races. Due to the rain the floor was a little slick in the shelter house and a few of the queens had a crash! Hats and crowns flew everywhere, but thankfully all the girls were okay!
We kept very busy; we toured the Golden Spike and Buffalo Bills home and barn. We also stopped at sponsor businesses where we signed autographs. We were also able to help out with the Miss Rodeo Nebraska competition and model in the fashion show. On Wednesday night the rodeo started, Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2011 was crowned during the rodeo. Congratulations to Rebecca Grimm!
I was very blessed to stay with Bob and Lisa Kosmacek and their family. With our busy schedule I didn’t get to see them much, but they were so kind and caring and treated me like their own.
I left before the sun was up on Thursday to head to Bellevue. I arrived just in time for a radio interview and children’s activities.

Three Hills Rodeo let me ride one of their horses and the horse was over 17 hands tall, I almost needed a ladder, but a little jump and an extra grunt did the trick! Throughout the rodeo each night I carried Old Glory and the sponsor flags between events. I had a wonderful time and will have to admit I really didn’t mind the rain and mud on Friday night. The rodeo was postponed for 45 minutes due to the severe thunderstorms, but as soon as the rain slowed down we hit the ground running. I stayed at the Bellevue House Bed and Breakfast while I was there. The house was gorgeous! I got the suite on the third floor and was treated like royalty! I want to thank the owners of the bed and breakfast for their wonderful hospitality. We toured the town of Bellevue and drove to the top of the South Bluff and overlooked the town…it was beautiful! I was able to tour one of the first houses in Bellevue. I was able to see my first barge go through the locks on the Mississippi.
I had so much fun in Bellevue, I love traveling the state and seeing what our great state has to offer. Thank you so the Bellevue Rodeo Committee, Three Hills Rodeo Inc., The Bellevue Bed and Breakfast and Stacy Bevan!

I head off to Edgewood bright and early in the morning and then back to my hometown rodeo late Friday night.

Until next time, “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember this wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.” Chronicles 1 16: 11-12

God Bless,
Jordanne

Cherokee PRCA Rodeo

The 44th Annual Cherokee PRCA Rodeo was held last weekend. This is the Barnes hometown rodeo which began in a pasture north of town until the Chamber of Commerce moved it to the arena where it is still held today!
Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa, Hannah Hilsabeck and I arrived Thursday morning. The Miss Rodeo Cherokee Queen Pageant started later that afternoon. I was one of the judges for the competition. There were 5 contestants and they competed in horsemanship, speeches and personal interviews.

The first performance was Thursday night. We helped out with the calf chasing and even got to chase after a calf and try and get the bandana off the tail. Needless to say, I didn’t get it! We also helped out with the calf chasing Friday night. Throughout the rodeos we signed autographs and mingled with the crowd.
Saddle Bronc rider Wade Sundell with Hannah and me

On Friday morning we had radio interviews and a luncheon at a local business. Hannah and I spent sometime talking with the One Arm Bandit. Mr. John Payne didn’t give us his secrets on training buffalo, but he did say it takes a lot of time and buffalo are very mean!
He is very interesting to listen to.

Saturday morning I was the MC for the Exceptional Rodeo. The contestants had a wonderful time and each one picked out a trophy at the end. After the rodeo Hannah and I attended the re-enactment of a train robbery at the depot, we had lunch and then I headed home for a family wedding. I had a wonderful time and wanted to thank the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce for allowing us to attend. I would also like to thank the Best Western Hotel for providing a place for Hannah and me to stay.

This week I head to the High School Rodeo Finals in Fort Madison to judge the queen competition.

Until next time, “Go into that village over there he told them and just as you enter you will see a colt tied up that has never been ridden, untie him and bring him.” Mark 11:2

Jesus rode that un-broke colt when they had broke ones for him to ride…Jesus was a cowboy! :)

God Bless,
Jordanne