Non-Stop Fun at the Iowa State Fair

The Iowa State Fair Opening Ceremony was on Thursday and Hannah and I were very fortunate to carry the American and Iowa flags. The ceremony was held in the new Jacobson Exhibition Center. The ceremony was live on Skype and they interviewed Iowa Soldiers that were stationed thought the country. It was a wonderful ceremony and I am so thankful for the men and women who dedicate their lives to keep our country free.

Friday I headed back to the fair where I was able to carry the American Flag and run a queens run before the Cowgirl Queen Contest. Hannah competed in the senior section of the contest and was crowned an attendant. Congratulations to her, she did a wonderful job.
On Saturday Hannah and I showed in the Governors Steer Show. I was second in the ring behind Governor Culver. My steers name was Big Red. Boy was he big and didn’t like to stand still. I had a hard time slowing him down, but did manage with a smile on my face even though he stepped on my foot several times. I was so glad I had boots on and had the owner in the ring to help me. Otherwise the news headlines might have read “Rodeo Queen Plowed By Steer.” I had a wonderful time and Big Red sold for over two grand. All the money raised goes to the Iowa Ronald McDonald Houses. This is near and dear to my heart as my sister and her husband spent over three months at the house in Des Moines when my nephew was in the Children’s Hospital.
Big Red and I at the auction.

I have a week off and then I will head out to Prairie Meadows and sign autographs at the horse races on Friday, August 27.

Until next time, “Whatever you do works at it with all of your heart as working for the Lord and not for men.” Col. 3:23
Another quote that really makes one stop and think is, “You can only love God as much as you love your enemy.”

God Bless You,

Jordanne

Rodeo Town USA

This past week was the 87th Annual Sidney Rodeo. I was asked to judge the Sidney Rodeo Queen Pageant which started early Tuesday morning. There were three wonderful contestants that competed throughout the day. Congratulations to Amanda McNees who won the title.
Hannah, Amanda and I before the rodeo performance. While in Sidney we visited local sponsors, stopped at nursing homes and had a several radio interviews. Iowa State University Queen, Alicia Davison, Amanda, the new Sidney Queen, rodeo bull fighters Cory Wall and Andy Burelle, along with Gizmo McCracken, the rodeo clown visiting the local nursing home.

Each night I participated in the grand entry, made a queen’s run, helped chase out cattle and was able to help with the mutton busting. After the rodeo Gizmo the clown, the bull fighters and all of the queens signed autographs.

Amanda and I signing autographs at the Dodge Booth.

Tie Down Roper, Bill Huber with Amanda and I after the rodeo.

I stayed with Kary Koso and her boys; Zack and Gage. They were so generous and let me make myself at home. I had so much fun playing with the boys and gave them a ride on my horse, Sammy.

Zack and Gage Koso.

The state fair starts this week and Hannah and I will be carrying flags for the opening on Thursday morning. On Saturday we will both be showing a steer in the governors steer show.
If you are in the area I sure hope to see you at the fair!

Until next time, “Every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything." Hebrews 3:4

God Bless
Jordanne

Cheyenne Frontier Days

I had a wonderful time at my first Cheyenne Frontier Days, the “Daddy of ‘Em All.”
On Friday morning I was able to show off my pancake flipping skills in Cheyenne. The state queens were able to help cook and flip pancakes for their breakfast that fed over 8,000 people that morning. The volunteers have everything down to a science, the line went all the way around the block and the longest you had to wait was about 15 minutes. We visited local sponsors and signed autographs before heading out to the rodeo grounds. Harry Vold provided us with horses and these horses have been doing this for years. I’ve always heard about the “fly bys” at Frontier Days and you better be ready when you let your horse go because there is no stopping them until the other end of the track! It was a lot of fun.
Each night they have a concert and we were able to introduce ourselves before the show began. We got to see Sugarland, Josh Turner and Allan Jackson. Dan Post boots is a large sponsor for some state queens, here we are with Greg Hensley.

I would like to thank my host home, David and Patty Thompson. I can’t thank them enough for all of their hospitality. They were so generous and came and watched us at each event.

My trip to Cheyenne wouldn’t have been arranged without all of the hard work by Arlene Kensinger and Ester Moore. They dedicate a large amount of time to schedule the state queens and treat us like royalty while we are there. I would also like to thank my mom, Joanne for driving out with me; I needed to be home to head off to Sidney on Monday night so she has been my chauffeur. The drive is about 10 hours and I couldn’t have made it on my own. Thanks mom!

I will judge the Sidney Queen Pageant on Tuesday and spend the week at the rodeo. I have always enjoyed the Sidney rodeo and can't wait to go!

Until next time, “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice for the Lord will do great things.” Joel 2:21


God Bless,
Jordanne