Justin Boots Championships in Omaha

Last week I was able to attend the Justin Boots Championship Rodeo in Omaha. Miss Rodeo Nebraska and Miss Rodeo Wyoming were also there.

On Thursday we did a school visit and then stopped at the children’s hospital. We met up with the Ak-Sar-ben Queen, Morgan Marshall, the Ak-Sar-ben Lady in Waiting, Gina Jespersen, and Miss Rodeo Cherokee, Tally Roepke.

The first performance was Thursday night. The Championship’s consisted of the top 12 contestants on the tour. They each competed in two rounds hoping to make the semi-finals and then the finals on Saturday night. Every performance was pretty intense!

For each performance we were able to help with mutton busting and after the rodeo we handed out buckles at the buckle presentations.

On Friday we had the opportunity to help with the Exceptional Rodeo. I was paired with Evan, he was so much fun! There were over 60 contestants and I was excited to see so many rodeo contestants there to help. After the rodeo there was a luncheon. I had so much fun and it was a blessing to see all of the smiles and excitement in the child’s eyes.

I would like to thank Carrie Goedeken and her family for allowing me to stay with them and the rodeo committee for all of their hard work each year.

Until next time, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27

God Bless,

Jordanne

National Cattle Congress Fair and Rodeo

The National Cattle Congress Rodeo was this weekend in Waterloo. Fall was in the air, it was a little chilly both nights I was there. On Friday I was able to carry the American Flag and chase out cattle. Then on Saturday Hannah was there to help me out. We had a lot of fun and I enjoyed signing a number of autographs.
Tally Roepke was very kind to make the trip to Waterloo to help with the Sunday afternoon performance since Hannah and I were not able to attend. Thank you Tally and Hannah for always helping out!

I headed back to my hometown to participate in my Uncle Dell’s Memorial Chili Cook-off. I will have to admit I like rodeos in the rain a lot better than cooking chili in the rain! My cousin, Nicole Blair and I teamed up and made “Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo Chili.” We had a lot of fun despite the cold and rainy weather. Unfortunately we didn’t come out on top, but we had a lot of people vote for us for the “People’s Choice Award.”
I will have a couple days off before I head off to the Justin Boots Championship Rodeo in Omaha.
Until next time, “Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:2

God Bless,
Jordanne

What a busy week and a half!

The last week and a half have been rather busy. I started off in Dayton visiting schools and enjoying lunch with a few of the committee members. Then on Friday I headed to Fort Madison. I stayed at the “Metcalf Hotel” owned and operated by Jeff and Kelli Metcalf. They are so kind and open their home each year for Miss Rodeo Iowa to stay during the hectic weekend.
On Saturday morning I helped with the pancake breakfast and special needs rodeo. I was surprised…there were over 200 contestants! It was a beautiful day and I had a wonderful time helping with the events. The committee does an outstanding job hosting the special needs rodeo and this year marks their tenth year.

After the rodeo I headed back to Dayton. I was able to attend the Dayton Rodeo Saturday and Sunday evening. There was a little rain, but not enough to ruin my “queen hair.”

Sunday night I stayed in Johnston so I was able to get up early and head back to Fort Madison to help with the Little Spurs Rodeo on Monday. I’ve never seen so many excited children. There was mutton busting, steer riding, stick horse barrel racing, goat tying, calf chasing and the greased pig contest.
It was a lot of fun to be there and help out. The announcer thought it would be funny to have the greased pig winner give the queen a hug; needless to say I was covered in Crisco!

Monday night I was honored to judge the Lil Miss Rodeo and All Around Cowboy competition. All of the contestants were so cute, it was a tough competition.
I visited schools on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning. I really enjoy children, so going from room to room talking about my favorite sport was a blast! It was neat to see how many of the students attended the rodeo and remembered the clown and specialty act from last year.

The Miss Rodeo Iowa contestants checked in on Wednesday afternoon. I was able to catch a bit to eat with them before the grand entry. I always look forward to the Fort Madison grand entry as I’m sure most of the spectators do! Each night there was over 400 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules that went through, it’s a rodeo in itself!

What a beautiful sight to see the American flag being brought in from the sky by Bobby Reid. Watching Old Glory come down from above gives me the goose bumps.

After school visits on Thursday Hannah, Rachel Kelderman; Miss National Federation of Professional Bullriders (NFPB) and I met up with the Miss Rodeo Iowa and Teen contestants for lunch. We had a few hours off that afternoon and I was able to do a practice interview with the panel of judges. We were honored to have Dr. Jennifer Schleining-Cerfogli, Tom Nealey and Kelly Azevedo there to judge. On Friday we started off with the horsemanship competition in the drizzling rain. After horsemanship we stopped and had lunch at Hy-Vee and headed back to the hotel to practice for the fashion show and prepare for the speeches and impromptu competition. Friday night was wet! It poured and for the first time since I’ve been to the rodeo the grand entry was cancelled. Hannah and I bundled up in rain coats and headed out. We had a good time and I was surprised to see so many people in the stands.
Saturday we were in the parade and then coronation practice. Coronation was held at the Comfort Inn. Congratulations to Miss Rodeo Iowa 2011, Heidi Ganson and Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa 2011, Charity Howk.
On Sunday morning the new queens along with Hannah and I headed out to serve at a pancake breakfast. I’m very excited for the newly crowned queens; their lives are going to be changed over the next year.

I had a wonderful time in Fort Madison and Dayton and would like to thank both rodeo committees. They both work so hard and put on outstanding shows each year.

Until next time, “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalms 37:4

God Bless,
Jordanne

Prairie Meadows Racetrack

Last weekend I enjoyed an evening at Prairie Meadows Racetrack. Butch Hammer, the President of the Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association invited me out for the Challenge Races.

I was able to sign autographs and do a couple interviews John Hernandaz. John has been involved with horse racing for years and before each race he gives his opinions on who will win and possibly place. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to give my opinion on a couple races. I think there was a little beginner’s luck because I was right on the first race! It was a beautiful evening and I had a wonderful experience.

On Saturday I will be heading down to Fort Madison to help with a pancake breakfast and the Special Needs Rodeo. After the rodeo I will head back to attend the Dayton Rodeo. I will be there on Saturday and Sunday night and then back to Fort Madison Monday morning. It’s going to be a busy week, but I am excited for the Tri-State Rodeo and look forward to the Miss Rodeo Iowa Pageant.

Until next time, “Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2

God Bless,
Jordanne