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
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. 
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.
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 
Amanda and I signing autographs at the Dodge Booth.
Tie Down Roper, Bill Huber with Amanda and I after the rodeo.
Zack and Gage 
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.
Dan Post boots is a large sponsor for some state queens, here we are with Greg Hensley.
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!
Estes Park was beautiful; the town is located in the Rockies right on the continental divide. The rodeo committee and volunteers were the most appreciative people I have ever met, I can see why they have won Rodeo Committee of the Year a number of times. While in Estes Park I stayed with Jessi Kokjohn, the Miss Rodeo Iowa Pageant Director. Jessi and her fiancé, Erik, manage a riding stable and give trail rides through the mountains. 
Miss Rodeo Florida, Heather Hall, and I were able to stay an extra day and go on a trail ride!
We were very fortunate to meet a committee member who owns a recreational store and arranged a couple of excursions! We had no luck fly-fishing, but it was a great learning experience and as far as rock climbing, I was very successful and it was lots easier than I thought! 
The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo activities started the second week I was out there. We were able to assist committee members before the rodeo with a number of activities and help with the mutton busting each night during the performance. 
While in Colorado Springs we rode the train to the top of Pikes Peak, toured the Pro Rodeo Hall Fame and airforce base, helped with an Exceptional Rodeo and attended the Hall of Fame Inductees. 
Top of Pikes Peak
Miss Rodeo Missouri, Erin Watts and I helping with the Mutton Busting
On Sunday the Miss Rodeo American Seminar started and ran through Wednesday afternoon.
I stayed for the rodeo Thursday night and Hannah and I were able to help with the Mutton Busting and carry a flag in the grand entry.
Lee Polakoff, my Wrangler Rep. and me after the rodeo.
