Great Lakes Circuit Finals

Last week I was in Louisville, Kentucky for the Great Lakes Circuit Finals. I flew down on Wednesday night and activities started on Thursday. Visiting queens helped with check-in and handed out jackets and vests. We were all very excited to get our own vest donated to us by our circuit committee and sponsors. Circuit queens, Erin Watts; Miss Rodeo Missouri, Katie Chaffin, Miss Rodeo Illinois, and Amanda Breitenfeldt, Miss Rodeo Wisconsin.

Thursday night was the first performance; we carried the opening flags, chanced out cattle and carried sponsor flags during the performance. We were also able to help with a pizza party for the contestants. On Friday we were able to visit Church Hill Downs; where we went on a tour and watched a few races. We signed autographs at the Friday night performance along with carrying flags. Saturday afternoon we visited a couple Dodge dealerships and handed out hats and bandannas to children at the Saturday nights rodeo.
I had a wonderful time in Louisville and arrived home late Sunday night.

Over the last few weeks I have had the opportunity to speak at a few events. I was the keynote speaker at the District FCCLA meeting, where I spoke about community service. Last week I was also able to speak at the National Honor Society tapping in my home town where I talked about service and random acts of kindness.

On Monday afternoon I was invited to speak at the Carroll Rotary and Kiwanis Club. I was able to answer a variety of questions and I also gave my speech that I will give at Miss Rodeo America.

Jim VanDyke and Dave Teske of the Carroll Rotary Club.

I really enjoy speaking at events and am so thankful for all of the support I have had this year! I have been truly blessed and can’t thank everyone enough for all of their generosity.

I will be leaving for Las Vegas the day after Thanksgiving. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I head out to compete for Miss Rodeo America. Coronation will be Saturday, December 4.

Until next time, “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." Thessalonians I 5:15

God Bless,
Jordanne

Top Rail Saddle Club Breakfast

Thank you to the Top Rail Saddle Club for hosting a benefit breakfast to help with my expenses for my trip the Las Vegas. The breakfast was held last Sunday at the Lake City Community Building. There was a great turn out and so many wonderful people who volunteered their.
I really enjoyed talking to each individual who attended and answering a number of questions about the pageant and my year. My community has been so supported this year, there are so many people who have not only supported me financially, but have given me so much of their time! I can’t thank everyone enough, God has truly blessed me this year and I pray I will be a good representative of my community and state at Miss Rodeo America.

Until next time, “We love because He first loved us." John 1 4:19

God Bless,
Jordanne

Send Off Party

My send off party for Miss Rodeo America was held at the Community Building in Lake City. Thankfully this time there we had electricity and didn’t have to worry about an ice storm!
Each year Miss Rodeo Iowa holds a send off party to give her the chance to model all of her clothes that she will wear in Las Vegas. It’s a great chance to give people an idea of what takes place in Las Vegas. So many people had no idea that I would be wearing leather dresses and they didn’t realize all the categories rodeo queens compete in.
This brown and turquoise jacket is for my horsemanship interview. It was made by Chelsea Schwarz from Iowa City.

This jacket along with a skirt was made by Ashley Kelber. I will wear this for my personal interview.

This dress I am wearing is my fashion show and coronation dress. It was made by Candice Carper of Oklahoma.

Visiting royalty, Tally Roepke; Miss Rodeo Cherokee, Heidi Gansen; Miss Rodeo Iowa 2011, Hannah Hilsabeck; Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa, and Kayla Barber, Miss Rodeo Lenox. Thank you so much girls for being so supportive!

I had a wonderful turn out and would like to thank everyone who came and supported me.
I will be leaving for Las Vegas the day after Thanksgiving. My grandpa has volunteered to drive all of my clothes out. With a weight limit of 50 pounds and a limit of two bags per person, my 10 pairs of boots, four leather dresses and a number of other outfits along with a few cowgirl hats, would never fit! Thank you grandpa!

One of my best friends, Brenda Haberl.

A Miss Rodeo Iowa long time supporter Wayne Woolridge of Cherokee. I can't thank him enough for all of his support!

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers; pray that I may be a servant of Christ and that all the words I speak be a blessing to others and a pure example of Him.
Again thank you to everyone who has supported me and been so generous throughout my year, I wouldn’t have had so many life changing experiences without your help!

Until next time, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

God Bless,
Jordanne

Cyclone Stampede

Last week I was able to attend the Cyclone Stampede in Ames. Hannah and I carried flags and chased out cattle. It didn’t take long for me to realize that fall is here, the temperatures dropped very quickly on Friday night. Saturday I was more prepared for the performances with a few layers of clothing!
Despite the chilly weather it was a lot of fun and I was able to see a few of my high school rodeo friends compete.
I have a couple weeks off before my send off party which is set for Sunday, October 24 at the Lake City Community Building from 2-4 p.m. I will model my clothes for Miss Rodeo America and give my speech. It’s FREE and open to the public…I hope to see you there!

Until next time, “I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. In this way your generosity stores up a reward fro you in Heaven.” Luke 16:9


God Bless,
Jordanne

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