| For the past few months I was looking forward to my trip to Colorado Springs, CO for one reason, to attend the 2020 Hall of Fame Inductions and Cowboy Ball, and boy it did not disappoint! So far, this opportunity to attend the Inductions and the Cowboy Ball, along with seeing the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy has been a major highlight! If you have never been to the Hall of Fame, I would highly encourage you to go. The history of rodeo and western heritage runs deep and the museum depicts just that! From the Miss Rodeo America showcase, to previous Hall of Fame Inductees to National Finals Rodeo memorabilia and statistics, the place is sure to please any rodeo fan! Especially fans of the Pendleton Round Up and St. Paul Rodeo, as both of their flags hang proudly in the Museum. I was able to attend the Cowboy Ball the night before the Induction Ceremony. Here, the eight inductees were recognized and a fundraiser for the Hall of Fame was conducted. The next morning I attended the Induction Ceremony where I was able to listen to each inductee tell their rodeo story and watch them receive the great honor of being inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. What I loved about hearing each story was the different paths each person took to get to that stage. No route was the same, but what was similar in their stories was their passion for not only the sport of rodeo, but the western lifestyle, values and morals that rodeo embodies. Each spoke about their rodeo family and how rodeo shaped their lives and gave them the opportunities to be successful and leave their mark in the industry. Congrats to the class of 2020 Inductees Martha Josey, Ellensburg Rodeo, Randy Witte, Cody Ohl, Jim Sutton, Butch Kirby, G-65 Grated Coconut and Sunni Deb Backstrom; your contribution to the sport of rodeo is greatly appreciated!
While in Colorado, I also was able to attend a performance of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo before heading off to the "Daddy of them all", Cheyenne Frontier Days! In Cheyenne, I was able to attend the Miss Frontier Brunch in the Indian Village, three rodeo performances, two concerts, a parade and I even snuck in some shopping! To say the least, it was a busy 3 days! I was able to meet up with Miss Rodeo Washington and Miss Rodeo South Dakota, as we shared a host home, as well as see many other state queens, including catching up with Miss Rodeo America! For one of the rodeo performances we were taken into the sky box that sits right on top of the roping box. Here you had a perfect view of the infamous 30 foot score that Cheyenne is known for. I enjoyed watching the horses wait patiently in the box until the calf or steer reached the scoreline and then the horse and cowboy would take off like a shot! In many ways, Cheyenne Frontier Days reminded me a lot of Oregon's Iconic Pendleton Round Up. From the Native American Culture, to the large stadium, and the split riding skirts, all the way down to the rich history and tradition that each rodeo embodies. Though I may be "Let 'er Buck'' biased, I still had a great time experiencing all that is Cheyenne Frontier Days!
Next, I headed off to another deep-rooted rodeo here in the state, Chief Joseph Days. I was reunited with Ainsley and Morgan where we were able to capture photos, attend the queen's lunch, ride in each performance and the parade! I was again able to ride one of Mitch Coleman's horses for each rodeo performance, which was a blessing as his horses are solid when it comes to specialty acts...and Joseph is full of them! From fireworks, to trick riding to bullwhips, fire and gunshots, my horse was steady as they come! I was also able to get on a horse that I called Big Betty that was owned by the Wecks family; Big Betty took great care of me during the parade. The Wecks were also gracious enough to house my mom and I for the weekend at their beautiful property in Joseph! Joseph reminded me of what a true "hometown rodeo" feels like, and why those rodeos are my favorite! Communities that rally behind their rodeo, rodeo court, personnel, committee and contestants make the best rodeos, if you ask me!
To wrap up the month, I headed down to Las Vegas, Nevada to have my official headshots taken by the wonderful Judy and Terry Wright with Las Vegas Image Studio. I always admired their work and hoped that one day I could get behind Judy's makeup brush and Terry's camera. I loved working with them both, and am anxiously awaiting to see the final product!
Heading into August, I am most looking forward to the 2022 Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant. They say a year goes by fast, but I am here to tell you, so does two! I feel like it was just yesterday that I was being crowned in the Canby Rodeo arena. Stay tuned in to the Miss Rodeo Oregon Facebook page as we will be posting pageant updates and live videos! I want to wish the contestants the best of luck as they are in final preparation for the pageant.
After the pageant, I am hosting another Poker Ride fundraiser in my hometown and I will be able to attend the Grants Pass Booster Club Auction. Then comes September, which means Ellensburg Rodeo, Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo, NPRA Finals and, of course, the Pendleton Round Up!
Thank you all for the support and remember to stay tuned into the Miss Rodeo Oregon Facebook page during pageant week!
Sincerely,
Samantha Henricks, Miss Rodeo Oregon 2020-21
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