Miss Rodeo Oregon 2020-2021 Samantha Henricks!

The great state of Oregon is made up of 98,381 square miles. From corner to corner, the state encompasses a diverse landscape. From coastal rain forests to high desert to lush green farmlands to the tall buildings that surround our state's capitol, Oregon has a little bit of everything!

When I think of Oregon, I instantly think of Southern Oregon, because that is where I have grown up. If you visit my corner of the state, you will have to stop at Crater Lake. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and bottoms out at 1,943 feet. On your hike down from the lake, make sure you stop at my favorite lunch spot, Phil’s Frosty! It may not look like much, but they have the best burgers, fries and milkshakes around! Or maybe take a jet boat ride on the Rogue River, known for its salmon runs, whitewater rafting, and rugged scenery.  It was one of the original eight rivers named in the Wild and Scenic Act of 1968. You can head west from there and take a tour of the 4,554-acre Oregon Caves National Monument, but only if you are prepared with a song to sing. Your tour guide will make you sing so you can hear the echos in the caves!

If you come visit the Rogue Valley at the end of May, you may just hit my hometown rodeo, the Central Point Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo! Listen to the announcer tell the story of Mr. Wade Leslie who climbed atop a 2000 pound red brindle bull named Wolfman Skoal in October of 1991. You may not believe it, but together they laid down the only 100 point bull ride in the history of the PRCA! Take a step back in time to the 1830’s when fur trappers, traders, farmers, miners and families alike moved west along the Oregon Trail--a 2,170 large-wheeled wagon route--to seek new opportunities. Fast forward to 1876 when the University of Oregon opened in Eugene. Deady Hall was the first building on campus and it still exists to this day!

Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon 2020-2021 Ainsley Goughnour!

What a month May has been! I think I’m finally figuring out how to be a Covid-Rodeo Queen. I miss interacting with people in person but I’m embracing the changes and making the best of the situation.

I started out May with my first-ever podcast with the amazing Thomas Duncan on his show Chute Talk (Shoot Talk). Thomas is a professional photographer of rodeo and a huge supporter of rodeo queens. I had a great time getting to chat with him; we talked about everything from rodeo to photography and everything in between. You can look up the podcast on Chute Talk (Shoot Talk) and see what we had to say.

Being that this year's rodeo queens have to be a bit more creative in how we reach out to people, I thought I’d take part in a webinar on social media taught by Katherine Merck, Miss Rodeo America 2016. She’s been a huge help and is oh so kind and genuine. Katherine had some great ideas that I’ve been able to implement into my social media. If you haven’t had a chance to check out my Facebook or Instagram, swing on over and check them out. I’d love to hear what you think.

Another virtual experience that I took part in was a recorded zoom interview with Ag In the Classroom. I did a tour of my barn and introduced my horses. The interview should be posted soon. I’ll make sure and let you all know when it is up and ready to view. A fun and in-person event that I was also invited to take part in was at Crater Elementary School’s drive through parade. The parade was for their students to drive by and see the teachers they’ve been missing. The St. Paul Rodeo Royal Court, Northwest Youth Rodeo Association Royalty, Jr. Miss Rodeo Oregon Morgan Brownell, and I attended the parade. We stood along the sidewalk dancing to music alongside the teachers and it felt great to be out and about again.

With everyone in quarantine, Sam, Morgan and I haven’t been able to spend time together so we took part in a Facebook Live interview. We gave advice on preparing for a pageant and answered some questions. You can take a look at it on the Miss Rodeo Oregon Inc. Foundation Facebook page. Speaking of making the best of our situation, I had the amazing opportunity to attend a photo shoot in Burns, OR. Thomas T. Duncan Photography knew most of the rodeos in Oregon were cancelled so he volunteered his time and drove from Idaho to Oregon and did a photo shoot for the Oregon “covid” queens. We took run-in pictures, individual, and group shots. It was great spending time with my sash sisters and meeting some of the girls I would have been traveling with this year. Be on the lookout for pictures that the amazing Thomas took!

The last week of May I received a call from my school and was asked to lead the St. Paul High School graduation parade. I was honored and humbled to lead a parade on Pete for my classmates, teammates, and friends. I had an amazing time riding along with the St. Paul Rodeo Royalty, family and friends of the graduates, and the graduates themselves, even though it was pouring down rain. Congratulations to the Class of 2020! The next day I hosted an Instagram Live with your 2019 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon, Meredith Moore. It was so much fun to catch up with Meredith and see what she's been up to since passing down the crown. If you want to see what Meredith has been up to or hear some of her tips, check out my Instagram.

I hope you enjoy the tour of my hometown rodeo, the St. Paul Rodeo. I had a blast making the video and maybe you learned something new. I can’t wait for 2021 when the chutes fly open again.

Cheerfully,
Ainsley, Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon

Oregon Covid-Queen photo shoot with Thomas Duncan Photography

Photo shoot fly by

Drive through parade at Crater Elementary with St. Paul royal court and JMRO Morgan

Webinar with Katherine Merck

Parade Ready!!

Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon 2020-2021 Morgan Brownell!

This month I was able to attend a student parade at Crater Elementary School in Newberg with Ainsley, the St. Paul Rodeo Court and the Northwest Youth Rodeo Association Court. We stood on the sidewalk along with the teachers as all of the students and their familes drove by. It was so much fun and I think the kids really enjoyed it. I also got to show off my custom chaps for the first time. They kept me nice and dry while it rained outside.

I also attended the Oregon queens photo shoot that Thomas Duncan put on for every Oregon rodeo queen. It was such a fun weekend. The photo shoot was in Burns at the Harney County Fair Grounds. Thank you so much Thomas Duncan Photography for making the drive to Oregon. On our way over, we made a stop in Bend where I was able to meet up with one of my sponsors, D & D Wild Rags, and pick up some new wild rags. I was able to showcase some of them during the photo shoot. I can’t wait to showcase the other ones I was able to get.

Ainsley and I took our trailers there and camped all weekend. We had fun playing card games, roping or just hanging out. Sadly, in all the fun, Ainsley got a little too excited from her catch on the roping dummy that she broke its leg and neck. It had to go to the vet, aka my dad, and got a lot of ”stitches” but it has had a safe recovery and is back to being roped off of. Needless to say, Ainsley sticks to heeling while I head. Overall I had a great weekend in Burns meeting so many new Oregon queens and people in general. It was a great opportunity and we got some great pictures out of it.

Other than that, I have been riding a lot and keeping my horses in shape so they are ready to go when we get to go somewhere.

Until next month, JMRO Morgan

Covid Queens Photo Shoot with Thomas Duncan Photography!

Looking Forward!!

We're absolutely "all in" for our fall clinic!  We're making preparations for the best clinic ever and we'll also have the current recommended social distancing guidelines in place for your peace of mind.

Sponsors, we thank you!!