The Oregon Queen — March/April 2021

April 18, 2021 Off By Lois Forester

Miss Rodeo Oregon 2021 Samantha Henricks!

Here is to getting back into the groove!

At the beginning of March, I was able to travel to Canby to show support to the host rodeo court of the Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant. Their court was having a Gymkhana Play Day to help raise funds for their year. Here I was loaned a horse by Princess Alexa and presented the American Flag and completed my first hot lap of 2021!

Next, I headed east to kick off the 2021 rodeo season in Central Oregon at the High Desert Stampede! Joined by Morgan, Ainsley, Miss Rodeo Washington Madi Casto, and Miss Rodeo Alaska Kelsy Konkright, we had a great time celebrating rodeo coming back to Oregon. I started off the weekend by attending the Kick Off Party. For each performace, I had the opportunity to present the American Flag under the production of Haley Bridwell of Bridwell Pro Rodeos. We also snuck in time for the exceptional Rascal Rodeo and a Rhett Rodeo for our younger fans! It sure has been a drought the past year, but it felt great to be back in the saddle! The High Desert Stampede Committee did a phenomenal job, setting the bar for the rest of 2021 very high!

I was home for a short week and then back on the road to Central Oregon for the 2021 Miss Rodeo Oregon Clinic. I think I need to invest in a second home in Central Oregon; it would be much more convenient.... Miss Rodeo Oregon Clinic was a nothing short of a success. There were many attendees and wonderful clinicians who shared their knowledge, tips and tricks! I was also able to swap out my hat for my coaching cap to help with horsemanship for the day. Being able to see the drive and motivation from the young ladies who attended the clinic was admirable. Thank you again to our clinicians, especially Taylor McNair, who did a great job.

Next on the calendar for me is our second Southern District OHSET meet! Not only will I have my team to get through the meet, but I also volunteer to organize grand entry and sit on the awards committee for the district! I also just finalized arrangements for my coronation dinner and auction!

Once again, thank you all for the encouragement, support and commitment to the Miss Rodeo Oregon program!

Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon 2021 Ainsley Goughnour!

With spring brings new beginnings... and the past couple months have brought many new and exciting adventures. I’m beyond thrilled to be out and about promoting rodeo and participating in events again.

At the end of February I was able to travel to Grants Pass to run Leo in Sam’s Miss Rodeo Oregon Gymkhana Fundraiser. She had a great turnout and Leo and I had a ton of fun at the event. March continued on with the gymkhana theme. The Clackamas Co. Fair and Canby Rodeo Court hosted a Coronation Games which I was able to come watch Morgan run in as well as hand out a few awards and hang out with the CCF&R court, Queen Nicole and Princesses Alexa and Marlee.

Next up was the first rodeo of the season...the High Desert Stampede. What a treat it was to be at a rodeo again. Signing autographs, taking pictures, helping at the Rhett’s Rodeo as well the Rascal Rodeo were definitely highlights of the weekend. I just love to see the smiling faces and excitement in the eyes of all the kids. I’d like to say a special thank you to the directors and volunteers of the High Desert Stampede for making this event happen.

The following weekend I was back in central Oregon for the Miss Rodeo Oregon Queens clinic at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Let me just say Oregon is in good hands. Everything from the materials provided, the amazing clinicians and speakers, and the delicious food was top notch. If you missed it this year make sure and watch for next year’s dates and get registered. You won’t want to miss it. I feel so much more prepared for the year to come especially now that Leo and I were able to get in this extra practice time. Thank you to everyone involved in making this clinic possible. I’d also like to thank the board for letting me sneak out to give my FFA district officer election speech (I’m happy to announce that I am the 2021-2022 secretary for the Capital District FFA) and to go play a quick game of volleyball with my team right in the middle of it all. To say it was a busy weekend would be an understatement. But it was so much fun and so insightful. And I loved seeing all my sash sisters and meeting new friends. And of course meeting Taylor McNair, 2019 Miss Rodeo America, was awesome!

I can’t wait to see what I have to report on next month and share my adventures with you. Until then stay safe, stay healthy and I’ll see you down the rodeo road.
Cheerfully, Ainsley!

Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon 2021 Morgan Brownell!

This month I was able to attend the High Desert Stampede with so many other amazing rodeo queens. We were able to do Rhett’s Rodeo Friday night following the second performance which was my first. Going into Saturday morning we got up early to volunteer at the Rascal Rodeo. It was so much fun being able to help all the kids. Ainsley and I teamed up and did the ring toss together. Not only did we help others with it we had to get a little competitive with it and compete against each other. That night we had another action packed performance watching the rodeo and signing autographs!

This may not have been in March but why not share it? I had the pleasure of attending the Miss Rodeo Oregon clinic with host clinician Taylor McNair. It was such a great experience and such a good time! I got to meet some great people and learn so much. It was Custer's first event as a queen horse and he did amazing! He loved it and definitely loved doing the queen runs! A special thank you to everybody that made this event possible!!

As some may know I lost a very special part of my team at the beginning of the month. Tommy unexpectedly passed away after a very long and hard night. He was an amazing horse and taught me so much more than I ever thought I could learn. He was my heart horse. He tried his heart out for me. He won me my first queen title, was the first horse I was able to be competitive on in gaming and taught me the sport of reining. I never thought I would have a horse that would be able to not only place me 1st in pole bending at youth rodeo but we placed first overall at the end of the season. I wish it wouldn’t have happened so soon but I just have to keep reminding myself everything happens for a reason. Tommy will forever be missed and he will always have a special place in my heart.

Gratefully,

2021 Jr. Miss Rodeo Oregon Morgan Brownell