Sunday, May 16, 2010

Hattiesburg, Mississippi PRCA Rodeo


Hello rodeo fans! Well, I don’t know how you have been but let me tell you, I have been busy! Fresh off of my trip to the Dixie National rodeo, I had the chance to make a run to another exciting rodeo, the Hattiesburg Coca-Cola Classic. I had so much fun at the Coca-Cola Classic and I can’t wait to share my stories with you!

My day began when I arrived at the Hattiesburg multipurpose naturally; I was an hour and a half early, this, however, would turn out to be a good thing. As I walked into the arena, I was met by one of the Smith, Harper, and Morgan crew members. He took me over to the bull pen where two black and white Paint horses were tied to the fence. I was told that since I would be carrying the American flag into the arena for the opening ceremonies that I should get to know these horses well as I will have ridden both of them by the time the weekend would end. I began to bridle one of the horses who I would find out is named “Dr. Pepper”. (I found it somewhat amusing that I would be riding a house named Dr. Pepper at the Coca-Cola Classic rodeoJ) I was so proud to be able to carry the American flag into a rodeo in the Hattiesburg multipurpose arena where all my friends and family could see me. The music played, I smiled and I couldn’t have been more happy to bring ole’ Dr. Pepper to a full run and wave Old Glory proudly! I was beaming!

After the grand entry, I met up with my fellow queens, Miss Rodeo Mississippi Princess, Hannah Claire Chisholm; Jr. Miss Rodeo Mississippi, Kate Sprabery; and Teen Miss Rodeo Mississippi, Hillary Hobby. We chatted with a few rodeo first timers and shared our love of the sport of rodeo with them, and signed a few autographs. Then after a few quick pictures, we headed down to the alley way to make sure that we could ride in the “barrel” truck. The barrel truck is the truck that brings out and sets up the barrels for barrel racing. Kate, Hillary, Hannah Claire and I have quickly become fond of the barrel truck because we get a first hand view of all the fast riding action!

After barrel racing, we headed back up to the stands where we signed a few more autographs and took tons of pictures. We all had a great time at the Hattiesburg Coca Cola Classic rodeo and made many memories that will last a life time! Until next time, happy trails and see you on the rodeo road!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Dixie National 2010

Hello rodeo fans! The last time we spoke I was just leaving the Starkville Rotary Classic rodeo and boy what a fun time I had there! Between the Starkville Rotary performances, I had the opportunity to ride in the annual Dixie National parade! Even though it was more than a little cold, I was so happy to be able to ride along side, Kelli Jackson, Miss Rodeo America; Vanessa Ratliff, Jr. Miss Dixie National; Amber Schaffer, Miss Dixie National; Hannah Clair Chisholm, Miss Rodeo Mississippi Princess; Kate Sprabery, Jr. Miss Rodeo Mississippi; and Hillary Hobby Teen Miss Rodeo Mississippi. The parade was exhilarating and I had a blast.

I officially arrived at the Dixie National rodeo on Sunday for the first of two performances that day. I was elated as the thought of riding in the coliseum crossed my mind. It was just four years earlier where I had stood as a 4-H’er showing my cattle and dreaming of one day riding in on horseback as my state’s first lady of rodeo and now the time had finally come. I walked down the arena and met Shawn Calhoun (PRCA pickup man and friend) who had a horse waiting for me to ride in the grand entry. As I entered the arena, making my queen’s run, a flood of emotions overtook me as I looked up in the stands and saw my friends and family cheering me on.

The Dixie National rodeo is not only famous for bringing in famous cowboys and cowgirls but also big name musical acts. This year some of the artists to grace the Jackson dirt were Darryl Worrley, Randy Houser, Tanya Tucker and Lady Antebellum! These are all incredibly talented artist and very nice people as well. It was such a rush to be able to see up close these amazing people who I had only seen on television. I don’t want to brag but I was even able to have my picture taken with Lady Antebellum! The crowd was amazing and after those amazing shows, they were pumped up for more high jumpin’, rope throwin’ rodeo action!

I had such a wonderful time at the Dixie Nationals and I would like to send a special thank you to Cindy Keyes and Teresa Ratliff for all of their love and support throughout the week, they also made a beautiful shirt and an amazing vest to match my chaps and I am so very grateful to them for all of their hard work! Allison Coulton for scheduling some amazing events for us to attend while we were at Dixie, Shaun Calhoun for making sure that I had a great horse to ride in the grand entry at every performance and Donna Sprabery for being like a second mom to me! I had a blast at Dixie and I can’t wait to send you more stories from the rodeo road! Happy trails!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Starkville, MS PRCA Rodeo


Hello rodeo fans! I trust that you have had a pleasant January since we last spoke. Wheeeeew I have been busy with my rodeoing! Since my trip to the Tupelo rodeo I have had the opportunity to participate in one of the most fun rodeos that I have had the chance to take part in or even watch for that matter!

The Starkville Rotary Classic Rodeo will forever live in my mind as one of my most favorite rodeos for two big reasons. First of all the rodeo was a wonderful fundraiser for the Starkville Rotary Club’s S.O.A.R. (Starkville/Oktibbeha Achieving Results) program. This program provides scholarships to local college students in the Starkville area. Scholarships are so important especially now and it is so wonderful that the Starkville Rotary cares so much that they will put on an amazing rodeo to help raise funds to send kids to college. The second most memorable part of this rodeo is the media interview that Larry Mullins of Starkville Rotary. Preparation for the rodeo for me began the Thursday before the rodeo when Mr. Mullins and I took a trip to Columbus to visit the WCBI new station to have our mid day interview to promote the rodeo. It was so much fun to be able to go live on the air and not only promote the rodeo but also share my love of rodeo with the viewers watching at home.
When I arrived at the rodeo Friday, I was greeted by Bricklee Miller (she coordinates the events that go on at the horse park) who took me to meet Scotty and Tonya Lovelace (Scotty is the stock contractor for Classic Pro Rodeo and Tonya, his wife runs the clock for the timed events). Tonya and I sat down and discussed what my role at the rodeo would be and I immediately went to work. Scotty provided me with a horse that I would have to say is the nicest horse I have ever met, Chisholm ,who I would ride when I carried in the American flag and when I ran sponsor flags as well. Chisholm was an instant hit with the kids who would soon rename him “Fuzz” because he was a little fuzzy from the winter weather. The kids especially liked it when I would ride Chisholm in the paddock behind the arena, this way, they could pet him through the fence.
Soon the rodeo would end and I prepared for day two of the Rotary Classic rodeo. The second performance started early for me because although the rodeo wouldn’t start until 7:30 that night, the back paddock behind the ally way would be turned into a petting zoo for the kids that came early to the rodeo. The kids came in flocks! I thought that the kids would be more excited for the pony rides than anything else, and true enough, some of the younger ones were. I will however, never forget one exception that trumped the pony rides. I was standing at the top of the stairs at the entry way to the pony rides and petting zoo when I noticed a group of about five boys that looked to be around ten years old. One could easily tell that they really weren’t that interested in the pony rides and that two had been put in charge of looking over their younger siblings. As I watched the boys attempting to act cool while at the same time watching over their younger comrades, I saw something that I will not soon forget. Since the petting zoo/ pony ride area was directly in the path of the contestants rout to pay fees and get their numbers, they would have to walk right next to the kids. About this time a group of three cowboys came walking by and you would have thought that it was Tony Romo or Drew Breeze. The boys were amazed and I saw the look of sheer awe in their eyes.
The rodeo kicked off and would soon end. The people that had just hours before been filling the stands with yells and cheers for their favorite cowboys were gone and it was time to pack up and go home, or in my case head to the Dixie National Rodeo!!!! J Stay tuned for more “tails” from the rodeo trail!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

National Western Stock Show - Denver, CO


Hello rodeo fans! My name is Katie Jo Vanderslice and I am your 2010 Miss Rodeo Mississippi! It is my honor and a pleasure to represent my home state as the first lady of professional rodeo, and I will do my best to keep you up-to-date on all of my travels and experiences throughout this year.

The morning of January 14th came rather quickly as I awoke bright and early at 4:45 a.m. in order to prepare for a 6:30 a.m. departure to Denver, Colorado, and the National Western Stock Show (NWSS). My flight from Jackson to Dallas was delayed a little because the pilot decided to deice the aircraft before take, thus causing me to miss my connection to CO. Never one to fret, and like any experienced Rodeo Queen queen, I simply found a later flight and in no time was quickly whisked away to the mile high city!

Upon arriving in Denver, CO, I was met at the airport by Jerry, a National Western Volunteer and an expert on all things surrounding the city of Denver! On our way to the hotel, Jerry pointed out the famous “Blue Mustang” that stands proudly on its hind legs with a blue coat and fiery eyes welcoming all those to the Denver International Airport! Once at the Marriot, where I was met by Jodi Witt, my NWSS contact and resident “mom” for the week, I had a few minutes to settle in and prepare what was soon to be a trip of a lifetime!FINALLY! It was time to head to the NWSS where I was to make an official rodeo appearance at MRM. As I walked into the arena I was taken aback; all of my hard work and preparation had finally paid off and I could not have been prouder to wear the Miss Rodeo Mississippi crown, while representing my state which I hold so dear to my heart. My first performance brought many new experiences in which I will never forget. Two of those experiences consisted of the President’s box bios and the children’s Mutton Bustin’. The President’s box bios were unlike anything I could adequately describe! I have to say that I was a bit nervous before I walked out onto the red dirt of the arena floor, but having with Miss Rodeo Minnesota, Carley Koppes, and Miss Rodeo Wisconsin, Amanda Breitenfeldt, by my side calmed my nerves considerably. As I stood waiting for my biography to be read I heard a familiar tune blaring over the loud speakers and a smile as wide as the Mississippi river crossed my face. The tune was Mississippi Queen, and how appropriate for it to be played during my introduction! I could not believe what I was hearing, and I still smile today thinking of that very moment. The announcer for the NWSS, Mr. Boyd Polhamus, insisted on playing my new theme song every time I entered the Denver Coliseum! Another event I discovered while in Denver was the furiously competitive Mutton Busting competition! For those who are not familiar with this event, it is similar to bull riding, with the exceptional of a 2,000 pound bull. Instead, contestants are suited up (much like a bull rider would be) hoisted upon the back of a very wooly and rather untamed sheep, and then are turned loose out into the arena. I cannot remember a time in life where I laughed so hard or had as much fun as I did at this event. After the competition the winners received huge trophies presented by top PRCA Bullriders, and the overall winner was allowed an even better prize. As we were standing there waiting for the “better prize” to be presented, I heard my familiar tune playing over the loud speakers again and this time I was instructed to meet the Mutton Busting winner in the middle of the arena where he was to give me a kiss. I am not sure who was more shocked, the boy that had to kiss me on the cheek or I because he actually did it!The best part about my trip to Denver occurred after the rodeo, and it is when I met two of the kindest people that I have ever encountered in my life. John Cavey and Pat Thompson, huge Miss Rodeo America sponsors, won my heart and hopefully formed a special bond for life Not only do these two individuals generously support the Miss Rodeo America organization and pageant, but they provide all 2011 Miss Rodeo America contestants beautiful custom embroidered jackets that have really come in handy with the extreme weather we have been having this year. They took great care of me especially around meal time, as we had lunch and dinner many times during my stay in Denver. Their generosity was overwhelming, but very much appreciated. John and Pat introduced me to a lot of people, and two of those were Carl and Kathy Wilkinson. Carl and Kathy are responsible for the beautiful Landstrom’s Black Hill’s Gold crown that Miss Rodeo America wears! After speaking with Carl and Kathy, Carl asked if I could take a moment and sign a few autographs in front of their booth. I was more than happy to do this and in a matter of moments, a table and chair was set up for me. Children flocked to the booth and I signed nearly 300 sheets that afternoon between performances. I was a little sad when I had to leave to make the night rodeo performance but Kathy assured me that I was welcome to sign again any time that I had a free moment. I made sure to take her up on this offer before I left Denver for home.The Denver market was also an experience that I will never forget! I am not sure exactly how many stores and shops that are located in the seemingly endless Denver market or the “mart” as the locals called it, but there is one thing that I am absolutely sure about…a person can get lost in there if not careful! Or, in my case, two people can get lost, as was proven by Miss Iowa, Jordanne Blair, and I as we attempted to locate the Tandy Brands booth. Once the elusive booth was found (which turned out to be quite simple to locate), we took a seat in the front of the store and began to sign autographs. After a few photo opts and numerous autograph sheets handed out, it was time to return to the Denver Coliseum for the next performance of the NWSS.

My flight homes was quite normal, and I was excited to see my father (Popa) who was there to pick me up. My experiences in Denver are ones that I will never forget, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those that made this trip so special.I hope I was able to paint the perfect picture describing just one of the many days in the life of Miss Rodeo Mississippi 2010. I also hope that you enjoyed the ride as much as I did telling you about it! Stay tuned for many more exciting adventures to come! Happy trails and God Bless!

January-February, 2010


Hello rodeo fans! I trust that you have had a happy January and a very happy Valentine’s Day this past February. I have been very productive since my trip to Denver and have had many new experiences starting with my trip to Tupelo for my first instate PRCA rodeo. This rodeo would come to be very special because it was my first rodeo with Jr. Miss Rodeo Mississippi, Kate Sprabery and Teen Miss Rodeo Mississippi, Hillary Hobby!

The afternoon started off around 6 when I arrived at the Tupelo arena. The rodeo wouldn’t actually start until 7:30 but you will come to find that I dislike being late for anything and I am more often than not early for everything. When I arrived at the rodeo I was immediately greeted by LeAnne Peters, one of the lovely ladies on my Miss Rodeo Mississippi board. After a brief chat with LeAnne, Kate and Hillary soon arrived and it was time to get to work.The first order of business was to find the announcer, Mr. Mike Mathis, and give him our biography cards to read. Mr. Mike, along with his trusty steed, Frog is one of the top PRCA announcers and his horse Frog is a crowd favorite! After a quick chat with Mr. Mike, Kate, Hillary and I went to work. Our “work” consisted of signing hundreds of autographs, taking numerous pictures and meeting and greeting rodeo fans! I’m really not sure which was more fun, signing autographs for first time rodeo goers or taking a picture with a life size Elvis cut out! The rodeo began with a blast and I mean that literally! Even though fireworks are very pretty and a rodeo staple, and even at the age of 22, I am still very afraid of them. (I’m not sure the reasoning behind this.)After the fireworks went out and Old Glory was brought in, we then asked God to bless the contestants, help the animals do their best and make the judges sharp with their scores. Even though I, fresh from Denver, am a seasoned bio veteran, this was the first time for Kate and Hillary to be announced and boy were they proud to represent the great sport of rodeo! Then it was back to signing autographs! Even though Kate, Hillary and I weren’t able to watch the event, we heard the crowd cheering for not only the cowboys and cowgirls but also the amazing livestock that the rodeo brought!I have to say that this was one of the best experiences of my life and it was very special to be able to share it with Katie and Hillary!

A very special thanks goes out to Donna Sprabery for taking pictures of Kate, Hillary and I during the performance, LeAnne Peters for all of her hard work at the rodeo, and Deborah Tucker for coming to support us! Stay tuned for many more exciting adventures from the rodeo road! Happy trails!