Well, Old Glory flew proudly this past Independence Day week at the Warrenton Co. fairgrounds. This week on the 3rd and 4th of July in Warrenton MO, I attended my fourth bullride of the year, which happens to be my third with the D Bar D Rodeo Co. Everything was a blast I couldn’t have asked for a more memorable way to spend our countries birthday. Things were looking a little iffy weatherwise on the third with rain clouds hovering over the arena. However I had my trusty umbrella with me and things began clearing up. The crowd was awesome and for the first time I was able to carry “the greatest flag in the world” on horseback to the playing of our national anthem. I have to say displaying Old Glory both days was one of the greatest honors of my life to date, and a memory I will always cherish. From there the evening went off without a hitch. The Bullriding action was intense as always, with comic relief coming from funnyman “Porkchop,” who kept the crowd laughing nonstop. This evening I did a 50/50 raffle to earn money for my upcoming travels. In an unexpected turn of generosity the couple who won the half of the raffle donated it back to me. I would like to take this time to thank Don and Vicki Loukes for their kind hearted act, it is and always will be greatly appreciated. The following day was beautiful, never have I seen a more pleasant July 4th, the sun shone brightly and the weather was cool, not a cloud for miles. I arrived early on the grounds and was able to take in some of the fair atmosphere. From the 4-H barn and cattle show, to pottery classes and fair queen pageants the grounds were all a buzz. The most for me however happened when I visited the childrens petting zoo. I was able to play in “the sandbox of corn” with several children. It was a really fun experience. From there I headed back to the arena and entertained the crowd with some “Cotton eyed Joe ” dance moves. I also visited with those waiting for the show to begin. I also met the new Warrenton Co. fair Rodeo Queens along with Jr. Miss Rodeo Missouri, who helped me present flags at the start of the performance. Once again I carried our nations flag and, I must say today was the most special of all. It was a surreal moment standing there proudly with those colors on this day of all days, knowing in my heart what they stand for. Later as the fair committee set off a showstopping fireworks display to music, I watched from the announcers stand and felt what it truly means to love ones country. Never have I been more proud to be an American than on that day, at that moment. To all the brave men and women who have served or are serving in our nations military, thank you, from the bottom of my heart for what you’ve done. It is because of you I can say I live in the greatest country in the world, The United States of America, and can enjoy all of the freedoms that come along with that. Again thank you and God Bless you and the USA!
Odessa, MO
“On the road again…” Well this weekend on June 28th I reached a new milestone in my Queen travels. I traveled my farthest distance from home to date, 307 miles to the quaint little town of Odessa MO. It was an eventful night. I arrived on the grounds to find that dispite the beautiful sunshine above, it had rained the night before and the arena was well, lets just say it “lacked dryness”. I’m telling you what a fish would have faired better out there than the livestock did. It was slipping and sliding for everyone all night. However that didn’t stop everyone from having a spectacular time! It was a historic evening for the Odessa Chamber of Commerce with the help of Six Crowns Rodeo Co. They celebrated their 20th anniversary. I was fortunate enough to be given the use, by Katelyn Shipshank, of a sweet little horse named Cash. He was loveley to work with and, the mud didn’t stop him from gracefully helping me present the Six Crowns Rodeo flag to the crowd at the start of the event. I also met the new Odessa Rodeo Queens, and they were lovely to visit with. I even got to help them throw T-Shirts to the crowd at intermission, of course we made the recipiants work for them, dancing and jumping up and down were frequent attempts for the shirts. Then came the Mutton Bustin… the question wasn’t if your child was going to get muddy, it was how much of that was going to be on you car seats after the ride home! The kids were amazing, they held on to those sheep til the bitter end, and when they finally hit the ground they did it with style. One boy even threw his hat at the crowd. Our “Funny Man” Dusty Meyers was a riot setting off a “Rocket” during his first act (attemping to anyway) and doing a magic act later in evening, the crowd absolutly loved him. The whole experience was a blast, but the best part was meeting up unexpectedly with friends. As it turns out Clint Jackson, Tara Jackson and Frank Walkowe brought the bulls to this event. I was so excited to see them and, it gave us the chance to catch up, while getting details for upcoming events. So now things are really starting to pick up and I can’t wait til my next appearance! As the song says ”…Just can’t wait to get on the road again.” See you down the trail!
Chester, IL
Well water, water everywhere and more to come from the weather man had to say. Fortunately the weatherman was wrong and all weekend we had beautiful skys. I attended my 2nd Bullride of the year, held in Chester Illinois, this past weekend, the 20th and 21st of June. This was my first out of state (home state, Missouri) Bullride. The event was amazing! Once again the D Bar D rodeo company held a spectacular event, along with the Randolph Co. Saddle Club, and Chester Eagles lodge, they managed to raise money for the “Make a Wish” foundation and St. Judes Research Hospital. Each night I was honored to present the D Bar D Rodeo Co. flag on horseback. I was blessed in being given the gift of the use of a horse to do so each night. The horse was a dream come true, easy to work with and a big beautiful Appaloosa. His name was Cimmeron, and he was generously provided by Neal Detering, the vice president of the saddle club, who uses Cimmeron for mounted shooting events. Not only can he be shot off of but, get this Cimmeron is a stud! Yeah, thats what I said, and I couldn’t have asked for a better horse. Carrying the flag for the first time as Miss NFPB was so thrilling and, I can’t wait to do it again. I was also lucky enough to meet former Miss NFPB 2002/Miss Rodeo Illinois 2007 Kelsea Walker. She was wonderful, and I also learned that she is an amazing Barrelracer. Mutton busting each night was a blast! The kids all did very well, I got to help get them ready and even handed out awards. On Saturday I was able to help the funnyman, Jason Farley, with the “Mexican Telephone” act. I got to be his “Lovely Assistant.” It was really fun and the crowd seemed to enjoy it. While in Chester I learned an interesting fact, Chester is the home of “Popeye” the sailerman. Let me tell ya Popeye wouldn’t have known what to do with all the water overflowing on the Mississippi River. Let’s hope he’s eating his spinach! Well, until next time, stay tuned and “Happy Trails to You!”
New Florence, MO
Hey Everyone! I just got back from my first Bullride as Miss NFPB 2008. It was an amazing experience! The event was held in New Florence, MO, June 5th and 6th. New Florence is about an hour and a half from my home, which wasn’t too bad of a trip. I was even fortunate enough to get a hotel two minutes away from the event. Talk about lucky! I was given the honor of presenting the American flag to the audience each night, which I did very proudly. I signed many autographs each night, met up unexpectedly with old friends, and even got to meet the Montgomery County Saddle Club Royalty. Not to mention getting to see some amazing Bullriding! There were even several of the contestants from this past finals. I have to say though one of the most memorable moments for me was during the first night when I helped “Tiny” the Funnyman with an act. I got to dance in front of the entire crowd blindfolded! (Those of you who were at this years finals are probably thinking De Ja Vu!) Everything went extremely well. I have to thank the entire D Bar D production staff, especially Bob and Linda Daniels, they made me feel like part of the family and I appreciate that from the bottom of my heart. Well, thats all for now! Until next time, God Bless and Cowgirl Up!!!
Cowboy Magic Lauches program to support Rodeo Queen Pageants
COWBOY MAGIC®
Launches Innovative Program to Support
Rodeo Queen Pageants
The COWBOY MAGIC® company, a leading manufacturer of equine grooming products, has developed a program to benefit local and national rodeo queen pageant programs. Launched in April, the COWGIRL MAGIC® Rodeo Queen Pageant Fundraising Program enables pageants to raise much needed funds for their operational expenses and scholarship programs by providing free products for fundraising. Each qualified participating pageant receives 100 tubes of COWGIRL MAGIC® Pink Lady Lotion at no charge, which pageant contestants and organizers can offer in exchange for a suggested $10 donation. The program enables the pageants to raise $1,000 without any initial investment.
The Rodeo Queen Pageant Fundraising Program has received an immediate, positive response from pageant organizers, with 19 pageants across the country signing up within the first 45 days.
COWGIRL MAGIC® Pink Lady Lotion was created and packaged exclusively for rodeo queen pageant fund raising. “To date, more than 2,000 tubes of Pink Lady Lotion representing a potential of $20,000 have been donated to help raise operational and scholarship funds,” says COWBOY MAGIC® Founder and CEO Jim Cummings.
Cummings came up with the idea for the Rodeo Queen Pageant Fundraising Program after his company sponsored 2007 Miss URA Rodeo Queen Lacy Glover. “I became aware of the expenses associated with operating a rodeo queen pageant and their need to raise funds,” says Cummings. “This is a charitable way COWBOY MAGIC® can give back to the horse community by creating a fundraising solution to satisfy a rodeo pageant’s need for additional operational and scholarship funds.”
What appealed to Cummings were the many benefits that young girls receive by participating in their local and national rodeo pageant programs. “Once I understood the personal-development benefits that a young horsewoman can receive by participating in a rodeo queen pageant, I was sold on the idea of helping,” says Cummings.
“Young women who compete in rodeo queen pageants benefit in a number of ways,” says Lisa Boeding, pageant director and coordinator for the Miss Rodeo Illinois Pageant. “They learn social skills and they work toward achieving personal goals they have set for themselves. They also learn what true sportsmanship is all about.”
Says Joyce Jenson, director of the JCRA Queen Pageant: “They get out among a wide diversity of people. They learn public speaking, growth of character and life skills.”
According to Cummings, the primary benefit of the Fundraising Program is more scholarship funds for the rodeo queen and her court. “Offering substantial educational scholarships will heighten the awareness of the general public, resulting in an increase in interest of young horsewomen in participating in the rodeo queen process,” says Cummings.
In recent years, pageants have found it increasingly more difficult to raise funding through sponsorships due to the stiff competition for sponsorship dollars from other facets of the rodeo industry, particularly the rodeo cowboys themselves. This program provides a fundraising opportunity developed exclusively for the pageants.
For more information about the Rodeo Queen Pageant Fundraising Program visit the COWBOY MAGIC® website at www.cowboymagic.com. or call 1-800-755-6844.
New Website
We are currently working on a new website. Visit it at www.MissNFPB.com and let us know what you think.
Travelin’ Time
Well summer is on it way and it is time to hit the road. Jennifers first stop will be New Florence, MO on June 5 & 6. Stay tuned for photos and stories on all her visits.
Miss NFPB 2008 – Jennifer Cox
Competing at the 2008 Miss NFPB Pageant was one of the greatest experiances of my life to date. Not only did I get to see some of the best Bullriders in the country compete,but I made friends and memories that I will cherish always. During the pageant I tested myself in many areas and I feel like I achomplished alot and grew as an individual. I was also blessed to compete with some of the kindest pageant contestents I have ever known. For me becoming Miss NFPB is a dream come true and I intend to do all I can to live up to the presteige that comes with such a title. Although winning the crown is amazing the most wonderful part of the entire experiance was getting to do the Special Rodeo and being able to make a difference in somones life. You really don’t know how much of an impact one moment can have until you meet such wonderful individuals.I would like to thank the entire NFPB staff for putting on such a wonderful pageant, and I look forward to an amazing year to come.
