After the Miss Rodeo South Dakota pageant, the month of July took off and I hit the road. I had the opportunity to attend the Burke Stampede and had a great time. Burke is close to home so it was great to see local fans! I was then headed to Colorado Springs, CO and I was there for nine days. I attended the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. It was a silver stop on the Million Dollar Tour and I had a great time interacting with the people and helping with the mutton bustin'! While I was in Colorado Springs, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the PRCA Hall of Fame Inductions. What an experience that was! It was neat to see the inductees and their families as they were all so proud and happy! Following the Hall of Fame Inductions, I took part in the Miss Rodeo America pageant seminar. I learned so much from attending and had fun as well! Miss Rodeo California, Markie; Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Michelle; Miss Rodeo New Mexico, Kelli; Miss Rodeo Utah, Chris and I were all roommates and some of the most fun times of this long stay in Colorado were times spent with these girls! We definitely know how to make each other laugh!
When I got back from Colorado it was time for the Winner Elks Rodeo. I have been attending this rodeo since I was a little girl and being there as Miss Rodeo South Dakota was such an honor. I was glad to be there to carry the American flag and to speak to friends and sign autographs!
Cheyenne Frontier Days, "The Daddy of 'Em All", was such a sight! My favorite thing about going to the "Daddy" was being able to do the queen fly-bys! I have always heard that they were sooo much fun and being able to actually experience them for myself was amazing! No queen introduction will ever be the same after doing a Cheyenne Frontier Days fly-by! In Cheyenne we were able to sit behind the chutes while they bucked out the barebacks, be introduced at the concerts and PBRs, sign autographs, do rodeo commentary for a radio station and we enjoyed each other's company! Thank you to Arlene Kensinger for coordinating my stay in Cheyenne!
I left Cheyenne and went right to Deadwood, SD for the Days of '76 rodeo. Deadwood is such a cool town and when you host a rodeo there...it only gets better! The Days of '76 rodeo has always been one of my favorites and being there as Miss Rodeo South Dakota was even better than every other year! They had a queen contest for the first time this year and congrats to Kristina Maddocks for being the first Miss Days of '76! I understand why this rodeo continues to be an award winning rodeo year after year!
The month of August came and went in a blink of an eye. The first week of August I had off and it was nice to catch up! I went to Onida for the Catfish Stampede and had a great time. Thank you to Steve and Kim Sutton for letting me stay at your house! I have a great time with them and enjoyed carrying flags with some local girls!
I went straight to Aberdeen, SD for the Dakotah Stampede. I went up a day early and watched the Miss Rodeo Aberdeen pageant. Krystal Carlascio was giving up the title and it was fun to watch her and hear her stories. Krystal did a fantastic job during her year as Miss Rodeo Aberdeen and I am so glad that we have grown as friends during this past year.
My next adventure took me to Yankton, SD for Riverboat Days. There were so many queens there to help and it was great to see young, local girls take such an interest of going to rodeos and helping out any way they can!
4-H finals in Ft. Pierre, SD has been something that I have been attending since I was a young 4-Her. Last year I started announcing at this rodeo with my Grandpa and I went back to do the same thing this year. It was fun to watch the Ambassador contest and to talk to the contestants. They all did a great job and congrats to all of you! Hayley Smith came away with the crown and I know she will do a great job! Congrats Hayley!
Thank you to everyone who has helped me through these two very busy months! I had a blast traveling in the heat of the rodeo season in South Dakota! These next three months I am back in Rapid City getting ready for Miss Rodeo America!
Until next time.....
God Bless and see ya at the rodeos!
McKenzie Haley
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