This amazing journey that I am on has finally began! My coronation was beautiful and the support was overwhelming. My hometown, Winner, was very encouraging and I appreciate everything they have done for me over the years. I know that the support, encouragment and advice will continue to be there throughout this year. My first official trip as Miss Rodeo South Dakota was to Denver, CO for the National Western Stock Show. Driving in the big city was quite interesting and I found myself missing the one stop light, one main road, easy to get around in small town I am from. I now have a GPS, so future driving in unfamiliar places will be much easier.
I went to the Denver Market and fully enjoyed my shopping experience. Erin, my aunt, went with me to Market and I am so glad and thankful I had someone with me to shop because there was so much to look at and so many floors to cover! It was very fun though and I am glad I got there in time for the Market.
Everyone at the Stock Show was very welcoming and made me feel like I belonged. It was so good to see all the girls and get to know each other a little better! 2010 has a great group of state queens and I am so lucky they are all my friends! I really enjoyed my time in Denver and they had several things that we could do at the rodeo and I stayed very busy! At the rodeos, we were able to participate in many things. We could carry sponsor flags, help with mutton bustin', be introduced, give away gift certificates during before the barrel racing or interact with the crowd!
My next and first in state stop as Miss Rodeo South Dakota was at the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo in Rapid City, SD. I was so excited for the Stock Show because I have been attending it since I was a little girl and being there as Miss Rodeo South Dakota was very fun for me. The first weekend was the second stop of the Xtreme Bull Riding Tour and South Dakota bull rider, Clay Hindman, took home the first place prize.
During the week, there were eight state queens who came to help out and I am so thankful that they all came! We went to several school visits, went to Mount Rushmore, visited a hospital, swam at Watiki Waterpark and had many autograph signings at the Rodeo Zone. On Thursday, the first stop of the Million Dollar Tour rodeos started. Suttons provided us with their wonderful horses and we had five great rodeos. I was honored to carry the American flag! Suttons' always have wonderul openings and I was so priviledged to be a part of them! The Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo had yet another successful year and always has great entertaining options for people.
I am getting ready to go to Florida and am very excited to go south for awhile and enjoy some nice and warm weather! My year is getting off on the right foot and I can tell this year is going to be amazing, exciting and fun filled! I plan on embracing every single moment!
God Bless & See Ya at the Rodeos,
McKenzie
