I left Abilene the last Saturday of the West Texas Fair and Rodeo so that I could drive back to San Antonio for my early flight to Amarillo Sunday morning. Many people ask if I get exhausted from all of the traveling I do as Miss Rodeo Texas, but I can honestly say that I LOVE it! Getting to go to so many places is a constant reminder of how truly blessed I am to even be in this position and I have cherished every single trip this year. So after an early start Sunday morning, my plane left San Antonio headed to Amarillo for the Tri State Fair and Rodeo. Once I arrived, I was greeted by Brenda Michael who so generously volunteered her time to pick me up from the airport, take me to lunch, and show me around the grounds of the Tri-State fair before the rodeo week began. I loved getting to visit with Brenda and hear about her family’s involvement in rodeo.
On Monday, I had a great time helping with the Mutton Bustin’ “slack” at the fairgrounds. Over one hundred kids were entered so it was a fun-filled evening of spending time with the little mutton busters and getting to know the rodeo committee I’d spend the week with. The next morning, I was interviewed at the local Amarillo TV station, News Channel 10. It was a great opportunity to promote the Tri-State Fair and Rodeo and the exciting Wrangler Champions Challenge that would be held the next day. The early morning show crew and hosts were so welcoming, they eagerly talked to me about my future goals to work in broadcast and I am very appreciative of that.
The rodeo week kicked off with a bang on Wednesday, starting with the Wrangler Champions Challenge. I have never been to one of these events before so I had been looking forward to this night since I won my title! Wrangler Champions Challenges bring the top contestants and the top stock together for one night of incredible competition. You can’t find this kind of quality in one place at one time anywhere else except for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo itself. Our day started off with the contestant luncheon at the American Quarter Horse Association Hall Of Fame and Museum. Thank you to AQHA for hosting the event and for being such a significant sponsor for this rodeo and the PRCA in general!
The contestants checked in, drew their stock, and we had a great meal before heading to Cavenders for an autograph signing. It was nice getting to know some of the contestants while promoting the rodeo that night. Then it was time to head back to the grounds for the performance. I was honored to carry the American flag during the National Anthem everynight, it’s always a reminder of how much I love this sport and its patriotism. After the opening ceremonies, I was so grateful that the rodeo had me stay involved with the performance by pushing cattle during the timed events and carrying sponsor flags. Any extra time I can spend involved with a rodeo or on the back of a horse, I’m a happy girl! I truly loved getting to be a part of the Wrangler Champions Challenge and getting to be in the company of so many of the top cowboys and cowgirls in the world at such a prestigious event!
The next morning, I arrived at the arena bright and early for slack. I really enjoyed getting to help push cattle out with Randy and spend the whole morning horseback on his cowy horses. I was also able to be involved with the steer roping on Friday morning which was a first time experience for me! I had never attended a steer roping in person before so it was neat to be right in the middle of it all, these contestants and their horses are real athletes!
The rest of the week, I got to participate in the Tri-State Fair and Rodeo every night by helping with the mutton bustin’ before each performance, carrying the American flag during the opening ceremonies, pushing cattle out during the timed events, and carrying sponsor flags. I loved every minute of this rodeo and the people I got to share it with! It was also great seeing other “rodeo royalty” throughout the week like Aubrie Fields ( Miss Rodeo Texas Princess), Kennady Johnson (Miss Texas High School Rodeo Association), Carolyn Benitez and Jade Kenney (Will Rogers Range Riders Rodeo Queen and Princess).
I would like to thank Randy for helping me throughout the rodeos and providing me with a trusty steed. He and his family were always so helpful which I really appreciated. I ended up spending 24 hours in the saddle throughout the week between slack and the rodeo, and those hours were well spent with his amazing horses! I would also like to thank Johnny and Alice Johnson for being so kind and hospitable during my stay in Amarillo, they have a wonderful family! Thank you to Brenda Michael for all that she does for the rodeo and for making sure I was well taken care of during my stay. Thank you also to Alex Bell, Angela Ragland, and the rodeo committee at the Tri-State Fair for all of the hard work that they do and for treating me so well. I absolutely loved everyone I got to work with in Amarillo and it has since then been one of my favorite experiences.
Blessings,
Alex Ingram – Miss Rodeo Texas 2014