Who knew living the life as a rodeo queen was just like a George Strait song? Amarillo by morning up from San Antonio literally! My next stop was at the Tri-State Fair and Rodeo in Amarillo. As soon as my feet touched the ground I was off to help with the Mutton Busting prelims. There was over a hundred little kids between the ages of 4 and 7 ready to ride some sheep. I helped get them weighed in, signed up and get pumped to ride that big smelly sheep! Once in the arena I presented the kids with a ribbon and walked them out of the arena back to their boastful parents.
After an evening full of Mutton Busting the next morning was an early one with a TV interview with Channel 7 news. After that it was a busy day full of rodeo slack. We started off with the steer roping slack. I was excited to not only see this event for the first time in person but to also help push steers and meet some talented cowboys. What really helped make this an interesting time was my horse! He kept spooking at the steers! Nothing to bad, but he definitely didn’t want them to get to close to him, but it made for some good laughs! After lunch it was time to head to Cavender’s for a Radio remote with KGNC Radio. World Champion Bareback rider Will Lowe, rodeo announcer Mike Mathis, and the lady in charge Angela Ragland all joined me for this event. It was great getting to talk to Jason Kidd the host of the show and give him an inside look in to the western way of life and rodeo queen world!
The next morning was even earlier as I had more radio interviews at the KGNC station headquarters. Once again I met up with Jason Kidd to give the listeners some answers about the rodeo as well as what my role is as a rodeo queen and of course what I was wearing! After the interview I headed back to the arena for some more slack action. We started off with team roping, steer wrestling and then calf roping. Once again I assumed the position of pushing cattle out. Today I had a rope horse that wasn’t shy about cattle at all! They even gave me a rope and said lets see what you’ve got? Well I couldn’t disappoint and am happy to say I slicked one on em. Little did I know that Ali Allison of News Channel 10 was there watching and I had an interview with her later that day. After we wrapped up slack for the day it was off the news station for my interview with Ali. I had a wonderful guest join me for the interview Miss Rodeo America Lauren Heaton. Ali knows her rodeo and quizzed Lauren and I over the upcoming Miss Rodeo America pageant as well as our involvement at the Tri-State Fair and Rodeo. She even made a comment about my slack working skills.
That night was the first night of rodeo action where they did a special grand entry dedicated to our military. We were in for a surprise when they said that Lauren would be carrying the American flag that had fireworks in it! We didn’t know until last minute and hoped that Teddy Bear her horse would be okay with it. He gave a little hop but was a good boy the rest of the time. Every night we got to help those crazy Mutton Busters get on sheep and presented them with their hard earned trophies. We worked along side the pickup men pushing steers and calves, and even rode in the back of the Ford truck to set and pick up the barrels. This was a great way to wrap up the end of the 2014-2015 rodeo season which ended September 30th. It was a real treat getting to spend the weekend with Lauren she’s a real gem and a wonderful Miss Rodeo America. 
From Amarillo it was on to the Fort Bend Country Fair and Rodeo in Rosenberg. We kicked off the new rodeo year with the Exceptional Kids rodeo. This was an amazing event to be a part of and my station was the photo booth. They told me at the beginning that I might need to recruit the kids to come take photos since there was going to be so many other stations (with cool things like horses). To my surprise I was busy the entire time with kids tickled to take a picture with me. It was an amazing 
experience and I am so thankful to have been apart of such a great event. That night was the first performance for the PRCA rodeo and I carried the American flag. After the national anthem I helped warm up and get the judges horse ready. I then headed over to the office and got to meet country singer Tracy Bird! The next night was “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” night and I once again carried the American flag. This time was a little more interesting as my horse decided he wanted to go back to the trailer. He reared up a little and put on a good show but we made it through. Tonight I was able help out in the arena. I even had an impromptu interview with the announcer and rodeo clown! They really know how to put on a rodeo. I enjoyed my stay and getting to meet the wonderful people of the Fort Bend County Fair and Rodeo.
From Rosenberg I headed back to San Antonio for a night at the races. The South Texas Cattle Women hosted their night at the races to help raise funds for BEEF promotions, BEEF Certificates for South Texas children’s homes, and consumer education! This was a fantastic event where I was lucky enough to mingle with so many impressive people from across the state. I even got to bet on a race horse! I didn’t read the information provided in the program book (because I really don’t know what it all means) I just look for the prettiest color and the one with the worst odds! Well sure enough he came in third and I won myself a little pocket cash! What a great night of racing, socializing, and fundraising with a wonderful group of people, can’t wait until the next one!
“Vaya con Dios”
Nikki Woodward – Miss Rodeo Texas 2015