I found myself ringing in the New Year in Waco for the Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo. I was asked to model in the annual Rustic and Rhinestones Fashion show where the Circuit Finals contestants as well as their wives and others involved with the rodeo modeled fashions from multiple boutiques. It was a blast getting to know some of the contestants as well as watching those cowboys get creative with their modeling! After the luncheon and style show I explored Waco a little bit more and went to HGTV’s Fixer Upper’s Chip and Joanna Gains Magnolia Market at the Silos. After my afternoon of fun it was rodeo time where I along with Miss Heart Of Texas Fair and Rodeo greeted rodeo fans, then helped out with the mutton busters, and even threw t-shirts to the crowd. On my way out I meet the sweetest group of young girls who were beyond thrilled to meet Miss Rodeo Texas, so I signed autograph sheets, and set with them for the rest of the rodeo! They really put a smile on my face and helped make this appearance one to remember.
The Miss Rodeo Texas Clinic was held the very next weekend where we had a wonderful turnout of girls from all over Texas, New Mexico, Iowa and Washington. This clinic was so influential in helping me achieve my dream and I’m so happy to be a part of that for these girls. Over our two days at the clinic we focused on getting the girls on the microphone asking them current event, personality, and horsemanship questions. 
We went in-depth into an overview of horsemanship, had mock interviews, and answered any questions the girls may have about competing. The girls were very lucky this year as Lari Nelson of Nelson Fashion Group came in and gave the girls all pointers and individual time working on their modeling! We changed up our speech format at the clinic to give the girls a chance to experience what its like to do an extemporaneous speech. A huge THANK YOU goes out to Marjorie Murphy, Devin Sisk, Roseanna Pace, and Alex Ingram for organizing and putting together a very informative, beneficial, and successful clinic.
The next week I headed up north to Fort Worth for the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductions. This was a special year as they celebrated their 15th anniversary! I wasn’t solo at this occasion as Miss Rodeo Texas Teen Sissy Winn and Miss Rodeo Texas Princess Cheyenne Barrett were there with me as well. This was a fun event not only because we mingled with some of Texas’s finest, but this was also the first time we have all been together since the pageant back in June! It was such a pleasure meeting the 2016 inductees who have been such influential individuals in the agricultural industry. This years inductees are Jack Brainard (who’s in his 90s and still rides a horse), C.W. Cascio, Dr. Charles Graham, and Justin McBride. This years Rick Smith Spirit of Texas Award recipients were The Gatlin Brothers. Pam Minick was the host and helped keep me in line as I presented the recipients with their plaque and commemorative medal. When it came time to award the Gatlin Brothers their medals and plaques, Sissy and Cheyenne helped since there are three brothers and three queens. Congratulations to the inductees on their well-deserved honor, and thank you Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame for letting me be a part of this wonderful occasion.
“Vaya con Dios”
Nikki Woodward – Miss Rodeo Texas 2015