From San Antonio to Arlington to Houston the past month has been packed full of rodeo action! After the curtain was closed on the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo it was a mad dash to Arlington Texas for RFD-TV’s The American. Thankfully I was able to talk my brother Colton into flying me to Arlington.
It did take a little bribing with rodeo tickets to the the final round of San Antonio as well as tickets to The American. I am one lucky girl to have such an extraordinary brother who dropped everything to help me travel across Texas! Thank you Colton.
The American is the world’s richest one-day rodeo. This was the third year of The American and the first year to have queens run flags. Miss Rodeo Canada Samantha Stokes and I were more than pleased to have the honor of being the first rodeo queens to partake in this event. The American has qualifiers compete against the top 10 in the world for a chance at the big paycheck. Each event pays $100,000 for first and $25,000 for second. If a qualifying athlete can win his or her event, they will be entitled to a share of the $1,000,000. 
This event never fails to deliver on the entertainment factor, providing three returning event champions the opportunity to take share in a prize of 1 million dollars. Wade Sundell, of Boxholm, Iowa, earned $1.1 million after an eight-second 90-point ride on a bronc named Maple Leaf. What an honor it was the represent Texas and to have partaken in this renowned event.
From Cowboys country it was off to Texan territory for Rodeo Houston. As soon as I arrived, I met up with Miss Rodeo America 2016, Katherine Merck. I hadn’t seen Katherine since the Miss Rodeo America pageant in December and I was so happy to see her again and excited for the weeks ahead! 
The first event we attended was the annual Rodeo Houston Armed Forces Appreciation Day. Katherine and I were joined by other “rodeo royalty” as we signed autographs, took pictures, and spoke with our armed forces men and women and their families.
Every performance Katherine and I kickoff the rodeo off by leading the grand entry presenting the American and Texas flags, as committee men and women rode in behind us on horseback, in carriages, wagons, and firetrucks all the way around the largest arena I have ever rode in (its an entire football field!) During the middle of the rodeo for about three days Katherine left for an out of state appearance. 
Carrying the American flag during that time was Miss Rodeo Texas 2014 Alex Ingram.
It was such a special experience for both of us representing Texas together at one of the sports most prestigious rodeos.
As soon as Katherine and I finished the grand entry and got off of our horses, we headed upstairs to the Rodeo Houston Fan Zone. Where we signed autographs along with other rodeo contestants. It’s always such a fun experience taking pictures, signing autographs, and visiting with fans. Once the rodeo was over, we were lucky enough to watch all of the amazing entertainers Rodeo Houston had from right behind the chutes. 
Katherine and I attended the Grand Champion and Reserve Champion selections for Lambs, Goats, Hogs, and Steers. We were formally introduced at the livestock auctions and assisted in the awarding of prizes. Congratulations to the kids and the buyers on a record breaking year!
Katherine and I had the opportunity to be “space cowgirls” for the day and toured NASA Space Center Houston! We saw the original mission control and even learned about the current happenings at NASA, and did a little souvenir shopping. 
That wasn’t the only fun outing we had. One morning we were able to talk Niki Flundra, the wonderful trick rider who carried the American flag during the national anthem every night at Rodeo Houston, into giving us a trick riding lesson.
After one lesson I think I have found my calling as a trick rider, but to be on the safe side I will let Niki take the reins for right now, and I will take a few more lessons! We were even lucky enough to meet former President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush when they came to the final round of the rodeo!
Thank you to everyone who made this experience possible. Thank you to the Cervi’s for all of their help and hard work, along with Randy Britton, for lending us horses to ride every night. Thank you also to Joel Cowley, Jack Lyons, Dan Cheney, Catherine Schultz, and the entire Rodeo Houston family for your hospitality and generosity. Y’all put on an outstanding rodeo and made it one of the most memorable and treasured experience of my reign.
“Vaya con Dios”
Nikki Woodward – Miss Rodeo Texas 2015