Whew!! I think February was one of the busiest and most exciting months of my year as Miss Rodeo Texas! I can’t wait to fill you in on all that has been going on! We kicked off the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo on the 4th with the cattle drive through San Antonio. The busy streets of San Antonio were quickly cleared to make room for the 50 beautiful longhorns, horses, and wagons to make their way down the parade route. It was such a beautiful day and I was amazed at the great turn out! I would like to thank Brenda and Billy Harris for allowing me to ride my favorite parade horse “Jazz” and the Texas Heritage Riders for allowing me to ride along with them.
The following week was packed with school visits to educate students about the western way of life and to promote the rodeo. I was able to visit with students from Floresville South Elementary, St. Louis Catholic School in Castroville, and St. Mary Magdalen in San Antonio. The students and I discussed the importance of education to achieve your life goals, the origin of rodeo and how it has evolved, the western way of life, and the role we all play in agriculture. I was very impressed with how smart these youngsters were and how much they knew about rodeo and agriculture. On the 5th, Pat Bowen, Miss Rodeo Texas Ambassador and I went to the Falls City Trail Ride Dinner and Dance. I had a wonderful time visiting with citizens of Falls City and dancing the night away. On February 7th the prestigious San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo officially began. Back in December of 2012, during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo was named the PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year for the 8th time in a row! As many of you know I was so happy to be a part of the rodeo this year that I started a countdown around New Year’s Day! The first week of S.A.L.E. was extremely busy with media interviews. I was very fortunate to have several opportunities to do television interviews and promotional segments for the rodeo. I loved every second of it, from doing informational segments about the Stock Show, to fun segments tasting food, and demonstrating western fashions! Every day people would come to me on the grounds and tell me they saw me on the news. It made me feel like a real celebrity!
The PRCA rodeo action was intense as the top 50 cowboys in each event and the top 50 WPRA barrel racers battled it out at the richest regular season rodeo. During the rodeo I carried sponsor flags and led each nightly event winner around the arena for their victory lap. I also had the privilege of helping out during the Mutton Bustin’ competition and awarding the champion with their well-deserved belt buckle. At each rodeo performance, I would assist PRCA Rodeo Announcer Hadley Barrett with interviewing the Mutton Bustin’ Champion. The funny things the little ones would say never failed to amaze me. One little boy in particular especially left a lasting impression with me. Hadley began the interview with asking the Champion Mutton Buster if he had a girlfriend. The boy proudly said, “Yes, I sure do! She’s Taylor Swift! I’m not sure where she is tonight. She just couldn’t make it.” Then Hadley asked the youngster if he would give me a kiss on the cheek in exchange for the belt buckle. The little boy agreed and then informed me that I was now his girlfriend number ONE! Watch out Taylor Swift!
Each week, Monday through Friday, I was able to talk with members of 4H Clubs, FFA, and FCCLA at the daily School Tours Meetings. The clubs would take elementary students on school tours of the grounds and explain what the Stock Show was all about. It was nice to see these ambitious teenagers sharing their passion for agriculture with others by educating the public. Growing up I was very active in these same youth programs and commend these students for taking the time to inspire other young students to take part in agriculture clubs.
One of my favorite events had to be the Exceptional Rodeo. These young cowboys and cowgirls hold a very special place in my heart and always will. It was my pleasure to assist them in learning the in’s and out’s of various rodeo events from barrel racing, to roping, to riding the practice bucking bull. I loved seeing the big smiles on their faces after they completed each event! At the end of the rodeo I awarded each cowboy and cowgirl with their championship trophy! They were beaming with pride!
Do Cowboys and Cowgirls play golf? Why yes, they sure can! On February 19th the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo hosted a Golf Tournament fundraising event for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. The Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund was created in order to give PRCA cowboys a hand up while they were not able to compete due to an injury endured while competing. Several PRCA Cowboys, S.A.L.E. Committee Members, and Golf enthusiasts came out to support this great cause. We had a good time hitting some golf balls and driving around the course in golf carts as we took pictures with each team. I have to admit I have never played golf before and was a little intimidated when asked to hit a few golf balls. I figured I would give it a try, stepped up, and gave it my best shot. As my ball soared through the air I was jumping up and down with excitement! I, along with everyone else, couldn’t believe how far the first golf ball I ever hit in my life had just traveled!
On the 22nd I headed out to the Southwest General Hospital for the Employee Chili Cook Off. Upon my arrival I could smell the aromas from delicious chili bubbling in the pots. I was very impressed with each team’s theme for their booth as well as their decorations and costumes. First, I went around to each booth judging each team on their showmanship. From Hippies to Pioneers to Mardi Gras themes, I was blown away by the creativity. Then the fun part of judging the chili began. After tasting everyone’s chili I had to make the tough decision of choosing a champion. Each team’s chili was very tasty, and I wished I could have given them all a tie for the first place trophy!
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As I left the grounds Sunday morning after Cowboy Church, I have to admit that I was a little sad saying goodbye to all the friends I had made during the show. I would like to thank the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo for all the great memories and for letting me be a part of the 2013 rodeo! This rodeo will always hold a special place in my memories of my year as Miss Rodeo Texas. I would like to thank the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Committee Members, Brenda and Billy Harris, The Texas Heritage Riders, Pat Bowen, Terry Chandler, The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Marketing Department, Sharon Arnold, Lauren Graham, Jackie Van De Walle, and the Southwest General Hospital for helping me make February a month I will always cherish.
Happy Trails,
Rosanna Pace
Miss Rodeo Texas 2012