OVER THE EDGE, San Antonio
Since my trip to Amarillo, I have had the honor of meeting so many wonderful Texans and visitors to our beautiful state that it’s hard to know where to begin.
San Antonio “Over the Edge” Supporter
I wish you all could have been with me recently when I attended OVER THE EDGE, a Special Olympics Fundraiser. This wasn’t your ordinary BBQ or black tie event… Not by any measure.
Katherine and Ashley at Over the Edge event
Two very special and courageous Texas Girls, Ashley and Katherine were two of the many participants that took the challenge to help raise over $45,000 for Texas Special Olympics by repelling down the side of the Milam Building on the Riverwalk in San Antonio and I had the honor of meeting and getting to know them both. Katherine is a Houston Rodeo Fan and I look forward to seeing and riding with her at the rodeo this year. OVER THE EDGE is a nationwide program that will host events in 4 Texas cities this year. If you are interested in becoming a participant or sponsor, please check out Overtheedgeusa.com. It’s a great organization!
COMAL COUNTY RODEO, New Braunfels
Texas has many small town rodeos and the Comal County Rodeo is famous for bringing in some awesome stock and talent! This was my first time to attend and is one that I will remember forever for many reasons. One reason, is the famous Leon Coffee. This man is a rodeo legend and he certainly lived up to his reputation of being a great guy. He is also a true gentleman and a show stealing entertainer, so I am glad that I finally got to meet him.
So excited to meet the legendary Leon Coffee
One of the events I really look forward to at a rodeo is the mutton bustin. I can remember how excited and nervous I was when I did it as a little girl. Even though I didn’t make it out of the chute before biting the dirt, I can relate to how much courage it takes to get on the back of that “rank sheep”! These kids are the future of rodeo and it’s so great to see that the love and passion of rodeo is alive and well and still being passed on to the next generation! Love live Cowboys… and CowGIRLS!
Brave Mutton Busters
It was great to attend the Comal County Rodeo in beautiful New Braunfels and we didn’t let a little rain stop the fun! I’m happy to have added a few more awesome people, like Leon, to my rodeo family. I look forward to seeing you soon Mr Coffee!
Always happy to see these two guys at any rodeo! Mr Gary Case and Mr Mark Longoria
GUADALUPE COUNTY RODEO, Seguin
The Guadalupe County Rodeo in Seguin was like attending a Rodeo Family Reunion. I absolutely loved seeing all the familiar faces of friends that I have met over the years as a Rodeo Queen competitor, during my years as a High School Rodeo contestant and across Texas at Rodeo’s this year. What better place to meet up than a rodeo?!
With Ms Linda Ebest
I was also able to assist with the Crowning of the new Miss and Little Miss Round Up. Thank you to Karen Lloyd for the Invitation and for allowing me to help out. A Big Congratulations goes out to my friend Carrie Wilbert for winning the title of Miss Round Up! (So proud of you girl!)
Round Up Winners
As I’ve said in earlier posts, I am so blessed to be able to keep adding to my Rodeo Family and Guadalupe County not only brought some of this amazing family back together but it added a few more to the list!
An adorable rodeo fan who’s “tough enough to wear pink”
SAN ANTONIO LIVESTOCK EXPOSITION, Inc (S.A.L.E.)= Scholarships!
I have had the opportunity and honor of attending a few of the S.A.L.E. scholarship fundraising events recently, such as the “Casino Night” and the “GO RODEO Round Up”! As one of the recipients of the San Antonio Stock Show scholarship, it means so much to me to have a chance to meet some of the amazing SALE volunteers and thank them face to face! I truly appreciate all of the long hours and hard work that goes into each of these events and I want to take this moment to publicly thank everyone involved. This group not only hosts some fun San Antonio Social Events but they raise a tremendous amount of money (over $134 million to date) so that kids all across Texas can go to college and achieve their dreams. I am truly proud and humbled to be counted as one of those recipients and I am honored to have the opportunity to give back!
Go Rodeo Round Up with Katie and Dusty Evans
Keep up the awesome fundraising, dream building work, S.A.L.E.!!!
S.A.L.E. event with Billy and Brenda Harris
If you would like to get involved, they are always looking for volunteers and donors… Go to www.sarodeo.com for more details on how you too can become a dream builder for the next generation!
LONE STAR WOUNDED WARRIORS Skeet Shoot, Rio Medina
Too many of our wounded service men and women are coming back to the states and attempting to face their challenges on their own. Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston and The Lone Star Wounded Warriors Organization are trying to change that. The LSWWO invited about a dozen recovering soldiers out to Rio Medina for a day of fun, recreation and a break from their daily rehab schedules. These soldiers have faced unbelievable circumstances in defense of our freedom and the event organizers believe that free events like this are just one small way to begin to say “thank you for your sacrifice and we care!”. One of the event sponsors, Lone Star Radiator hosted a live auction after the skeet shoot that raised more than $11,000 that will be donated to Veterans Outdoors which is a non-profit organization that hosts hunting trips for Wounded Warriors. This is the fourth year Lone Star Radiator organized and recruited sponsors and volunteers to provide this outdoor activity for America’s heroes.
Lone Star Wounded Warriors volunteers
I am very thankful for Billy Harris of the Miss Rodeo Texas Board for his involvement with this organization. I was honored to be invited to attend this event and meet these amazing warriors and the volunteers that made it all possible. One of the volunteers, Mr. Eric LaBarge is also a wounded warrior himself and has an incredible story of survival and recovery. He credits events like this for his ability to pick himself up and move forward. As big as Mr LaBarge is – his heart is even bigger! Just like the courage and hearts of the Hero’s we were celebrating and serving at this event.
This event was an “uplifting” experience in more ways than one!
If you know a veteran that could use some support, please share this organization with him/her and if you ever get an opportunity to attend a wounded warrior or Veterans Outdoors event I strongly recommend you do it. These soldiers have earned all the support, encouragement and respect we can give. Freedom isn’t free and these soldiers have paid more than their share of the cost, so please support them and check out www.veteran-outdoors.com.
NATIONAL COWGIRL HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS, Fort Worth
I am very blessed to know many strong women that I consider to be my mentors and hero’s. I am even more fortunate to call some of these women family or friend. Many of those women gathered recently at the Will Rogers Coliseum to celebrate the 2013 Inductees to the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. What an honor it was to be surrounded by women that I admire and respect… like Pam Minick, Kadee Coffman, Carolyn Seay Vitor, Patti Colbert, Sharon Camarillo, Shelly Burmeister Mowery and many many more. We recognized this years inductees: Dr. Eleanor Green (DVM) from Texas A&M, Mary Walker~ World Champion Barrel Racer, Cathy Smith~ Western Artist and Native American Designer and Lizzie Johnson Williams “Cattle Queen of Texas”. Four amazing and deserving women and three of them are from Texas!
Ms. Carolyn Seay Vitor, Former Miss Rodeo Texas, Miss Rodeo America and the current President of the WPRA
What an inspiration, Mary Walker was!
It was also great to see Chenae again and I think that she would agree with me… We all get to do many of the things that we love because of the work and efforts of the strong women that have bravely forged the trails ahead of us. If it weren’t for organizations and events like the NCHOF and Museum we just might forget their sacrifices and take some of these things for granted. The brave women in the museum and Hall of Fame have broken down barriers and raised the bar of expectation for all Women today! So, if you have not had a chance to visit the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame – you are missing a historical treat! Make plans today and remember to support them when you can! I’m proud to be a YOUNG GUNS Member of the NCHOF!
Chenae and I with Mr Bob Kipperman of “Kippy’s”.
Ms. Marjorie, Ms Frances, Chenae and I with Mr Kelly Baxley, Cindy Baxley, Cindy McElwee and a wonderful group of horse loving friends were all present to support COWGIRLS!
You know, the more I travel this state, the more I’m convinced that Texas is the absolute BEST place in the world to live and Texans are the Best People around! So, as I prepare for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant that takes place in Las Vegas, NV December 2-9th…. I couldn’t feel more blessed to wear this crown or more honored to represent this state.
God Bless Texas!
Stephanie Revels
Miss Rodeo Texas 2013
