Miss Rodeo Texas Blog

Greetings Miss Rodeo Texas Fans,

                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 5^th, 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 7^th 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 8^th 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 19^th 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 22^nd 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!

     The final week of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo seemed to have snuck up on me. I couldn’t believe the end was here! We closed the show with record breaking livestock auctions that provided scholarship money to Texas youth. At the Livestock Auctions I visited with the show exhibitors and took pictures with them and their champion animals. Being in the show barns brought back special memories of my days showing in FFA and 4H. The rodeo action during the finals was electrifying! It was fun to get to be a small part of history as records were broken and gold buckle championship dreams were achieved. I enjoyed getting to see my rodeo idols win big in San Antonio!

     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

Hello Miss Rodeo Texas Fans,

     Well, 2012 is officially in the books! I hope that everyone ended 2012 on a good note. I know I sure did! In December, I made my first trip out to Las Vegas for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. I truly had the time of my life and enjoyed the entire contest. It was such an honor to be able to represent the best state – TEXAS! I would like to thank everyone again who helped me prepare for the pageant and who helped me sell raffle tickets. The hard work paid off and I was very proud to place 3rd Runner Up! I am ecstatic to tell you that not only did Texas bring home the title of highest raffle ticket sales, but we broke the record for highest raffle tickets ever sold! Without the help of ‘Team Texas’ this would not have been possible, and I am very grateful to be a part of such a commendable organization.

     I kicked off my 2013 Rodeo Tour the first weekend of January with the Texas Professional Rodeo Association Circuit Finals. The top 15 competitors in each event came to Waco, Texas to compete for the prestigious Circuit Finals Championship title and hopefully a chance to compete in the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo. I arrived in Waco Saturday morning for the Annual Fashion Show and had the chance to model several trendy western outfits. The rodeo contestants and I had a great time working the runway and posing for pictures. After the fashion show, we attended the final performance of the Texas Circuit Finals. The energy in the Heart of Texas Complex was electrifying. I felt so lucky to have been able to attend the rodeo as the First Lady of Texas Professional Rodeo and to be among such gifted cowboys and cowgirls. 

     On January 17th my travels took me to “Cowtown” as I headed to Fort Worth for the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductions. I was ecstatic to be a part of this year’s ceremony. Being around such praiseworthy men and women was very inspirational. It was such an honor to spend the evening with cowboys and cowgirls that I have spent my entire life looking up to. This year’s inductees included Dr. Tandy Freeman, Sandy Kirby, the Edwards Family and Ranch, and Tommy Steiner. The Rick Smith “Spirit of Texas Award” went to Randy White. During the ceremony I had the privilege of awarding each recipient with their medal and plaque. Also, while at the Hall of Fame Inductions I ran into former Miss Rodeo Texas and Miss Rodeo America, Debbie Johnson Garrison. We had a wonderful time getting to know each other and sharing stories about our adventures as rodeo queens.

     With February right around the corner, it is almost time for the 8 time PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year – The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo! I am so eager for the rodeo to kick off and have been attending pre-rodeo events all month. I attended the S.A.L.E. Go Rodeo Ball on January 19th, where I had a fabulous time visiting with committee members and sponsors while dancing to country legend Travis Tritt. Then, on January 24th, Avery Greene, Miss Rodeo Texas Teen, and three former Miss Rodeo Texas Queens – Lauren Graham, 2011, Celesta Harvey, 2010, Devin Felger Sisk, 2009, and myself, had the honor of modeling in the San Antonio Cowgirls Live Forever Fashion Show. The Miss Rodeo Texas organization was well represented during the fashion show. We modeled along with models from Julian Gold, with the formers modeling clothing from Julian Gold and Avery and I modeling our beautiful pageant dresses. The young ladies and I had a great time showcasing our personalities on the stage and catching up on happenings in each other’s lives. 

    During the last few weeks, I have been learning about the many traditions of the San Antonio Rodeo, one of which being the Cowboy Breakfast. The Cowboy Breakfast is in its 35th year and is one of the major kick off events of the rodeo. I arrived at 4:30 a.m. to find people lined up, as far as I could see, to get their breakfast tacos. The event is put on entirely by volunteers who make approximately 10,000 tacos within a four hour span. I was joined by Miss Rodeo Texas President, Wayne Zamzow, and Jackie Van De Walle, S.A.L.E Lifetime Assistant Vice President. 

     On January 25th and 26th Marjorie Murphy, Miss Rodeo Texas State Director, and Frances Bendele, Miss Rodeo Texas Assistant State Director, and I headed north from San Antonio to Austin for the Miss Rodeo Austin Pageant. Upon arriving in Austin we were joined by Miss Rodeo Texas Teen Avery Green and Miss Rodeo Texas Princess, Alysia McCormick. 

     I would like to thank Marjorie Murphy, Frances Bendele, Wayne Zamzow, Jackie Van De Walle, Vicki Hobbs, Jami Hoffman, and Tonya Eppright for helping me to start off my travels of 2013 in grand style. Be sure to stay tuned in for updates next month from the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. The rodeo is one of the best in the nation and features the top rodeo competitors in the world. If you are in the area, be sure to come out to the rodeo, and if you are not in the area, plan a trip to San Antonio! There are many exciting events planned for next month and you won’t want to miss out! Also, don’t forget about the Miss Rodeo Texas Facebook page, as I will be posting pictures throughout the rodeo to keep Miss Rodeo Texas Fans up-to-date.

Let’s Rodeo!

Rosanna Pace

Miss Rodeo Texas 2012