After almost 3 weeks straight of traveling between Lubbock, Abilene, and Amarillo, I went back down south to my part of the state. I had an amazing time on those trips and met many wonderful people, but there’s nothing quite like going back home. I was excited to go back to where I grew up, New Braunfels, for the Comal County Fair and Rodeo. In addition to visiting my hometown this month, I also got to visit the place I consider my “second hometown,” College Station, since I’ve lived there for the past three years as a student at Texas A&M University. Trips like these made this month seem like one big homecoming for me!
My first stop was back in the land of the Unicorns (that’s our high school mascot, not kidding :)) for the Comal County Fair and Rodeo. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that if it’s fair week in New Braunfels, it’s more than likely going to be a muddy weekend. And this year was no exception! As much as we love the rain, I’m not sure how much the contestants like bucking off in the mud or having their horses slosh around in it. I know the mutton busters weren’t big fans of having their feet stick into the mud like quicksand when they attempted to walk out of the arena. However, we made the most of the muddy weekend we were given and it turned out to be a very memorable and fun time for everyone!
In addition to the rodeo, I also got to ride with our 4-H club in the parade that the whole county closes down school for; we take our fairs and rodeos seriously! My mount for this parade was none other than my dad’s old team roping horse, Zipper, who was actually the first horse I ever showed when I was younger. It was pretty neat to think about everything that horse has been around for, from a girl that just enjoyed riding, to being a representative of the official sport of our state! Thank you to Jeff Oliver for letting me ride in the parade with y’all and always lending a helping hand. Thank you also to the pickup men for lending me a horse to use at the rodeo performances and to the Comal County rodeo committee for having me! It was great to be back home!
My next trip was to Seguin for the Guadalupe County Fair and Rodeo. This rodeo also holds some sentimental value for me since I used to show horses in that arena, including Zipper, when I was in 4-H growing up! I enjoyed getting to ride in the grand entry and help with the little mutton busters. I was also happy to help with the coronation of their Miss Round Up queens court.
Congratulations to the new court, I know y’all will have a fun year! Thank you to Mrs. Karen Llyod for all of the hard work she puts into this pageant and for hosting me while I was there. It was so good to visit with her again! Thank you to United Pro Rodeo for supplying me with a horse to ride and to the rodeo committee for working so hard to put on a great show!
Finally, I got to go back to Aggieland for the Brazos Valley Fair and Rodeo! Last year, I was on the rodeo committee for this event so I was excited to be back. I headed to the fairgrounds the first day for a celebrity mechanical bull riding competition the rodeo was hosting. TV and radio personalities from across the Brazos Valley came together to compete and it was a fun time watching all of them take on that “rank bull.” During the rodeo throughout the weekend, I had a great time getting to carry sponsor flags, push cattle out during the timed events, and help with the mutton bustin’. Not only did they have mutton bustin’ at each performance, there were so many mutton busters in the Brazos Valley that they would hold multiple rounds of just this event throughout the day! During those times, I was asked to announce and even sometimes judge the mutton bustin’ competitions! Apparently us rodeo queens can be pretty good multitaskers 🙂 Thank you to Cadillac Rodeo Company for letting me use one of their horses throughout the weekend and to Fiona Lockhart for putting on this wonderful event and for hosting me! Thank you also to Bobby and Judy Kurten, their daughter Jennifer, and everyone else on the rodeo committee for being so kind and helpful. I always enjoy my time spent with y’all!
I have absolutely loved meeting so many new people throughout my adventures this year, but it’s still nice coming back to familiar places filled with familiar faces!
Blessings always,
Alex Ingram – Miss Rodeo Texas 2014
The contestants checked in, drew their stock, and we had a great meal before heading to Cavenders for an autograph signing. It was nice getting to know some of the contestants while promoting the rodeo that night. Then it was time to head back to the grounds for the performance. I was honored to carry the American flag during the National Anthem everynight, it’s always a reminder of how much I love this sport and its patriotism. After the opening ceremonies, I was so grateful that the rodeo had me stay involved with the performance by pushing cattle during the timed events and carrying sponsor flags. Any extra time I can spend involved with a rodeo or on the back of a horse, I’m a happy girl! I truly loved getting to be a part of the Wrangler Champions Challenge and getting to be in the company of so many of the top cowboys and cowgirls in the world at such a prestigious event!
The rest of the week, I got to participate in the Tri-State Fair and Rodeo every night by helping with the mutton bustin’ before each performance, carrying the American flag during the opening ceremonies, pushing cattle out during the timed events, and carrying sponsor flags. I loved every minute of this rodeo and the people I got to share it with! It was also great seeing other “rodeo royalty” throughout the week like Aubrie Fields ( Miss Rodeo Texas Princess), Kennady Johnson (Miss Texas High School Rodeo Association), Carolyn Benitez and Jade Kenney (Will Rogers Range Riders Rodeo Queen and Princess).
While I was in Abilene, I was happy to interview with their local TV station, KTAB news. As an Agricultural Communications major wanting to pursue a broadcast career, I truly cherish these opportunities I have to learn more and be involved with that industry. I really appreciate them even thinking of me and having me on the show! I also got to help with the Mini Hereford show during my time at the fair and rodeo. I enjoyed getting to meet new people, pass out ribbons, and spend time with Devin Felger Sisk who was photographing the livestock show. Devin was Miss Rodeo Texas 2009 and also a fellow New Braunfels Unicorn like me! I always love getting to visit with her and see a familiar face during my travels. Thank you for all that you do for the Miss Rodeo Texas organization, Devin! Thank you also to Rochelle Johnson for having me at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo and for being so hospitable during my stay there. I really enjoyed working with her and everyone else that makes this wonderful rodeo possible!