MRSD Travel Log - December Newsletter

MRSD Travel Log - December Newsletter

Never give up.  Always ride for the brand. Talk less and say more. You reap what you sow.  Start each day with a smile. Everything happens for a reason.

Growing up, we are offered unlimited advice.  Often times by people who have our best interests in mind, sometimes by those just wanting to hear their own voices.  While this month marks the conclusion of my year as Miss Rodeo South Dakota, I know that without the constant support and direction, especially from my family, I would not have the incredible life I am enjoying today.

I spent the first two weeks of December in Las Vegas, Nevada.  With the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in town, it was a perfect setup for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.  Rodeo is known for the camaraderie amongst the competitors.  It is the only sport I know of where a person’s toughest competition is also the same person that would do anything to help the other win.  Thirty one states were represented this year, and because of my travels as Miss Rodeo South Dakota, it literally felt like I was spending the time with my closest friends. 

After drawing two great horses during the horsemanship competition, strutting a pair of hot pink Wrangler shorts during the fashion show – not by choice, and evoking ample emotions from the audience during my speech, I was content that I had showed the judges everything South Dakota had to offer.  Apparently, I was the only one who thought Wednesday’s coronation flew by. Before I knew it, I was standing with nine other incredible women among the Top Ten.  Then an unexplainable joy as I was called as one of the Top Five!  A humbling experience to say the least, knowing the caliber of women standing next to me and the remarkable people I represented back home.  Finally, standing center stage with Chenae Shiner, Miss Rodeo Utah, we waited to hear the final announcement.  Chenae had won the photogenics and appearance categories; I had secured the horsemanship and personality categories; the final results were up in the air.  When South Dakota was called as first runner-up, the surprise on Chenae’s face is one I will never forget, and the peace I felt was such a calm I never had before. 

I was not immune to tears, however.  The culprit: Standing next to AQHA President Gene Graves, waiting to take a picture with the immaculate Tex Tan saddle they sponsor for the horsemanship award, a coveted category to win.  The beautiful spurs for the personality award, Justin boots, and enough scholarship money to complete my master’s degree in Agricultural Economics all reinforced the idea that I had completed my job.

We will crown the new Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2013, Kristina Maddocks, at the Eagle’s Club in Aberdeen, on Saturday, January 5, 2013.  I know that she will have an incredible year ahead of her.  The best part of this entire experience is the ability to share what makes our state so great with the rest of the country!  The unselfish people, always offering timely advice or a helping hand will always be why South Dakota is my favorite state of all.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your ambassador this past year.  The experiences, friendships, and memories will last a lifetime.   Looking back, I know the best advice I have been given came over ten years ago, when my mother said, “Remember, God is good.”  Especially after this past year, I am continually reminded, yes He is.

Merry Christmas,
Courtney Peterson

Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2012



Orientation with Mackenzie Carr
Miss Rodeo America 2012

 

Current Event Question
(US involvement in Syria)
 

Kickoff Party with sponsored
 Wrangler jean jackets

 

Morning breakfast with Jayme Smith (AZ)
 and Laura Taysom (WI)

 

Speeches!

 

Scrapbook Awards presented by Cindy Wilk and Glenn Klaus
left to right
4th- Kylie Kooistra, Washington
3rd- Mackenzie Cayford, California
2nd- Allison Bell, Louisiana
1st- Courtney Peterson, South Dakota

 

Unwinding for the day with Paige Jarrett (NY)
 with Sierra Peterson (NE) joining in!

  

  

  

Horsemanship Rounds 1 & 2
December 10, 2012 - my dad's birthday!

TOP 5
from left to right
2nd runner up - Cassidy Cabot, CO
1st runner up, Courtney Peterson, SD
4th runner up, Kimberly Kuhn, WY
Miss Rodeo America, Chenae Shiner, UT
3rd runner up, Rosanna Pace, TX

 

Announcement of the new
 Miss Rodeo America 2013, Chenae Shiner!

 

Horsemanship award with the late AQHA president, Gene Graves (left)
 and Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Board of Director, Kelly Baxley.

 

My favorite picture of the pageant!
Backstage with all my brothers and the beautiful horsemanship saddle!

MRSD Travel Log - November Newsletter

MRSD Travel Log - November Newsletter

As promised, I’d report on Omaha, Nebraska.  I am so glad I had the opportunity to be a flag girl again for the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour, especially with a great group of girls!  The best part about wearing identical outfits, on black horses with white saddles, was nobody being able to tell us blondes apart.  Rodeo is known for camaraderie unlike any other sport.  Long after my year as Miss Rodeo South Dakota is over, I will still keep in touch with some of the outstanding women I have met and grown to love this year. 

The following week I was headed to Turtle Lake, North Dakota to meet up with fellow Badlands Circuit queen, Sadie Wardner, Miss Rodeo North Dakota.  Together we headed north to Minot to get ready for the Badlands Circuit Finals and Miss Rodeo North Dakota pageant.  During one of our schools visits we were asked the standard “Are you two sisters?” question, and a new one about why we checked our guns at the rodeo, since all the cowboys wear guns in the movies.  Laura Taysom, Miss Rodeo Wisconsin and Sabrina Behr, Miss Rodeo Minnesota joined us once the rodeo got under way. I was ecstatic to see Krystal Carlascio win the title of Miss Rodeo North Dakota 2013!  We were college roommates at South Dakota State University, and I know next year the Badlands Circuit will be well represented with her and my successor, Kristina Maddocks.  I am very grateful to live in the Midwest, and honestly believe we have some of the most gracious people living within our borders!

After being on the road for two weeks, my schedule did not let up once I was home.  I spoke at our local cancer support group about the need to encourage others and sharing my family’s experience with cancer.  I am so thankful I had such an upbeat, positive mother; little did I know ten years later I would be using her same tactics to stay motivated and focused while preparing for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant!  I grew up listening to “Bandy the Rodeo Clown,” so I instantly agreed to present Moe Bandy with an honorary membership to the Hills and Valley Riding Club during his concert in Sisseton the following day.  The kindergarteners were learning the letter c for cowboy, so I spent an afternoon reading to them.  I found myself in front of one of their classrooms with the magic pointer, while they all sang “Cowboy Countdown” for me in between stories.  This job is the most unpredictable position I have held yet!

The SDRA Finals in Rapid City is always a fun time to get together with the other South Dakota queens, and cheer on and catch up with friends across the state that I grew up competing with.  I had to make it home that Sunday for my brothers confirmation, and the lack of sleep and long drive made me a little more emotional than I was ready for when Derek gave his statement of faith, using our mom’s favorite verse, Isaiah 40:31, “those that wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint.”

We are often told to count our blessings and appreciate the people we have in our lives.  The month of October was full of those moments.  I cannot properly express how grateful and humbled I am to have spent this year as Miss Rodeo South Dakota.  The joy that it brings to younger kids, and the ability to encourage other rodeo competitors is a job I would not mind having for one more year!  I have heard people say it is not what you get when you achieve your goals, but who you become that truly matters.  With my scrapbook for Miss Rodeo America almost complete, and I look back on the past year, it is the people who have shared these memories with me that make all of this absolutely priceless!

God Blessings!

Courtney Peterson

Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2012

Just getting to Omaha! 

 Cassidy Cabot (CO), Sadie Wardner (ND), myself, and Kim Kuhn (WY).

 

Waiting for our credentials to be printed, Sadie and I found a sweet Barbie jeep!

Ready for the first performance of the Million Dollar Tour Finals.

SD, CO, ND, & WY

 

 My awesome partner for the week, Kimberly Kuhn, Miss Rodeo Wyoming!

 

 

The morning of the parade, we realized we had enough time and cash for a donut break!  Sadie and I left the horses with Kim and Cassidy and got everyone breakfast.

 

 

After reading for "c" is for "cowboy" week in kindergarden.

My neighbor, Lauren Kriz.

 

 

 

Quality Time with Sabrina Behr, Miss Rodeo Minnesota in between performances at the Badlands Circuit Finals.

 

With Krystal Carlascio, Miss Rodeo North Dakota 2013!

 

Fur and Leather Style Show during the Miss Rodeo ND Pageant. 

 

2012 South Dakota Rodeo Association Finals

 SDRA Finals in Rapid City, SD.

 



MRSD Travel Log - October Newsletter

MRSD Travel Log - October Newsletter

September proved to be yet another exciting and eventful month.  Northfield, Minnesota is home to the Defeat of Jesse James Days and Rodeo.  In addition to the rodeo, the mornings were spent visiting schools with the James-Younger Gang, Defeat of Jesse James Days Ambassadors, and the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls.  I cheered on Sabrina Behr, Miss Rodeo Minnesota, who played Annie Oakley in the Mounted Shooting and even dressed up myself as a townsperson for the reenactment of the James-Younger Gang’s attempted robbery at the bank.  Northfield was also the host of this year’s Miss Rodeo Minnesota pageant.  Congratulations to Sarah Nowacki, Miss Rodeo Minnesota 2013, and thank you to the Miss Rodeo Minnesota board for all of their hospitality while I was in town. 

The following weekend I headed to Bowman, North Dakota for the Bowman County PRCA Rodeo.  I never know the antics Miss Rodeo North Dakota, Sadie Wardner and I will find, and Bowman was no exception.  Announcer Barney Sheridan, specialty act Bert Davis’s “Muttley Crew” and Ashley Andrews-Alderson joined us for radio interviews and school visits throughout the morning.   Between dogs, rodeo clowns, queens, and Barney’s commanding voice, it was nothing short of entertaining.  Thankfully Ashley was around to keep us all organized.  We even had a great bull riding impression by one of the faculty members.  J Bar J brought excellent bucking stock again this year, and the rodeo was well worth watching.  Topping off the weekend was the border battle ping pong match.  Jesse Bail and I secured the win for South Dakota.  However, there may be a rematch in Omaha between Sadie Wardner and I. 

I am currently packing and leaving for Omaha, Nebraska today.  I was selected as one of the flag girls for the Million Dollar Tour Finale, along with good friends Cassidy Cabot Miss Rodeo Colorado, Kim Kuhn Miss Rodeo Wyoming, and Sadie Wardner Miss Rodeo North Dakota. Omaha will be an awesome rodeo to finish out the month of September, and you will have to wait to hear more until next month’s article!

 I was glad to be home this month to watch my brother win homecoming chieftain, take in a few football games, and help work our calves.  My favorite times in the year are when the seasons start to change.  Our leaves are beautiful red, orange, yellow, and gold.  Harvest is in full swing, and sleep is to a minimum around here.   We are thankful for having a crop worth harvesting this year with the widespread drought, and are continually reminded to count our blessings.

Until next time,

Courtney Peterson
Miss Rodeo South Dakota

Before a performance of the Defeat of Jesse James Days Rodeo in Northfield, MN with

 Sarah Nowacki, Miss Rodeo Minnesota Lady in Waiting, myself, and Sabrina Behr, Miss Rodeo Minnesota 2012.

 

One our visits to area schools with the Defeat Ambassadors and some of the James-Younger Gang.

 Sabrina Behr, Miss Rodeo Minnesota and myself with all of the Defeat of Jesse James Days Ambassadors.

 Sadie Wardner, Miss Rodeo North Dakota and myself getting help signing autographs with birthday boy Easton Alderson during the Bowman County ProRodeo.

 

Waiting to carry flags in Bowman, ND with Sadie Wardner, Miss Rodeo North Dakota and Hadley Alderson, future Miss Rodeo North Dakota.

The first day of fall at home.  Checking pastures with my youngest brother Derek.

Sisseton High School homecoming with the newly crowned Chieftain, brother Darin Peterson.

 

MRSD Travel Blog - September Newsletter

MRSD Travel Blog - September Newsletter

My August began in Dodge City, Kansas, in “The Queen of the Cowtowns.”  The Dodge City Roundup was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame this summer and also hosts the Miss Rodeo Kansas Pageant.  I also learned to line dance, Can-Can, and race tricycles; however, my favorite activity was touring legendary Boot Hill.  I love history, and throughout the year I have seen numerous historic pieces of our western legacy. 

The second weekend of August started with the Catfish Stampede in Onida, South Dakota, and the Sutton families were great hosts, as always.  Thankfully I was able to ride enough horses during the day to offset the all the sweet corn and catfish I ate before each performance!   

Following the final performance, Kristina Maddocks, Miss Rodeo South Dakota Lady in Waiting, and I headed north to Aberdeen for the Dacotah Stampede and Miss Rodeo Aberdeen Contest.  Congratulations to Melynda Sletten, the new Miss Rodeo Aberdeen!  Regardless of which pageant I attend, I am always reminded of the wealth of horse and rodeo knowledge each contestant possesses, as well as passion to share this lifestyle with everyone they meet. 

The outgoing Miss Rodeo Aberdeen, Kendra Peterson (my neighbor), Brielle Yackley, Jr. Miss Rodeo South Dakota (my Jr. Miss Rodeo Aberdeen in 2008), as well as my college roommate, Krystal Carlascio, Miss North Dakota Winter Show (my successor as Miss Rodeo Aberdeen 2009), were also on hand for the Dacotah Stampede.  If you have ever heard of the rodeo family, that weekend proved it!  Between the support from Sutton Rodeos and Korkow Rodeos to the close friendships among the royalty, the camaraderie in rodeo is second to none!

Towards the end of the month, I was in Ft. Pierre for the South Dakota 4-H Rodeo Finals.  The 4-H Rodeo Ambassador program got me started in the rodeo queen enterprise, and will always have a special place in my heart.  Congratulations to Natalie Prins, from Sisseton, on winning the South Dakota 4-H Rodeo Ambassador title!  This year my younger brothers had qualified in calf roping, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, and team roping.  For the rest of the weekend, I was Darin and Derek’s big sister.  I forgot how much cooler a rodeo is when I’m not covered in leather vest and curly hair! 

Now that the school season is in full swing, my younger brothers have hung up their ropes and bronc saddles and switched to helmets and football pads.  My traveling is beginning to slow down to just the weekends, while preparing for Miss Rodeo America is in full swing.  I can count on my older brother, Matt, having a project for me outside when I am in a desperate need of a study break.

Until next time,
Courtney Peterson
Miss Rodeo South Dakota

Can-Can Lessons in Dodge City.

With Jamie Smith, Miss Rodeo Arizona; Sierra Peterson, Miss Rodeo Nebraska; myself; and Cassie Wasko, Miss Triangle Rodeo.

 Stuck in jail on Boot Hill with Jamie Smith, Miss Rodeo Arizona and Sierra Peterson, Miss Rodeo Nebraska.

After speeches during the Miss Rodeo Kansas Pageant.

 

Sierra Peterson, Miss Rodeo Nebraska and I. 

We don't try to go for the Peterson Twins look, it jsut happens!

Kristina Maddocks, Miss Rodeo South Dakota Lady in Waiting, and I stopped in Faith, SD.

Gun show with our sponsor, Jerry Westphal.

 

 Friends at the Miss Rodeo Aberdeen contest: this explains it all. 

(Left) With Krystal Carlascio, Miss ND Winter Show and Kristina Maddocks, Miss Rodeo South Dakota Lady in Waiting. 

(Right) Sisseton girls: With Kendra Peterson, Miss Rodeo Aberdeen 2011, Natalie Prins, now SD 4-H Rodeo Ambassador.

 

Visitng royalty during the Dacotah Stampede.

 

After the Dacotah Stampede rodeo with all the brothers, Darin, Matt, and Derek.

 Grabbing a bite to eat during the SD 4-H Rodeo Finals in Ft. Pierre, with Derek and Darin.

 

MRSD Travel Blog - August Newsletter

MRSD Travel Blog - August Newsletter

Cowboy Christmas happens every year surrounding the abundant Fourth of July rodeos. This year’s Cowboy Christmas included 32 rodeos with over $3.3 million in prize money throughout professional rodeo, undeniably a busy time in the rodeo season. I was grateful to be in Belle Fourche for the Black Hills Roundup during the Fourth of July, one of the few places in western South Dakota allowed to have fireworks because of the abnormally dry summer.

After celebrating our nation’s independence in South Dakota, I headed to Colorado Springs for the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and ProRodeo Hall of Fame Inductions. We even had a chance to go to the top of Pikes Peak. The view from a mountain top over 14,000 feet high is impressive, especially for this prairie girl! The PRCA headquarters had to be evacuated during the ragging Waldo Canyon fire. Thankfully, by the time we arrived for the Hall of Fame Inductions, the fires where contained and business was getting back to usual. Although South Dakota did not have inductees this year, we were still well represented. Robert and Billy Etbauer, originally from Ree Heights, and the bucking horse Khadafy Skoal from Powder River Rodeo (who got his start bucking at the Black Hills Roundup in Belle Fourche) were among the Induction Class of 2012.

Following the Hall of Fame Inductions was the Miss Rodeo America Seminar. We spent four days working on speeches, modeling, interviews, rodeo knowledge, and much more. The highlight of the entire seminar was the opportunity to work with Christ Cox for our horsemanship portion. I learned horsemanship skills I will be able to use long after the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.

After the long days of note taking at the seminar, I was excited to finally get to the Daddy of ‘Em of All in Cheyenne, Wyoming! During the pancake breakfast, I was able to help by flipping the cooked pancakes out of the wagon for the patiently waiting boy scouts to catch. A great rodeo, delicious food, shopping, and watching The Band Perry, Brad Paisely, and Merle Haggard in concert all help the rodeo live up to its expectations. My only regret was that I missed the Reba McEntire concert, since I was en route to the award winning Days of ’76 Rodeo in Deadwood, SD. Not a bad problem to have.

The Days of ’76 Rodeo has always been a favorite of mine. The committee is always welcoming and the rodeo is always entertaining. Sadie Warder, Miss Rodeo North Dakota, Sabrina Behr, Miss Rodeo Minnesota, Laura Tayson, Miss Rodeo Wisconsin, and Allison Bell, Miss Rodeo Louisiana, where all on hand to help with the festivities. There is a great group of state queens this year, who continually make all the traveling well worth it, and I appreciate these ladies take the time to help us celebrate in beautiful Deadwood.

A few people have asked if I am getting tired from all of this traveling. The quote I found earlier this month by James Michener accurately describes this year.

The master of the art of living makes little distinction between his work and play, his labor and leisure, his mind and body, his education and recreation, his love and religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him, he is always doing both.

Yes, this year as Miss Rodeo South Dakota has been hard work, but it also has been the time of my life! I’m looking forward to the adventures that August will bring.

Until next time,
Courtney Peterson
Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2012

Celebrating the Fourth of July during the Black Hills Roundup parade in Belle Fourche, SD.

 It wasn't all work and no play at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs, CO.

My favorite of likeness of Miss Rodeo Wisconsin, Laura Taysom, and I.

Our mock photo shoot on the summit of Pikes Peak. With Kallie Baker (OK), Laura Taysom (WI) and Sabrina Behr (MN).

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs with Mackenzie Carr, Miss Rodeo America; Kallie Baker, Miss Rodeo Oklahoma; Sabrina Behr, Miss Rodeo Minnesota; myself; and Laura Taysom, Miss Rodeo Wisconsin.

Sabrina Behr, Miss Rodeo Minnesota, and I with our final mutton buster of the Pikes Peak Rodeo.  She had no fear!

After the ProRodeo Hall of Fame Inductions with the two states that claim ties with this great family.

(left to right) Billy Etbauer, Kallie Baker, Miss Rodeo Oklahoma, myself, and Robert Etbauer.

With Chris Cox after horsemanship during the Miss Rodeo America Seminar in Colorado Springs, CO.

Waiting for the parade to start in Cheyenne, Wyoming with my great roommate for the week, Kylie Kooistra, Miss Rodeo Washington.

With the newly crowned Days of '76 Royalty, Mackenzie Rogers and Morgan Straub.

A great group of Midwesterners!  Before the final performance of the Days of '76 Rodeo with Sabrina Behr (MN), Laura Taysom (WI), and Sadie Wardner (ND).

 Catching up with long time friends after the Days of '76 Rodeo. With Kristina Maddocks, Miss Rodeo SD Lady in Waiting, and Krystal Carlascio, Miss ND Winter Show.