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.
