MISS RODEO LENOX

First off, I would like to give out a big thank you to the Lenox Stock and Saddle Club for making me feel very welcome at their rodeo. Also thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the Lenox Rodeo. One more thank you needs to go out to all of my pageant sponsors; it wouldn’t be possible without all of you. Alright, now I’ll fill you in on what I have been up to the past couple of days.

   The 64th Annual Lenox Rodeo got under way on Thursday, July 23rd and we couldn’t have asked for a better night. Courtney Stark, Miss Rodeo Lenox 2008, did her final queens run and then handed the title over to me. There were 5 queens that graced us with their time and beauty: Lindsey Ahrenholtz (MRI 2009), Shelby Chapman (MTRI 2009), Jenna Kool (Leon Rodeo Princess 2009), Hannah Hilsabeck (Miss Dallas County 2009) and Kara Telfer (Miss URA 2009). Thank you so much ladies, I am so glad to get to know all of you! 

  During the day on Friday we got to go bowling at Tiger Lanes in Lenox. It was so much fun! Thank you to the Haidsiak’s for letting us bowl and for the great food. I don’t think rodeo queens spend a lot of time in bowling alley’s because we were all excited when we broke 100. Although we had a few sprinkles it was another great night for a rodeo. Once again Rite N Gear of Woodburn, IA brought their best stock to Lenox. It was very obvious that the cowboys and cowgirls loved the challenge because there was way over 100 contestants that night.

 On Saturday all the queens got to have lunch at my favorite pizza place, Breadeaux Pizza in Lenox. After we stuffed ourselves we headed out to the Lenox Care Center to help celebrate the July birthdays. We square danced, learned about some famous old movie and TV stars along with their horse (and sidekicks). We also had some snacks, visited with the residents and signed autograph sheets.

Now every night before the rodeo starts there is time to let some of the younger cowboys and cowgirls shine while competing in the muttin’ bustin’ and steer riding. Shelby Chapman (MTRI 2009) and I decided that steer riding sounded like it would be fun to try. So we signed up, got our numbers and waited back behind the chutes. Thanks to everyone behind the chutes that helped us get ready. I was up first and rode for six seconds and got a score of 63 points. I was so excited and I have to say that it was one of the coolest things I have ever done. Shelby was up next and got a score of 66 points. She won that one but we both agreed that we would have to try it again. 

Saturday night was Tough Enough to Wear Pink night to support the cure for breast cancer. It was amazing to see all the cowboys and cowgirls pull together to help out for a good cause. It was another amazing night for a rodeo and the performance was great.

Sunday morning kicked off the Youth Rodeo, there was a really good turn out. Once again we had beautiful weather and the kids had so much fun. I got the lead the grand entry, helped with the stick horse race, goat tail untie and the muttin’ bustin’. They tried to get me on a steer again but once a weekend was enough for me. I made a bunch of new friends and got to see some old friends as well. I even got to ride with Boo Baker in the pole bending and she beat me!

Over all it was an amazing weekend. Thank you to all the queens that came and thank you to Heather Beck for once again being an amazing queen coordinator.

This weekend I’m going to be making an appearance at the Sidney Iowa Championship Rodeo. Hope to see you all there!

Suzy Fife, Miss Rodeo Lenox 2009