Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 1 9 80 08:22 I get into the Ford wrapped with the North 40 Outfitters logo and my name. No speeding for me! 09:20 I am at the Miss Rodeo Montana Clinic located in the Belt Community eatre to help teach young women about the industry, improve their rodeo knowledge, enlighten them about rodeo queen etiquette, and how to have a posi- tive influence as an advocate for the sport, agriculture, and the western way of life. I was blessed to be able to work alongside the 2016 Miss Rodeo America, Katherine Merck, throughout the weekend. 11:45 As a group we head over to Jack's Beans for lunch and con- tinue to talk about what is going on across the country within the rodeo and the rodeo queen world. 12:15 We head back to the theatre and work on modeling! It seems silly to some, but modeling clothes for sponsors is an important skill for these ladies to have. 13:37 We start our drive over to the arena to get our hands dirty learning about the ins and outs of each event and how the rodeo committee transforms the "greatest sport on dirt" into an action- packed entertainment show for all to enjoy. 13:42 e gals and I arrive at the rodeo grounds but before we get out of the vehicle, there is an impromptu dance party to Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus' "Old Town Road" on the radio. 14:50 Gordy Kessler, a PRCA Rodeo Judge, and Clancy Si- vertsen, longtime Belt Rodeo Chairman, have come to answer any questions and show us how the timed events run specifically within the barrier. From there Kenny Barringer with Brookman Rodeo from Sidney, MT walk us through the bucking chutes and a behind the scenes look at the professional rodeo athletes: the bucking horses and bulls. 16:19 LaTasha Wieferich, a hard-working family member of Brookman Rodeo, chats with us about their new bucking horse babies. ese foals are so special because they come from bucking stock lines that have wowed the professional rodeo industry for almost 70 years. 16:26 e queen clinic is over for the day and we can go enjoy watching the rodeo or if they brought a horse, apply those skills they had just learned, and help the rodeo committee with grand entry and clearing stock from the arena. 16:30 From there the entire rodeo commit- tee, stock contractor personnel, JJ Harrison the rodeo clown, bull fighters, announcers, local queens Katie Lynn Kraus and Shay O'Neil, and other volunteers come together for the produc- tion meeting to ensure the rodeo runs safely and smoothly. As a PRCA (Pro- fessional Rodeo Cowboys Association) rodeo with a WPRA (Women's Profes- sional Rodeo Association) sanctioned barrel race, it is imperative that all rules are followed. 16:54 Typically, as Miss Rodeo Montana, I borrow horses at a rodeo because it takes a lot of time, energy, and money to haul horses around our gigantic state. I meet friends on the side of the road outside of the rodeo grounds and we put my saddle on Sailor, a handsome blue roan American Quarter Horse gelding, and proceed to warm up. 17:07 With my marketing degree, I fully understand that part of my job is to be an attraction for the rodeo to sell tickets. Another is to be an ambassador of the sport and educate people about the sport of rodeo, the western way of life, and our heritage. After warming Sailor up in the arena, I go around with other "queens" and allow children to pet the horses, answer questions, and take many photos. I hope they start to love rodeo the way that I do. 18:00 Rodeo starts! We bow our heads to pray for the safety of our cowboys and animals. 18:04 I am honored to be able to carry the American flag at so many rodeos. I also carry sponsor flags of the rodeo to promote their businesses and community involvement. 18:10 We watch the bucking horses do their business when the gateman pulls open the chute. I love watching for the cowboy to mark out the horse then gracefully work together in synchro- nized form; it is truly a dance when performed correctly. 18:12 I switch from Sailor to Tom, a been-there-done-that American Paint Horse. CLAY GUARDIPEE (RODEO READY) Jack's Beans in Belt

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