It is time to meet your 2019 Jr Miss Ozark Rodeo Association, Jacie Jost! Jacie is excited to get the 2019 season started and to make new friends! Keep reading to learn more about her!

Hey everyone!
My name is Jacie Jost and I am honored to be your 2019 JR Miss ORA. I am in the 5 th grade at Cuba Middle School where I am involved in several after school activities such as Robotics, Middle School Milers and Book Club. I also play on the 5 th grade girls traveling basketball team where I am dedicated to my team.
I am from Owensville Missouri where I help my family farm cattle and horses. My family owns a pony ride business where I spend a lot of time helping them in the summer. My love for horses started when I was really young and my Uncle Jasper got me my first pony named Hollywood which I still have today. My Uncle Jasper took me to my first fun show and I had so much fun. I enjoy trail riding with my family and friends. My interest for rodeo comes from my Dad he rode bulls and we were at a rodeos a lot. I always love watching the barrel racing and bull riding. My interest in rodeo queening came from being at a rodeo with my mom and dad and seeing all the queens it made me want to try it. The next year I went to my first
pageant and loved it!
I am very excited to make new friends and memories. I am looking forward to
serving as your 2019 Jr Miss ORA and what the season brings.
Love, Jacie
JR Miss ORA 2019

Stay tuned to meet all of our Miss Ozark Rodeo Association Sweethearts for 2019!
Shannon
Director
​Miss Ozark Rodeo Association Pageant

It's time to meet our next titleholder, Miss Teen Ozark Rodeo Association, Alexis Mantonya! We are very excited to work with Alexis this year and hope you all take the time to get to know a little bit about her!

Stay tuned to meet our 2019 Jr Miss ORA, Jacie Jost!
Shannon
Director
Miss Ozark Rodeo Association Pageant

A new year means new titleholders and I would love to introduce to you to each of them individually! First we are starting off with our new Miss Ozark Rodeo Association 2019, Haley Linder! Haley has a big year in store for her as she will be the first Miss ORA to represent the Ozark Rodeo Association at the Miss Rodeo USA Pageant in January 2020!

Stay tuned to meet Miss Teen ORA 2019, Alexis Mantonya!
Shannon Norris
Director 
Miss ORA Pageant

As 2018 comes to an end, that means the titles must be passed on to the next group of girls to reign for the Ozark Rodeo Association. Maddy and Jacci have done a great job this past year representing the Ozark Rodeo Association and we can't wait to see what the future holds for them. They will both appear one last time at the Ozark Rodeo Association Awards Banquet in February, but they have each taken the time to reflect on their year as titleholders and I hope you all enjoy going down memory lane with them.

I cannot believe my time has come to end my year as Miss ORA 2018. Though my year was short, I had the best time of my life. Becoming Miss ORA was an unexpected surprise, but I was accepted with opening arms. Coming into the season with few rodeos left gave me little time to gather my bearings. I really had to sit down and think about what I really wanted to promote for the rest of the year. I choose to always being the smiling face at every rodeo. Not only to smile, but to make sure to encourage all contestants, of all ages. To always be around to lend a helping hand and most importantly to enjoy every minute of this journey. As we all know I am not a typical queen. My hair never stays curled, my clothes were never up to par with most queen standards, but I made the best of it and loved every minute of this ride. I have had the best support team.
To my mom and my dad, thank you for pushing me and always believing in me.
To Laurie and Audrey, my two favorite hauling partners, thank you for always being willing to leave at whatever time I needed to be on time or early to every perf, even when that meant really late nights.
Shannon and Sherrie, thank you for all of your advice, clothing me when I needed something a little more queen and a little less plain.
Shannon, thank you for trusting me with this title and always being the best director you could be. Always being willing to help with hair or makeup. We had quite a season, from competitors to being my director it was a great year.
To my grandma, my guardian angel, I miss you daily,  I so wish you coulda been here to watch me on this journey, I can only imagine how you would have reacted to seeing me all dressed up. You are the greatest guardian angel I could ask for. I miss and love you so much.
Jacci, you were the greatest Teen one could ask for. You always were there to lend a helping hand and accepted me with such open arms. It was such a fun year with you.
To the ORA board and its members, thank you all for the support that you have given me. It has been the best year I could ever have. The stress and busy days have been so worth it. I am so blessed to have been apart of this association and to hold a title as queen.
As for the future queens, enjoy the year, make the best of everything, and always hold a smile and be ready for pictures. It goes by way to quick, then you find yourself where I am, writing your farewell, are crying while eating Oreos.
Onto the next one,
Your Miss ORA 2018
​Madison Benson. 

Stay tuned to meet our 2019 Titleholders!
Until Next Time,
Shannon Norris
Director
​Miss ORA Pageant

This week we are staying in the Show-Me State for another Missouri titleholder! We would like to introduce you to this year's featured Titleholder, Miss Rodeo Missouri 2018, Ashley Bauer! Ashley is going to tell you some about her year so far and what she hopes to accomplish at Miss Rodeo America in December.

What has been your favorite appearance so far as Miss Rodeo Missouri?
I can honestly say that choosing just ONE favorite appearance would be a nearly impossible task! I have many favorite memories such as...
My very first Missouri PRCA rodeo as Miss Rodeo Missouri was in Poplar Bluff. Our first task of the evening was to help with the mutton busting. I remember one little boy lost his boot when he fell off of his sheep. When I ran over to pick him up and dust him off, I remember the look on his face when I went to help him put his boot on. He looked up at me with almost tear filled eyes, in pure awe, as if he had just seen an angel. We got his boot back on and ran back to the fence to his family. I will never forget the look on that little guy's face.  
My first out of state appearance as MRM was in January in Denver, Colorado. I was able to help at the National Western Stock Show and was blessed to attend the WESA market. At market, I met many of the top name brand ambassadors and received so many welcoming words to my year. I was also able to meet many of my fellow state queens and hear about their queening experiences. What a trip!
One of my other favorite memories was most recently in Licking, MO. It poured sideways rain in one of the performances. That did not stop the mutton busters or calf scramble kiddos. I remember hoisting up those muddy kids back over the fence to their parents after the scramble was over. I have never heard so many giggles and children laughing about how they "lost their boot(s) in the mud!"​

If you are even considering competing in a rodeo queen pageant, just do it. There are so many opportunities that come along with it whether you win or not. Ashley talked about some of the opportunities she's been given this year.
​Thank you Ashley for taking the time to do this blog interview with us! 
Until next time,
Shannon Norris
Director 
Miss Ozark Rodeo Association Pageant

**Miss Ozark Rodeo Association Pageant is coming up on October 20, 2018! Deadline is this Saturday on September 8, 2018! Contact me if you are interested in competing!**

What is your favorite part about rodeo?
Carrying a flag or Barrel Racing
What do you like to do in your free time when you aren't rodeoing?
​I like to go Trapping, Hunting, and Fishing
Who is your rodeo role model?
Ivy Conrado or Jackie Ganter

 This week we are headed back to Missouri! Help me welcome our Miss Teen Rodeo Missouri 2018, Dani Williams as our featured titleholder! Dani talks about her travels so far this year and how she's been involved with Cardinal Glennon!

How did you get your start in rodeo and rodeo queen pageants?
​Growing up, my mom always told me stories of her rodeo queen days. She held the titles of the very first Mark Twain Lake Queen, Mexico Rodeo Queen and MRCA Rodeo Queen. She then started judging at my local rodeo queen pageant. About 6 years ago I started competing at the Troy Rodeo Queen Pageant. I have held the titles of 2014 Troy Jr. Rodeo Queen, 2016 Troy Rodeo Queen and the Miss Teen Rodeo Missouri 2018.

What has been your favorite appearance so far as Miss Teen Rodeo Missouri?
​Each rodeo is so different and maybe that is my favorite part. I have enjoyed meeting new people at each one and of course catching up with old friends too! Throughout my year this far I have done some events such as reading at doctor Seuss Week, attending PRCA Rodeos and local charity events such as my personal fundraiser for Cardinal Glennon. My schedule is packed with events almost every weekend and there’s no way I would rather have it!

That’s so awesome that you have your own fundraisers that you do!  How did you become involved with Cardinal Glennon and why did you choose them to donate money to?
​I was actually a patient there three years ago. In late October 2015 I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune neurologic disease called Guillain Barre. After spending a week and the transitional care unit at Cardinal Glennon children’s research Hospital, I decided I wanted to give back to the hospital get it done so much for me. So I partnered with the local Troy rodeo queen’s to do a donation drive at Walmart. The event was super successful and we were able to raise $1500 Worth of items and $250 in cash donations from the Lincoln County community!

What is one thing you are looking forward to during the rest of your year?
​I have enjoyed traveling all over Missouri thus far in my year, however, I cannot wait to travel to LasVegas for the National Finals Rodeo where Ashley Bauer, Miss Rodeo Missouri will be competing for the title of Miss Rodeo America!

Who is one Miss Rodeo America that you would love the chance to go to dinner with? What would you ask her?
​If I had the chance to have dinner with a former Miss Rodeo America it would definitely be Katherine Merck, Miss Rodeo America 2016. I would like to give her all the credit in strengthening my passion and respect for the rodeo queen industry. As I watched her travel throughout her year, I loved how humble she was! Her story is truly inspiring and I strive to represent the sport I love, just as she did!

What is one thing you have learned so far being Miss Teen Rodeo Missouri that you didn't know when you competed for the title?
​I always knew the saying “Rodeo rain or shine” and I have been fortunate to learn how much fun it is to rodeo in the mud. Although I have also become aware of how much Rodeo is just like a big family! We all have each other’s backs, laugh with and sometimes at each other and even when we part ways we are able to keep in touch through Rodeo.

So true, there is nothing like a weekend getting to rodeo in the mud. I know all of us here in the Ozark Rodeo Association can agree with that. And isn't that the most wonderful thing about the sport of rodeo? We truly are one big family. 
Speaking of our rodeo families and how much fun we have on the road, why do you think the rodeo queen industry is dying? And what should we do to insure girls keep coming back to compete in the pageants?
​I think that you understand this when I say it, that it takes a lot of time and energy to host a pageant. And trust me we greatly appreciate all that you do for the Ozark Rodeo Association and the rodeo queen industry. As for the girls, they may not realize all the opportunities that are presented with being a title holder, I know I didn’t when I started. And yes, I will admit it is a lot of work, however being a rodeo queen is also a lot of fun. I think as queen coordinators we all must really emphasize what the girls get to do and how easy it is to become involved!

Absolutely! There are so many incredible opportunities that come with the title. I have one last question for you.
Now that you've graduated high school, getting ready to go off to college, and halfway through your year as Miss Teen Rodeo Missouri, what does the future look like for you in rodeo queening after this year?
​I will be heading down to West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. My plan is to major in Agriculture Communications and minor in Plant Science. I will be doing my first semester on-line due to my prior obligations here in Missouri and will transfer down in January. I hope to continue to be involved in the rodeo industry throughout college and one day compete for Miss Rodeo Missouri!

Ladies don't miss out on the opportunities that come with being a rodeo queen and get your start in pageants now!
Thank you Dani for taking the time to do an interview with us! 
Until next time,
Shannon Norris
Director
​Miss Ozark Rodeo Association Pageant

What is your part of rodeo?
My favorite part of rodeo is the roping events. I also enjoy hanging out with my friends that I don't get to see everyday. 
What do you like to do in your free time when you aren't rodeoing?
When I'm not rodeoing, I work at Dave's Country Mart in Tipton as a stockboy and cashier. If I'm not working, I am in the practice pen with my horses. Practice is important.
Who is your rodeo role model?
My rodeo role model is Tuf Cooper. He is my role model because he is where I want to be. He works hard every day to be the best he can be, not only in rodeo but in life as well. He makes fast consistent runs and that's where I want to be with my roping. He makes me push myself to be at the top of my game and he is a super nice individual who will talk to you and not just blow you off. 

This week we are headed back to Oregon just in time for the Miss Rodeo Oregon 2019 pageant to feature the current Miss Rodeo Oregon! Please help us welcome Jessi Conforth as our featured titleholder! She talks about her year so far and her personal platform that she has been promoting! Also, if you're in Oregon be sure to catch the Miss Rodeo Oregon pageant being held this weekend!

What is your background in rodeo and rodeo queen pageants?
My background is actually much more limited than people originally think. I am a first generation cowgirl through and through. My parents had never grown up ranching or with any sort of livestock so it was a big learning curve when they bought my first horse when I was nine years old. Owning a horse in general was an idea that we stumbled across by accident, and we had no clue that it would be the best thing that ever happened to me. With my first horse, Jazz, I completed all nine years of horse 4-H, and was very active on my Oregon High School Equestrian Team. I was drill captain all four years, and team captain for my final two. I also competed at local playdays, barrel races, and ranch sortings.  
As for rodeo queening, I essentially looked at my mom one day and asked how she felt about me trying out for the local rodeo court.  I had a close family friend who had been on the court a few years prior, so she helped me prepare.  I tried out for another rodeo court two weeks before my local court, so I could have some practice.  That pageant went well and I was chosen as one of the princesses.  I met the court coordinator, who was Miss Rodeo Oregon in 2009, and she educated me on the Miss Rodeo Oregon program and I never looked back.  The next year I was queen of the same local court with plans already forming to run for Miss Rodeo Oregon.  

Why did you decide to run for Miss Rodeo Oregon?
I was inspired to run for Miss Rodeo Oregon because of the people who helped get me into rodeo queening in the first place.  I was not the most confident girl growing up, but they helped build me up and made me believe that I could be something more than just myself.  After I graduated from Oregon State University in 2016, I bought myself a two and a half year old gelding named Dually and started preparing day in and day out.  The aspect of rodeo queening that I was least confident in was horsemanship, so learning with such a young horse kept me honest in my riding and I started working with a few different horse trainers.  They would give me “homework” to do with Dually, and also put me on different horses.  Now Dually is my best pal and I feel so much more confident riding a variety of horses. 

I’ve noticed through your social media you have a platform.  Could you tell us what it is and why you chose to promote it while being Miss Rodeo Oregon?
My platform for my year is raising money for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund through the hashtag #flexforjccf.  The way it works is people take a picture with me while we flex our muscles, and then that person and myself can post the picture to Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag.  Then on the very last day of my reign, I will count all of the pictures under the hashtag on both social media sites and donate $1 for every photo.  Between the number of pictures that have already been posted and with people pledging to either match me dollar for dollar or with a straight donation, we are currently sitting around $2,500 donated. 
I chose this platform because I wanted my year to be more than just about myself.  The Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund was the perfect organization to choose because one of the career options I am looking at is athletic training and my dream is to be a part of the Justin Sports Medicine Team.  The pictures are fun to take and people enjoy learning why we are flexing, plus the hashtag makes keeping track of photos really easy.  

What are you most looking forward to during the rest of your year and as you prepare to compete in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in December?
I am most looking forward for the summer run of rodeo season to start.  I have about a three week period where I am at a rodeo every single day, and it will be busy but very rewarding.  I really enjoy meeting new people at rodeos.  I also think this will help me with my preparations for Miss Rodeo America because I will be immersed in rodeo all day every day so I will have a better time remembering all the rules and top cowboys and cowgirls.  

What was it like to get to experience Rodeo Houston and be a part of it?
Rodeo Houston was a trip of a lifetime, and I would recommend it to any current or aspiring state queen.  You spend most of your day taking care of the Cervi Championship Rodeo flag horses, but then you also ride in the grand entry and work the rodeo.  We were given different jobs to do during the rodeo; holding judges’ horses, running gates, or taking care of pickup horses.  I worked a gate both weeks that I was there, and I learned so much about the behind the scenes of the rodeo on the roughstock side.  It was also a great time to bond with some of the other current titleholders and learn from the past ones that were there as well.  The free concert each night after the performance was just a cherry on top.  

You travel so many miles throughout your year, that I’m sure you’re an expert at packing by now.  What is one item that you always pack in your suitcase?
I always have water with me!  Staying healthy and hydrated while on the road is critical to being a successful queen.  When I drive to rodeos, I drink pure coconut water.  For flying, I always have an empty water bottle in my carry-on because you can fill it for free after you get through security.

Besides winning the title of Miss Rodeo America, what is your goal going in to the pageant?
My goal at Miss Rodeo America is to walk off that stage at the end of the week knowing I stayed true to myself and gave it everything I had.  I am my biggest critic, so I really want to be proud of myself.

What has been your most memorable experience so far of being Miss Rodeo Oregon?
While I was in Florida we had the opportunity to attend a party at “Give Kids The World”.  It is a resort for families with terminally ill children where they get an all-expenses paid week-long vacation.  We were part of the Halloween party, and it was so incredible to see the joy on the kids’ faces as we danced with them, played games, and handed out candy.  It was also extra special for me because the main coordinator of the program was from Clackamas, Oregon!

How did attending and watching the 2018 Miss Rodeo America Pageant help you prepare for your year as Miss Rodeo Oregon and preparing for Miss Rodeo America?
Watching the 2018 MRA Pageant was vital to my success this year.  It helped me realize aspects of the pageant that I could start preparing for now, and what I could expect for when I compete.  It was also part of how my #flexforjccf platform got started, because I was inspired at the MRA introductions listening to all the great things the current titleholders had used their year for.  

What is one piece of advice you would give to any girl starting out the in the rodeo queen industry?
I have found that the most important thing when rodeo queening is to stay true to yourself.  Use pageants and your title as opportunities to learn about your strengths, weaknesses, and what makes you most happy in life.  Unfortunately we cannot please everyone all the time, but we are completely in control of our own happiness.  So learn and grow with the process, but do not let it overrun your own beautiful personality and what you as an individual bring to the title.   

Jessi has spent her year traveling the country and promoting her platform #flexforjccf and she has been doing a wonderful job. I encourage every rodeo queen and contestant to create a platform to promote throughout your reigns, it will make it so much more memorable and people will remember you because of it. 
We wish Jessi the best of luck this December as she competes for the title of Miss Rodeo America! Thank you so much for doing this interview with us and enjoy the rest of your year!
Until next time.
Shannon Norris
Director
​Miss Ozark Rodeo Association