This first generation cowgirl proves you don't have to come from a rodeo background to have big dreams in the rodeo world. Please help us welcome two time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Flag Girl and your 2018 Miss Rodeo Utah, Carly Peercy as this week's featured titleholder!!

How did you get started in rodeo and rodeo queen pageants?
I ran for my very first princess title in 2008, lets just say I had no idea what I was doing but I loved every minute of it. During High School I was on the Kearns High Drill Team which consumed most of my time, so I decided to concentrate on dancing and being a state officer during those years. Once I graduated from High School in 2012 I competed for my very first PRCA queen title, there was 4 girls competing and unfortunately I was the girl that walked away without getting my named called to be apart of their court. This was probably the best thing that ever happened to me, it fueled my fire and started a burning passion inside me. I wanted to go back the following year and win the queen title. So that’s just what I did, in 2013 I held the West Jordan Western Stampede Rodeo Queen title, and I was officially hooked! Since than I have held 11 other rodeo queen titles including my current title Miss Rodeo Utah 2018. 

Why did you decide to run for Miss Rodeo Utah?
Something unique about me is I am a first generation cowgirl so I have wanted to be an example that big dreams are attainable. I am also very goal orientated so after continuously setting goals to compete at different local rodeo queen pageants, I came to a realization that I needed to set my goals high if I wanted to follow my dreams of becoming Miss Rodeo Utah. It took me three years to walk away with the prestigious title of Miss Rodeo Utah, but the important part was I never gave up going after my dreams. Now its my hope to make an impact, and be an example that ALL dreams can come to reality with faith, determination and hard work. 

What has been your most memorable appearance so far as Miss Rodeo Utah?
This most memorable appearance that’s standing out to me at the moment, happened just this past weekend. I was able to be a part of an event with a nonprofit organization called the Mascot Miracles Foundation. This foundation provides lasting memories and moments of happiness for young warriors fighting unthinkable battles. They help children who have serious illness through professional, college and corporate mascots; by creating and attending events. I was fortunate enough to be a mentor to these heroes and spend a day with them putting on an exceptional rodeo during the Pony Express Days in Eagle Mountain, Utah. I can honestly say my heart has never felt so full of happiness and love.

What are you most looking forward to during the rest of your reign?
Definitely making an impact in my state. This last weekend kicked off the first rodeo of summer here in Utah and now I am going strong every weekend attending rodeos, events and parades until the middle of August. I will travel from the north, east, south and west of Utah these next few months and I couldn’t be more exited to pack up my Dodge Ram pick up truck and hit the rodeo trail with my friends and family. 

As you are preparing to compete for Miss Rodeo America in December, what has been the biggest challenge for you and how did you overcome it?
I’ll admit I am a huge over thinker. I sometimes stress about the smallest things that no one can change. This year I have been focusing on myself,  reminding myself to let things go that I can’t control, always to live in the moment and most importantly remember who I am. I have told myself from the beginning no matter what happens I will stay true to myself, believe in myself and never give up on my dreams. 

You got to be a flag girl at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for 2017, what was this experience like?
If I could describe it in one word it would be AMAZING! This past year during the 2017 WNFR was my second year that I got to carry sponsor flags at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Being selected to ride with 21 other incredible, talented riders, and being a part of this selected group of women is unexplainable.
I do have to giggle when I hear girls say that carrying flags at the WNFR would be so glamorous and fun,  don’t get me wrong it’s a blast but it’s also a lot more than just carrying flags during a rodeo. You haven’t seen the definition of perfect until you spend a day practicing with us. We practice until we are in sync, talk about late nights practices after the rodeo and early mornings practices as well. 

When you compete for Miss Rodeo America, besides bringing the crown back to Utah, what is your goal?
My goal going into Miss Rodeo America is to have no regrets, I am going to go to America as ready as I can be. No matter if I win or lose I want to look back and say I did my very best and whatever happens it was meant to happen. God is good, and he always has a plan for us. 

If there is one piece of advice you could give to every girl starting out in the rodeo queen industry, what would it be?
Always stay true to you, no matter what!! You are special in your own unique way, don’t let anyone change you. Once you find your inspiration, use it to make a difference. 

What do you believe is the most important phase of competition and how do you prepare for it?
As a Rodeo Queen it’s our job to be the public relations and ambassador of the sport of rodeo, especially as the first lady of professional rodeo! This comes from putting in hours upon hours of time and energy into studying all different rodeo and agricultural topics.
Every portion of the Miss Rodeo America pageant the contestants will be answering questions in their interviews, while answering impromptu questions and when they give their extemporaneous speech. Staying up to date on current events, PRCA rules, equine related knowledge, personality questions are all extremely important if you want to be successful at the Miss Rodeo America pageant.
Like I said studying is a little tricky because there is so much to study but I have learned that having a studying routine is very important. First of all to keep up on current events, I read TheSkimm daily and I watch the news nightly. To help me study all the different topics I will take flash cards with me everywhere I go,  on my down time I will ask myself questions, answer them back or write them down and then while I am driving I will have someone send me a speech topic and I will create a speech out of it and say it out loud. I will record myself then go back and listen and critique them later.
Long explanation short, you have to put the work and effort in if you want to be successful not only at the Miss Rodeo America pageant, but in everyday life.
 
Thank you so much for this opportunity!
 
With love,
Carly Peercy, the 2018 Miss Rodeo Utah 

Thank you Carly so much for sharing your journey with us! You're a reminder that you don't have to come from a certain background to obtain certain dreams!
​We can't wait to continue following your journey as Miss Rodeo Utah this year!
Until next time, 
Shannon Norris
Director
Miss Ozark Rodeo Association Pageant

This week's titleholder is making a difference in her community through her platform and service projects she has been promoting. Please help us welcome Susan Rhodes, Miss Mid-South Rodeo 2018!

What's next on your rodeo queen journey? Do you plan to go on to the state or national level of competition?
 I actually just competed for the Miss Rodeo Arkansas title this past March, and am strongly considering competing again next year before I age out. For now though, I'm just focusing on enjoying my title as Miss Mid-South Rodeo and being the best titleholder I can be.

To be a successful titleholder you don't have to come from a rodeo background and you don't have to hold a state or national title either. Successful titleholders come from all walks of life and from different pageant levels in the industry. So if you're thinking about competing and win a title, be the best titleholder you can possibly be. Create a platform or service project during your year and make a difference in your community!

Thank you Susan for taking the time out of your schedule to do this interview with us! We wish you the best during the rest of your reign and we can't wait to follow it on social media!

If your interested in following Susan's journey, her Facebook Page is Miss Mid-South Rodeo 2017-2018!

Signing off until next week,
Shannon Norris
Director
​Miss Ozark Rodeo Association Pageant

This state is the only one to be named after a president and it is also the home of the ONLY Miss Rodeo America crowned from there. If you guessed I'm talking about Washington, then you are correct! You also must know I'm talking about Miss Rodeo America 2016, Katherine Merck! On this week's edition of Titleholder Tuesday, we are catching up with Katherine about her time as Miss Rodeo America and life afterwards.  

The moment your name was called as Miss Rodeo America 2016, what was going through your head?
It is hard to describe that moment and there is absolutely no way to prepare for it! I think the picture of
the moment I realized that I had won – when they called the first runner-up and it wasn’t me – says
everything. Overwhelming joy, surprise and amazement in the first moment, followed by a rush of
emotions that all of my hard work had paid off and my dream of representing the Professional Rodeo
Cowboys Association had come true. I gave my year as Miss Rodeo Washington everything that I had and worked all year to be the best version of myself that I could, so my goal was to continue that throughout the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. After the week of competition, I knew that I had done my best and been 100% true to myself and who I am, so I was completely calm going into coronation. That calm definitely did not last when I realized that my life had just changed forever!

​How did it feel to bring the title back to Washington for the first time?
Washington is a state with a rich heritage in rodeo, so it was an honor to bring the title home to the
Evergreen State and its rodeos! We are home to historic roundups, tour finales, world champion cowboys, hall of fame bucking stock, and the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Our Columbia River Circuit family was my support system going in to the Miss Rodeo America competition – they let me learn and work behind the scenes at rodeos, borrow horses and put me through timer training to ensure that I knew the PRCA rulebook inside and out. After I won, they continued to book me for our circuit rodeos and it was truly a dream come true to be the first Miss Rodeo Washington to bring home the Miss Rodeo America title to my rodeo family!

​ Two years later, what is life like after the crown? How did being Miss Rodeo America prepare you for that?
I truly thought that after my year my life would slow down – but two years later, it definitely has not and I love it that way! This past year has been monumental for me in that I graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law during the 2017 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (I flew home for one day for the ceremony!), took the bar exam in February, and was sworn in as an attorney to the Montana State Bar Association this past month. I continue to be involved in the rodeo community by working for stock
contractors and rodeo committees and truly enjoy giving back to the rodeo queen industry by serving on the Miss Rodeo America National Advisory Council as well as serving as a pageant judge and clinician. My six American Quarter Horse Association horses keep me busy in my spare time – I am incredibly proud of how my filly that I started this past fall while finishing school is coming along and I’m competing in reining shows again after focusing on rodeos for the past few years.
Miss Rodeo America not only prepared me for the busy life that I am juggling today, but shaped me into
who I am today and my world view. I learned to be adaptable and treat each day as a new opportunity to
make a positive impact. During my year, I found the determination to smile and truly be positive even
without much sleep and chose to make every day a great day. While my year solidified my desire to help
farmers and ranchers through agricultural estate planning, land use, and water rights, it also made me
realize that I am energized, rather than exhausted, by the travel and the people that I meet along the way.
On top of all of that, the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation allowed me to graduate with my
juris doctorate completely debt free, which has given me the freedom to pursue my passions and work
toward making a difference in the western industry.

​Do you feel it is important for titleholders to give back to the pageants where they held titles at?
I absolutely love the line, “when you get where you’re going, don’t forget turn right back around. Help the next one in line…always stay humble and kind” from Tim McGraw’s song “Humble and Kind.” It truly
encapsulates what I believe is the duty of every titleholder – to give back to the organization that created so many opportunities for you. Rodeo queen programs are run by volunteers who are dedicated to allowing young women to grow into the best versions of themselves, and the best way to say thank you is to give back to that program. There are so many ways to give back – from helping out during the pageant to reaching out to the current titleholder. As a former titleholder you have a unique perspective, and a little advice or even just telling the titleholder that you are there for her if she has any questions goes a long way. I’ve had the honor of both judging and emceeing at my local pageant, and I am thrilled to continue to be involved in Miss Rodeo America.

​With most rodeo queens being in school during their reigns, how did you balance school and being a rodeo queen?  
First, I spent a year as a full time law student and local titleholder, then one semester as a full time law student and state titleholder, and a total of three semesters away from Gonzaga: the first to carry out my duties as Miss Rodeo Washington and compete for Miss Rodeo America, and the other two during my year as MRA. Balancing school and being a rodeo queen is no easy feat, but it is possible if you work hard and plan ahead. I didn’t miss an opportunity for an appearance while I was in school, but I took my books on the road with me and even studied Constitutional Law behind the chutes after morning slack. I am so grateful to Gonzaga University School of Law for allowing me the leave of absence to follow my dream.I truly will never be able to thank the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation enough for their contribution to my future, which allowed me to graduate completely debt free. While balancing rodeo and school and taking time off of school had its challenges, it was more than worth it both for the experience and the opportunities that they both created for me. 

​What do you feel is the most important phase of competition? And what is the best way to prepare for it?  
In my opinion, personality is the most important category within a rodeo queen pageant and interviews are the most important phase. Girls are definitely are surprised when I tell them to study for the personality component of pageants, but I really do believe that it is important! My best advice to young women is to learn who you are – your strengths, your weaknesses, and your values – and strive to be the best version of yourself every single day! As Oscar Wilde said, “be yourself.  Everyone else is already taken.”  There is no “cookie-cutter” rodeo queen – I wasn’t the same as Chenae, Paige or Lauren as Miss Rodeo America; I brought my own talents and gifts to the title. Don’t try to craft yourself into the rodeo queen or Miss Rodeo America that you idolize or made a lasting impression on your life…develop your own personality and tell your story! My pageant preparation truly changed me for the better and continues to shape my life long after I handed down my crown.
 
Knowledge is another incredibly important part of interviews – besides learning about yourself, you need to learn about the sport that you hope to represent. You represent the sport of rodeo, your hometown, agriculture, your sponsors, and an entire way of life. Rodeo continues to evolve with our modern Western lifestyle while maintaining our traditions and close-knit community. Serving as an ambassador for this amazing sport is an opportunity to promote our values and give back to our community. Many people don’t realize that a rodeo queen pageant consists not only of the traditional pageant events of public speaking, extensive interviews, current event questions, and of course a fashion show. What sets us apart from traditional titleholders is that our pageants also include horsemanship and a written examination on equine science and rodeo knowledge. A rodeo queen is truly the “face of rodeo” and needs to be able to explain our sport to first time rodeo attendees and schoolchildren as well as newspaper and television reporters. Study the ProRodeo Sports News, the PRCA website, the PRCA Media Guide, and equine science. The best way to study rodeo is to truly be a fan of rodeo – pay attention to the action at the rodeos that you attend, ask knowledgeable people to explain different aspects of the sport and equipment to you, and follow the results and standings.
 
 Before competing for a rodeo queen title, ask yourself why you want to win and if you are prepared to devote the time and work it takes to win the crown, and if you are willing to be fully dedicated to the title as well. It is easy to get caught up in the idea of winning and, if you win, of attaining the next title, but your first goal should be to become the best version of yourself. Dedicate yourself not only to becoming the titleholder, but also to becoming the best titleholder that you can be. Remember that you wear the crown to serve others through hard work and kindness. I truly believe in my motto of “kindness matters” and as my friend and founder of the Good Girl Movement Alexis Bloomer would say, work hard and be kind! 

​What was your most memorable moment as Miss Rodeo America 2016?  
As my friend and legendary steer roper Arnold Felts stated when asked about his roping career, “I did this because I loved it.” I loved every moment as Miss Rodeo America, from walking the red carpet at the Academy of Country Music Awards to washing horses and sorting stock, but one of my greatest joys was the people who have become my friends and rodeo family.  The most amazing part of the job was the opportunity to positively impact the people around me - the way that our rodeo community has impacted me.
 
There are so many truly amazing moments to choose from, but another one of the most memorable was meeting George Strait. I have been a fan my entire life and the PRCA Commissioner at the time, Karl Stressman, roped and played golf with George. Karl knew what a fan I was and made my dream of meeting him come true at the 2016 WNFR – an act of kindness that I will never forget! 
 
Of course, nothing can compare to riding into the Thomas and Mack in Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo, but Cheyenne Frontier Days will always hold a special place in my heart because it is the first major rodeo that I attended…and it’s held on my birthday every year! This year they actually sang me “Happy Birthday” at their queen’s luncheon, I rode Guy Allen’s 1999 World Champion Steer Roping saddle in the parade, and I cracked a flower out of Rider Kiesner’s mouth with a bullwhip in front of thousands of people – the first time that I ever held a bullwhip! Cheyenne is full of rodeo history and it was truly amazing to ride in the same arena as so many of my heroes before me. 

​What advice would you give to girls who are in the same position as your were and their state has never won the national title before?  
Honestly, you have the opportunity to be the first from your state – and that’s a truly amazing opportunity! It can be discouraging at times because it feels like the odds are against you, but once you get to the Miss Rodeo America stage in Las Vegas, the outcome is dependent on you, not on which state you represent. Five out of the past ten national titleholders have been the first from their states – besides me being the first from Washington in 2016, Kelli (Jackson) Russell from Mississippi in 2010, Mackenzie (Carr) Ivie from Oregon in 2012, Lauren Heaton from Oklahoma in 2015, and Keri Sheffield from Florida this year! Absolutely do not be discouraged because your state has never won, but instead use it as motivation to work even harder to bring that title home to your state! 

​How did you get your start in rodeo and rodeo queen pageants?
I got involved in rodeo royalty when I was twenty-three years old and halfway through my first year of law school. The prior year, I had my jaw wired shut after medically necessary surgery and as part of the healing process, I wasn’t allowed to ride or spend time with my horses. I searched for ways to fill the void and continue to be involved in the equine industry. My best friend and reining trainer, “Uncle Eddie” Biegler is a retired saddle bronc rider who brought me a copy of “8 Seconds” about Lane Frost and recommended that I read about Bill Linderman. When Linderman suffered a string of injuries that prevented him from competing, he began judging rodeos and took on leadership roles in the Rodeo Cowboys Association (before it became the PRCA!). His dedication to our sport despite his injuries combined with Lane’s enthusiasm and kindness as an ambassador of rodeo inspired me to represent the sport that I love and the community that has given me so much. I thought it would be wonderful to represent my hometown, so I tried out for Miss Spokane Interstate Rodeo 2014. I had a fantastic summer of traveling to rodeos all over the Northwest, and in October 2014 I competed for Miss Rodeo Washington 2015.
My college admissions essay was entitled “A Cowboy is Born, Not Made” because I didn’t grow up in a rodeo family, but found my way into the sport and western way of life. I started riding at age eleven and although I spent hours practicing running barrels, my non-rodeo parents wanted me to learn a discipline that would make me an all-around horsewoman. I started reining and combined my dance background with my love of riding in freestyle reining. I’ve competed in the American Quarter Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association and our local affiliates over the years.
Fair play, sportsmanship, and hard work are essential to succeed in our sport and humility, graciousness, and willingness to help fellow competitors are valued as highly in our community as success in the arena. I wanted to represent the sport and community that welcomed me with open arms and help to instill these values in the next generation while sharing our western way of life with others. 

If you're worried you don't stand a chance because your state's never won before, Katherine said it best "you have the opportunity to be first", which is so incredibly true! Being a rodeo queen has so many different benefits and opportunities for each and every girl. Don't ever once doubt yourself based on the amount of wins from your state. 

I hope these interviews are just as fun for everyone else as they are for me! I absolutely love getting to chat with former titleholders and see what life was like while they held their title and even afterwards! Thank you so much Katherine for taking time out of your very busy schedule to do this interview with us! I look forward to continue following your "life after the crown" through social media!

Until next time,
Shannon Norris
Director
Miss Ozark Rodeo Association Pageant

Alabama vs Auburn is one of the most well known college football rivals and let me tell you, this week's titleholder delivered her State Speech at Miss Rodeo USA with that in mind. We are chatting with Miss Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo 2017 and 1st Runner Up to Miss Rodeo USA, Heather Bundy! Heather shares with us what it was like to take her final trip to Oklahoma City to compete for the title of Miss Rodeo USA and what she has planned for the future.

How did you become involved in rodeo and rodeo queen pageants?
I became involved in rodeo queening back in 2011 because Karen Moore out of Athens, Alabama told me it would be something that I would really enjoy. My first pageant I didn’t place but my second one I took first runner up and never looked back. ​

Who inspired you to compete for Miss Rodeo USA?
This year my grandfather is the reason I was inspired to go compete for the Miss Rodeo USA title. I had gone two previous times to the Miss Rodeo USA Pageant and brought home scrap book winner and that was it. Last Christmas my grandee passed away but he always told me I was his Miss USA rodeo queen no matter what the judges said. He admired how I would continue to work hard and try again even if I wasn’t the pick of the judges. I had recently said I wouldn’t rodeo queen again and just hang it up. It hit me, I wasn’t finished. I wanted to be able to say I had at least placed at such a high level before I hung my crown up. So I tightened my sash and hit the road running to give the 2018 Miss Rodeo USA pageant my 110% all.

What was your goal going into Miss Rodeo USA besides winning the title?
My goal going into Miss Rodeo USA was to be the best me that I possibly could and give my whole heart for the sport I love. I wanted to be the most prepared that I could be so that I could set back and enjoy the week of competing.​

What has been your favorite part of being Miss Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo Queen this past year?
My favorite part of being Miss Limestone Sheriffs Rodeo Queen this past year has been gaining a whole new family. I hosted a Jr Rodeo and I was overwhelmed with the love and support from the people who volunteered to all the contestants. They mean it when they say the title of Miss Limestone gives you a whole new family that want you to succeed with or without the crown.

What are your plans for the future after you give up your title? Is there another trip to Miss Rodeo USA planned?
My plans for the future after I give up this title is to finish my business degree at Athens State University and move to Paradise, Texas. Out there I plan to get a job and work for about a year and then move back home to Alabama. Once I move back I will see where life takes me, I currently run our family farm where I give riding lessons and board horses. I also have been working at a day care full time. I hope that my future career involves horses and children. I would love to grow our family facility into a large enough business that I could do that and not have a second job. I do not plan to run for Miss Rodeo USA again.

ou placed first runner up to Miss Rodeo USA, what was going through your mind during crowning and when your name was called?
As they were calling out the placings out in the Jim Norick arena my heart was pounding I was just hoping they would call me out as a placing contestant. When they called my name as first runner up I was beyond excited, I had finally placed at a national level with some of the toughest girls I had ever met.

,What is one piece of advice you have been given during your rodeo queen journey that you would pass on to other contestants looking to compete?
One piece of advice I have been given during my rodeo queen journey that I want to pass on to other contestants is, always be the best you that you can be. Don’t let someone else determine your happiness. I personally have dealt with some people trying to crush my spirit as the title holder of Miss Limestone. They felt I wasn’t good enough to hold the title and they made sure everyone knew it from the moment that crown got placed on my hat. At first I got upset and even a little mad then I realized if I let this ruin my year then they would be right. So instead I ignored the ugly comments I placed that crown on my hat and set out to be the best Miss Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo I possibly could be! And I DID, this year as Miss Limestone I have held a Jr. Rodeo with over 58 contestants, a barrel race with close to 60 horses competing, traveled to 23 of the 50 states, held three parties for my sash sisters so we could all get together and play games and have fun away from rodeo queening, kept my blog up to date, met some wonderful people, made memories to last a life time, placed first runner up at a national level pageant and had the time of my life doing what I love. If I would have let the negativity towards my abilities as Miss Limestone knock me down, I would have let so many wonderful opportunities slip away! 

Sometimes all it takes is just one more try to reach a goal that your working towards. While Heather didn't bring home the crown from her final rodeo queen pageant, she accomplished a goal of placing at the national level. If you've never had the chance to watch the Miss Rodeo USA pageant, you truly don't see how competitive these girls are and how hard the judge's choice is. They all prepare for so long and work hard at placing in the Top 5, making this a huge accomplishment!

Thank you Heather for taking time to do this interview with us! We greatly appreciate it!
Until next week,
Shannon Norris
Director
​Miss ORA Pageant