Titleholder Tuesday!

This week we're headed to the Deep South to the state that brought us Root Beer in 1898! Yes that's right, we're meeting Miss Rodeo Mississippi 2018 Taylor McNair! We can't wait for you all to read what Taylor has been up to so far during her year as Miss Rodeo Mississippi and she even gives us some fundraising tips!

How did you become involved in rodeo and rodeo queen pageants?
My mom was a local jackpot barrel racer growing up, so I would always tag along on my pony, "Gypsy." I was a member of the Little Britches Rodeo Association in Kindergarten but decided to take a break after my horse, "Patches," passed away. That break lasted almost 10 years! My love of professional rodeo continued to grow but my time aboard a horse did not. I did not climb back into the saddle until I was about 15 years old. Some of my friends held a local queen title, Junior Miss Dixie National, and I thought it sounded cool! So, I entered and won on my second try. Since then, I was hooked and my passion for the state of Mississippi, professional rodeo, and agriculture has only grown.

​What has been your most memorable appearance so far as Miss Rodeo Mississippi?
That is a hard one! Each appearance is unique, no two are ever the same. So, I can appreciate each appearance for different reasons! I have to say my time in Lake Charles, Louisiana at the Southwest District Livestock Show & Rodeo sticks out. It was one of my first rodeos as Miss Rodeo Mississippi! Keri, Miss Rodeo America, and I went around town in a limo, met with sponsors, spoke to schools, rode on a mule-pulled wagon, pushed cattle out during the rodeo, and enjoyed some amazing Cajun cuisine!

Who inspired you to compete for the title of Miss Rodeo Mississippi?
​KELLI JACKSON RUSSELL - she is one-in-a-million! To know Kelli, is to love her!  

​As you know traveling up and down the road for a year promoting the sport of rodeo plus preparing a wardrobe can add up, what are some of your fundraising tips that help you throughout your year?
Work for it! I created sponsorship packets and distributed them. In the beginning, I reached out to local businesses and was fortunate enough to receive support from many. But recently I sold toothpaste, yes toothpaste! If you want it bad enough you will do whatever it takes to fund your dreams. 

Only two women from Mississippi has ever won the title of Miss Rodeo America, Kelli Jackson Russell and Paige Nicholson, what would it mean to you to bring the crown to Mississippi for the third time?
To be the third woman to capture the title of Miss Rodeo America would be unfathomable at this point. However, I would be honored to follow in the boots of those spectacular women that went before me. I would give 100% to truly make a difference and bring my own unique skills to the title.

Besides winning the title, what is your goal going into Miss Rodeo America?
I really wanted to increase the social media base for the Miss Rodeo Mississippi Foundation, encourage more girls to compete for the title of Miss Rodeo Mississippi, and do my absolute best at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.

​What is one thing you are looking forward to during the remainder of your year as Miss Rodeo Mississippi?
I am looking forward to Cowboy Christmas out west! The summer run coming up excites me! Especially the opportunity to attend Cheyenne Frontier Days and Cody Stampede.

​Since you do travel so much, what is one thing you make sure to always pack in your suitcase?
Mini Steamer - It is great for releasing wrinkles from clothes and shaping hats that may have lost shape during travel. 

If you could give one piece of advice to girls just starting out in the rodeo queen industry, what would it be?
BE YOU! We are so lucky that we are each individually made in our own unique way. Use that to your advantage at the pageant and as a reigning queen! The judges choose the winner not because she is perfect, but because she brings something special to the title.

Ladies if you want your dreams to come true, work for them. I may seem like a broken record at this point, but these state titleholders didn't get their titles handed to them, they worked for it. If you're not sure how to fundraise for your year, get creative! If there's a will, there's a way!
Thank you Taylor so much for taking the time to interview with us! We wish you the best of luck with the rest of your year and as you go on to compete for the title of Miss Rodeo America in December!
Until next week, 
Shannon Norris
Director
​Miss Ozark Rodeo Association Pageant

Photos courtesy of: Taylor McNair