More from Miss Rodeo America Pageant

Hi,
Sunday was a big day for the contestants. They had their personality interviews, and 9 hours of practice for the Fashion Show. We were not able to see them at all during that day. I took the opportunity to attend the Cowboy Church service in the casino, which featured Trish Lennahan and her marvelous voice. Ashley Andrews gave an inspirational message on how her cancer had affected her faith.
Monday morning we went down to the French Market Buffet to have breakfast at 7 am - the same time as the girls eat. They all looked nice in their horsemanship outfits. Megan's outfit was a lime green leather shirt with lace and rhinestone overlays, along with the required matching Wranglers and boots.
The horsemanship contest was held in the South Point casino Equestrian Center, a large new arena on the south end of the Strip. The South Point hotel is also the host of the PRCA this year so there were a lot of cowboys milling around. Each girl drew a horse and performed a specified reining pattern. They were not allowed on the horses until they went in the arena, so it was really a test of adaptability as well as horsemanship. The horses were brought in by various stock contractors and were also being judged for an award. All were good horses, but some tested the girls when it came to lead changes and stops. Megan was in the middle of the draw, and had a big, slow sorrel horse that did pretty well for her. I think she is on page 8 in the pictures for this event. There was a short break and the girls started their second round on a different horse, with a free-style pattern and queen presentation run. Each girl could determine her own pattern, which should show off her mount's strongest points, and then each girl ran around the arena waving at the crowd. I'm sure the judges had a difficult job in this portion, because each girl had a different pattern. Megan was number 11 in this portion.
That afternoon the girls were allowed a little fun, as they visited the dolphin habitat at the Mirage. The evening was a Get Acquainted party where we were able to visit with the contestants a little, as well as with other parents and friends. After the party the girls had hours of rehearsal yet ahead of them before they could go to bed.
Tuesday was the PRCA luncheon back out at the South Point hotel. This is the luncheon where the girls wear their chap outfits, which usually consists of their chaps, matching wranglers, and a special shirt made to match their chaps. These outfits were very nice and very special to each girl. After we finished eating, and listening to an outstanding young singer, the contestants were each given a word associated with rodeo, and asked to tell the audience who, or what the word meant. These words were pretty basic, but still required a knowledge of rodeo, and the ability to express themselves in front of an audience.
Tuesday night was the Fashion Show, and what an extravaganza!!! We had a meal of steak and scalloped potatoes that was outstanding, and then we were entertained by Miss Rodeo America, Ashley Andrews, and two different singers. The contestants each danced in 3 different production numbers that they had been rehearsing all week, and I heard comments that these were the best dancers they had ever had!!! It was obvious that the girls were having fun with the dancing and the audience had fun with it too. Wrangler had provided clothing products for the girls for each of their numbers, and the theme of the evening was "Happy Birthday Wrangler". Vanessa and I made a restroom run during an intermission and guess who we ran into there??!!! Marilyn Monroe!! Yes, she was dolled up in a gold shimmery dress and putting on her gloves. Later in the evening, she came onstage to sing "Happy Birthday, Mr President" to the Wrangler president. You just never know who might drop in!
The fashion show was the grand finale to the evening. Each girl was introduced and escorted onstage, where they introduced themselves and modeled their dazzling western gowns. For those of you who had the opportunity to see Megan's fashion show gown during her Send-Off parties - it really worked onstage!!! The spotlights really lit up the 3000+ crystals on the dress and it looked fantastic!! After the show we had a few minutes with her to tell her how proud we were and then the girls (at 11:30 pm) went on to their next event, which was an ice cream social.
Wednesday morning we were sure to be at the French Market buffet for breakfast again, because that is the only way that we would know if she was giving her speech that day - she was wearing her black Rick Rageous jacket so we knew her speech wouldn't be that day. Contestants draw each evening for speech position the next morning, so parents don't know when their daughter will perform until they see them wearing their "speech dress". The girls were all getting a little tired by that point - 2 to 4 hours of sleep and non-stop activity is pretty wearing. The format this year includes a taped media interview which is shown after each contestant's speech. It's been very interesting to watch, and I think it's a useful addition to the pageant. Miss Rodeo America has to give many media interviews during her reign, and judging the contestant's ability to talk to the media has to be helpful in the selection process.
Wednesday at noon, was another new addition to the pageant - a father-daughter luncheon. Many of the fathers bought single roses for their daughters and presented them to the girls - a big hit as you can imagine!
Wednesday evening was a dinner with the judges at Billy Bob's steakhouse at Sam's Town. Although we couldn't sit with the girls, many of the parents ate there as well, and what an excellent meal!
So far this week has been great fun for all of us. I am amazed at the Miss Rodeo America organization and their ability to put an event of this complexity with their volunteer board members. The chaperones have the huge responsibility of these girls all week, making sure they are where they are supposed to be at the proper time, so they spend even longer hours than the contestants.