I can’t believe that I’m finally here, standing before you all, as Miss Rodeo Utah. I have imagined this moment my whole life.  I’ve dreamed of the day when Roger Mooney would announce my name in front of a cheering crowd at Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo. The tears, hard work, determination and dedication was worth it.  I now have the chance to represent the things about which I am so passionate:  Family, rodeo, the American cowboy and our western way of life.

The wait has been long but worth every second. I started competing in rodeo queen pageants when I was 12 years old.  That was the same year Mary Shaw from Utah was Miss Rodeo America. It took me five tries to real-ize my dream to become Miss Rodeo Utah, and I am so thankful for each of the previous years and the experi-ences, lessons and friendships that came with each one. Before being crowned Miss Rodeo Utah, I had been the 1st Attendant twiceas well as the 2nd Attendant. Each year I had high expectations for myself to do better, which-made every year I came back even more challenging. I’ve learned that things happen for a reason and I was supposed to be Miss Rodeo Utah in 2009. My goal this year was to be the winner but also to be a leaderand to set the example of how to be your true self.  I wanted toestablish friendships with thenew girls and be a friend to my competitors fix their hair if they needed help, tuck in their shirt if it needed tucked in and I wanted to leave, win or lose, with no regrets. What a rewarding experience.

I have to say that the young women that competed at Miss Rodeo Utah n 2009 were so much fun.  We had a great time! From KariAnne’s and Chantell’s “armpit dance,” to staying up until 2  in the morning to practice dance steps with Stormy, there was never a dull moment. Thank you to all the girls for making this last year so memo-rable. I cherish my friendship with each one of you. What a great opportunity I have been given,to not only represent rodeo committees, sponsors, cowboys, my family, myself, and the other ten beautiful Miss Rodeo Utah contestants, but to also become part of an elite group of women for the rest of my life.

My first two weeks as Miss Rodeo Utah have been crazy! I went to seven rodeos, two parades, a tribute to fallen soldiers, a special kid’s rodeo, had a meeting for my fundraiser, got a beautiful Logan coach trailer, and had amazing photo shootswith Hazen Studios.Wow! I feel like I won a month ago! I looked at my mom the other day and I said, “You know what?  It’s only been 10 days and look at all of the cool things I’ve done already.”  I realize it’s just a small glimpse of what the future holds.

My first appearance as Miss Rodeo Utah was at the Days of 47’ Rodeo in Salt Lake City. Most of the winners in the past have gone to Cheyenne Frontier Days for their first appearance, but I was fortunate enough to get to make my first appearance in the great state of Utah! The rodeo committee was so kind to my family and me.  Theymade us feel right at home. I receiveda special introduction and they allowed me help with an award pre-sentation. Many thanks to Brad Harmon and Days of 47’ Rodeo for making my first ride something I will always cherish.

Wednesday I was able to go to Wright Signs in Ogden to pick out the design to have my name on my Logan Coach Miss Rodeo Utah trailer. Cody Wright and his staff let me pick the font and they applied the graphics while I waited.I pulled the trailer home that night. Thank you so much! I love it. It’s fun to watch people kink their necks to see who is pulling that fancy trailer as I travel down the highways of Utah.  My first trip to Castledale’s Professional Rodeo was fun. I haven’t been to that arena since my high school ro-deo days. My brother was up in the team roping Thursday night so I just jumped in with him for the three-hour drive. We arrived to the rodeo in plenty of time but I had three team ropers grabbing boots, saddles, and bridles to get my horse ready before I could even open the truck door. Now I could get used to that!

Friday I was able to go to the very first Special Kids Rodeo held by the Mountain Valley Stampede my own hometown rodeo. They had a great turnout. There were33 kids signed up prior to the event and even more showed up that day. The events they had were so exciting: barrel racing, team roping, horseback riding, a prin-cess contest, and even hide races from the back of a Polaris Ranger. My special cousin Tiffany Simmons was in the princess contest where all of the girls answered questions and got tiaras and banners. It was so special to have family there.  Saturday was a packed day. The morning began at the Roy Days Parade and had my first little panic attack as Miss Rodeo Utah. I went to check-in for the parade and they didn’t have me entered! Somehow my entry had been deleted from their list º but they were so great. They put me at the front of the parade with the dignitar-ies, gave me a corsage, and made me feel welcome. They weren’t “expecting horses” and I had the only horse in the entire parade, but the attendees really seemed to enjoy the whinnying horse. I’m sure the Roy City Police Department enjoyed the parade right behind us in their clean vehiclesmore than I enjoyed their sirens the whole morning. Thank goodness they weren’t on duty as they watchedmy un-registered trailer driving down the parade route.

After the Roy Parade I visited the Healing Field in Ogden. This field is a tribute to every American life lost during the Global War on Terror, where an American Flag is raised in the name of each American. There are approximately 5,000 flags raised in the shape of the United States, making it the largest flag field display of its kind in history. It was an emotional experience to remember those that have stood for America and fought for the freedoms that we enjoy.

Then, I went back home to Heber for yet another parade. We’ve really got a great system down. My mom comes with me to the parades (Thank you, Mom!). We drive my Logan Coach through the parade as part of our entry and when it’s over I hurry and throw the horse in and off we go to the rodeo. It’s awesome to be announced at your hometown parade and rodeo just days after realizing your dreams. I had so many people coming up and congratulating me.I can’t tell you just how much I appreciate everyone’s support. Stormy Henderson, the Dodge National Circuit Finals Queen and I had a little showdown at the rodeo that night. After all the little kids ran the stick-horse race, Stormy and I raced each other. The announcer really got the crowd going- people yelling for Idaho, people yelling for Utah, we had our stick horses and had to run around a barrel and back to the starting line. To be honest, I cheated, on purpose. I took off on “get set” and Stormy went on “Go”, I had the inside lane to run around the barrel and…we still tied. I’m slow, but Stormy is, like, a foot taller than me so I’m OK with that.

The following Thursday night I went to the Cache County Fair and Rodeo in Logan and was able to eat dinner with the gentlemen from Logan Coach Trailers. They provided the cowboy’s hospitality dinner for the rodeo and I was able to talk to them about my awesome trailer and their business. I look forward to working with Randy, Scott, Jason, and the entire teamat Logan Coach throughout the year. I also enjoyed visiting with Jackie McMullin the Cache County Rodeo Queen who competed at Miss Rodeo Utah this year. She is such a fun girl, and I appreci-ate the hospitality she showed me at her rodeo.

Friday and Saturday night I was able to go to the rodeo in Coalville. My mother grew up with the North/South Summit residents and I was able to meet some old acquaintances who had learned that my long journey at the Miss Rodeo Utah Pageant had finally paid off.  The local rodeo queens, Hannah Nilson, Bailee Richens, and Sierra Boyce, were all fun girls  I enjoyed meeting and I hope to see them in future years competing at the Miss Rodeo Utah pageant.

I have found there are endless opportunities around every corner as Miss Rodeo Utah, and I hope to take advantage of each one. This is my lifelong dream, and I have 365 days to make the best of it. I want to thank everyone who has supported me in achieving my dreams — and those who will support me this year. It’s going to be a great one!

- Love Always,

Chris Wade
Miss Rodeo Utah 09