It’s the time of year when girls are starting to prepare for the pageants. Every April, girls begin working hard with the aim of representing some of the greatest rodeos in Utah. I remember those days well. I wish I would have known back then what I know now. It sure would have made life so much easier. I do, however, have some words of advice for those girls who are busy preparing for the summer pageants and rodeo season. It’s something I read recently — and it’s come to mean so much to me.

“Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don’t. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said this task would be easy, they just promised it would most likely be worth it.” And it has been so very much worth it. I can honestly say that being a rodeo queen — and Miss Rodeo Utah, specifically — is something worth putting your heart into, and I’ve lived life with no regrets.

As I reflect back on the year, I’ realize I’ve done everything that I had dreamed of doing since I was a little girl. I found an old drawing book that I had when I was probably 14 years old, and I had drawn a picture of what my Miss Rodeo Utah chaps would look like. Styles change a lot in 10 years, but I still had those bees and beehives on my chaps. I competed for Miss Rodeo America, the top event of all rodeo queen pageants and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I had a competition that I was proud of and I walked away at peace. I’ve done hundreds of things this year of which I am proud, and I can’t believe how fast it’s flown by.

In January I attended the National Western Stock Show in the Mile High City of Denver, Colo. I was able to carry sponsor flags, have my biography read from the President’s Box, and help with the mutton busting. I worked for Tandy Belts at the Merchant Market for two days, where I loaded up on jewelry, belts, and cowboy boots at wholesale. I appreciate Jodi Witt, the Denver Rodeo, and Tandy Belts for this great experience.

In February I bundled up to go the Ogden Winter Fest. The Ogden Pioneer Days Foundation sponsored and organized the Skijoring Event where a single tow rope is looped around the horn of a western saddle and the horse and rider pull a skier at a fast pace over a course of snow as the skier navigates through jumps and obstacles. The skier is timed during the course and I made an excellent flag girl for the timers.

A week after playing snow bunny, I flew to warmer weather for an excursion to Florida. This was one of those trips where you can’t decide if you’re there to work or there to play because they made the week so much fun. In the mornings we went air-boating and to the beach, the late afternoons were rodeo time and Special Kids rodeo events, and at nights we went to Disney World and Hog Hunting. Thank you to Mark and Laura Kessler and my host mother Regina Roberts for such a fun week.

If you’ve read my blog you know that this year has brought a lot of first-time events for me: Disney World and seeing the ocean. But I am not complaining at all. I don’t feel one ounce deprived that I’m 24 years old and had never been to Disney World or seen the ocean. While the trip to Florida was a blast, I had the luxury of growing up in a rodeo family where I got to go on vacation every weekend and it didn’t include the Bahamas or Mexico. I was able to tour the pretty, great state of Utah from one end to the other — and that was my choice. I wouldn’t have had it any other way, and I appreciate my parents so much for their support over the years.

March has included some school visits, queen contests and Rodeo Queen Boot Camp. I have been to the Utah Rodeo Queen Boot Camp every year for the last 12 years in some capacity or another, and every year I have watched as Miss Rodeo Utah has taken an active role on its amazing staff. This year was almost surreal to me as I was able to stand in the boots of the women I have admired for such a long time. It was an amazing experience to actually be Miss Rodeo Utah and talk to girls about how to be the best they can be. It was an event to which I was looking forward since I won the crown last July. I’d like to thank Mesia Murphy and Jennifer Flint for inviting me to be a part of their event.

I watched the girls from Boot Camp put their newfound knowledge and motivation to action at the Oakley Rodeo Queen contest a couple weeks later. I was able to sit back and relax as my mom judged the contest and did a fine job picking the royalty. I was Miss Rodeo Oakley in 2006, and I watched them announce Jamie Udell as the 75th Miss Rodeo Oakley. Her attendants are MaKenzie Maughan and Ashley Mortensen. All of the girls did a fantastic job, and I promise you will have an amazing summer.

This week I will be going to the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo to create another set of wonderful memories in a year that has gone by way too fast. I appreciate everyone that has made all my dreams come true this year, including the Miss Rodeo Utah Committee, Ogden Pioneer Days Committee, my parents and many other wonderful people.

Happy Trails – Chris Wade, Miss Rodeo Utah 09