I mentioned in one of my first posts that I was a rodeo queen in a past life. Yes, I was. Rhinestones and leather, big curled hair, hat, banner and crown. Boots on my feet, inches of makeup and dirt on my face, and the ever perpetual smile. It isn't something you just wake up one day and decide to do (neither is triathlon come to think of it), it is something that you work for and dream about and make happen through hard work, sweat, some tears and a lot of try.
I started in high school for my first rodeo queen title. Miss Wisconsin High School Rodeo and the girls I was against were vicious for the most part - then again, we were high school girls, they're all vicious. I was the standout in the sense that I had no clue what I was doing. I didn't have a dress, I didn't have leather anything, I didn't have any rhinestones... I was the schmuck. I was also super heavy - that was not helping my cause at all. Despite all that, I ran away with the personality category and wasn't far behind the 3rd runner up in many other categories. That's a win if you ask me.
After that I gathered up the stuff I needed to run for another title. I had aged out for high school but I was determined to win a title before I quit. I got a gorgeous leather dress (still have it if anyone would like to see proof) gathered some entry level sparkly shirts and colored jeans and pants that you would never, ever, wear if it weren't for being a rodeo queen or rodeo queen hopeful. Mind you, I believe now that some trends need to die and the monochromatic (all one color head to toe) look is one of them... It really does not compliment all body types. I learned how to do my hair and what was proper for makeup in and out of the arena. I also sucked it up and got acrylic nails.
My sophomore year in college was THE year for me... I had lost about 45 lbs and I had earned myself a rodeo queen title. Miss UW River Falls Rodeo 2003. It was a magical night having that crown placed on my hat (as cheap and ugly as it was) and the banner across my torso. In my gorgeous leather dress yet too. Since that was the last week of classes I had the ENTIRE summer to promote our rodeo and do queenly duties... And I did. There was only one thing required of me, to attend our annual college rodeo in the fall, but I went well above and beyond. If there was a rodeo in the tri-state area I was at it, if there was an event I was promoting it, if there were children I was talking to them... Basically, if it was going to draw good attention to the college I went. Once school was back in session I cut back a little bit but I still attended all college rodeos and whatever else I could get to on the weekends. Trips to ND and NE were pretty common - even in ice storms - and thank goodness for a travel partner who doubled as a mechanic more than once, thank you Kristy! But the end of my reign I had put about 20k miles on my car (just in queenly duties, not personal duties) and attended 40+ events, not all rodeo related. I had also lost another 30 lbs, which I attribute to a hectic schedule.
I worked hard in that year to promote our title and our rodeo... And that all got thrown away with the next girl who received the title. But that's another story for another post...
In the year of my title I made a huge decision that I haven't yet determined if it was a mistake. I had gone through and gotten our title approved to run for Miss Rodeo USA, but in the end I decided to buy a truck instead of run in the pageant (the expense was about the same either route). I still have the truck, it still runs very well, but if I'd gone to the pageant I'd still have those memories and experiences to look back on just as I do the rest of my year of reign. Silly to some, kind of big to me.
I've since aged out of nearly every rodeo queen competition unless I move down to the south where they have Ms Rodeo titles for women who have aged out of the standard Miss competitions or have had children or are married. I don't see a move in my near future though it would be nice to escape the snow and cold of Wisconsin.
Now I live vicariously through the girls that take on the challenge of Miss Rodeo Wisconsin and any other title in WI and do what I can to help them to be successful in their reign. I serve on the Miss Rodeo Wisconsin Pageant Association Committee as Vice President with the hopes of making our state pageant better and providing our titleholder with as much help as she is willing to accept and I'm always available to coach a girl interested in running for a rodeo queen title. I still have the leather dress, I'd love to get it sold (Lord knows I could use the moola to pay bills), but sometimes it is fun to look at.
I guess I can tie all this to triathlon. I did the rodeo queen thing from my heart - and as I worked I didn't notice the pounds coming off. I do triathlon from my heart and I don't notice inches coming off either, it's just an eventual realization that things fit a bit looser or the muffin top is a bit smaller. In the end I will become the 'formerly heavy woman' I just need to keep tri'ing.
I don't know anything about rodeos, much less rodeo queens, but this is a really cute post.
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