As the weeks become consistently warmer and the sun stays out a little longer each day, it can mean only one thing… rodeo season is about to start for the Mountain States Circuit! As Miss Rodeo Colorado, this means an increase in appearances to promote the sport of rodeo in Colorado and Wyoming. Just since the National Western Stock Show, I have had the opportunity to go many places and meet many people.

February kicked off with the annual Miss Rodeo Colorado Clinic where I was the hostess and learned a great deal from clinicians Amy Jo Fields, Miss Rodeo Colorado 2007, and Lori Bortner, a former Miss Rodeo America. Over 20 girls improved upon their speaking, modeling, appearance, horsemanship, and overall pageant skills during the course of one weekend. What a great experience! Later in February, I attended the annual Greeley Chamber of Commerce dinner with Linda Winter, an incredible sponsor and owner of Accessories with a Flair… and Hair!. I met her good friend, Doug Kershaw, who is a very talented Cajun singer.

February wrapped up with my coronation event and fundraiser. This fun evening really set an incredible tone for the year! I was so impressed with the remarkable support and friendship from everyone who attended or was there is spirit. With help from the Colorado State Champion Auctioneer, Shawn Hagler, we raised over $18,000 to get me down the road this year as Miss Rodeo Colorado!

In March, I was invited to speak to the Greeley Saddle Club, which is where I held my first title. I brought my old scrapbooks, and the current royalty didn’t believe the skinny, freckled face Attendant was me! That same week, I was invited as a VIP to the Boy Scouts of America Breakfast at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Along with approximately 50 other VIPs, ranging from the NHL commissioner to collegiate coaches to retired professional athletes like Randy Gradishar, I was introduced by Vic Lombardi in front of approximately 1000 people. To be considered an icon for our sport amongst Olympians and Hall of Fame inductees was moving (and quite honestly, very overwhelming). This was truly an eye opening experience that has helped solidify the importance of rodeo and thus, my role promoting the sport this year as Miss Rodeo Colorado.

The following weekend (my first day of Spring Break), I headed back to Denver to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade with the Greeley Stampede committeemen and Greeley Stampede Riders. I have participated in many parades, but few can touch the festive atmosphere I enjoyed riding in downtown Denver! Immediately following the parade, I headed to the National Western Complex and participated in the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo. I signed autographs for my sponsor, Brighton Feed and Saddlery, and was invited to carry the American flag in the WRCA Rodeo that evening where I rode Harry Vold’s great black horse.

More recently, I attended the Royalty Roundup for the Boulder County Queen’s Program as a clinician and keynote speaker. I was joined by one of my closest friends, Andie Lee, who will compete for Miss Rodeo Colorado this year. It was an absolute blast meeting local royalty from around the state and providing insight from our experiences as local title holders and Miss Rodeo Colorado competitors.

The beginning of April welcomed two local events, speaking for a pageant sponsor, the Greeley Firefighters #888, and acting as hostess at the Miss Rodeo Colorado 2009 preliminaries pageant. The Greeley Firefighters #888 have been an official Miss Rodeo Colorado sponsor for over 15 years and are a great group of Weld County men. The preliminaries pageant was held on April 5 and I was SO impressed by the caliber of contestants! Congratulations to finalists Audra Dobbs, Rachel Kelderman, Carly Koppes, Andie Lee, Megan Odell, Kasi Pigg, Amy Jo Spinnuzi, and Jennifer Workman! The finals pageant will be held June 25-28 in conjunction with the Greeley Stampede.

Until next time, happy trails!

Megan Grieve
Miss Rodeo Colorado 2008