When they say “everything is bigger in Texas,” they are definitely speaking the truth. Whether it’s the production of coronation, the fashion show, the HUGE boots, or the big personalities of all of the 11 beautiful and talented young ladies that were vying for the titles of Miss Rodeo Texas Princess, Miss Rodeo Texas Teen, and Miss Rodeo Texas, the ” Lonestar state” does not disappoint. I had a fabulous trip to San Antonio, Texas to watch an amazing group of people put on a first class pageant and had the pleasure in meeting a few of them as well as seeing some familiar faces.
I arrived in San Antonio on Saturday afternoon and was so excited that Miss Rodeo Texas 2009, Devin Felger (a wonderful friend) was able to pick me up – and all my luggage! Needless to say, I did not travel light. Saturday night was the kick-off of the pageant and they started out with the Moonlight Round-Up, which is the annual fundraiser for the Miss Rodeo Texas program. We enjoyed a great steak dinner (would you expect anything less?), a live band, and great dancing. All the contestants did a fabulous job on their first impromptu question of the week. One of the six judges was Gabe Garcia, who won second place on the show Nashville Star a few years back. He serenaded us with his beautiful voice. It was great to see Mr. George Harris, who was a judge at our Miss Rodeo California pageant last year.
The week was filled with many activities – breakfasts, beautiful luncheons, and my favorite – the fashion show. At each of the events throughout the week all the girls had to either give their speech to the judges and/or answer some very difficult impromptu questions. All the young ladies handled themselves with confidence, grace, and poise. Tuesday night was the highlight of a lot of the girls’ week. It was the very glamorous fashion show, where the contestants, myself, and former Miss Rodeo Texas royalty had the privilege to model BEAUTIFUL designs by Patricia Wolf, and very elegant furs. Like I mentioned before, this was hands down my favorite part of the whole pageant. It was so much fun to strut the runway and show some personality! While being driven past the North Stall Mall to one of the events, I noticed the LARGEST pair of full quill ostrich boots I had ever seen…….. so naturally I had to take my picture by them. Coronation was Wednesday, and all the weeks hard work was leading up to this very exciting moment. During coronation, we were entertained by some very talented up and coming singers that kept us entertained throughout the night. It was nice to catch up with some friends there too – Tacey Raulerson, Miss Tough Enough To Wear Pink, and her mom. I also met some new friends – Katie Crews, Miss Rodeo Texas Teen 2009, and her family were just a joy to be around and I really enjoyed getting to know them. Mrs. Crews even went and got me hairspray since airport security took mine in San Diego, and what is a rodeo queen without that?
All week the girls are sequestered from their family and friends, so “replacement moms” are provided for the entire pageant. They were Francis Bendele and Kathy Waclawczyk. These two remarkable women kept us on a tight schedule and made sure we never went without anything (chips, water, chocolate, pizza – the list goes on). One lady that the Miss Rodeo Texas program would not be the same without is Ms. Marjorie Murphy, who was also a judge at our CA pageant last year. She is an incredible lady that I look up to and admire very much. She does a great job with all the Texas girls, and if you have not ever met her, she is one classy lady – and a quicker wit you won’t find anywhere!!!
Devin Felger did an extraordinary job as Miss Rodeo Texas 2009 and everyone is very proud of her. She is so passionate about the sport of rodeo and her home state of Texas. We were roommates all week and shared many laughs. She will be going back to school to continue her education at Texas A&M. A BIG congratulations goes out to Kennedy Johnson, Miss Rodeo Texas Princess, Courtney Elliot, Miss Rodeo Texas Teen, and Celesta Harvey, Miss Rodeo Texas, who will be competing for Miss Rodeo America 2010.
Thank you to Marjorie and the MRT committee for welcoming me to Texas and for being so HOSPITABLE. I had a fabulous time! After a five hour plane delay, I am on my way home to the ever so beautiful golden state of California.
See you at the 4th of July Parade in Coronado.
God Bless,
Markie
Miss Rodeo California, Inc 
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