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Teresa
embellished a royal blue sequin top from Hobby Horse with white Ultrasuede |
Successfully Competing for a State and National Title without Mortgaging your Home or Selling Grandma on EbayTeresa
Haney, Rodeo Queen Mom
Sara Ann Haney reigned as Miss Rodeo Kansas 2003. Prior to holding the title she held the title of Miss Missouri Rodeo Cowboys Association and competed for two others. At the Miss Rodeo Kansas Pageant she took home the horsemanship, rodeo knowledge, photogenic and People's Choice Award. She was recognized at the 2004 Miss Rodeo America Pageant with the Photogenic Award and was fourth runner-up. She is currently attending college, is a member of the Miss Rodeo Kansas Pageant Committee and enjoys coaching young women who also have rodeo queen dreams. Teresa is also a member of the Miss Rodeo Kansas Board of Directors and offers her insight on how parents can work together with their daughters to achieve their goals of holding rodeo queen titles. |
My daughter, Sara Ann Haney, was blessed to earn the title of Miss Rodeo Kansas 2003 and to earn the Photogenic Award and 4th Runner-up at the 2004 Miss Rodeo America Pageant. Our family is middle class, living in a rural area, yet we were able to afford a very respectable competition wardrobe for both the state and national pageants, as well as traveling to many events in and out of state.
Sara Ann decided to run for the 2003 title about 8 months prior to the pageant, held in August of 2002. This wasn’t a hasty decision, it was made with a lot of thought as to how we could afford the clothing, travel and additional items the title would take as well as how to continue her education if she were to win. We devised a plan and set to work.
Part of my plan was to convince her she could very well do this. Sara-Ann was intimidated at the thought of becoming a state queen and was hesitant to compete. She thought State Queen talents may be beyond her abilities. I, being the mom and knowing different, was determined to show her otherwise. Her father and I planned a quick trip to Vegas in December of 2001, during the MRA pageant. After a 22-hour drive out there, we made a visit to the Cowboy Christmas Auction appearance of the MRA contestants, had a nights sleep and a days visit then headed home with another 22-hour drive. That crazy trip did just the trick! After watching the contestants, Sara-Ann said " Well, I guess I will run for Kansas. If I happen to win, I won't be the best at MRA, but I'd do alright."
During the 18 months prior to the state pageant Sara Ann competed in two others. We chose clothing for those two competitions we (I, remember I was thinking ahead) thought would be suitable for the state pageant too. Some of the items worked, and others we chose not to use. The items that didn't work were sold and the money from those sales helped finance other purchases. During this time I estimate we spent about $2,300 for clothing, hats, boots and accessories. After the MRK pageant we looked at the clothing she had worn and decided to sell a few pieces, including her modeling dress. Although it was a high quality dress, it didn't really 'fit' Sara Ann's personality, nor did we feel it was as flattering to her body type as another style would be. Again, the money from those clothes was used for future purchases.
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held one major fundraiser, her Coronation Celebration.
We held the event at the town meeting hall and our family and friends
provided the food and served the meal. There
was a small admittance fee and we held both a silent and live auction, and held
a “Mr. Rodeo Kansas” competition. Cash and product sponsorships were also
sought out to help cover expenses. Once we knew how much we had to spend
we began looking for and purchasing clothing that could be used during her reign
and which could also be used at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.
We spent about $4,700 personal appearance clothing, about $1,000 in arena
wear and then purchased approximately $1,900 for items to be worn exclusively in
Las Vegas.
I believe thorough research is vital to success, and through my research we had heard of contestants arriving in Las Vegas with trailer loads of clothing, boots and accessories. That was not an option for us! We set out in an extended cab pick-up with Sara Ann’s wardrobe packed neatly in Rubbermaid tubs in the back of the pick-up. We bought the tubs from Wal-Mart and they measured 18" wide, by 18" tall by 36" long. These totes have two wheels and a handle and are waterproof (in most situations). Sara-Ann's MRA wardrobe fit in two of these tubs. They were tied into the truck during travel in the day and unloaded into the motel at night for safe keeping Once the Miss Rodeo America Pageant was over, we inventoried her wardrobe and decided which pieces to keep and which pieces to sell. I estimate we have had an 80% return on the clothing expenses from selling many of the pieces on the Second Go-Round and privately to girls competing here in Kansas. There are not many things that I have purchased that have had that kind of return on the investment. I have found it easier to sell simple, well made items in classic colors than more elaborate 1-piece dresses. Also, it's been my experience that smooth leather sells better than suede. Some of the items we purchased weren’t necessarily ‘must-haves’ for her queen wardrobe, and she continues to wear those items today. For instance, we purchased a pair of pink Luchesse ostrich ropers and several fancy belts. These weren’t at all necessary to her success as a queen, but were fun to have and she still wears them. There were also several pieces of 'general' Western clothing that she wore during her reign and continues to do so today. We also had several matching banners made to match her outfits and we’ve kept those as keepsakes of her reign and these were not figured into the cost. So how did we do all of this? Well, a lot of thought and planning, plus the help of many friends and the advice of respected persons in the ‘queen world’ made this all possible. Here are some of the ways in which we saved on Sara Ann's reign and some other helpful tips too. |
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* Sara Ann wore Jama brand kids boots in a dressy western style for many occasions. Her women's size 7 1/2 converts to a 5 1/2 and 6 in youth sizes. The boots are comfortable and very inexpensive. Less than $40 per pair with that "Sheplers coupon". They have a moderate pointed toe, and moderate dress heel. The distressed color paints easily. She wore them with dresses for the Kansas pageant (her dresses were long, with no leg showing). She also wore them with pants for her reign as Miss Rodeo Kansas and for the Miss Rodeo America pageant. We later purchased used Olathe and Justin tall tops, barely worn and very reasonably priced. $75- $140 a pair, to be used with dresses.
* We rarely purchased jeans without a discount coupon, or that weren't on sale. Most of the jeans we bought were from Sheplers or from out-of-the-way Western stores we stumbled upon while traveling. They often times had colored Wranglers on their racks from when the Wrangler line was more colorful. My mom and I both received coupons from Sheplers so we again had double the opportunity to save.
* A color theme was necessary to cut down on the expenses of having matching boots for every outfit. We stuck primarily with red, white and blue, and threw in lime green and some other splashy colors.
* Sara Ann's a pretty 'casual' sort of personality so lots and lots of rhinestones and fancy work wasn't her style. Simple and classic clothing is much less expensive than clothing with lots of embroidery, crystals and details.
* I became an expert at dying our own jeans and making arena shirts from off-the-rack blouses. They may not win a blue ribbon at the county fair but they worked for the arena!
* Invest in quality clothing, it may cost more up front but it will last much longer and generally holds its re-sale value. Also, don't be afraid to wear clothing others have worn. As long as it fits and is flattering to you, the judges won't know the difference.
* Both Sara Ann and I signed up to be on the mailing list for fabric stores such as JoAnn's. This entitled both of us to discount coupons, many times up to 40% on an item. This greatly reduced the amount of money we had invested in arena outfits and embellishments.
* Look for good quality used clothing on the Second Go-Round on RodeoRoyalty.com and on Ebay. Know your sizes and which style numbers work well for you. Sara Ann wore only Wrangler 14MWZ's in size 5 since the 12MWZ's did not fit her as well (consequently we didn't purchase that style). Know your measurements and make sure you compare it to the garment for sale. If those measurements aren't listed ask the seller for them, they should be more than happy to measure their items for you, And remember, what doesn't work, resell!
* To keep the number of boots and hats to a minimum, we planned her dress outfits to be worn with white or red dress boots.
* We worked with a designer in our area, Merezia, who was receptive to our needs and who was able to put our ideas into beautiful garments. She worked with us to develop a three piece outfit that Sara Ann wore for the Miss Rodeo America speech competition (red skirt with red jacket embellished with white stars) and to the President's Luncheon (same skirt paired with a white blouse and a red, white and blue vest). (Click here to read about Sara Ann's versatile Miss Rodeo America wardrobe.)
* Make some sacrifices, it's only a year or so. Don't be afraid to pick-up extra hours, to take on a part-time job or to trade some of your talents for services. Not having debt following the pageant was a huge relief to our family, now we can sit back and relish the memories of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
In the end we did place some of our travel expenses on a credit card, but that was also planned. I knew right after finishing with Vegas we would be selling her clothes and the first sales went to pay off that debt and the rest has gone to Sara Ann's education expenses. Between her MRA and MRK scholarships and selling most of her clothes we've been able to pay for most of her education. I've also figured up that we would have spent as much, and perhaps more, on maintaining a competitive barrel horse and traveling every weekend to rodeos as a contestant. In fact, since many of her appearances involved host homes and sponsored meals it may have been less expensive! If she hadn't been queening she'd have been doing something else. We all know how expensive hobbies can be, and there are few hobbies in which you could get the sponsorships and other help she received when she was queening.
My daughter successfully competed on both levels with a lot of thoughtful planning, fundraising and budgeting. I hope that by sharing our experiences you'll be able to make the decision to run for a state and/or national title without feeling like you'll have to mortgage your home and sell Grandma on Ebay! - Teresa
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