"Success on a Budget"

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to own the bank to be a rodeo queen.  My parents are both retired schoolteachers, and let’s face it:  teachers do not make a lot of money.  I was still able to compete successfully at the state and national level, and you can too.  If you are lucky enough to have the financial capabilities to afford an extravagant, new wardrobe, then go for it.  For the rest of us, it takes sponsors, planning, and creative ideas to be able to compete for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

None of these opportunities would have been possible for me without the help of sponsors.  Many people contributed to help make my year as Miss Rodeo Colorado successful.  The Miss Rodeo Colorado organization is very fortunate to have many sponsors that help every year.  I was provided the use of a truck and horse trailer for a year, I had a sponsor that provided me with all of my Resistol hats, and I had a chap sponsor, just to name a few.  Even if your state or county pageant doesn’t have any current sponsors, you can go out and get them yourself.  I typed up a letter explaining Miss Rodeo Colorado and how she could benefit an organization with autograph sessions or promotional events.  I took the letter around to local businesses, and set up appointments with people that seemed interested.  Of course, some said no, but that is expected (and sometimes a potential sponsor may be able to donate later in the year, just not right when you approach them).  For every business that said no, there was at least one that tried to help me out in some way.  They either gave me items from their store, services, or money.  I also held a coronation fundraiser.  I got as much of the expenses donated as I could, such as food, drinks, and a location.  My family and friends made the table decorations and set everything up.   I auctioned off all of the items and services that local businesses had given me.   The fundraiser was a great way to start my year financially.

After I had my fundraiser, I needed to make a budget to make sure I spent my money very carefully.  I started looking ahead for what I would need for the Miss Rodeo America pageant.  I bought several items from other state queens that had been worn at the previous Miss Rodeo America pageant.  I also had several jackets and dresses made early in the year that I knew would work for the upcoming pageant.  I wore these outfits to special events all year because I had designed them and I wanted to be able to enjoy them.  My mother made all of my arena shirts and some vests too.  I bought used boots from former queens and had them dyed and my mom dyed all of my white Wranglers at home.  There was some trial and error involved while dying the jeans, but I got a lot of advice from other queens!  As the Miss Rodeo America pageant grew closer, I realized I had some extra money that I hadn’t used.  My mom and I made my horsemanship outfit, and I had two dresses and a jacket made especially for the Miss Rodeo America pageant.  I competed in three outfits that had been worn the year before at the pageant and several outfits that I had worn all year.  It didn’t matter to me that other people might have seen these outfits before because the four judges had never seen them!  What really matters is that you pick colors that look good on you and stand out, your outfits fit well, and you feel good in them.  I actually got many great comments on my wardrobe.  After a wonderful week in Las Vegas, I was second runner-up out of twenty-four incredible girls.

And remember, write a thank you to every person that helps you throughout your year.  Even to those who turn you down for a sponsorship request.  You never know when they may come back into your life and the small amount of time you took to say thanks for meeting with me will leave a lasting impression.

I was able to fulfill my dreams on a budget.  I traveled all over the western United States with a beautiful wardrobe for an entire year.  Remember that you are representing a sport where cowboys live paycheck to paycheck and they may wear the same shirt on their backs for days at a time!  It is okay to wear your outfits more than once.  I hope that no one decides not to compete in rodeo pageants because they are worried about not being able to afford the Miss Rodeo America pageant.  If you love rodeo and are willing to work hard, you can be a rodeo queen.  It is truly an experience of a lifetime.

Since completing her reign, Christy has taken a job with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association as the Assistant to the Director of Rodeo Administration.  She continues to work with the Miss Rodeo Colorado organization, and judges pageants when she has the time.  Thank-you to Christy for submitting her article.  If you would like to contact Christy with any questions you may have on how she had a successful reign on a budget, she may be reached through her email address.

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