2008, so far

Late January I visited my sisters in Montana and also toured Montana State University of Bozeman. I fell in love with the state and the school; therefore, I will be attending the school come August. I am proud to say that my roommate is a fellow high school rodeo queen-- the 2007-2008 Miss Montana High School Rodeo queen!



I began competing on my younger horse, Hearts on Noah in the goat tying and the barrel racing. He is doing extremely well for his debute year, and I think he will make a great and consistant rodeo horse in the next few years.




I have to say that I am enjoying my last year here in Pennsylvania and that the chance to represent PHSRA as the association's queen has given me countless oppurtunities and enjoyable expieriences.

Freebird

You wonder why,
Why I left you alone.
But maybe this freebird prefers the sky
To feeling your heart of stone.
What you don't know is,
I've sat down to ponder
Why I felt nothing in your kiss.
I'm gone now, and to the west is where I want to wander,
Alone.

My freedom is calling,
My heart is set,
From now on, I won't do the falling.
Love was never a sure bet,
But to love is to live.
I need to find my heart
Before it is mine to give.
With you, I can not restart,
Too many memories, too much love,
I guess you'll be there, out in the distance, waiting,
But this freebird needs an eagle to love, not a faithful dove.

I need someone strong, able to be free.
Never fearing to fly.
Out in the distance, it's him that I see.
Right now I'm grounded and I need to cry,
But this freebird needs freedom and the night sky.

Elegy for Kevin

He saw a girl, and her dream,
That she and her horse were a team.
Through the years support was given,
In hard times, good and even when bedridden.
"Come on Rob!" he used to say,
That advice I still use, on the Championship way।

I saw a man, this girl's greatest fan.
Paint horses, coffee and the outdoors were all loved.
Roping and team penning were his activities.
Remember, loved ones, we still carry Life's responsibilities.
Onward we must ride, still, cry those tears that need be cried।

He was and still is beloved.
Remember what is worth remembering,
Ride like you've never fallen,
And love like there's tomorrow.
Cowboy advice, he would give us,
And when we reach the trail beyond that sunset...
He'll be waiting for you and for me.
Kevin, your spurs will forever hang,
your buckles on display,
You've lived the cowboy way.
Good ride cowboy!

---------------

The horse world has lost a great man on Saturday. Kevin Brady was a family friend and long time supporter of me. He enjoyed rodeos, team pennings and ropings. He had a passion for paint horses. Kevin was both a gentleman and a cowboy, he will be missed by those who knew him.

Jays Crystal Lite, defense of mares

Crystal is no ordinary barrel horse, standing at only 14 hands, she is petite to say the least, but powerful, speedy and agile. On her, I have won the State Championship in barrel racing, pole bending and the All-Around title for three consecutive years in a row. In 2006, we had the fastest time at the National High School Finals Rodeo, ended up third in the average and reserve in the All-Around ranks. In 2007, she was my horsemanship horse for the queen contest, my barrel and pole horse AND my break-away roping horse. We ended up 13th in the barrel racing, 17th in the pole bending and 9th in the All-Around ranks. We found out at the end of the week that she had a mild cold and had trouble breathing. Overall, this little mare has heart and speed making her my ideal horse.

Rodeo is a tough sport, but my brave little mare had not been highly stressed since 2005. In fact, Crystal thrives in the rodeo atmosphere as long as she has another “rodeo buddy” with her. She enters the arena rather calmly (I say rather because in the world of high powered barrel horses, “calm” is relative) and appears stoic compared to other mares, she rarely has mood swings, and she hasn't kicked while under my care (and my family has owned her since she was a yearling and she is now 13)

She has superior bloodlines, and goes back to Jetalito, Leo, Three Bars, Joe Reed, Man O War and other prominent bloodlines of the foundation quarter horse, thoroughbred racing lines, and champion paint horses.
Jays Crystal Lite is the best horse I own, she is smart, friendly (to some...like many mares, she has her preferences), consistent in the rodeo arena, competitive like me, and yet gentle to small children. Over Thanksgiving break last fall, she started acting colicky after we had just arrived home from a break-away roping clinic, she had not gone along, it was her weekend vacation, which is rare for a high school rodeo horse. After about 2 days of alternately walking her about the barn, and watching her stall, her symptoms went from sporadic to severe, and my mother called the vet. After treating her with mineral oil, and drawing blood, the vet told us that Crystal could have ulcers. We changed her diet, and included corn oil in her daily oats, and after another vet visit we had her stabilized and treated the ulcers the “poor man's way” just by giving her 3 doses of Ulcerguard, and switching her from sweet feed to oats. We started to compete again, but only at a few small jackpot ropings and the high school rodeo at the PA Farm Show Complex.

Farmshow, and PRCA First Frontier Circuit finals

hello again!

Boy have I been busy! Between school work, and rodeos I haven't had time to update this in a while...A lot has happened since call ins for Farm Show, in fact, Farm Show itself has happened!!

The rodeos were a great success with a very attentive audience that was literally packed up in the rafters of the Farm Show Coliseum. I would like to thank PCN for televising our very special rodeo and Bill, Frank and Kasey were great commentators!

In addition to competing at the Farmshow, I also ran a PHSRA booth during the PRCA Circuit Finals and sold trick ropes with Miss Rodeo Pennsylvania and Jr. Miss Rodeo Pennsylvania! I enjoyed seeing old family friends compete, and I especially enjoyed meeting "other queens" from Pennsylvania!

ATTENTION ALL UNDERCLASSMEN GIRLS!!!!

please consider running for the 2008 Miss Pennsylvania High School Rodeo queen!!

see links or call me at

(570)-743-7667

Well, this cowgirl has got to ride!

~Robbi