Keeping up with Miss Strathmore Stampede

Miss Strathmore Stampede

 

It has been another busy month. On Oct. 19-20 I had the privilege of attending the Naming Rights Auction for the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee display cases and attend the banquet where I watched this year’s lineup of contestants, builders and legends get inducted. The night went well and was a lot of fun while I assisted with meeting and greeting inductees, guests and sponsors, selling raffle tickets as well as visiting with the other rodeo royalty that were present. 

Nov. 8 I travelled to Edmonton where I helped out at Rodeo Magic which is a community outreach program produced and funded by Northland’s in conjunction with the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. It was a great time where the contestants competing at the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) interact with approximately 150 special needs children between the ages of 6 to 14. They had different rodeo events set up for the children to try out, with lunch afterwards. This program was important for me to volunteer at as the charity I have chosen to raise funds for during my reign as Queen is Opening Gaits Therapeutic Riding for individuals with special needs from the age of five and up which runs from September to April each year.  

Opening Gaits gives them the opportunity to experience horseback riding and for many of them, this is the highlight in their week. In the past I have volunteered as a helper and witnessed the joy riding the horses brings to each one of them. I recently attended one of the classes to present a cheque for over $300 from the bottles and cans I have been collecting from the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), friends and family. If you would like to donate your bottles and assist me in raising funds for this organization, send an email to missstrathmorestampede@gmail.com and I will drop by to pick them up.  

Along with the CFR rodeo contestants, a few visiting Rodeo Royalty volunteered their time including Miss Rodeo Canada and the three amazing ladies that were vying for the title as Miss Rodeo Canada 2013. I attended the CFR Saturday afternoon to watch the new Miss Rodeo Canada get crowned. One of the contestants was Gillian Shields who assisted Jim Cammaert this past August during the Strathmore Stampede and she was the lucky one that outgoing Miss Rodeo Canada 2012, Arleta Bowhay crowned. I would like to say congratulations to a wonderful lady and Gillian will certainly do a fabulous job as the ambassador for the sport of Rodeo in Canada. Strathmore will see Gillian in 2013 at the Strathmore Stampede and Heritage Days to be held from Aug. 2-5.

This past weekend I did some of my Christmas shopping at Strathmore’s Christmas Farmer’s Market. It was fantastic with lots of vendors, and I had the opportunity to talk with many people. I had the privilege of being in Strathmore’s Santa Claus Parade later in the day, which turned out to be a beautiful afternoon, and the crowd was great. Riding in the back of the Strathmore Stampede truck was awesome, definitely a change from being on my horse. From there I attended the Fifth Annual Light Up the Night at the Ag Grounds. Once again the crowd was great – Santa and Mrs. Claus were extremely busy listening to what all of the children wanted for Christmas and having their photos taken. The Grinch was also lurking around the area and did a great job as MC for the event. You could also get your picture taken with Santa’s reindeer or go on a hayride. To top the night off, everyone enjoyed the fireworks. Be sure to look for my update next month – until then, Happy Trails!