community
february8
2011
Happy Trails: A Report From the Rodeo Road
By Mackenzie Carr
Miss Rodeo Oregon 2011
Hello,
everyone!
For those of you who do
not know me, my name is
Mackenzie Carr. I am the
daughter of Barb and Alan
Carr and have lived in Ver-
nonia for sixteen years. I
was a 2008 graduate and
Valedictorian of Vernonia
High School, as well as a
nine-year member of Co-
lumbia County Horse 4-H.
Continuing
my
involvement with the Co-
lumbia County Fair and Rodeo, I served as one of the
2007 Columbia County Fair and Rodeo Princesses and
Queen in 2008. In 2009, I went on to represent the
Northwest Professional Rodeo Association as their
Miss NPRA.
In July 2010, I was found vying for the pres-
tigious title of Miss Rodeo Oregon. In addition to
winning the title, I earned the awards of Appearance,
Speech, Knowledge, Horsemanship, Personality, and
Photogenic. As Miss Rodeo Oregon 2011, I will be
traveling over 30,000 miles throughout Oregon, the
United States, and Canada promoting the great state of
Oregon and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Associa-
tion.
I began my reign as Miss Rodeo Oregon on
January 1 st , 2011. My first event was Miss Rodeo
Washington Amanda Emerson’s coronation on January
8 th . My National Director, aka my boss, and I made the
8-hour trek to Omak, Washington for the celebration.
Not only was it a fun-filled road trip, the evening was
full of many laughs as well. Amanda had a great turn-
out, and to see the community support behind her was
amazing.
The following week, I had the privilege of at-
tending the WESA Market and the National Western
Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, January 13 th through
the 17 th . This was one of the few trips that my mom
was allowed to tag along on. We attended the Market
with one of my generous sponsors, Joanne Sunnarborg
of Desperado in Bend, Oregon. To say the least, it was
overwhelming to see the number of vendors in the Mar-
ket. There had to be thousands of companies-- every-
thing from western clothing, belts, boots, and hats to
saddles, ropes, and home décor. I spent three days at
the Market and still did not see it all. I did, however,
meet some really great people who graciously spon-
7
sored me. Thank you to Wrangler, Dan Post Boots,
Bailey Hats, and Justin Boots. I cannot wait to wear
your merchandise with pride.
The rest of my time in Denver was spent at the
National Western Stock Show and Rodeo. I attended
three rodeo performances on Saturday and two on
Sunday. I had the privilege of riding some of Binion
Cervi’s horses. These are the same horses that are used
during the Wrangler National Finals to pack the flags
during the rodeo. All five of the horses he provided
were black with white saddles and headstalls; the dras-
tic contrast looked so sharp in the arena. Thank you
again to the Cervi Rodeo Company and all of the horse
handlers for providing and helping with the horses.
My coronation fundraiser will be held on
March 5 th at Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde,
Oregon. Details are on the Miss Rodeo Oregon Web-
site at www.missrodeooregon.com. Please feel free to
contact me if you would like to purchase a ticket. I
would love to pack the room full of people from my
hometown!
Well, I am currently sitting in the airport on
my way to San Antonio, Texas. I will then fly to Rapid
City, South Dakota, for the Black Hills Stock Show and
Rodeo. When I get home, I will have more stories to
come.
Columbia County Fair and Rodeo Court Coronation
Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Also Crowned
Once
again
Columbia
County was home to a joint
rodeo royalty coronation.
The
2011 Columbia County Fair and
Rodeo Court held joint coronation
ceremonies with the 2011 Junior
Miss Rodeo Oregon . The 2011
Court consists of Queen Emily
Simpson of St. Helens, Princess
Kelsey Lanphear of Deer Island,
and Princess Emily Nodland of
St. Helens . The 2011 Junior Miss
Rodeo Oregon is Haley Jones of St.
Helens.
The ceremonies took
place at the Columbia
County Pavilion on
Saturday, January 22.
The evening’s events
included dinner, silent
and live auctions, and
coronation ceremonies.
A special, fun highlight
of the evening was a
“Mr. Columbia County
Pageant.”
There was also a
special display honoring
past Columbia County
royalty of the last 20
years,
highlighting
those that have gone
onto represent other
rodeos and organization as royalty.
In the past eight years, Columbia
County has been home to three
Miss Rodeo Oregons, three Miss
Northwest Professional Rodeo
Association (NPRA), three Miss
Teen Rodeo Oregons, and three
Junior Miss Rodeo Oregons, as
well as representing rodeos such as
St. Paul Rodeo, Molalla Buckeroo,
Crooked River Roundup, Salem
Rodeo, Santiam Canyon Stampede,
Tillamook Rodeo, Yamhill County
Fair & Rodeo, Benton County
Fair & Rodeo, and Umpqua Valley
Roundup.
The
Columbia County
Fairboard is accepting applications
for the position of Fair and Rodeo
Court Coordinator. If interested,
please contact the fair office.
Photos provided
Studios
by
Creekside
Emily Simpson is crowned 2011 Columbia County
Rodeo Queen by 2010 Queen, Leilani Schmidt.
2011 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon, Haley Jones, is
crowned by 2010 JMRO, Savanaha Ball.
Both young ladies are from St. Helens.
SAVE THE DATE!
What: Miss Rodeo Oregon 2011 Coronation Fundraiser
Where: Spirit Mountain Casino - Grand Ronde, Oregon
When: March 5 th - Doors Open 5pm, Dinner Served 6pm
Now Available at
Sentry Market
Made with fresh
ingredients in Vernonia
Not just a salad dressing
Delicious as a dip for wings & vegies
Try it on chicken or steak
An experience you
should not miss!
Cost: $35 in Advance, $40 at the Door
Royalty Receives a $5 Discount
For Tickets Contact: Lynn Haynes, National Director:
503-502-6319 skottysmom@msn.com
Discount MRO Room Block Available at The Lodge at Spirit
Mountain Casino. BOOK EARLY ROOMS LIMITED.