Jackson, Mississippi: Dixie National Rodeo

It was an honor to attend the 45th Dixie National Rodeo—my home state of Mississippi’s largest rodeo—as Miss Rodeo America. I was in Jackson for four days and had the honor of speaking to the Mississippi legislature, riding at the rodeo and in the Dixie National Parade and spending time with the eight visiting titleholders.

I drove down the day before the rodeo began to visit the Mississippi Legislature. Senator Gary Jackson (no relation to me) presented me with a Mississippi Senate Resolution honoring my selection as the first Miss Rodeo America from Mississippi. It was a privilege to speak to the House of Representatives and the Senate and share with them about Miss Rodeo America, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, and the western lifestyle. Thank you to Miss Rodeo Mississippi board members, Cathy Brown and Deborah Tucker, for accompanying my family and me to the event.

On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we had five inches of snowfall in central Mississippi; however, the snow and ice did not deter the rodeo! Stace Smith and Smith, Harper, and Morgan Rodeo Company put on another great show this year, complete with fierce competition, great concerts, and of course, “our” comedian, Lecile Harris. Congratulations to all of the PRCA cowboys and WPRA cowgirls who picked up checks at the Dixie National!

I rode at each performance and then signed autographs during the rodeo with Amber (Miss Dixie National), Vanessa (Junior Miss Dixie National), and the Miss Rodeo Mississippi titleholders—Katie Jo, Hillary, Kate, Hannah Claire, Cheyenne, and McKinsy. I had fun spending time with the girls, interacting with the crowd, signing autographs and giving away replicas of the Landstrom’s Miss Rodeo America crown at the rodeo. It was definitely a great weekend—my thanks to the Mississippi Fair Commission and the Miss Rodeo Mississippi Association for hosting me at the Dixie National Rodeo!