Arleta’s November Update
A dream I have been waiting for years to do finally came true on Nov. 5, 2011. This was the day that I got to start the competitions for Miss Rodeo Canada 2012 and meet three other amazing ladies that have been doing an awesome job representing their rodeos over the past years. I could not have asked for a better bunch of girls to have gone through the competition with, as we all got along so well and had a blast doing everything we did.
Megan Luider, Cochrane Lions Rodeo Queen, the lady that when we were all starting to power down on the drive back at night got her second wind and made us all laugh and come back to life. Samantha Callioux, Miss Grande Prairie Stompede, an amazing lady that I have had the opportunity to meet and work with two years at the Sundre Rodeo and she always had a smile on her face and someone I thought so highly of. And Kenna Lockwood, Miss Rodeo Okotoks, a beautiful lady that I had never met before but we got along so well and I had so much fun with. She always had my back helping me get in and out of my dresses or reminding me to put my poppy on. I truly think I have made three new and amazing friends from this competition and can only hope the best for every one of them!
Our week went by so fast, we all said it seemed like we just got here, and Nov. 10 crowning day was already here. We were so busy everyday doing different appearances and competitions that our days flew by. Here is a short and brief idea of how our week went.
Saturday Nov.5 we all arrived at Borden Park to find our awesome horses that we would be riding in the River City Round Up, then we signed autographs, walked around city hall, and visited with different people.
Sunday we had our horsemanship at Top Notch Arena where we had the opportunity to ride their reining horses for the competition. We each did two reining patterns, one flag pattern, and a presentation ride. We also each got to do an impromptu question. We later returned to Sutton Place Hotel and we did our written test portion of the competition.
Monday we had our personal interviews also at the Sutton Place Hotel, where we all sat down with three different judges and they asked us a bunch of different question to see how we would deal with things, and to just learn a little more about each one of us girls.
Tuesday we got to do our speeches, a promotional piece for our communities and rodeo, and an impromptu. We each had family and friends that were able to make it out and cheer us on.
Wednesday, the day we all referred to as “the fun day”, we got to be in a fashion show at West Ed Mall. We each got to model an outfit from Urban Woman, Lammles, and we each brought our own dresses to model. Then that night we each got to do our presentation ride during the first performance of the 2011 Canadian Finals Rodeo.
Thursday, the day we have all been waiting for, the new Miss Rodeo Canada 2012 was announced. Walking out into the arena was what we had all been waiting for all week. As we all stood there waiting, I can just remember thinking, “Is this really happening?”. We all held hands as we waited to hear what name Les McIntyre was going to call.
I was overwhelmed with joy, tears, and extreme happiness when Les said “Arleta Bowhay Miss Rodeo Sundre”. To hear my name being called as the new Miss Rodeo Canada is a dream come true. I am the very first Miss Rodeo Sundre to ever be crowned Miss Rodeo Canada, so that is something that I am very honoured to be able to do.
The next three days were packed full of appearances, interviews, pictures and being able to carry the Canadian Flag at each performance. I am very excited and honoured to be the new face/ambassador of Canadian Professional Rodeo. And I will do my very best to do my country and the sport of rodeo proud.
I will be heading to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in the next couple days and will be down there representing Canadian Professional Rodeo. I am very excited and honoured to be going down and can’t wait to be a part of the whole finals.
I would like to say a huge thank you to Tara Gamble, for all her time that she put into making the competition run so well and be an amazing experience for all of us. Thanks to Jocelyne Lambert, for taking on the role of President of MRC and being my new boss for the year haha. To all the rest of my MRC committee I am looking forward to working with you all. And a big thanks to all my amazing sponsors, some being Roper, Stetson, Wrangler, Smithbilt Hats, Montana Silver, and all the rest of the greatly appreciated sponsors!
I’d like to say another big thank you to my family. Mom and dad, thanks for always believing in me. Carson, Bronwen, and Dayla, thank you for always helping me out and cheering me on. To the Sundre Pro Rodeo, thanks for sending me to the competition and also believing in me. And thanks to everyone else that supported and cheered me on during my journey to Miss Rodeo Canada.
I look forward to informing you all of my experiences at the National Finals Rodeo after I return!