Chance Made Us Friends, Time Made Us Sisters

Barrel Racing

Sisters-

I ran a young horse who is still in the learning phase as well as my queen horse Cody who I am happy to report placed 2nd in the 3-D!

Staheli Jo Wilkinson

2008 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

NPRA Finals and Pageant

Our last hoorah...

September 19 2008 found me back in one of my favorite towns...yep you guessed it Sisters. The trip there alone was pretty unique as my mom's volleyball team had a game 6 hours in the opposite direction of where I needed to be on Friday. She pulled in to the ranch at 1:30 in the morning where she found me and our dog Ruby asleep in the horse trailer waiting to leave for Sisters. We got into Sisters at about 6:30 in the morning and hit the ground running. I attended the horsemanship portion of the 2009 Miss NPRA pageant. The contestants all did a great job. We changed out clothes and then headed for the tent to to watch the speeches. That evening we did run-ins at the rodeo and then sat in the rain to watch the rest of the performance.

Saturday afternoon I was on hand to watch as Mackenzie Carr was named 2009 Miss NPRA. The rodeo followed and I can't tell you how much fun I had pushing cows 2008 Miss NPRA Alice Monroe and Teen Miss Rodeo Oregon Ashley Ekstrom. During our run-ins that night I blew a kiss to my mom which Angie our amazing coordinator caught on film. My mom told me later it made her tear up. Not my intention but I really wanted her to know that she was with me as I made my last dash around an Oregon arena as Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon.

Sunday morning we attended the awards ceremony and ate a fantastic brunch under the tent, and then I saddled up my horses and competed in the Open 4-D Barrel race. I had so much fun and actually won some money which is always nice.

This week I am preparing for the Senior Pro Rodeo National Finals as well as carrying the American Flag for several Homecoming activites one of which is the parade.

See you in Redmond for the Miss Rodeo Oregon Good Luck Party!

Until next time

Staheli Jo Wilkinson

2008 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

More Pictures

Humboldt County Labor Day Fair and Rodeo...

Humboldt County Labor Day Fair and Rodeo

August 29, 30 and 31

As the fair was approaching I was looking forward to showing my 4-H steer just as I had for the past 3 years, unfortunately he died just one week before we were to leave for the fair. Can you believe my luck? We picked him this time last year and spent hundreds if not thousands of hours halter breaking, bathing and clipping him. My brothers steer weighed in at a whopping 1543 lbs. He was a monster!

After the show each evening I took off my muck boots and got all dolled up for the rodeo. This year my entire family stuck around to watch me do run-in's and wow, was that cool? There were so many of them and they made some serious noise when I rode into the arena. I was also asked by the clown (Val Byrom) to help out with his clown act both nights. His act was a hat cleaning scam where he threw dirt on my hat, poured a bottle of baby powder on top of that and then....blew it up. Yes, he BLEW it up! Relax it wasn't my good hat it was one he had given me just after my run-in. I sported it around the grandstands for a while with my crown so people would think he had blown up my good one. It was a real kick as the crowd was still asking the next day about it. He signed one of the blown up hats and gave it to me as a momento.

I had a chance to spend some time with my Grandpa Rackham's wife Marilyn and her best friend Bonnie. They drove down from Driggs Idaho to spend the weekend with us. It was wonderful and I know my Grandpa was there in spirit. I feel very blessed as I already have two of the most fantastic grandmothers on the planet and I now have two more!

See you in Sisters for the NPRA Finals, until then...

Happy Trails and Sweet Dreams!

Staheli Jo Wilkinson

2009 Miss Teen and Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant

Thursday July 31, we were back in Sublimity for the the Santiam Canyon Stampede. I have a soft spot when it comes to this rodeo as it is the home of the Miss Teen and Junior Miss Pageant. It is almost like coming home. Thursday nights rodeo was a good time and afterwards Ashley and I stayed up until 2:30 a.m. working on gifts for the contestants and trying to get our scrapbooks caught up.

Friday Morning brought the start of the pageant and with it came the rain. Not just a mist either, it was an all out rain storm. Not a nice environment for horsemanship but all of the contestants made the best of a wet situation and only my hair and hat showed the effects of the tropical storm. We had just a short time to dry out and get ready for the interviews and written test. The girls all looked amazing and before we knew it we were horseback again for Santiam's tough enough to wear pink night. The rain began to fall again and before I knew it my hair looked like that stuff a cat coughs up. Yuck!

Saturday morning we attended the Fireman's Breakfast. The sun was shinning and I was happy to finally be dry. Later that morning was the speech and impromptu questions. We had the honor of having both the 2008 Miss Rodeo Oregon and 2009 Miss Rodeo Oregon on hand to help out. And lets not forget Oregon's High School Rodeo Queen and first ever Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Molly Stubblefield spent the weekend with us as well. After the speeches which by-the-way were great and the dresses were all so beautiful we hustled back over the Anthony Hall for a lunch provided by Reeser Foods and Safe Way. Thanks to all who helped pitch in to make it a success. That evening just before the rodeo I had a few minutes to reflect on my year as Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon and suddenly became overwhelmed by the thought of handing the crown off to next years title holder. I know it sounds silly but I was truly saddened by it all. I have loved every single minute of the past year and would not trade this experience for anything and I mean ANYTHING in the world. Congratulations to 2009 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Stephanie Esterly and 2009 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Nicole Bishop. To the other contestants, you all did a fabulous job.

Finally I want to again extend a huge thank you to Diane Utberg, Charlene Morris, Jean McPhearson and Lynn Haynes I think you guys are the best. You always make me feel special when I am around you and I hope I have made you as proud of me as I am of being one of your girls.

Angie Vachter and Tanya Marie Utberg I love you and those three little words are meant for those closest to me. You are family now and always.

Ashley I read a quote the other day and it made me think of you...Chance made us friends, time made us sisters!

Staheli Jo Wilkinson
2008 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

Chief Joseph Days Rodeo

If I had to sum up my weekend in Joseph with just one word it would likely be...Unforgettable!

This was my first trip without my faithful steed Cody and let me tell you loading all of my gear for a weekend in the back seat of our pickup was a feat in itself. Yikes, I didn't even have room to lean my seat back and sleep. A great big thank you to Vixen and Ryan Barney for being such wonderful hosts. They let us sleep at their house and allowed me to borrow three horses over a three day period. I also rode 2009 MROP contestant Celeste Hillock's bay mare. My dad has always said that to be a truly good rider you need to ride a lot of different horses. I do that on the ranch but have only borrowed one other horse over the 4 years I have been queening.

Thursday night at the rodeo we did the serpentine and then signed autographs. It was Tough Enough to Wear Pink night which is always a favorite of mine. That night we were treated to dinner ala Brent Ekstrom. He Barbecued hamburgers for us at midnight while Ashley and I made the french fries in their camper. We had a fantastic time catching up with the Ekstroms, and our newest family member our coordinator, Angie Vachter.

Friday morning we loaded up the raft that Ashley's brother brought from Texas and headed to Lake Wallowa. BRRRRRRR. The lake was crystal clear and iceberg cold, but that didn't keep us out of the water. Believe it or not this desert rat can actually swim.

Friday nights performance was a real hoot as Ashley and I were the first Junior/ Teen MRO to ever do arena runs in Joseph. The pressure was on and I think the horse I was riding could feel it as he tried to crow hop everytime I kicked him to pick up speed. Bob Tallman even made a crack about him trying to buck me off during warm up. We finally came to an agreement however and our run-in was a success.

Saturday morning found us all too early as we raced to get ready for the parade. I rode another of Vixen's horses which happened to be a paint mare. I will have to admit that my pink accessories looked particularly good on her. After the parade we attended the queens luncheon with MRO Nichole Andrews. Thanks again to Queen Paige Bailey and Princesses Shelby Tiehaara and Shelby Harshman you guys have done an amazing job and treated us, well....like royalty.

Saturday nights rodeo will go down as one of my favorites as we watched one of my favorite Oregon cowboys Trevor Knowles compete in the Steer Wrestling on probably my second favorite horse in the world. He calls her Reba and if you get a chance to watch her do her job you will likely fall in love with her as well. Ashley and I attended the Teen Dance that night and then ate breakfast at the rodeo grounds at midnight at Joseph's annual Cowboy Breakfast. YUM!

Happy Trails To You, Until We Meet Again..
Gosh, I love that song :)

Staheli Jo Wilkinson
2008 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

93rd. Annual Snake River Stampede

Idaho's oldest rodeo takes place in July and on Friday the 18 of July I was so honored to be allowed to participate in the grand entry. I say honored because Jr. title holders are normally only allowed in the arena on Saturday during the afternoon performance. This was the third state I have been able to represent my title in and one of the most incredible grand entries around. The pre-rodeo event includes the performance of the Stampeders! This drill team enters the arena in the dark and perform with only colored lights on themselves and their mounts. Crazy, but absolutely wonderful. The picture does not do them justice but I thought I would try to share.
Also former Miss Rodeo Idaho and Miss Rodeo America Shelly Williams is spotlighted will carrying the American Flag. It takes your breath away. My dad traveled with us as he qualified to rope during the performance as well. He and his partner missed but having him there was payoff enough for me!

Happy Trail and Sweet Dreams...

Staheli Jo Wilkinson
2008 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

McDermitt Ranch Hand Rodeo

After one of the most jam packed weeks of my life we loaded up in St. Paul and drove through the night so that I could get home in time for McDermitt's annual 4th of July Ranch Hand Rodeo. My dad and brother were on a team and I couldn't wait to get home and cheer them on. Saturday the 5th of July I did a run-in and then was asked to pack the Oregon Flag during the grand entry. I signed a few autographs and then sat in the stands and yelled loudly as I watch my brother and dad win the team roping. That night we cleaned up and went back into McDermitt for the street events. Entire families come out for the street events and street dance. We danced in the street to the music of a local band and then early the next morning we were back at the rodeo grounds for yet another day of action. Once again I packed the Oregon Flag and did a run it. Later that afternoon I helped with the kids events which take place during the rodeo in front of the grand stands. Dummy Roping and Stick Horse barrels were the events and the competition was fierce!

I don't have pictures to share as my grandma was the photographer for the weekend and she uses a still camera I will scan some when I get a few minutes, until then you will have to use your imagination!

Staheli Jo Wilkinson
2008 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

Molalla Buckaroo

More from Cowboy Christmas...

The Molalla Buckaroo is one of the third oldest rodeo's in the state of Oregon. With it's hospitality and beautiful arena it truly was an honor to ride among some of the biggest names in pro rodeo past and present.

This was the third rodeo I attended during Cowboy Christmas. Kicking off with the Reno Rodeo and then St. Paul and finishing up in Molalla. The atmosphere reminded me a lot of home as this is a small town where everybody knows everybody and they were all so happy to see each other and welcomed their guests with huge smiles and great food in the hospitality tent.

My only regret was that it didn't last long enough as we had to shorten our stay in order to get back to St. Paul to get ready for the St. Paul parade early Saturday morning.

We did get to catch up with the One Armed Bandit again and it always feels great when you run into someone you know when you are so far away from home.

Happy Trails and Sweet Dreams!

Staheli Jo Wilkinson

2008 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

2009 MRO Pageant

I am a little behind on my postings as life as been really crazy and hectic since rodeo season kicked into high gear. Not a good excuse I know but its all I have! Thank you to everyone who reads and comments on this site. It means a lot to me that you take the time and care enough about what I am up to and check up on me from time to time.

The Miss Rodeo Oregon Pageant held in St. Paul was one of my favorite weeks as JMRO so far. We were invited to attend the Gold Buckle Gala Sunday Night where we got up close and personal with all four girls competing to be the next Miss Rodeo Oregon. Monday was busy as we attended the horsemanship portion of the contest and did an actual run in the most incredible arena in Oregon, St. Paul. Later that afternoon we hosted a luncheon. Ashley Ekstrom's mom Michelle and my mom Jaimi worked hard to make it happen. This also gave us an opportunity to talk with the contestants without the judges present. I am so glad I didn't have to judge what a difficult choice it would have been.

We participated in the opening ceremonies of the St. Paul rodeo everynight and attended the Hall of Fame BBQ. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to be around the legendary cowboys and cowgirls who were being inducted into the hall of fame. Fashion show practice took up a couple of hours every night we had fun poking fun at each others lack of dancing ability. All I can say is that I don't think I have a future in dance!

We took a field trip one morning to an aviation museum and had lunch at the Golden Valley Brewery in McMinville. The fashion show was a huge success and all four contestants speeches were very good. The final night there we attended the Tough Enough To Wear Pink performance and watched as Jackie Gibson was crowned 2009 Miss Rodeo Oregon.

Saturday morning was the St. Paul parade. I can't recall ever seeing so many beautiful girls in one place at one time in my life. I think every queen in the state was there. Nicole, Ashley and I were each given a trophy and ribbon for first place.

More from Cowboy Christmas as I find the time...

Staheli Jo Wilkinson

2008 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

Update on Reno Rodeo Parade

Greetings all...

Just a quick up date, I am sooooo excited I just found out I placed second in the Best Dressed Junior Cowgirl division in the Reno Rodeo Parade. How cool is that?

Staheli Jo Wilkinson

2008 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

The Wildest Richest Rodeo In The West

Reno Nevada, June 21...

It has been three days now since returning home from the Reno Rodeo and only now am I starting to catch my breath. Saturday morning we were up before the chickens to travel to Reno for the parade. It was by far the largest parade I have ever been in. The staging area alone took up 6 square blocks and the streets were lined with vocal parade watchers. There were 6 announcer booths along the parade route and people cheered loudly as Cody and I passed. Some shouted things like, "Oregon Rocks" while others battled back and forth for their favorite Oregon Universities. "GO DUCKS and GO BEAV"S" I don't think I have ever been more proud of Oregon.
After the parade Patricia Ulch (Reno's visiting royatly advisor) asked me to come along with the rest of the visiting royatly to make an appearance at a new western store, Rogers to sign autographs. This was a lot of fun as I was able to get to visit with some of the girls. Megan Lucke Miss Reno Rodeo was a gracious hostess. I also met Anna Bavor Miss Rodeo Nevada as well as Chris Wade Miss Wilderness Circuit. Later that afternoon we met up again to attend the Reno Rodeo sponsorship dinner. Afterwards we attended the rodeo where we were asked to help sell raffle tickets for the Flag Team. I was honored to be allowed to ride in the D Bar M Stage coach during a break in action where world famous announcer Bob Tallman introduced me along with several other visiting queens like Miss Rodeo California. The highlight of my night was however helping out with the mutton bustin. The little kids had a wonderful time and all were given hats and gift bags from Justin Boots for participating.

By-the-way I took a picture with my favorite cowboy...well at least with his trailer. Trevor Brazil if your out there I would really love to take a picture with you!

We are off and running this weekend to St. Paul and the Miss Rodeo Oregon 2009 Pageant. Good Luck to all of the contestants!
See you there...

Staheli Jo Wilkinson
2008 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

Sisters Rodeo and Parade

My first PRCA rodeo of the year was last weekend in Sisters. June 13th and 14th were jam packed with action. I attended the rodeo performance Friday night where I finally got to spend a little time with Oregon's first lady of rodeo, Nicole Andrews. Oregon can be proud she is real cowgirl...nice ride Nicole. Riding in the arena with all of the other royalty was a kick in the pants, I especially loved coming around the last corner and and looking up to see myself on the jumbo-tron. It makes you feel like a rock star!
Saturday morning we got up at 4:00 a.m. to get ready for the parade. Koodos to Cody who is now on the road to recovery from his previous conditon of flowerpackitis. He was a real trooper and handled every situation like the champion he is.
We did run-ins for the afternoon and evening performances where we (Ashley Ekstrom, MTRO) signed tons of autographs. People kept asking us if we were sisters and we couldn't resist telling them we were.
We left Sisters at 7:30 p.m. and drove through the night to get home just 1/2 hour before I had to be up to help my family push cows on the mountain. We left home that morning after my mom cooked us all breakfast at 3:oo a.m. and didn't get home that day until 4:00 p.m. I was so tired that at one point my grandpa told me to get off and catch a short nap while we waited for the cows to mother up. I curled up on the closest rock and slept for a few minutes, not what I would call beauty sleep but it certainly did help. We had to ride for 4 days straight all with early mornings and long days in the saddle. I do love the mountain and spending time with my dad as his little cowgirl but can't wait to get on the road again. See you down the trail...

Staheli Jo Wilkinson
2008 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

50th Annual Jordan Valley Big Loop Rodeo

Jordan Valley is located in Southeast Oregon. It is a place settled my miners and cattlemen in the early 1860s and is now dotted with cattle ranches. Here buckaroos gather on the third weekend in May every year to celebrate our western way of life and compete in a rodeo rich in tradition. The Jordan Valley Big Loop rodeo gets its name because it features a unique event in which cowboys and cowgirls rope horses with a twenty foot loop. This year the rodeo celebrated it's 50th Anniversary and I can't even begin to explain how honored I was to call it my hometown rodeo!

Saturday and Sunday I participated in the parade which featured a 100 year old stage coach owned and driven by local rancher Mike Hanley. Mike also offered me a place to keep my horses for the weekend. Thanks Mike. I had to take two horses because Cody now suffers from serape and flowerpackitis. A condition he developed when we tried to put them on him for the first time. He bucked so hard the only thing that remained was my saddle. My old horse Vern is what my parents call "bomb proof" so we drug him out of retirement and took him along for the parade, nothing bothers him in fact he tried to eat the flowers!
I was also able to compete in my first barrel race of the year. My schedule has been so crazy that I really haven't had time but it was good to be chasing cans again. I had a beautiful run right up to the the third barrel where my horse ducked out and cost me the buckle. Oh well, there is always next year.

I want to give a shout out to the Hells Canyon Junior Rodeo Court and thanks so much for the invitation to your rodeo. I don't think I will make it however as I already have a rodeo scheduled for that weekend.

A GINORMOUS THANK YOU to the Jordan Valley Rodeo Board for making me feel so welcome and allowing me to be their first ever official rodeo queen. It will be a weekend I will always remember!

Staheli Jo Wilkinson

2008 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

See you in Sisters June 13th and 14th!

More Pictures from Prineville!

I thought these were cute so I added them.

Prineville Spring Fling Rodeo

The Prineville Spring Fling Rodeo was soooooo much fun. We made the 320 mile trip Friday morning, making a quick stop at Desperado in Bend for one of my favorite pass times....SHOPPING! If you have spent anytime in Bend you will totally understand what I am about to say, "What's up with all the roundabouts?" They are not easy to navigate pulling a four horse goose neck trailer. Once again my mom managed a tricky situation with a smile. She called the store told them she didn't know her way around and they guided us in even stood outside to wave when we pulled into the parking lot.

At the rodeo Friday night I had to change twice....long story, ask me about it the next time you see me. I did a run in, packed a couple of flags and "pushed cows" (terminology I will have to get used to). When we push cows on the ranch it consists of a couple hundred head and is done out in the open (no fences) and I am in the saddle for at least 10 hours at a time. Don't get me wrong I love the ranch and all it has to offer but if I can spend the weekend pushing cows in an arena, dressed up, smelling good and looking good I'll take it...anytime!

Saturday my partner in crime MTRO Ashley Ekstrom was there. I love being around her she is like the sister I have always wanted. The highlight of my night on Saturday was riding in the barrel truck. It was all I could do to stay upright. I thought my dad was a crazy driver. I signed autographs for about an hour which is always fun. The little girls look at me the way I looked rodeo queens when I was their age.

I spent some time with my coordinator Angie Vachter, she has a way of making you feel special without really trying. Thanks Angie for all your help!

2800 miles and counting, next stop Jordan Valley Big Loop!

Staheli Jo Wilkinson

2008 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon

Reading to McDermitt Combined School 3rd and 4th Graders

Yesterday I was asked to spend some time in Ms. Young's combined 3rd and 4th grade classroom. It was so much fun and the kids asked some wonderful questions. I began by reading one of my favorite western children's books "Why Cowboys Sleep with Their Boots On" I love to read and enjoy sharing books with others so this was a real treat for me.
After the reading was over I signed autograph sheets for everyone and then spent the rest of the hour answering questions they had about my title. They even wanted to know if the crown was real and if they could touch it. Cute!

Happy Easter!

Staheli Jo Wilkinson
Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon 2008