Mid Year Update!

I write this only half way through my year as Miss Rodeo New Mexico 2014, but I can already say this has been the biggest adventure of my life! I knew being crowned last June that my duties would entail representing New Mexico, promoting the sport of rodeo and encouraging young ladies to participate in royalty titles. I could not have foreseen the experiences I would have, the places I would see, the relationships I would form, the laughter I would share or the moments that would touch my heart forever. 

My year started off at the world famous National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. It was my first appearance as Miss Rodeo New Mexico 2014, and while I was only able to go for a few days, I managed to pack a lot of actives in a short amount of time. Some highlights of the trip included doing the morning weather and helping out with both the Colorado vs The World Rodeo and the Mexican Rodeo. The Mexican Rodeo was a blast to watch! I must say we were impressed with the flag girls riding side-saddle, in DRESSES! Best of all I made a friend who I will share the rest of the year’s adventures with – Miss Rodeo Oklahoma 2014 Lauren Heaton. 

I returned back to work at the Legislative Council Service just in time for the start of the 2014 legislative session. I was honored to be introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Anna Crook and in the Senate by Sen. Pat Woods. Members of the legislature and the Council Service have been so supportive of my journey. It was bittersweet when I decided to leave my job in April to fulfill the remainder of my year. 

The next stop on my calendar was the Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee, Florida! I had been looking forward to this trip since I was crowned Miss Rodeo New Mexico and it sure didn't disappoint. I was lucky to have two outstanding host families that opened their homes to me and treated me so well – the Bakers and the Kempfers. During the trip we got to help with the “Exceptional Rodeo”, play in some waves and watch four performances of the greatest sport on dirt. 

While the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo (RNCFR) was not exactly what I had planned, it was a great reminder of just how tough Rodeo Queens have to be! After a less-than-fortunate encounter with a horse named “Stretch” and a red squiggly spotlight of death, I returned from the sidelines to carry sponsor flags for the final two performances at the legendary Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma.  During our time in Oklahoma we also got to shoot skeet at the OK Corral Gun Club with RNCFR contestants and visit with the Clydesdales at the Express Ranch. 

This year truly has been a wild ride and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the calendar has in store. I will continue my preparations for Miss Rodeo America while traveling to all of the New Mexico rodeos, Payson and Prescott, Calgary Stampede, the Snake River Stampede (Idaho), Cheyanne Frontier Days and many more! I will also be making school visits and helping local rodeos thank their dedicated sponsors. 

It is such a privilege to promote Land of Enchantment and the great title of Miss Rodeo New Mexico! I am grateful for this opportunity and the chance for personal growth and development. With great anticipation of the experiences ahead of me, I am constantly reminded that the view is always the greatest from atop the back of a horse.

Dallas- Miss Rodeo America Seminar

A former co-worker reminded me that I was slacking on my blog posts. He was right. I will be updating with some of my most recent trips! 

MRA Seminar - Dallas, TX

I had the opportunity to attend the Miss Rodeo America Seminar at the Dallas Market at the end of March. It was a great experience and we had some wonderful clinicians to learn from.

Had the chance to learn from the legendary horseman Chris Cox at the infamous Cowtown Coliseum. The

All of the participates at the Dallas Market. Mostly state queens, but a few girls from Texas and California came to learn from the best. It was so nice to meet everyone and get to know the other girls.

  

Got to check out the famous Billy Bob's! The whole group was introduce at the rodeo that evening by walking through smoke machines. It was pretty rock star status! 

We even got to watch a true fashion week at the Dallas Market Center- then walked the runway to clips the show!

Overall the trip was a lot of fun. Had the chance to room with Miss Rodeos Oklahoma, Arizona (then lady-in-waiting) and Kansas. I am always so impressed with these young, talent ladies. Next stop on my trip will be Oklahoma for the Ram National Circuit Finals in at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie. I sure have a story from that one! Coming soon....

Silver Spurs Rodeo -- Kissimmee, Florida

Well session ended at noon and by 6 pm I was on a jet plane to a rodeo. My destination? Kissimmee, Florida for the Silver Spurs Rodeo! I had been looking forward to this trip since I was crowned Miss Rodeo New Mexico and it sure didn't disappoint. I was lucky to have two outstanding host families that opened their homes to me and treated me so well -- the Bakers and the Kempfers. A big thanks also to Laura and Mark Kessler for arranging everything for the visiting queens; from transportation, host homes, great horses to ride and a trip to the beach, everything was taken care for us!

Here are some photos from the trip!


Miss Rodeo Wisconsin and I with our host sisters, Scout and Logan.



Soaking up a little sun with Miss Rodeo Canada! So hard to believe that 48 hours prior I was tracking legislation! The Florida weather was just what I needed to recoup post-session!



This desert child sure does like the sand and the sun!



 Took part in my first "Exceptional Rodeo" with this cowboy, Bobby. This was such a rewarding opportunity! The kids were great and so excited with all of the stations. Of course the horse riding line was the longest. We even had barrel men, rodeo contestants and announcers there to make this day special for the participants.

 
 The rodeo went smoothly all four performances! The Florida humidity was definitely different from the dry climate of New Mexico!


Miss Rodeo Wyoming and I stopping for a brief "selfie" between thanking sponsors and taking surveys! I know this girl is going to be a blast this year!

Thank you to everyone who made my trip to Florida a great experience! Hope to make it back there again some day. Next stop on the rodeo road -- Dallas, Texas for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant Seminar. Stay tuned!

NM Legislative Session

As many of you know, I work for the Legislative Council Service. On February 11th, I had the unique opportunity of  being introduced in both the House and the Senate as Miss Rodeo New Mexico 2014! It was so neat to be on the opposite end of the rostrum. My office even expressed their support by declaring it "Princess Day" and getting me crown shaped cookies (thanks Jen!) My mom and brother joined me and were also introduced. I forgot to tell them we were on "legislative time", but it gave me the chance to introduce them to several people and show them our Capital's fantastic art collection.

Below are some pictures with some of my favorite legislators! I thank them for their continued support of my journey! I get to work with Lt. Governor Sanchez every day in the Senate and was happy to have my family meet him. I was also able to snag a photo with the Governor of New Mexico, once again proving that they let you in anywhere with a crown!

National Western Stock Show!

After having just unpacked my bags from Denver, I felt it was just about time that I wrote about my trip to the Stock Show! (Yes, I have been back for over five weeks but session has unordered my life! Better late than never!)

The National Western Show and Rodeo was so much fun! It was my first appearance as Miss Rodeo New Mexico 2014. I was only able to go for a few days but managed to pack a lot of actives in a short amount of time. Here are some photos from the trip:

We got the party started by attending the Press Party. Here are a few of my fellow Miss Rodeos - Oklahoma (AKA my roomie), Wyoming and Iowa!

Then we did some amazing shopping at the Denver Market! With all of my favorite vendors, it was Cowgirl Heaven! A big thank you to Greg Hensley at Dan Post Boots for letting us pick out TWO pairs of great boots! I was so excited to get them in the mail, and must add that they are super comfortable!

We also got to help out with the weather on the local morning news in Denver. We had some beautiful weather while we were there. It was awesome to have fellow and former New Mexicans come up to me and say they saw me on the TV!

Although I didn't stay long enough for the PRCA rodeo, we got to help out with the Colorado vs The World Rodeo and the Mexican Rodeo. The Mexican Rodeo was a blast to watch! I must say we were impressed with the flag girls riding side-saddle, in DRESSES! May have to be part of our "freestyle" at MRA! Here I am helping with the Cervi horses. Another highlight - riding in the Stagecoach pulled by six stunning Percherons!

I had a lot of fun helping the future stars of rodeo make their debut! Check out those trophies!

A big shout out to my roommate for the trip, Lauren (Miss Rodeo Oklahoma) for helping me survive my first trip! And driving me around everywhere!

Overall, I would consider my first outing to be a huge success. Made some great friends and signed my way through a lot of autographs. Lessons: 1) Always pack spurs and chaps! and 2) Always be prepared to shop!!

Introduction to your new Miss Rodeo New Mexico

Hello!!

My name is Alexandria (Alex) Tapia and I am Miss Rodeo New Mexico 2014! I have never blogged before but have decided to use this blog to document my year and travels. Here is a little bit about me:

Alexandria (Alex) Layne Tapia comes from the nation’s oldest capital city – Santa Fe, New Mexico.  She is the daughter of Toni Tapia and the late Michael J. Tapia Sr., and has one older brother named Greg. Alex is a Crimson Scholar graduate of New Mexico State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Government and a bachelor’s degree in History with Distinction in University Honors. She currently works as a Research Assistant at New Mexico’s Legislative Council Service. 

Her family is very important to her and they work closely together to run their family owned business. As a family, Alex enjoys going to church, hunting and raising animals. Alex loves two-stepping to great county music, cooking, baking and catching up on the most recent popular novels and classic literature. Alex is a member of Toastmasters International and is active with her local PRCA rodeo, the Rodeo de Santa Fe. One of her biggest passions in life is learning. Alex loves to learn new things, from academic study and history to new hobbies and odd facts. Spending time with others and meeting new people is one source of her happiness. 

Alex has been riding horses the majority of her life and enjoys trail riding, barrel racing and competing in rodeo queen pageants. She is proud to have had the opportunity to represent her community and rodeo through various royalty titles since she was fifteen. Alex truly enjoys the ability to mentor young people through the medium of rodeo royalty titles and hopes to continue to be a role model and example to others. Her goal during her reign is to share the excitement and tradition of rodeo with the next generation of fans.  

As a lifelong New Mexican, Alex believes there are many state treasures and multifaceted rich cultural heritage that is worth sharing with others.  It has been an ongoing dream of hers to serve as an ambassador of the Land of Enchantment, the sport of rodeo and the western way of life. Alex is very proud and excited to be representing her home state as New Mexico’s First Lady of Rodeo.