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.