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Amanda’s
rodeo roots run deep, and she credits her mother with her love of
horses. "Mama is a barrel racer, and I was at the horse shows with
her when I was still in diapers. She used to let me trot around the
barrels as soon as I was old enough to sit a horse. I was in 7th grade
before Mama felt comfortable letting me compete," said Amanda.
"She
won fifth place at the end of the year in barrels, and received her
first award. It was a pink T-shirt. She still has it and still wears
it," said her mother.
Amanda
has continued to run barrels since she was 12 in the Opp Saddle Club and
the Dixie Barrel Racing Association. She was involved in the Covington
County 4-H program and held several state 4-H titles, including 2003
Breakaway Roping Champion. She competed in barrel racing, pole bending,
goat tying, and breakaway roping in the Alabama High School Rodeo
Association. Amanda was also the 2002 Miss Opp Saddle Club and the 2003
Miss Rodeo Covington County, and said these experiences were invaluable.
"If
it were not for the Covington County Rodeo and the Opp Saddle Club, I
wouldn’t be where I am today. If they have any local competitions in
the area, I encourage anyone interested in rodeo to take advantage of
that experience. I also would encourage any cowgirl to be in the queen’s
contest. I’ve made so many friends, and sponsors allow families like
mine who are on a budget to compete," she said.
Amanda
would like to give a special thanks to all the family and friends who
have supported her efforts, and the sponsors who helped her accomplish
her dream.
"As
Miss Rodeo Alabama, I am excited to promote my state, the sport of
rodeo, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, the SLE, and the beef
industry. I have the unique opportunity to travel across the country and
experience the true meaning of the Western lifestyle, none of which
would have been possible without the encouragement and financial support
of my sponsors, my friends and family," she said.
Amanda
has had the first-hand look at farm life to motivate her promotion of
agriculture. She and her family have a 40-acre farming operation in
Covington County including four poultry houses and eight horses, which
is why she has such a good relationship with one of her sponsors, Opp’s
Co-op, Inc. General Manager Ben Courson said Opp and the local Co-op are
proud of Amanda.
"Here
at the Co-op, we really enjoy sponsoring rodeos. Our sponsorship is a
great way for us to support the community and encourage youth’s
interest in agriculture. Maybe one day my little girls will want to be
cowgirls, too," Ben said.
Amanda
says anyone interested in competing for the title of Miss Rodeo Alabama
should know it’s never too early to prepare.
"Public
speaking skills are very important, and so is good information for the
speech and interview portions of the pageant. Contestants should
practice their riding skills to prepare for the horsemanship patterns,
because horsemanship is much more than just staying on. And again, start
small. Become involved in local rodeo and horse club events,"
Amanda says.
Amanda
remains involved in several barrel racing series in her area and is a
coordinator for the Opp Saddle Club Queen’s Pageant. She has an
Associate degree from Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia
and is currently a junior at Troy State University pursuing a degree in
Elementary Education. Amanda says she loves being outdoors, and when she’s
not working or studying, she enjoys riding her horses, fishing,
waterskiing, and just being with her family and friends.
Already
Amanda has had to begin her preparation for national competition in Las
Vegas later this year, and she is looking for the sponsors who can help
her make it out there.
"I’m
so excited about Nationals and just traveling out there. The farthest I’ve
ever been from home is North Carolina, so it’s exciting to think about
making the trip to Las Vegas," Amanda said.
Amanda’s
mother is already looking forward to the trip too. "I got the map
out this week, and Nevada sure is a long way out there," Tammy said
with a laugh.
Amanda
says when her rodeo days are over, she’d still like to stay involved
with horses. "It’s in my blood. I’d like to breed mares to
produce the next generation of roping and barrel racing champions,"
she said.
Kellie
Henderson is a freelance writer from Troy.
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