Mane Event - April 21 & 23, 2017

To walk in a building and be greeted by booths upon booths of tack, leather, trailers and clothing would be like walking into a cowgirl’s dream. That is how I would describe the Mane event, a place where horse people from every place and discipline can gather to watch trainers and clinicians from around the world, find anything, tack or clothing for you and your horse or the best part, learning about each others’ worlds. 

 I come from an English and Western background, two different, yet similar styles of riding, a lot of my riding and knowledge comes from an organization called Canadian Pony Club which I have been a member of for 16 years. I was so proud to see the banner hanging in a booth, representing a youths way of getting involved in the horse world!

 One of the best stops of the day was at Kactus Design where I got to pick up our beautiful golden jackets sponsored by Julie and Airdrie Auto Body. They are long time sponsors of the Airdrie Rodeo Royalty so getting to wear these jackets, same as the previous royalty before us made it that more special as I put it on. 

I spent most the day at our amazing sponsor The Hat Doctors booth, were I got to promote our beautiful black cherry hats. Carol and Greg were hard at work fixing, cleaning and stretching hats of all shapes and sizes. I was fortunate to hear the tale of a young lady looking to get her days old cowboy hat reshaped to her size so she could wear it before he passed away. There was tears in all our eyes as Carol passed the hat over and it fit beautifully on Shawna’s’ head. It was a pleasure to talk to everyone who stopped in and told me tales of their hats, I can only imagine the secrets a hat could tell! 

I finished the day off by touring around the last half of the market with my princess in training, Jasmine, where I met a wonderful lady, Tally McLauren from Wild Rags who sponsored me my first ever Wild Rag.  It is an beautiful scarf and I will wear it with pride!

As the days count down to our Celebration of  50 years of Rodeo, events like these make me so thankful for the opportunities that are presented with the Miss Rodeo Airdrie title. I am so proud of community and lifestyle I was raised in and the welcoming atmosphere of events like these. Thank you to all our sponsor who have made this year possible, without generous and supporting business our year would not have been possible! 

I look forwards to the adventures in the remaining few months,

Emily Marston

Miss Rodeo Airdrie 2016

2017 Signed Sponsor - CovyMoore.com

In the past few months, gearing up, planning and preparing for the 2017 Miss Rodeo Airdrie, I have done a lot of reminiscing.  I am amazed at the growth and change, not only in the Airdrie Pageant but in all of the programs for the Rodeo world in Canada.

I am so very thankful to every contestant, business sponsor, personal sponsor, judge & volunteer who has also contributed to making this puzzle whole year after year.  10 years have flown buy.

We have just signed another return sponsor for 2017.
     CovyMoore.com Photography & Covy & Rebecca Moore

When preparing our contract I asked Covy to go through the last 6 years that we have worked together and pick out some of his favorite shots to showcase this amazing talent that we have the fortune to work with.  Out of the thousands of photos here is what he came back with:

Covy & Rebecca are also going on their 2nd year with us  as our Pageant Category Sponsors
They include:
       Miss Congeniality
       Knowlege
       Horsemanship
       Modeling
       Public Speaking
**Photos of prizes to be showcased at a later date.

I thank you both for you continued support towards the Airdrie Pro Rodeo Royalty program.  I wish I had a journal of all the memories from the shoot with Rebecca as a contestant & Princess to now as one of our valued Alumni Members.

Stay tuned for more sponsors as they come on in our 2017 MRA Pageant.

Leanne Grenier
Airdrie Pro Rodeo Pageant - Director

Ride of the Mustangs 2017

Words could not describe how excited Katie and were to walk through the doors of our old high school, let alone during the time that us “Mustangs” are most proud of. 

Our annual Bike a Thon is a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital where teams of 8 set up camp in the gym and bike non-stop for 48 hours. 

Now this may seem like a crazy idea, and it is, but over the past 6 year over $700,000 has been raised for the hospital.  This year, many teachers and students shaved their heads to support children and adults going through chemo, showing support for those who have lots their hair and letting them know that they are not alone.  

 I was fortunate to be part of 4 Bike-a-Thons as it started when I was in grade 9, I volunteered on the committee and every year I defiantly pulled a few “all nighters”. Walking into that gym at 6 in the morning and seeing all the teams lined up, students helping one another and teachers pedaling away made me so proud to have been part of this school and part of Bike-a-Thon. 

Of course, none of this would be possible without the teachers and staff.  They are a tremendous support and always participate and encourage their students. Katie and I would not be where we are today without their support, and I am so glad to see other young adults fortunate enough to have them as teachers as well. George McDougall, we are so proud of you! Once a Mustang, always a Mustang! 

Emily Marston

2016 Miss Rodeo Airdrie

Sundre Fish and Hunting Banquet - April 8/17

Being crowned a Rodeo Queen opens a door to another world, more so another family. 

Martin Holtkamp (2016 Miss Rodeo Sundre) was crowned only a few days before Katie and I, and of course we travel around together but we haven't yet visited her home town of Sundre. 

The evening of Saturday April 8^th, Katie and I took a trip to go visit her at the Sundre Fish and Hunting Banquet.  We were greeted by Arleta Thiessen ( Bohay) previous Miss Rodeo Sundre and Previous Miss Rodeo Canada and the two contestants vying for the 2017 Miss Rodeo Sundre title this year.  We were fortunate to hang out with & get to know through out the night. 

When we walked through the doors to the community center, we were taken back by all the decoration around the room, all hunting photos and trophy’s from people around the community. 

Around the edges were silent auction items, everything from guns, bows, camping gear and fishing rods, everything one could need to be outdoors!  Katie, Martina, and myself were given our roles for the evening, and I was lucky enough to sell tickets on the 'wheelbarrow of liquor'. It is exactly what you think, a red wagon filled to the brim with all sorts of liquor, and of course it was a huge hit!! 

We were spoiled for dinner, roast beef with carrots and mashed potato’s with cookies and cake for desert, it was a feast for a king! Or in the case, queens! 

Awards were presented to the best shots for different ages, genders and what they were hunting. It was fantastic to see such a supporting group of people all cheering and congratulating one another.  As the night continued, we got to know the town of Sundre a little bit better, it is filled with kind and caring people, that welcome you in with a warm family feeling. 

Katie and I were lucky to be in such great company for those few hours and we cannot wait to go back for our next visit! 

Emily Marston

2016 Miss Rodeo Airdrie