Page 41 - 2019_NFR_RodeoLife_V4_complete (1)

y husband, David, and I are both currently serving in the United States Air Force
and are active members of the Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association
M(PAFRA), serving as Event Directors and competitors. After my most recent tour
at the Pentagon and his yearlong assignment in the Middle East, we found ourselves with
very little time to train horses and work towards our rodeo goals. We are now stationed in
Cheyenne, Wyoming, which for most is not the dream location for active duty members,
however, it was number one on our list to allow us more time with our horses. As excited
as we were to be able to rodeo and have more "horse time," never did we think this move
would be so life-altering through our involvement in our PAFRA family.

In 2016, a close friend introduced us to the Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association,
and we have continued to engage, compete and serve our brothers and sisters in arms as
well as our local community. This year, we stepped up and became the Event Directors for
Breakaway Roping, Chute Dogging, and Steer Wrestling.

The Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association Task & Purpose is pretty simple: “The
mission of PAFRA is to provide a Veterans based, values-oriented Rodeo Association that
empowers its members to Serve their Communities through Servant Leadership and Rodeo.”

The traditions of Servant Leadership are deeply ingrained in each of us as veterans, active
duty, and their family members across the Department of Defense. The focus of this
leadership is simple: to Serve. The goal is to empower our members to make the selfless
choice of service in avenues in their lives that provide reason and pride. Not only does this
type of leadership inspire true caring, but it helps individuals to grow through the events or
activities they elect to support. Spending time in your community is rewarding, but when
you can dedicate yourself to something you love, the devotion you have shines through in
your actions. It isn’t just community service for us – it’s a way of life.

We encourage servant leadership in the communities in which we live as well as at our
World Championship Rodeo (WCR) location in the Domer Arena, located inside the Stormont
Vail Events Complex in Topeka, Kansas. They have been such amazing hosts for our armed
forces finals for the past three years. We focused three days around our community
outreach opportunities this year. We were excited to offer five community events to the
local area and extend a warm welcome to our veterans and Gold Star families as VIP guests
at our rodeo performances. The term "Gold Star" describes a family member who has lost a
loved one in military service. They have made the ultimate sacrifice, and we value the ª

Eva Scofield, retired Navy and longtime PAFRA member and official pho-
tographer. This was our flag’s debut entrance at Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Photo by Tanya Hamner

Jenniffer Teets’s Horse Gunner. Photo by Stormont Vail Health Media Relations Rodeo LIFE 41