Page 8 - 2019_NFR_RodeoLife_V4_complete (1)

The Road to the NFR/JNFR

The road to the NFR is paved with dreams, both
fulfilled and broken. Though it is traversed by
many, few are declared world champions at the
end. Most will agree, the destination is not the
sweetest part. It’s the journey down the road
that remains with them for a lifetime.

The well-worn road leading to the Thomas and
Mack tells the tale of more than just the top
fifteen competitors in eight rodeo events. Of
the more than 150,000 people in Las Vegas last
December, only 135 wore a back number. The
unsung troubadours of the National Finals Rodeo
come in the form of rodeo queens, pickup men,
stock contractors, rodeo personnel, fans young
and old, bull fighters, arena crew, chute and gate
men, and rodeo announcers.

THE ROAD TO MISS RODEO AMERICA
At just six years old, the road to the NFR started
for Taylor Spears, Miss Rodeo Oklahoma 2018.
A record breaker in her state, she has dreamt
of taking a hot lap around the Thomas and
Mack since she won her first title as Miss Rodeo
Oklahoma Sweetheart.

“The most unique part about my road is that
I have worked for this my entire life, literally,”
Spears said. “Last December was the moment,
the final draw, it was my one shot. Preparing for
that was mentally challenging because I have just
lived out last year to the fullest, it was the year I
had been working towards my entire life.”
Miss Rodeo America hopefuls from across the
nation have been dreaming of Black Hills Gold
their entire lives also. The fierce competition
kicks off for each young lady the second her state
crown is placed on her hat.

During the eight days of appearances, speeches,
fashion shows, written exams, interviews and
horsemanship patterns, the contestants are put
through their paces.

Spears pulled up just short of the title, but
finishing in second place was still more than she
could have dreamed of.

Three-hundred and sixty-five days are devoted
to Oklahoma and the sport of rodeo, with the
ultimate goal of representing the entire nation
in the back of each lady’s mind. Each travels
thousands of miles, visiting each corner of the
Taylor Spears, MRO 2018, with the American Flag surrounded by the Slash
O Longhorns out of Woodward, OK at the Woodward Elks Rodeo in Wood- U.S. for rodeos big and small.
8 Rodeo LIFE ward, OK. Photo by Annie Jo Gilbert of Roan Pony Productions.