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The Road to the NFR/JNFR

Nate Jestes with local Woodward kid after Calf Scramble
at the Woodward Elks Rodeo in Woodward, OK. Photo by
Annie Jo Gilbert of Roan Pony Productions.

It is hard to fathom who covers more “My goal from the very beginning was to
ground on their way to Las Vegas, queens or make the most of those 365 days,” Spears
contestants? Regardless, each comes with said. “Through that, I have been able to
its own set of challenges and preparation witness to people who I would have never
requirements. come into contact with otherwise, I have
marketed myself for my future career and
“The hardest part about the road to the even been able to inspire people along the
NFR is the preparation. All the work for a way. So truly the best part and my favorite
championship title or for the Miss Rodeo about the road is all the people who were
America crown is done before you get to on my ride to the 2018 NFR.”
Vegas,” Spears explained.
THE ROAD TO WORLD CHAMPION
An integral part to soaking up the 365 Traversing the road to the NFR a total of
days representing the state of Oklahoma is six times is bull dogger Matt Reeves. No
Spears’ support system: friends, family, and two trips are the same, though the point at
fellow queens. In 2018 Spears dedicated her which Reeves knows his fate for December
days to rodeo, from studying and working is the biggest change each year.
on her horsemanship, to giving impromptu
speeches at the drop of a hat. Representing “My very first year, 2007, I made the cut for
the sport of rodeo, much like the road to the the finals at the very last rodeo of the year,”
NFR, takes an insurmountable amount of Reeves said with a laugh. “It was wild, we
dedication and sweat equity. had gone all year working hard. I went to
Dallas for the Texas Stampede and knew I
“I worked for the chance to compete for had to win a round to make it to the finals.”
Miss Rodeo America my entire life so my
family was invested, I was invested, everyone The first steer wrestler out of the gate
behind me was invested,” Spears said. “And on the first night, Reeves sealed the deal
I know that is what helps everything work by winning the round. The $11,000 he
out on the road to the NFR. I was incredibly pocketed in Dallas moved him from 17th to
blessed to be living my dream.” 14th and eliminated the chance for anyone
to knock him out of the NFR. Getting a
Heavily sprinkled along this road are not paycheck around the amount of $10,000
only unique experiences, but people who is an essential component of making the Benny Beutler walking chutes waiting for the rodeo to start
at the Woodward Elks Rodeo in Woodward, OK. Photo by
make the job worthwhile for Spears and her finals, Reeves said. ª Annie Jo Gilbert of Roan Pony Productions.
fellow state queens.
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