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Messages from October 2010

posted 10.25.10

Ahhh!  The day I've been looking forward to for the past month.  Falls rodeos are complete (except for Wheeler), the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Finals are behind us and things slow down dramatically where I can finally catch up on the little things that get put aside because there just wasn't enough time to get everything done.

 

The junior high members wrapped up their fall season yesterday.  Results have been posted and checks will be mailed Tuesday morning.  Even though having two rodeos in one day has been working for us, it sure was nice to split them up.  This allowed time for the members to have a scavenger hunt on Saturday night before loading up and going to the haunted house.  As much as I like scary movies, I just don't think I'm tough enough for 3-D horrors.  It is fun to hear the stories the next day.  Thank you to the Vernon Rodeo Club for being our hosts and to the parents who organized the supper and scavenger hunt.  It was a great weekend!

 

We had the first two Yard Bird Bingo games at Vernon.  Here are the lucky ticket numbers:

 

        Game 1 – Saturday October 23^rd

• 1st place - $500 - #148, Roy Hendley, Lubbock

• 2nd place - $300 - #257, Karla Moore, Clovis

• 3rd place - $200 - $288, unsold

        Game 2 – Sunday October 24^th

• 1st place - $500 - #459, unsold

• 2nd place - $300 - #61, Nancy Seliger, Amarillo

• 3rd place - $200 - #282, Kari Pryor, Olustee

Thank you to Kim Graf for providing the chickens and Phillip for chasing down the one that escaped on Sunday. :)

 

The Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association Finals finished much better than it started.  I don't know if it was because of my e-mails begging for help or just word of mouth from those who worked, but each day got better in the volunteer department.  It was hard work but it sounded like everyone enjoyed themselves.  Sometimes it is good to get together away from a rodeo.  This was an activity that the whole family could participate in - and we had several who did.  It also provided the opportunity to get to know members and their families that may be in different events or rotations at the rodeos.  We earned $3000 plus the CMSA Board added a $500 bonus on top of that.  They were just as nervous as we were on Wednesday morning, but in the end, they were very pleased.  They are used to having only kids set the balloons so seeing so many adults show up was a little disconcerting for them.  I am proud to say that the adults held their own in the running department!  Thanks to everyone who participated.  You all were awesome and I appreciate your help.

 

We also had our first High School Rodeo Round-up in Tulia last Tuesday.  The second one in Dalhart was cancelled due to rain on Thursday.  I heard we had the best attendance by members than any other region.  Thank you to everyone who was able to attend.  Our share of the donations came to $900.  Hopefully we will have a little more input on the dates when Dalhart is rescheduled.  If you live near an auction barn that you think would be interested in having one of these events, have them contact Jamie Erickson at 979-255-4523.  There is no cost to the auction barn and Region 1 receives one half of the donations received from the dinner guests.

 

There was a lot going on last week which is why it feels like I have cleared a huge hurdle by surviving it.  The next big thing we've got is the November 15th deadline for all of your fundraising items.  It is just 3 weeks away.  Don't let it slip up on you.  There is no need to pay late fines when you've had two months to get everything turned in.  There are several missing report cards.  I should have one from everyone at this point.  Any high school members who have not turned in a report card will not be entered in the Wheeler rodeo.

e-mailed 10.21.10

Two days down, two to go.  Thank you to everyone who came to Amarillo today to help with the mounted shooting.  You all did a great job!  I know first hand how sore some of you will be tomorrow - if you aren't already.  I'm hoping that I can move a little easier tomorrow since I will be back on the running team.  If they keep the same pattern tomorrow, I already have my balloon picked out.  I am well aware of my limits. :)

 

Saturday is starting to shape up pretty well.  We are right below the minimum needed for Friday.  Five or six more volunteers would make a world of difference.  We will start at 8am in the main arena and 8:30 in the Bill Cody.  It is the same number of runs as today so we should finish up around 3:30 or 4pm.  The short go starts at 6:30pm and is only 40 runs - 10 per category.  They will be changing patterns for each group so it will probably take until 8pm to get through them all. 

 

Saturday is back to one arena and the same number of runs.  There is another showcase event that will start at 6pm and I think it will have around 60 runs.  It is different from the other categories we have had this week so I don't know how many pattern changes there will be but I wouldn't think it would last more than two hours.

 

I don't know if I will post tomorrow night so thank you to everyone who helped this week.  Some stayed longer than they planned and others who left early actually returned later in the day.  I especially want to thank the ones who were able to come 2 or 3 days.  You are all awesome!  Richard Felts will be handling the settlement on Saturday night while I am in Vernon with the junior high members.  I will let you know our earnings early next week.

 

For those of you who had made plans to attend the round up in Dalhart tonight, I apologize for the poor communication about the cancellation.  Some were almost to Dalhart before we found out.  I hope the "phone tree" was able to reach everyone before you went too far out of your way.  I will let you know if/when this will be rescheduled.

e-mailed 10.20.10

We survived the first day of the mounted shooting finals.  Some tips for those of you coming on the other days:  Shorts are allowed.  It will be pretty cool when you first get there in the morning but inside it is warm and the afternoon really warmed up.  If you have one of the neck ties that you freeze, I would bring it in case you get too hot. 

 

We are in fairly good shape for volunteers on Thursday but could use a few more late in the day.  There were 80 runs that got postponed to tomorrow because we were running behind and there was a banquet on the schedule for tonight.  A call would be nice if you are coming and didn't sign up but it isn't necessary.  You can just show up.  You have no idea how helpful it is to have fresh legs even if it is only for a couple of hours.

 

We desperately need more help on Friday and Saturday.  We only have half the number that is recommended.  If we don't get more help, the volunteers that have signed up won't survive the day and it isn't fair to them or to the ones who are working every day to have so many members not help at all.  Today we had several helping who have no kids in the association, a friend of a member and two strangers who volunteered from the stands.  This isn't hard unless there isn't enough help.  We actually had a pretty good time this morning because we were fully staffed and it was easy for everyone.  I don't mind begging.  Please help!

 

I don't mean to sound rude, but if you are too busy to help, don't e-mail me to tell me just how busy you are.  We are all busy.  I only want to hear from the ones who have a few spare hours to help raise big bucks for Tri-State.  Thank you! 

e-mailed 10.19.10

CMSA FINALS INFORMATION

If you signed up for the first shift, please be there by 7:30am.  Since we will have new people each day, this will allow time to train everyone before we start at 8am.  If you are arriving after the event starts, please wait until the action in the arena has stopped before coming to the balloon station.  You can call me at 806-655-9910 to let me know you are waiting to come in and I can let the official know to wait on the next run.

 

Dress comfortably.  I expect it to get a little humid on the arena floor.  T-shirts need to be nice looking.  A rodeo shirt or one from your school will be good.  Caps will be fine.  Tennis shoes are highly recommended.  Don't wear boots unless that is all you have. 

 

I will have ice chests with water and soft drinks.  I'm not a sports drink person, so if you want any of those, you will need to bring your own to put in the cooler.  We will most likely order pizza for lunch since it can be delivered.  Feel free to bring a snack.  I bought some mini candy bars for a quick energy burst and there is plenty of gum.  This isn't going to be a party where we are just sitting around and snacking all day.  It is fast-paced work.

 

I'm disappointed with the lack of volunteers this week.  I know everyone is busy.  The ones who signed up are busy, too and they are making the effort to at least come for a few hours - if not the entire day.  Take a look at this chart.  There are about 5 or 6 volunteers from the Canyon/Amarillo area.  Everyone else is driving at least an hour to come help out.  If the ones who live close could even come for a couple of hours, it will help a lot.  We don't have enough help for Friday or Saturday yet and I wouldn't mind having a couple more for tomorrow.  Thursday is the only day that appears to have enough help.

You don't have to be a member of Tri-State to work this event.  As you can see, it is more parents than members signed up right now.  Bring a friend with you.  The more we have working, the easier it is for everyone.  It is not hard work.  It is just monotonous.  More people will help break up the monotony.  Please do what you can to help out.  All of the money raised this week will be going back to the members in some form whether it is more prizes or added money at the finals or maybe higher quality awards.  It all starts here.

 

You can park in the main parking lot on the south side of the coliseum and come in any door.  One balloon station is in the west tunnel on the south side and the other is along the north wall inside the arena.  Everyone arriving for the first shift can meet at the east end of the building where the horses enter.

I bought some ear plugs but if you prefer to use your own, please bring them with you.

posted 10.19.10

I forgot to post the 50/50 number from Sunday's drawing.  It is a red ticket #264105.  The winner has until the start of the afternoon performance at Wheeler to claim their prize.

 

I am on my way to meet the CMSA people for some balloon training.  I will e-mail notes later.  For those of you attending the event Tulia tonight, thank you and I hope you have a good time.

posted 10.18.10

There is a lot going on this week so I am going to have to do some things out of order to try to keep up.  First of all, thank you to the Dalhart Club for a wonderful weekend.  We have been so fortunate with the weather this semester and that just seems to make the rodeos so much more enjoyable.  The Dalhart Club made some changes on the barrel pattern and how the girls entered the arena that was a huge success.  A few contestants and one hard-working club sponsor suffered some injuries.  Hopefully your prayers will keep them on the path to a full and speedy recovery.  Thanks again Dalhart.  We appreciate the extra work you did to host our double rodeo.

 

I had to order a part for my printer on Friday that I hope arrives today, especially since I paid for overnight shipping.  While I am waiting for it to get here, I will finish up the Dalhart results and get ready for printing checks but they most likely won't get mailed until tomorrow.  I will probably post the Vernon junior high callbacks early in case I run out of time tomorrow.  If anything comes in late, I will make the adjustments.

 

The High School Rodeo Roundup stops in Tulia tomorrow night and Dalhart on Thursday.  Thank you to everyone who is making plans to attend one or both of them.  I apologize for not being able to answer all of your questions about this event.  This is a new program this year.  All I know is what is on the HS Region 1 News page which is the same information that has been posted at the rodeos.  It has been pretty successful in the other regions and I expect very good things (big donations) from our two events.

 

I'm nervous about the Cowboy Mounted Shooting World Finals.  Thank you to everyone who signed up to help over the weekend but we still need more.  Even if you can only come for a few hours, please come help.  We have some members driving 2-3 hours to work.  If you are in the immediate area, please check your schedule to see if you have a few hours to spare this week.  There are some video clips on the home page of the CMSA website that may give you an idea of what will be going on each day.  That address is http://www.cmsaevents.com/index.cfm.  This competition is not judged.  It is a speed event.  You will see some amazing horses and riders and maybe make some good contacts with sponsors in the horse industry.  I will be going to Amarillo today or tomorrow to get a balloon training session.  I will send an e-mail to everyone who has signed up to let you know more information and where to meet.  Thanks again to everyone who is coming to help.  I think you will enjoy it.

e-mailed 10.13.10

I haven’t been getting bombarded with volunteers for our fundraisers next week.  I’ve noticed that most of you are not the type to volunteer without encouragement, but when specifically asked, you usually help where needed.  So this is me asking you for your help.  We have a busy week next week with the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association World Finals and two High School Rodeo Round-ups.  I need you to confirm if/when you can attend so that I know if we have enough help each day.  I really hope each of you can participate – even if it is only for a few hours.  You have no idea the contacts you may make at these events and how they may help you later in your rodeo career or life in general.  Don’t think of this as just another fundraiser you have to do.  Think of it as an opportunity to open doors for your future. 

 

This is what we’ve got going on next week:

 

High School Rodeo Round-up – total proceeds split between THSRA and Region 1

 

Tuesday @ 6:30pm at Tulia Livestock Auction

 

Thursday @ 6:30pm at Dalhart’s Cattleman’s Livestock Commission

 

Dress code (minus back numbers) is required.  Details of what this event is and what you will be expected to do are posted at the rodeo and on the website on the HS Region 1 News page.  It comes with a free steak dinner.

 

We don’t need everyone to attend both nights, but you are more than welcome to if you’ve got the time.  I think it will be easier to rely on the members that live closer to Tulia to attend on Tuesday and the ones closer to Dalhart to attend on Thursday.  But the more, the merrier.

 

Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association World Finals – total proceeds go to Tri-State

 

Amarillo National Center – Wednesday through Saturday

Dress code is comfortable but presentable.  You will be representing Tri-State.  I suggest comfy shoes (lots of running,) jeans and t-shirt (rodeo shirt or one from your school will be good.)  Caps should be acceptable.  I will have a cooler with drinks and probably some snacks.  There is a good chance Tri-State will also buy you lunch.  I’ll confirm that this weekend.

 

Arrive by 7:30am so you will be ready to go when they start at 8:00am.  We will be replacing the balloons the contestants shoot.  The more volunteers we get to help with this, the more fun it will be for everyone.  This is during the school day.  I cannot get you an excused absence to come to Amarillo, but if you are able to miss a half day of school and not get into too much trouble with your teachers, we would love to have you.  This is not limited to just the members either – adults can help and that may be who ends up doing most of the work.

 

I’m told Friday and Saturday night are the most exciting to watch.  Friday is a showcase of the top contestants from each category and Saturday is the World Double Down Finals.  Here is a link to their website with a schedule of events for the week:  http://www.cmsaevents.com/registration.cfm?registrationdetail=1519

 

I will be going to Amarillo Tuesday afternoon to get a training lesson on what we will be doing.  Let me know if you want to meet me there.  I really think this is going to be fun and you will be surprised at some of the people you will see competing and representing the sponsors.  Check out their website.  This sport is growing in popularity and they have some major sponsorships with companies you will be familiar with.  I invite you to come be a part of it.

 

Please respond to this e-mail, call me or visit with me this weekend if you are able to come to any of these fundraisers.

 

Thanks!

posted 10.11.10

Once I realized that I couldn't mail checks or make any deposits today, I eased back on my work and decided to take it a little slower - starting with turning off the alarm clock.  I'm not sure if you would call doing laundry and other chores 'taking it easy' but it is nice to catch up on some of that stuff every once in a while.

Don't worry.  I will get all of the weekend's results figured today so that high school and junior high checks can be mailed tomorrow.

I don't know what to say about our rodeos at Wellington and Pampa.  If anyone complained, then they are just too hard to please.  The only negative I saw was the wind getting up a little bit too strong on Sunday but overall, we had great weather all weekend and it looks like it will last through our double high school rodeo in Dalhart this next weekend.

The Canadian Club put on a really nice rodeo in Wellington on Saturday.  I'm sure they were pleased with the improvements over last year when a winter storm created several obstacles to overcome.  Many thanks to you for not throwing in the towel and doing whatever was necessary to host a successful - and much more fun - rodeo this year.

50/50 Update:  Saturday's ticket was not claimed at the rodeo.  If you have a red ticket #263610, then you have until the start of the afternoon performance at Dalhart on Saturday to claim your prize.  Otherwise, it will be added to that day's drawing.

Sunday was my second visit to Pampa this semester when they hosted our junior high division.  We started with a beautiful sunrise and ended with a peaceful fall evening.  (There is no need to remember the West Texas wind that joined us in the middle of the day.)  It was a really good day for me and I hope everyone else enjoyed it just as much.  Thank you Pampa Club members for providing all of the behind the scenes work to give our junior high members a chance to  showcase their rodeo skills.

Have a great week,

posted 10.8.10

I received a copy of a letter from the National High School Rodeo Association headquarters this morning that I want to share with you.  Click here to view it.  I am slow to accept to change so I am a little nervous about this but I am sure everything will be just fine when Kent's replacement gets settled in.  I had the pleasure of introducing some of you to Kent last summer at Abilene when he served as a judge for our Queen's contest.  I don't know the reasons behind his departure, but he will be missed.

Last Friday, several of our Lubbock area members participated in a THSRA sponsor event at Whataburger.  I think they all had a good time and they sent me some photos that I thought I would post here for everyone to enjoy.  Thank you Kimberly, Charlsi, Bradley, Wesley and Levi for representing Region 1 and THSRA.

         

    

Click on the photos to enlarge.

posted 10.6.10

All of the point standings have been updated - including the junior high.  Keep in mind that I will audit all of the points once the rodeos are done for the semester.  The Region 1 charts will be off a little from what you will see on the state websites.  The software I use is awarding average points to contestants that aren't eligible and I haven't had time to adjust it, but it is on my to-do list.

Please plan for a group photo this weekend - high school at Wellington and junior high at Pampa.  We need to get these done this semester because I have deadlines in the spring to send a copy to the state offices and we start too late to wait until then.  If it doesn't work out to get them this weekend, then we still have Dalhart for the high school members and Vernon for the junior high.

I am pleased to know that some of you are reading the website because I've had several e-mails this week regarding not receiving the Extreme Team News.  It takes a few months to get it started.  I send your information to the state office, from there it goes to the marketing department who then sends it to the publisher.  If you joined during the "membership drive" in August/early September, then you should start receiving your newspaper by the November issue.  Regardless of when you start receiving it, you will have a full year's subscription. 

The 50/50 ticket has been claimed verbally.  We'll have to wait until Saturday to make sure the numbers match.

posted 10.5.10

Results are posted.  High school checks were mailed yesterday and junior high checks will be this afternoon.  Once I get callbacks posted, I will get to work on the point standings.

Thank you to the Gruver club members for hosting two pretty good days of rodeo for us.  I know they have no control over the weather but they get all of the complaints when it is bad so I hope they got some compliments and thank yous for the decent weather this year.  Good weather in Gruver doesn't come around very often so I hope everyone appreciated it. 

There were some recent improvements made at the arena that I really enjoyed.  The old announcer's stand (tower) was replaced with a new one that is much easier and more pleasant to work in.  I'll admit that I got a little nervous when it got too crowded, though, because I had been warned about weak spots in the floor.  I didn't mean to be rude if I ran you out of there or stopped you from coming in.  I was just concerned about everyone's safety - especially mine!

Overall it was a pretty good weekend - even with the dreadful 8am start time on Sunday.  Thanks again to the Gruver club for their hospitality and to everyone who helped pack up the banners, box pads, etc. for me on Sunday afternoon.

Saturday's 50/50 ticket went unclaimed.  If you are holding a blue ticket with number 503730 on it, you have until the start of the PM performance this Saturday to claim your share of the prize.  If not, everything rolls into the new drawing. 

1st six weeks report cards are due.  You can hand it in at the rodeo this weekend, mail it in to the office or fax it to me.  Just get it turned in if you want to compete at Dalhart next week.

I received confirmation on the High School Rodeo Roundup events over the weekend.  Details of what this fundraiser is can be found on the HS Region 1 news page.  We have two events scheduled for now:

Tuesday October 19th @ 6:30pm

Tulia Livestock Auction

 

Thursday October 21st @ 6:30pm

Cattlemen's Livestock Commission in Dalhart

Any Region1 member is invited to attend and help with these but I will be asking members who live in the area to take the lead and confirm their attendance.

Both of these events fall the same week as the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Finals in Amarillo.  I will be filling in the work schedule this week and confirming with members.  This is going to take a lot of man power but the more people we have working it, the easier it will be.  This has the potential to be a huge annual fundraiser for Tri-State and I don't want it dependent on just a handful of members or parents doing all of the work.  Be on the lookout for e-mails with more details.

Jace Lane broke a finger on Sunday while working the junior high rodeos.  Please keep him in your prayers for a speedy recovery and look for him to come back strong in the spring semester.