Ricki Nace

Ricki Nace, 21, Helena MT, daughter of George and Susan Nace.

Ricki attended Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, majoring in Equine Science. She wvas a member of the NWC Rodeo Team and the Intercollegiate Horse fudging Team. Ricki was the secretary of the NWC rodeo club and the vice president of the NWC Horseman s club.

Ricki has received numerous year-end and high point awards in the Twin Tier Appaloosa Circuit, Keystone Appaloosa circuit and the Keystone Quarter Horse Association circuit.

Ricki has won many all around and year-end awards in the CPYRA and PHSRA. She has also competed in the 1993 National High School Rodeo Finals in goat tying and break- way roping held in Gillette, Wyoming.

Ricki is working full-time at AAA Montana. She spends her spare time giving riding lessons, training horses, and roping. Ricki's hobbies are basketball, volleyball, swimming, and softball. She also enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Ricki would like to continue her education in business so that one day she can successfully operate her own tack store and horse training business, following her family's footsteps.

Jamie Caverly

Jamie Caverly, Miss Northwest Montana Rodeo 1996 is the 19 year old daughter of Jim & Renee Caverly of Bigfork. Jamie is 5'3" tall with dark brown hair and blue-green eyes. She graduated from Bigfork High School in May of '96 and will be attending Flathead Valley Community College in the Spring of 1997 majoring in Elementary Education. Jamie will eventually transfer to MSU in Bozeman where she will continue her education. Site is currently working at Corral West Ranchwear in Kalispell.

Jamie has always had a strong love for horses and Rodeo. Site began her riding career at the tender age of three, competing in 0-Mok-Sees where she was the 1985 State champion for the 8 and under category. She has won numerous high point buckles and is actively involved in her local 4-Hclub, being a member for 10 years and a junior leader for the last five. She has excelled in Horse Judging as well as Horse Showing, and was also a member of her High School Rodeo Team for two years, competing in both barrel racing and pole bending. Her other interests include both water and snow skiing, softball, working with children, breaking, training and back country packing with horses. Jamie also worked for two seasons at the Flathead Lake Lodge as a wrangler.

Her life's goals are to become an elementary education teacher, enabling her to continue working with and influencing the growth and development of our young children. Living a stable life in Montana with a husband and family and always having horses and Rodeo will be a major part of her lifestyle.

Kristy Kirkpatrick

My name is Kristy Kirkpatrick, and I am Miss Dillon Jaycee 1996.1 live in Wisdom, Montana in the heart of the beautiful Big Hole Valley. I am a graduate of Beaverhead County High School in 1994. Currently, I am attending Western Montana College pursuing a degree in elementary education.

Having been raised in Wisdom, I have acquired many hobbies. Some of those hobbies include: breaking horses, skiing, helping the youth with their 4-H projects, working on our ranch, and of course, participating in the great sport of rodeo.

I have been a member of many rodeo associations, including the Little Britches Rodeo Association, and the Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.

The sport of rodeo has been a part of my family for many years. My grand father was a PRCA rodeo announcer for forty years. My uncle was also a PRCA rodeo announcer for ten years. My mother is a professional hat maker, and was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1992. My father, as well as my two brothers, have all been members of many rodeo associations. lam very proud to have a family that has kept western heritage alive. I, too, would like to do my part of keeping rodeo and the western way of life alive. Being Miss Rodeo Montana would give me the chance to promote rodeo and the values of western heritage. I am very proud to be a contestant for Miss Rodeo Montana, and I would like to wish everyone in the rodeo good luck!

Mariah Sinerius

Mariah Sinerius, Miss Last Chance Stampede 1996, is the daughter of Allen and Char Sinerius of Helena. She is 19 years old, 5' 5" tall, with light brown hair and brown eyes. She graduated from Capital High School and was a full time employee at The New Capital Motors. She is currently attending Montana State University in Bozeman, pursuing a degree in Physical Education.

Mariah was born and raised in the community of Helena. She started out in 4-H when she was nine years old, and was a member for seven years. Her events in 4-H were horse, sewing, dog, lamb, cooking and photography. Being involved in 4-H taught her the economics of life and responsibilities and care of animals. Size then turned her interests toward rodeo when she began high school. She was a member of the Helena Hig1i School Rodeo Team during high school. Her events included pole bending, barrel racing, goat tying, and breakaway roping.

Her hobbies include rodeo, trail rides, singing, hiking, hiking, traveling, swimming, reading, dancing, skiing, volunteering at church functions and community activities.

Her desire to help others has fueled her ambitions to become a P.E. Teacher. In the meantime, site will continue to attend college and do what she loves best: Rodeo.

A very special thanks to my Mom for the love, encouragement and very long hours. Thanks for teaching me the values of life, how to be the person I've become and for believing in me and my dreams. "If you don't believe in yourself, then who will?!"

Darcy Hardie

Darcy Hardie, Miss Last Chance Stampede 1995, is the 19 year old daughter of Bill and Sandy Hardie of Helena. She graduated from Capital High School with honors in 1995 and was named to the Dean's List in 1996 while attending Emmaus Bible College. Darcy was active in many activities, including rodeo team, choir and track in high school, and choir and basketball in college. When she returns to her schooling, she plans on an equine based major.

When she is not at work, Darcy enjoys singing, traveling, dancing, playing volleyball and basketball, and especially enjoys time with her "girls". Fancy and Sugar. She also enjoys teaching her niece, Alyssa, how to ride and take care of horses. Darcy frequently is seen participating in 0-mok-see during the summer riding for the Helena Valley Blues Saddle Club.

Darcy's goals for herself include finishing college, raising a family, owning her own equine business in breeding and training, and being a good role model for others.

Misty Brookman

HOW DO YOU BECOME A COWGIRL?

Miss Rodeo Red Lodge, Misty Brookman, 21, can tell you. She sets her boots in the footprints of her great-grandfather, Clyde Brookman, who homesteaded in Wolf Point, Montana and raised horses for the government. Then she followed the path made by her Uncle Marvin of the Brookman Rodeo Co., who has produced some of the finest PRCA bucking horses sold during the NFR Bucking Horse and Bull Safe field each year in Las Vegas at the National Finals. Helping along the way is Dad, Chris, a rancher and cattle buyer as well as a PRCA team roper. Of course, it doesn't hurt when Mom, Vicky, raises quarter horses and thoroughbreds. Once in a while even brother Justin, a NRA steer wrestler and team roper, has some advice for "little sister".

Misty has been active in 4-H, Junior and High School rodeos, and participated in AQUA Horse Shows. In 1989, she won the 4-H State Champion Showman title and competed in goat tying and team roping at the National High School Rodeo Invitational Finals held in Fallen, Nevada. Misty is a current cardholder in the National Barrel Horse Association and attends school at Eastern Wyoming College, studying Veterinary Technology. She also earned a music scholarship. Misty said this could qualify her as a "singing" cowgirl.

At college Misty serves on the Activities Board, Dorm Council, and is a member of the Vet Tech Club. After graduation. Misty plans to become a pharmaceutical representative for animal health and continue in the National Barrel Horse Association.

As Miss Rodeo Red Lodge, Misty invites you to come and enjoy the western hospitality while attending the "Home of Champions Rodeo" held each 4th of July.

Since the beginning of my quest, there have been so many helping hands, warm smiles, and reassuring hugs. Here is a special thanks to just a few who have helped me. I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Farra Howard

Farra Howard is the 1995-1996 Miles City Bucking Horse Sale Queen. She is the 20 year old daughter of Patti Davis and Bob Howard. Farra is currently living in Billings with her step-father, Tom Davis and attending Montana State University-Billings. Farra is course of study includes psychology, sociology, Native American studies, and French. She truly loves the French language and is in her third year of studies. She is aiming for a career in Human Resources, where her skills learned throughout her years of queen competitions will be put to great use!

Farra has been active in the great sport of rodeo for four years, and has competed at the National High School Finals in two consecutive years. Cutting is her forte, and she says that she will always be hooked on it! Farra's other interests are water skiing, writing, listening to music, and reading.

Farra believes that we all have something to learn from one another, and the easiest way to learn is to ask questions. All people have stories that they would love to tell, and you just have to find the question and have the desire to unlock the door.

Kelli Pendleton-Baker

Kelli Pendleton-Baker is the daughter of Mearl and Jeanie Baker of Livingston and Don Pendleton of California. She is 22 years old and has brown hair and blue eyes. She graduated from Bozeman Senior High School. Kelli is currently working as an optician in the family business and has been training under her father since the age of thirteen. Kelli thoroughly enjoys the career she has chosen and enjoys working with the public.

Kelli's interests and hobbies include participating in rodeo and promoting the sport, horseback riding, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, water skiing, and just trying not to forget to keep the kid in her alive. She is a member of the Livingston Roundup Association and the American Paint Horse Association.

Kelli's future plans are to further her optical education and to provide optical services to convalescent centers in her area. She would also like to work with the Reach program and Special Olympics in the area of rodeo. Team roping is also in her future plans.

Kelli Pendleton-Baker would like to be Miss Rodeo Montana so that she could have the opportunity to promote the great sport of rodeo throughout the state, and share with people what rodeo does for the athletes, the dreams that it has given children, and the memories it has given to the old timer. She would also like to have the opportunity to show people just what Montana means to her and why it is the last best place.