I think it is safe to say that my year as Miss Rodeo Missouri 2018 certainly flew by…

There are so many people I would like to thank, but I would first like to start with my family. This year truly has been one of the best years of my life and having you all by my side and cheering me on is just one of many gifts you have provided me. Thank you to my mother, Suzanne, my Facebook-less father, Todd, and brother, Curtis Bauer, for your never-ending love, patience, and time. Thank you to my sweet grandmother, Patricia Long, for your rad last minute sewing skills and to my extended family for your kind words and support all year long.

I would like to thank my friends who have stuck by my side through my many absences and busyness. Your encouraging texts, phone calls, and posts mean so much to me. Thank you for always checking in and having my back! Thank you to those who loaned me clothes (Rachael Rose, Heather Morrison, Melissa McGill), helped me study (Kolin Kramer and Allie Brooke Dunkin), created my scrapbook (Annelise Walker and Emma Smith), and helped me pack (Dani Williams and Lorryn Bolte) to make sure I was ready for my trip. A special thank you to, Debra Ann of Queens In Jeans and the QIJ Boutique, Becci Maloney of Bridle to Bridal Designs, Shannon Jones of Red Dirt Leather Works, Brooke Lange of Blue Ridge Rags, and Kendra Leigh Dickson of Rodeo For A Reason for ensuring I would shine under those bright Vegas lights!

I most certainly would not have made it throughout this crazy beautiful year without Miss Teen Rodeo Missouri 2018 – Danielle Williams and “Momma D” (Dianne Williams). Your future is SO bright young woman and I am proud to call you not only my teen queen, but also my friend. Have fun in Texas you crazy cactus loving fiend!

Thank you to the many rodeo committees, rodeo competitors, and state rodeo queens who have made such a positive impact on my life in such a short time. Each of you are truly unique and talented in your own ways and I wish you the absolute best in your future endeavors. I would also like to wish a huge congratulations to your new Miss Rodeo America, Taylor McNair. Best of luck to you this year sweet girl!

To the Miss Rodeo Missouri Pageant Association Board of Directors (Kim Mustin, Amy Davidson, Jo Gadberry, Ashleigh Woolmaker, McKenna Wilmes, Connie Willer, and Lorryn Bolte), thank you for your time, commitment, and promise to continue expanding and bettering our organization for years to come. Your advice and kind words have been the stepping-stones of my year. To Kaitlyn Ayers and Aubrey Sullivan, your 2019 Miss Rodeo Missouri and 2019 Miss Teen Rodeo Missouri, hang on girls, because this year will be the fastest and most fun ride of your lives!

Thank you to my Central Bank family (Kelly Walther-Trigg and Mary Linda Wetherell) for allowing me to gallivant across the nation, while still having a reliable full time job at home. Thank you for attending one of my rodeos, cheering me on, and allowing me to convert much of my rodeo wardrobe into “bank appropriate attire.”:)

Thank you to Tara Borgmeyer of Arrowhead Creek Stables, LLC for tearing apart and then putting back together my horsemanship. There are MANY lessons learned in the barn, and I am so grateful for your time, knowledge, and willingness to help me be prepared for anything. I will always remember to “BUTTERFLY!!!!!!!”

Thank you to William Woods University, William Woods University Equestrian Studies, and Alpha Phi William Woods University Sorority sisters for cheering me on every step of the way. Your kindness, encouraging words, and patience in my journey are so appreciated. A special thank you to Dr. Paul Schiltz for spending hours reviewing equestrian science terms with me in order to prepare for the MRA written test.

Thank you to each person who allowed me to ride your horse(s) throughout the year. It was a joy and honor to ride so many different and beautiful American Quarter Horses and American Paint Horses. A special thank you to the Clark and Becker families for loaning me your phenomenal horses for various rodeos this year.

To all of my sponsors, thank you for believing and investing in me. I cannot thank you enough for all that you provided and allowed me to do this year. I could not have made it up and down the road without you! Thank you to Luxco, Micala Renee Photography, Show-Me Nails, Avid Visual Imagery Rodeo Photography, TrueColors, custom rodeo clothes by Kendra Dickson, Fanning Jewelry, Figure Eight Photography, Aaron Owen of Owen Brothers Cattle Company and Ozark Empire Fair, Doug Nordwald of Gastorf Chevrolet, Rodeo For A Reason, Kiwi Paint Solutions, Diamond3, Garrett Briney of Tradition Farriery and Blacksmithing, Hatton Vermeer Sales LLC., Stephanie Briedwell of Mary Kay, PFI Western Store, Bauer’s Lost Creek Aussies, Lemons Photography, LLC, Tammy Heiserman Custom Leather, Arrowhead Now, John Nordwald of Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance, Kleinschmidt’s Western Store, Denise Bachelder of Make it Sew, Young’s Welding & Machine Shop LLC, Gold Buckle Barrel Horses, Lynda Stuermann Chandler of Mary Kay, and Cavender’s.

Thank you to every single person who took the time to email me, wish me happy birthday, or send me roses during the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. These little gifts were something I ecstatically looked forward to every evening and meant so much more than you know.

Lastly, thank you to the good Lord above for safely leading me down the rodeo road this year and for helping me remember to “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1. As I sign off for the year, I cannot help but look forward to the next chapter of my life. I am so grateful and humbled by this once in a lifetime experience.

With a gracious heart,
Ashley Bauer
Miss Rodeo Missouri 2018