Weekends of rodeos, county fairs, and appearances is just one of the many perks of holding a title.
Though fun, these weekends can be stressful.
With crowns, buckles, boots, hats, belts, spurs, combs, and sparkly shirts, not to mention hairspray and a whole other list for your horse(s), preparation for these trips can be stressful.
Whether you are holding your first or your third title, preparing for these thrilling and sometimes stressful weekends can be a breeze by sticking to a simplified checklist.
Queen Things
Yes everything you pack is "rodeo queen things," but when you think about packing for a big event, the first thing you should put in the vehicle is your crown, buckle, sash(es), and serapes/chaps if you have them.
The whole reason for your trip and all your packing is so you can represent these titles. With this in mind you should never go to an event without your rodeo queen buckle, crown, and sash (plus they're fun to wear).
Things like shirts, extra jeans, and even tack may be purchased or even borrowed at an event, but spare crowns, sashes, and buckles are a little harder to come by.
Clothing
A weekend wardrobe can be hard to put together so you should start planning well in advance.
Be aware of weather weather, setting, and if the event calls for special outfits (pink night, patriotic, etc). You can typically find this info on the rodeo's individual website, flyer or facebook page.
After you have picked out your outfits pick out extras.
Yes I am the girl that pack five-to-many outfits for a trip, but you need know when you might have a wardrobe malfunction or just don't feel like wearing your preselected outfit.
When packing, layout all your outfits the night before with jeans, boots, belts, shirts, and jewelry/accessories for each one.
Double check that your boots are intact in their box and each hat is nicely cleaned.
Laying out each day's and event's outfits will take away the stress of mentally checking the items off and put them in a physical space where you can see them.
Tack and Horse Care
Before I say anything else let me begin with: go put a bucket in the trailer.
No matter how many times you've went to rodeos or horseshoes, there will inevitably come a time when that ever present and trusty bucket is nowhere to be found but it is vital when traveling with horses for any amount of time.
Sometimes as a rodeo queen you may be given the option to ride a borrowed horse at a performance. This is great as it will limit the stress of packing and hopefully cut down on travel time.
Even still, you should know in advance if you need to provide your own saddle, bridle, pad, boots or anything else for the horse so coordinate well in advance and plan accordingly.
If you plan to travel with your own horse or horses, make sure you pack necessary travel items first. Buckets, feed, supplements (if you give them), combs, and first aid.
Once you are sure you have all that you need to properly care for your horses check your tack. Do you have all your correct saddle pads, bits, reigns, and skid boots?
If you were awarded a saddle, breast collar, head stall, etc with your title that your sponsoring committee would like you to use, make sure that they are loaded and operational.
Life Items
So often it is easy to get caught up packing the rodeo gear and clothing that ultimately you forget to pack simple life necessities.
Pack your makeup, deodorant, tooth brush/toothpaste, and other necessary care items in their own bag and lay them out with your prepared clothing.
Be aware of your travel arrangements and what willl be required whether you are staying at someone's house, in your trailer, or at a hotel and pack accordingly.
Shorts, T-shirts, comfrey night clothes, jackets or coats, chore boots and extra socks are just a few things its always smart to throw in your travel bag.
Hit the Road
The rodeo weekends were one of my favorite aspect of holding a rodeo queen title.
They come complete with memorable experiences and the building of long-lasting relationships. Enjoy the journey and these opportunities, but always be prepared.
Every experience is more fun with less stress and preparing ahead of time and using a checklist can help to accomplish this.
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