 Miss Rodeo Nebraska has her eyes on the prize
By Craig Jones
The North Platte Telegraph
The track carrying Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2001 Lindy Nicholson toward her ultimate goal has her on the back stretch and heading for home.
The finish line for Nicholson is the Miss Rodeo America Pageant scheduled Dec. 2-9 in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
Nicholson, a North Platte resident and Stapleton High School graduate, left the starting gates at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo during Nebraskaland Days in 2000 when she earned the crown. Since then, she has traveled extensively promoting rodeo and her home state.
"I have traveled even more than I anticipated, which is good because I like to do that," she said. "I've met so many wonderful people and have been able to do a lot of things I wouldn't have been able to otherwise.
"All of the rodeo committees have been good to me and it's been fun meeting and becoming friends with other state queens. They're all friends I'll have long after my year is over."
A sendoff celebration for Nicholson is scheduled Friday at the North Platte Elks Club. The annual event offers the public the opportunity to demonstrate its support for the current Miss Rodeo Nebraska and to see her wardrobe for the Las Vegas pageant, along with a presentation of her speech.
Other local rodeo queens will also attend and model some of their attire. Tickets are available at Town and Country Western Wear, the Nebraskaland Days office and at the door.
In preparation for the national level event, in which Nicholson will be competing with about 32 other state queens in horsemanship, personality and appearance categories, she has been working to put her wardrobe together, riding horses and practicing her speech, which she says paints a picture for the judges about the people and places in her home state.
Studying has also been a part of her preparation. She said the judges will question her on rodeo, horsemanship and current events.
"They keep us busy all week," she said. "I went last year and watched, so I know what will be going on and what is expected of you."
Along with the preparation for the national pageant, Nicholson has made public appearances at schools and before civic organizations. She said she molds her presentation to fit the audience, such as for adult groups, she explains her role as Miss Rodeo Nebraska and the process of seeking the title of Miss Rodeo America.
"With kids, I tell them about what I do and I also have coloring books to give them," she said. "We also talk about the importance of staying in school and getting good grades."
IF YOU GO
The Miss Rodeo Nebraska Sendoff Celebration for Lindy Nicholson is scheduled Friday at the North Platte Elks Club. A social hour starts at 7 p.m. and style show at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at Town and Country Western Wear, the Nebraskaland Days office and at the door.
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September 16, 2006 in North Platte NE
Miss Rodeo to hang up her hat
By Dick Reynolds
The North Platte Telegraph
Competing in the 47th annual Miss Rodeo America Pageant Dec. 2-9 in Las Vegas was a great experience even though she didn't win, said Lindy Nicholson of North Platte, Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2001.
Titleholders from 30 states converged on the famous Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas for the week-long event.
Contestants competed for a $10,000 college scholarship and western apparel and products totaling nearly $70,000.
Miss Rodeo America travels the country promoting the sport of professional rodeo.
"We got there Friday, but the competition did not actually start until Sunday," Nicholson said. The contestants were assigned two persons to a room.
"We had one girl we shared a room with all week long," Nicholson said, "and I roomed with Kristina Mensik of Montana."
There was not much free time for the ladies starting early Dec. 2 and continuing through Dec. 9.
"All week long, we had activities all day," she said. "We had speeches, interviews, and dance rehearsal for the fashion show."
Las Vegas is known for its lavish shows, casinos and nonstop lifestyle, but Nicholson was not overwhelmed.
"I have been there a couple of times before, so I just kind of settled into my room and got used to the time change."
Horseback riding is a key part of rodeo, so it figures horsemanship would be a key ingredient in any Miss Rodeo competition.
First thing Monday morning, the horsemanship competition started promptly at 8:30.
"We were all kind of excited and nervous at the same time," Nicholson said.
Competition took place at King Arthur's Indoor Arena in the Excalibur. There was a group of 10 horses that were chosen at random for the contestants to ride.
There was a specific pattern they had to follow while performing.
"Working with a draw horse was not a problem," Nicholson said. "It was pretty much the same kind of horse I have been riding."
Competition among contestants at a national event such as the Miss Rodeo America pageant is always intense, but there also is time to be people, not just competitors.
Nicholson made a lot of new friends during her week-long stay.
"We all got along really well, and that is what made the week real interesting and a lot of fun," she said.
One of the major highlights of the event was the fashion show and dinner Dec. 5 in the Sunset Ballroom.
"That is what we were rehearsing for all week," she said, "Wrangler provided a couple of outfits each for us to wear."
The pageant ended Dec. 9 with Kara Brown of Texas named Miss Rodeo America.
"I am pretty much done with my Nebraska queen duties now," Nicholson said. "The new girl, Lori Bortner of McCook, takes over in January."
Nicholson plans to return to the University of Nebraska at Kearney and finish her major in business administration with an emphasis in marketing. She is in her junior year.
Nicholson did not return immediately to North Platte when the pageant concluded.
"I stayed in Las Vegas until Wednesday, and hung out with some of the girls," she said.
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