Thank You, Ashley!


Ashley Rice, Miss Rodeo Nebraska, did an amazing job representing Nebraska at the Miss Rodeo America 2007 pageant and all during 2006.

Ashley was always ready to set sail wherever she was asked to go and with her ready smile made it a fun event for all.

Ashley, as you reflect on your reign as Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2006 we know you will take with you many fond memories and we (the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association) thank you for sharing this year of your life with us. Wherever your dreams take you-- we wish you much success and happiness!

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Letter From Ashley
Dear Friends & Family,

On June 15, 2005 a dream of mine came true when I was honored to be crowned Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2006. When they announced my name that night I had no idea what a thrilling year I had ahead! One of the most exciting  events to take place since I was crowned happened when I traveled to Alliance and met Jamey Eisenbarth. Jamey and I had spoken to one another not even 10 minutes when he handed me the keys to a 2005 Dodge Quad Cab 1500. This truly was a blessing and many thanks again go out to Jamey!

After all that excitement it was time to start planning for the big event- Coronation! January 7, 2006 was nothing short of magical, and being surrounded by my family and friends made that night even more special. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make coronation a success!

Not even a week after coronation I was on the road headed to Denver to attend the 100th National Western Stock Show & Rodeo. While in Denver I did a little shopping at Market, signed autographs at Carl and Kathy Wilkinson's booth, and helped the Make-A-Wish Foundation. On Saturday night I made an appearance at the rodeo and received the honor of carrying the National Western Stock Show flag; which was definitely a highlight! 

Next I spent a weekend in Kearney signing autographs for my generous sponsor, Mr. Paul Fredrickson, at the Kearney Home Show. I had a wonderful time and really enjoyed my stay. 

January finally wrapped up with the PRCA rodeo in Lincoln.

February soon approached and Shauna Chartier, Miss Rodeo Kansas, and I headed off to Rapid City for the Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo. While in Rapid City I had the opportunity to sign autographs for Security First Bank, a diamond sponsor for my year. As their guest I was also privileged enough to attend the Stockman's Ball. The best part about my stay in Rapid City was witnessing Nebraska's very own Garrett Nokes win steer wrestling! 

I got back home just in time to do some laundry and I was headed out West to Scottsbluff to sign autographs for the KNEB Farm & Ranch Show. I had a great time meeting and speaking to so many wonderful people! While I was out in the panhandle I took some time to visit my chap maker Marv Dyer from Crawford. Marv made a stunning pair of chaps for me that I am incredibly proud to wear! 

After my stay in the panhandle, I was off to Kissimmee, Florida to attend the Silver Spurs Rodeo. While I was in Florida I had the chance to meet up with Mark and Laura Kessler. I got to know Mark at last year's MRN pageant as he served as a judge. During my stay in Florida I went to Cocoa Beach, Universal Studios, Forever Florida, and Gatorland! The biggest highlight of the whole trip was when all the state queens went hog hunting. It was a thrilling adventure I won't ever forget! A special thanks to Amanda Spence, Miss Teen Rodeo Florida, and her family who served as my host family for a week. I had a wonderful time getting to know all of them!

Finally, the last weekend in February I was back in North Platte for the Buffalo Bill Birthday Bash.

March kept me busy with the Queen Clinic which went extremely well! It was a great weekend topped off with lots of learning! I had two days off and then I was headed out to the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Pocatello, ID. There were 14 visiting state queens and we all had a blast! It was definitely a memorable trip, and after cancelled flights, missing luggage, and a crazy horse named Cheyenne I made it back to Nebraska just in time to enjoy the blizzard!

The first weekend in April brought 28 young cowgirls into my life during the 3rd Annual Lil' Cowgirls Clinic. 
I had so much fun getting to know all the girls and I can't wait to dance with them at the MRN Style Show in June!

I have traveled a lot of places during these first 3 months, but none of that could be possible without my 
generous sponsors. Thank you to each and every one of you for helping get me down the road!

God Bless,

Ashley Rice
Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2006

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Ashley's Bio

On June 15 2005, Ashley Rice fulfilled a lifelong dream by capturing the title of Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2006 at the NEBRASKALand Days/Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte, Nebraska.

After months of preparation and an intense four-day competition, Ashley rose to the top in all categories, winning speech, photogenic, congeniality, personality, appearance, and the coveted horsemanship award.

Ashley, the second oldest of four children, is the 21 year old daughter of Tony and Patricia Rice. Rice is a graduate of Cambridge High School where she was active in basketball, swing choir, band, FBLA, and National Honor Society. She is working towards a Communication degree at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, NE and hopes to complete her Bachelors degree at the University of Nebraska. 

In college, she was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, was a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, and was named to both the Dean’s List and the National Dean’s List.

Rice sparked her interest in rodeo during the ten years she participated in 4-H and helping her dad out on the family-owned feed yard. 

She could not be prouder to call Wilsonville, NE her home, as she is the second young lady from the small, rural Nebraska town of 136 residents to be named Miss Rodeo Nebraska.

To Ashley, Miss Rodeo Nebraska is not about glory, fame, or a crown. It’s about representing the great state of Nebraska and the sport of rodeo. She knows the importance of the position and the role she has to play. But for Ashley, it’s all about living a dream.

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Ashley Rice crowned Miss Rodeo Nebraska
By: Teresa Wickens, The North Platte Telegraph
06/16/2005

Ashley Rice of Wilsonville captured the title of Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2006 at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo Wednesday in North Platte. Kellie Carr of Burwell was named first runner-up.

Rice rose to the top of the queen competition, winning in all of the competition categories: speech, photogenic, congeniality, personality, appearance and horsemanship.

The congeniality award was awarded to Rice by her fellow contestants.

As each award was announced, Rice had to compose herself, and when her name was announced as Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2006, she broke into tears.

Miss Rodeo America 2005 Selena Ulch and Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2005 Alesa Chrisman were on hand to make the crowning official.

Rice was presented with a saddle, gifts and scholarships from a variety of pageant sponsors.
Rice will take over for Chrisman in January and Chrisman will go to Las Vegas in November for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.

Rice is the 20-year-old daughter of Tony and Patricia Rice, and although she was born in McCook, she grew up in Wilsonville. She graduated from Cambridge High School and is a business major at Southeast Community College in Beatrice. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa.

Some of her hobbies include singing, tap dancing, horseback riding, playing basketball and collecting frogs. Her career goals include pursuing a law degree and establishing a Christian-based law practice.

Her life ambition is to firmly establish growth in her career and her family while serving others and the Lord. In her platform, Rice wants to have the opportunity as Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2006 to display her faith in God, family and country while promoting and preserving the American traditions found in the sport of rodeo.
Carr is the daughter of James and Rebecca Carr. She was born in Chadron but makes her home in Burwell. She graduated from Burwell High School and graduated this year from Oklahoma State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and broadcasting with an emphasis in public relations.

She is the assistant coordinator of the National High School Rodeo Association's new Wrangler Division that focuses on junior high school students. She has also started her own home-based business, designs western clothing, sings and enjoys team-roping with her dad.

Carr's speech on Wednesday painted a picture of the 1958 Burwell Rodeo where saddle bronc champion Casey Tibbs rode to fame on the horse, Necktie.

Chrisman will be at the opening ceremonies of Senior Fun Day at the North Platte Recreation Center, which begins at 9:45 a.m. From there she will go to the Quilt Bazaar at First Lutheran Church at Fifth and Willow. She will be back at the Wild West Arena at 1 p.m. today for talent show introductions and return to the North Platte Recreation Center to award the medals at the conclusion of Senior Fun Day.
She will return to the Wild West Arena at 7:30 p.m. to present the Dale Studley Award.