Packing with a Princess

Written by: Annabella Chapman, 2021 LW Princess

If someone asked me last summer what being a rodeo queen is like, I would tell them it all
happens at the arena, but what I have learned this year is that Mama and I spend as much time
packing as we do at the rodeo!
And, who agrees? Sometimes you just have to tell Dad that it’s better to have it and not need it
than need it and not have it! Options! We need options!
This month, we have loaded the trailer with my Scott Thomas saddle and I traveled to L.B.
rodeos around my home state, Texas. I am goat untying and flags racing on my new horse, Jeri,
and we’re getting along just fine.
At the beginning of December, I packed up my favorite outfits and accessories, added a matching
mask, and took off to Arlington, TX to watch the Wrangler National Finals. My first NFR was
extra special because I watched the first ever National Finals Breakaway Roping!
During the day, we walked around Cowboy Christmas, Stetson Christmas, and the Stockyards. I
met with sponsors and thanked them for their help along the rodeo road. One day, we went to
Cavenders, and I was on a radio broadcast for Cinch, too!
At the rodeo performances I attended, we sold raffle tickets for the NLBRA Scholarship Fund,
and Wrangler gave us tickets to sit and watch the rodeo one night!
I couldn’t believe how many people I met that still had arena dirt on their boots after each round.
They’re rodeo legends in the making!
I’m very grateful NLBRA gave me this opportunity. It was a highlight of my year! We had a
wonderful time in Arlington, but we were also happy to pack up and head home. .
But, like the draw, sometimes things are in your favor and sometimes they aren’t. This month, I
also lost my Mimi. The NLBRA pageant in July was a special memory for my Mimi and me. She
never missed a rodeo. But now, my Mimi doesn’t just watch me ride. She rides with me. The
most important thing I’ll pack from now on are my memories, and I hope you will too.
What can you say about 2020? We counted our blessings. Let’s all dust off our hats, and in our
prayers, ask the Lord for a little luck. I tell Him we’ll do our best to handle the rest!