Rodeo Queen Clothes for Sale!

With rodeo season right around the corner, now is the time to start looking for that right outfit for your next pageant! I am trying to condense my closet as I get ready for the Miss Rodeo America pageant, and have decided to sell several items from my queen wardrobe. Everything is state and national quality. The list includes: hats, dyeable boots, dresses, horsemanship outfits, and more! Please e-mail me at: mrsd2008@hotmail.com to request a full list of items, prices, and pictures.

Tara Trask Will Graduate from SDSU on May 3

Tara would like to invite you to attend her graduation from South Dakota State University in Brookings on Saturday, May 3, 2008. Commencement ceremonies will begin at 10am in Frost Arena located on the campus of SDSU. Tara will be graduating from the College of Arts and Science with her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communications with a minor in Advertising(Journalism). Congratulations and well wishes can be sent to Tara at:
Tara Trask
PO Box 321
Wall, SD 57790

Let's congratulate Tara on her accomplishment!

First Western Bank

Welcome to my newest Silver Sponsor - First Western Bank! First Western Bank has been a past supporter of Miss Rodeo South Dakota. With locations all over Western South Dakota including Belle Fourche, Rapid City, Sturgis, and Wall, First Western Bank is available for all of your banking needs. I am excited to announcer our partnership for 2008 and a special thanks to John Johnson for all of his help.
Please check out their website under the Sponsor Links. Thank you again to First Western Bank for believing in me!

Two weeks in Brookings, SD!

Greetings from sunny 86 degrees Wall, SD!
Well...it hasn't been that temperature for the past two weeks. In fact, we were in a blizzard warning around this time last week!

My travels the past two weeks found me in Brookings, SD. The first weekend I was at the Little International Livestock competition. Jesse Gieb, a past SD State FFA President and National FFA Secretary, had contacted me to sing the National Anthem. I was honored! I think my sister even enjoyed herself as she assisted with being my official photographer. On Sunday, I spoke at the Brookings Jackrabbit Reception. I also wrapped up my graduation application process with taking my exit exam and getting my graduation robe. It is hard to believe how fast time flies!

We have a saying in South Dakota - in the rain or in the snow, in South Dakota we will ALWAYS rodeo! And that saying was proven true the second weekend of my Brookings trip. As I mentioned earlier, we were in a blizzard warning last week. It was so bad, they even cancelled afternoon classes on the campus of South Dakota State University. However, the 2008 Jackrabbit Stampede Rodeo still went off without a hitch and a snowplow. Sutton Rodeos once again proved that they really know how to put on a rodeo! All 6 performances showed off the talent of the Great Plains Region of the Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. It was great to watch friends like Weston Garrett, the Kjerstad Brothers, and Cami Bauer compete for their spot at this year's CNFR. I had a fun chatting with announcer Davey Kimm every night as he interviewed me during the calf roping, and also riding the wonderful Sutton horses! Remember Davey - if you ever need an assistant announcer, I am only a phone call away! :)

I was asked to judge this year's Miss Rodeo SDSU pageant. I am a past Miss Rodeo SDSU, and I know what a honor it is to represent college rodeo and SDSU. The 5 contestants were tough and their knowledge impressed me! Congratulations to the new Miss Rodeo SDSU - Erica Reinesch. And a special recognition goes out to Tammy Rebelein who was the pageant coordinator. She made the pageant so special for not only the girls competing, but also for the judges.

I enjoyed my time in Brookings! Thanks to my sister - Tiffany - for letting me use her house as my official host home! I know it isn't always easy to be a "queen sister," but I do appreciate your help.

I have a little vacation the next few weeks. But, graduation will be here before I know it, and with that also brings the rodeo season!

Until next time, always keep the faith!
Love:
Tara

Little I and 2008 SDSU Jackrabbit Stampede Pictures

"Is it too tall for the gate?" Tara gets ready to carry the American Flag during the 2008 SDSU Jackrabbit Stampede Rodeo.

Chelsea (Miss BHSS), Tara, and Courtney (SD 4H Ambassador) with two future Miss Rodeo SDSU's.

After the 6th peformance with Tammy Rebelein - Miss Rodeo SDSU queen coordinator. Thanks for all of your help!!

During the 2008 Miss Rodeo SDSU pageant with reigning queen, MRSD roommate, and great friend - Amber Dell.

Outside Little I after singing the National Anthem.

Tara being interviewed during Little I.

Pictures from DNCFR and SDSU Reception

Tara with "Jack" at the SDSU Jackrabbit Reception in Rapid City.

L to R: IA, KS, NE, WI, SD, and ID raising money at Wal-Mart for the Children's Miracle Network.

L to R: SD, WA, AR, IA, America, WY, Wilderness, KS, and NE on the slopes at Pebble Creek Ski Area.

Ready for Sturgis Bike Week!

Biker Babes: ND, FL, SD, AR, WA all decked out in Harley Davidson Gear in Pocatello.

DNCFR and Rapid City Jackrabbit Reception

Hello again!
First and foremost, I would like to recognize my two new Bronze sponsors - Wall Chamber of Commerce and White's Queen City Motors of Spearfish. Your support means the world to me!! I hope to make you proud. Please check out their websites under the Sponsor Links!
The DNCFR was quite the rodeo. When I arrived in Pocatello, I was greeted by our "queen mom" for the week - Jo Ann Anderson. Jo Ann and her wonderful team showed the 15 other state queens and myself the time of our lives! I think my pictures will say it all - but from snowboarding at Pebble Creek to our photo shoot at the Harley Davidson dealership, it was one adventure after another! I also had three fantastic roommates - Miss Rodeo Iowa, Miss Rodeo Nebraska, and Miss Rodeo Idaho. We kept each other laughing the whole time - thanks ladies!
This was my first trip to the DNCFR, and I must say it was quite the rodeo. I was excited to be able to cheer on fellow Badlands Circuit qualifiers like Chad Ferley, Joe Gunderson, Lisa Lockart, and Red Lemmel. I was excited to watch Chad's ride straight to the number 1 spot!
Steve Sutton of Sutton Rodeo Company provided all 16 state queens with fantastic horses. I was reunited with my favorite horse from the BHSS - Garfield. I was even chosen to lead the opening flag run each night. What an honor that was! Thanks to Steve, Chris, and Joe for all of their hard work with the horses - it didn't go unappreciated!!!
I left Pocatello at 5am on Easter morning and arrived back in South Dakota just in time to spend the afternoon at the Rockin' T Quarter Horse ranch with my family. Thank you to everyone who helped make my first trip to Idaho a wonderful experience!
On March 30, I was asked to be the guest speaker at the Rapid City SDSU Jackrabbit Reception. I was excited to share my own SDSU story and how my experiences led me to my title as Miss Rodeo SD. Thanks to Tracy and Alicia for this great experience. I hope I influenced some future Jackrabbits!
As I look ahead, I notice that the 2009 Miss Rodeo SD and Jr. Miss Rodeo SD pageant applications are due on May 1st. I encourage any SD cowgirls to consider running. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you will never forget. It is a commitment, but I promise you won't regret it! What do you have to lose?
April will be a busy month. I will be in Brookings for Little I, SDSU Jackrabbit Stampede, and assisting with other Jackrabbit Receptions. I will also be busy getting in my final assignments and taking my exit exam before I graduate in May. The year is going by so fast!
Until next time, always keep the faith!

Love:
Tara