Miss Ondrea Edwards, Miss Rodeo California 2014

Thank You!!

As this year comes to a close and welcome in the new year, we will welcome and introduce our new Miss Rodeo California.  However, before we do, we must take this opportunity to say "Thank You"  to our Miss Rodeo California 2014, Miss Ondrea Edwards.  An accomplished horsewoman, a dedicated ambassador and a very special lady - we would like to acknowledge Ondrea for all of her hard work and dedication to the State of California, the sport of professional rodeo, and especially to our PRCA California Circuit and the 2014 RAM PRCA California Circuit Finals Rodeo.

Having previously held the titles of Miss Merced Rodeo and Miss Grand Nationals Rodeo Queen, in 2013, Ondrea entered the prestigious Miss Rodeo California Pageant as Miss Wine Country Rodeo Queen.  Enduring days of intense competition, on October 10, 2013, Ondrea was crowned Miss Rodeo California 2014.  She was also presented awards for placing first in all of the judging categories (Speech, Appearance, Horsemanship, and Personality.

As California's most recognized rodeo ambassador, Ondrea has traveled thousands of miles promoting the State of California and the sport of professional rodeo. She visited many PRCA Rodeos where she presented our Nation's Colors and/or our State flag, as well as the RAM PRCA California Circuit Finals Rodeo flag.  She has ridden in many parades, participated in charity events, made television and radio appearances; her megawatt smile and that twinkle in her eye endeared her to all whom she met.

Ondrea attended promotional events where she had the opportunity to share her passion and meet many local and state dignitaries.  Traveling all over the State of California, and even out of state, she has met rodeo fans, contestants, rodeo committee members, rodeo volunteers, Sponsors, contract personnel - and each person she met, she made not only a special connection, but a lasting impression.  Ondrea has been a role model for thousands of rodeo fans and aspiring young ladies and she has been a mentor and a friend to her sister queens.

We were extremely fortunate to spend a lot of time with Ondrea this year.  She was on hand for several events to promote not only the 2014 RAM PRCA California Circuit Finals Rodeo ( website / Facebook ), but to help promote the Miss Rodeo California Pageant ( website / Facebook ) which was held for the first time here in Lancaster, California.

It was a very busy week leading up to the Circuit Finals Rodeo and the Miss Rodeo California 2015 Pageant.  Long hours could not take that smile from her face!  As she traveled around town in her official Miss Rodeo California "Ram of the West" truck, she was greeted with hugs, handshakes, and lots of waves.

On October 17 & 18, 2014, Ondrea reigned over the 2014 RAM PRCA California Circuit Finals Rodeo in Lancaster, CA, at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds.  Ondrea had the honor or presenting "Old Glory" before thousands of rodeo fans over the three performances.  She along with several of her sister queens, also enthusiastically presented all of our sponsor flags and the flags of many of our rodeos in the PRCA California Circuit.  We were honored that she was also on hand to assist with the presentation of the Montana Silversmith Buckles to all of the Rodeo Winners, and the presentation of the Champion Saddles and Montana Silversmith Buckles to our Year End Champions at the Awards Ceremony!  On behalf of the Showdown Rodeo, Inc., our Partners - the Antelope Valley Fair and the City of Lancaster, as well as all of our sponsors, we would like to thank Ondrea for all of her help and support of the California Circuit and the RAM PRCA California Circuit Finals Rodeo.

We had a great time working with the Miss Rodeo California Organization/Committee this year.  Ondrea, along with all of the outstanding contestants vying for the title of Miss Rodeo California 2015, spent a lot of time out and about in our community over the course of the pageant. All of the ladies, dressed in their finest, even headed out to "The BLVD" to celebrate and to meet and greet - they met hundreds of enthusiastic members of our community, got to take lots of pictures, and who knows - they may even have met a future Miss Rodeo California as there were lots of little girls eager to meet them and give them all hugs!

On Saturday, October 18, 2014, our reigning Miss Rodeo California gave her "Farewell Speech" to all in attendance (including family and friends).  For those who did not get the opportunity to personally meet Ondrea, you will see from her speech (below), just how truly special she is!

"If you would have asked me a year ago what I thought I would learn from this experience, I would have given you an answer that would never have come close to the lessons I have had during my year as your Miss Rodeo California.

For those of you who are not aware of my background, I will fill you in.  You know that little girl standing on the rail at a rodeo or horse show, just watching in awe at the horses passing by?  Well, that was me, dreaming of my own horse to ride, but never quite obtaining what I could only reach out to touch.

At the age of 14, my parents gave me the best gift, my own horse named Rosie, who was perfect for a horse crazy kid.  I spent nearly every day of my teen years with this horse; I figured I had 14 years of not having a horse to make up for.

At age 20, I ran for my first queen contest and I was hooked.  I continued on this rodeo queen path until it led me to Paso Robles, CA, last year, competing for the crown I currently wear.

Being your Miss Rodeo California has been such an incredible journey, and looking back, I don’t think my younger self would have ever dreamed of who I would eventually become.

The path to Miss Rodeo California is largely shaped by the people she encounters along the way, and I can tell you that the people, the family you gain from this experience, can never be replaced.  My year has opened up some incredible doors and I have made lifelong friends.  I may not have come from a rodeo family, but I am one of the lucky few who have gained a family with rodeo.

To every smiling face and encouraging word along the way, I cannot possibly show you enough gratitude – I just hope to have left a lasting impression and to have made you proud.

This journey would not have been possible without such a caring and amazing organization.  To Donna [Riva], thank you for being my guiding light and source of reassurance, and for always helping me to look my best for every event.  To Marilyn [Morphis], thank you for being so enthusiastic and caring.  I hope your first year as president has treated you well.  To the other beautiful and talented members of our organization, thank you for the long hours, unending smiles, early mornings, and every ounce of effort you have devoted to such a great association.

I strongly believe that this program helps young women become confident members of our society, who develop a greater sense of self-worth, and who will remain advocates for the sport of rodeo and the agricultural industry.

A year ago, I would have no way been able to take the risks I take now; I truly grab life and all of its opportunities by the reins.  Just this week, I flew an airplane from Lancaster to Tehachapi – something I would have never done prior to my representing this title!  My friends and family know my intense fear of even going to the airport, but I saw a once-in-a-lifetime chance and I took it!

I have stepped into situations along my path that most would probably turn away from, but I have embraced living in the moment and I try to make every experience a positive one.

To the California Circuit Finals Rodeo Committee, I am so lucky to have been your queen for this year.  Lancaster has always been so gracious and the people in your community are truly amazing.  California has opened her arms to me and I cannot possibly thank the hundreds of people who have had an impact on this journey.

Every queen needs a strong support system and mine has come from my sponsors, as well as our organization.  To every business or individual who sees the value in helping to shape the life of a young woman, I thank you for your generous support.  My sponsors are truly the backbone of my success.

Lastly, I would like to thank my parents, both my real ones and the numerous ones who have adopted me along the way.  The woman standing before you would in no way be here without your constant guidance – I hope to impact a life as much as each of you have impacted mine.

To the young woman who gets to fill my boots next year, embrace every second, smile at every opportunity, and make sure to notice that little girl looking up to you on that fence, for you never know how you, and your smile, can shape her life.

Thank you California for a ride of a lifetime – I hope I have made you proud!"  Ondrea Edwards, October 18, 2014 – Lancaster, CA

In December of 2014, Ondrea traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she competed in the Miss Rodeo America 2015 Pageant.  Absolutely impressive, Ondrea placed in the "Top Five".  It was an extremely tough competition and Ondrea competed with such poise, dignity, and grace! The State of California and all of her rodeo fans could not be more proud!

Please join us in both "Thanking Ondrea for a job well done" and in "Wishing Ondrea all the best with everything her future holds".  Ondrea, we know you will continue to be a wonderful role model and we are very proud of you!  Good luck as you return to school to finish your Bachelor's Degree!

Here are just a "few" of our favorite photos of Ondrea - Our Miss Rodeo California 2014 - Enjoy~ (just click on photo for full size).  Thank you to all of the photographers who have contributed over her reign.

If you would like to learn more about the Miss Rodeo California Organization, please visit their website.  You can also follow Miss Rodeo California on her Facebook.  Thank you to the Miss Rodeo California Directors for all of your hard work and dedication to these young ladies and this wonderful organization.