Off to the Races: Boot Camp, Service and Rodeo Prep
By Mikyla Bagley
Rodeo athletes are tearing up the road on their summer runs and the Utah Cowgirl Collective Ambassadors are hot on their heels. While each cowgirl ambassador might not be chasing the rodeo circuit, we are staying in the hustle and bustle with UCC Boot Camp, service opportunities and getting ready for the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo.
Pull your hat down tight and come with us on the first leg of our journey as Utah Cowgirl Collective Ambassadors.
Utah Cowgirl Collective Boot Camp
Our year as Utah Cowgirl Collective Ambassadors started with a bang at the annual UCC Boot Camp. The day started with laughter and catching up as the cowgirls hit the fashion runway—kinda.
We changed into our official Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo merchandise and posed for a photo shoot with the amazing Steve Gray Photography. Between silly poses and serious shots, we found plenty of time for inside jokes and silly stories.
All jokes aside, UCC Boot Camp served as a valuable opportunity for the ambassadors to connect, share ideas and learn about the upcoming year.
Sitting Down with the Utah First Lady
One highlight of the day was hearing from Utah First Lady, Abby Cox. Raised on a ranch in central Utah, Abby shared her passion for rural and western life with the Utah Cowgirl Collective Ambassadors. She also expressed her commitment to service. She shared with the girls how serving makes an impact on individuals and communities. Each cowgirl had the chance to share our proposed service projects for the upcoming year and received great input from The First Lady.
Kicking the Year off in Justin Boots
Boot Camp officially kicked off our year as Utah Cowgirl Collective Ambassadors and thanks to Justin Boots, we kicked this year off right in a new pair of boots. Justin is an icon in the western industry and we are grateful to have them as sponsors of the UCC. Catch us doing good in style this year thanks to our great partners.
Media Interviews and Photo Shoot
As part of the UCC Boot Camp, each cowgirl had the chance to interview and take professional photos that are used by the Utah Cowgirl Collective and the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo throughout the year. These interviews and photos serve as an introduction of the new Utah Cowgirl Collective Ambassadors on social media and in website materials. It is a great way to display not only each girl’s personal connection to the western lifestyle, but also the diversity of cowgirl grit and style within Utah.
Saddling Up for Service
Since joining the esteemed ranks of the Utah Cowgirl Collective, the cowgirl ambassadors are already making an impact through service and education.
No One Fights Alone: Helping with the Stick Horse Rodeo
Gratitude. Love. Humility. Nothing will make you feel these emotions more strongly than spending a day with the incredible spirits of children battling long-term disabilities and terminal illnesses. On June 8, Madison, Jaid, and I had the opportunity to assist the Pony Express Events Rodeo Committee with their annual Stick Horse Rodeo Event.
Rodeo queens with crowns atop crisp cowboy hats could be found around every corner, but these beautiful rodeo representatives are not the brightest stars of this show. That honor belongs to the heroes of the Mascot Miracles Foundation. Mascot Miracles is a non-profit organization that provides unique experiences for children diagnosed with a terminal illness or long-term disability and these special children are the heroes of every event.
At the annual Stick Horse Rodeo, the Heroes and their families have an opportunity to learn, practice and participate in rodeo events. Activities include dummy roping, barrel racing, mechanical bull riding, horse rides and a small animal petting zoo. Heroes pair up with a rodeo representative who follows them through the different stations.
The Utah Cowgirl Collective Ambassadors paired up with their own Heroes and had the experience of a lifetime cheering their heroes on while helping them learn about rodeo.
Yee-Haw: Utah Cowgirl Collective Visits Head Start Preschool
A colorful Head Start Preschool classroom might as well have been the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo Stadium. On June 20, Madison and I teamed up to help teach an energetic class of preschoolers the ins-and-outs of being a cowgirl.
The children circled around the collective ambassadors, enthusiastically answering questions about horses and learning how important the animals are to western work and life. After a brief discussion, each child had the chance to feel like a real cowboy or cowgirl by sitting in real-life saddles.
Smiles and laugher were on every face as the kids displayed their best roping form and shared what they had learned about horses and western life. The fun didn’t stop there! At the end of the visit, the cowgirl ambassadors left horse-coloring pictures with the class and invited the children to name their new steeds.
These young artists have quite the imagination. Check out their creative horses by following the Utah Cowgirl Collective on Facebook and Instagram.
Rodeo Ready: Celebrating Utah Heritage at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo
The summer fun is heating up and so is our excitement for the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo. Obviously, we are excited to watch and carry flags for the only gold-medal rodeo in the world July 19-20, 22-24, but there is so much more!
The Utah Cowgirl Collective Ambassadors are gearing up for a week of celebrating Utah’s rich pioneer heritage with all the fun activities.
Longhorn Cattle Drive
We’re bringing western heritage to downtown Salt Lake City! On June 18 the Utah Cowgirl Collective Ambassadors are helping Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and First Lady Abby Cox drive a herd of longhorn cattle through the heart of Salt Lake City. This unique display of western heritage is a sight to see and I’m so excited to take part in it this year. Spectators are welcome so if you want to catch a glimpse of Ralph and I and the other Cowgirl Ambassadors doing our thing. make sure you find a safe viewing spot on the sidewalks along this route: Delta Center, EB North Temple, SB West Temple, EB 100 South, NB State Street, WB North Temple back to Delta Center. The cattle drive starts at 9:30 am.
Frontier Fun Zone
The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo is known for highlighting exceptional rodeo talent and competition inside the arena, but the party starts outside in the Frontier Fun Zone. Starting at 4:30 pm nightly, rodeo fans can enjoy free entertainment and activities before finding their rodeo seats. With dancing, pony rides, a mechanical bull and more, don’t be surprised if you catch a couple of the Utah Cowgirl Collective Ambassadors visiting the Frontier Fun Zone before the rodeo.
Concourse Activities & Vendors
The fun doesn’t stop there. When you come to a performance of the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo, all your senses are in for a delight, including your taste buds. On the concourse you’ll find plenty of tasty treats and the delicious smells are a free bonus. The concourse is also where you can find fun vendor displays, but the best part is you can meet the Utah Cowgirl Collective Ambassadors. Each night before the rodeo, we will be on the concourse signing autographs and sharing our love for rodeo. So come and see us!
Don’t miss your chance to see us at the Utah Days of ‘47 Rodeo July 19-20, 22-24–tickets are going fast so don’t delay! You can also learn about upcoming UCC events and projects by checking out the Utah Cowgirl Collective website and by following the Utah Cowgirl Collective on Instagram and Facebook.