-The First Lady of Rodeo in the Cowboy State-

Winter 2012 —Volume 9—Issue I

Fremont Motors in

Rock Springs is back in

action, providing

Kimberly with a champi-

on line up of Dodge

trucks! Keep your eyes

out for this Wyoming

Edition Ram 1500 as

Kim travels down the

road! Be sure to visit the Fremont

Motors website:

fremontmotors.com.

Check out Kim’s

sponsors on page 3!

1

Miller Insulation

recently became Kim’s fuel

Sponsor!! Their

contribution will help Kim

as she travels down the

road in her Dodge Trucks!!

Thank you!!

Coronation Notes 2

2012 Sponsors 3

Keeping up with Kim 4-6

Marathon Run-Down 7

Brittany’s Farewell 8

Clinic Report 9

Association News 10

The Coronation Ball took place at

the Holiday Inn in Sheridan, Wyoming and

was very well attended by supporters I

have had over the years, and starting this

year. I could not have asked for a better

kickoff to the beginning of such an exciting

journey! It was special to have my

coronation in Sheridan, after the support I

had from the Sheridan-WYO Rodeo

toward running for Miss Rodeo Wyoming.

It also meant a lot to me because of my

family’s heritage in the area.

Megan Darnell helped me with so

much of the groundwork and the evening’s events. She also set me up with a wonderful band, The

Teka Brock Band, and did more than I could have ever asked for to help make the night a success.

Members of the Miss Rodeo Wyoming Association also came in right when I needed them the most

to help with the end of the evening. I cannot thank my sponsors and my family enough for making

the evening a success. I had so much support from everyone who came and it means so much to me

especially now going down the road. I hope to continue to make Wyoming proud as I represent our

beautiful state!

I would also like to say a special thanks to my parents, Pete and Vicki Kuhn, for helping

shape me into the woman I have become. They have spent countless hours helping me and

attending my events to ensure that I would be successful. Also, to my Grandmother Sue and other

family members for always being by my side with enthusiasm and interest. This is the most

wonderful road of travel I get to experience but it is not fun if there is no one to share it with. I

appreciate everyone who supports me and embarks on this journey with me! Please hang on for the

ride because it just keeps getting better!

Xoxo God Bless & Love

Kimmie

2

3

This past month as

Miss Rodeo Wyoming

is all I could have

dreamed it would be

and so much more. I am

honestly having the

TIME OF MY LIFE!!!

I have to start out by

thanking all of my won-

derful sponsors for

making it possible for

me to go down the road! Especially, Sheridan-WYO Rodeo, D&W

Livestock and Fremont Motors Rock Springs. Dean Parker with

Fremont Motors put me in a WYOMING EDTION Ram 1500 that has

been a dream to drive for my first demo period which will last 6,000

miles. All I can say is it sure makes the trip go by fast because of the

luxury of this vehicle. The only thing is that now all the other state

queens are wondering when their state edition will come out but need-

less to say they love to enjoy the Wyo-

ming edition in style and class as we

show up to the rodeos and appearanc-

es.

Denver

I started out my rodeo trail in

Denver for the Citizen of the West

dinner. The honoree was Lynne Chen-

ey and she was more than deserving. I

was able to visit with her and truly

admired her balance for being a pro-

fessional woman, a wonderful wife

and a great mother. I was also the es-

cort for the honorable Governor Matt

Mead. Each and every time I am

around him I am so grateful for Wyoming to have such an influential

Governor. He is western but he is also genuine, a quality that Wyoming

is known for.

The following weekend I went to the WESA Market. Rod, Lin-

da, and Laurie were a great help and a lot of fun to shop with! We had a

ball and I really enjoyed getting great ideas while shopping. They were

so much fun and made me realize how blessed I am to have such a nice

board of people helping me. Especially Jennifer Lipp for tracking all of

my receipts and miles, and Crystal Rivers for helping me make my

schedule.

I was then off to the National Western Stock show to help with

the rodeo performances and some of the scholarship events. I was hon-

ored to ride in the Grand Entry for Wyoming Day and display the flag of

our great state! Cervi Championship Rodeo does an outstanding job and

the crew there really set the bar high for how rodeo production should

be run. I was so impressed and adored the horses I was able to ride of

Cervi’s. Lazy, Scott, and Dakota were my boys for the weekend and we

got along great. Binion Cervi was so great to work with and he gave me

a wonderful compliment about the way I had ridden his horses that truly

made my whole week. I

realize the job of a rodeo

queen is to be professional

and classy but to receive a

compliment on horseman-

ship; it made me realize I

had done a good job.

San Antonio

Attending this Tex-

as clinic put on by Marjorie

Murphy was a great time to

reflect on how I was doing

as Miss Rodeo Wyoming. I

loved this clinic because it was a time to work on my personal skills and

appearance. When on the road at rodeos and appearances, we are there

for the people we are working for. By going to a clinic early in the year,

it gave me time to look at myself and really work on “Being my Best

Self.” I felt like this is my platform, I better do my best to follow it as

well. Marjorie gave great advice and held no punches. You’ve got to

love a woman as classy as that who can give a critique with kindness!

We did squeeze in some time for fun of course! Miss Rodeo

Texas took us to the historic Alamo and down to the river walk for din-

ner. I enjoyed Texas a lot and cannot wait to go back down again some-

time.

4

Rapid City, South Dakota Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo South Dakota is such a beautiful state! I really enjoyed

the drive in my Wyoming Edition Ram and had a blast while I was

there. We worked for Sutton Rodeo during the performances and

they gave us wonderful horses to ride. Charlie and Gilbert were

my boys for the weekend and they did a wonderful job helping me

to display the sponsor flags for the BHSS. While at the rodeo I met

up with Brad Montague owner of the Star of the West Hat Compa-

ny and MRW Sponsor. We designed a really neat hat and had a lot

of laughs in the process.

While at the rodeo I was also able to help with the Miss

Rodeo South Dakota Queen Clinic. I helped with the Personal

Interview portion and had a great time meeting with the beautiful

young girls who had interest in furthering their rodeo queen life. I

think this is so important because rodeo queen skills are ones that

will be used in a lifetime. They are life skills that will help in a

variety of different avenues. Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Courtney

Petersen did a wonderful job. She is such a sweet lady who has

overcome so much to now share with young girls. Her positive

attitude is so fun to be around and as I reflect on the friends I have

already made this month, it has been worth its weight in gold!! My

roommate in Texas and Rapid, Miss Rodeo Idaho, Caitlin

Thornton is a true saint for putting up with me during my spell of

the 24-hour flu!! It ran its course and I was back in the saddle bet-

ter than ever!!

Traveling the rodeo trail keeps getting better! From up

north to down south I am getting a good taste of rodeo every-

where, however, after running into Wayne and Jodi Larsen, who

have Bad Medicine Rodeo Company, it made me think about how

thankful I am for the people who have helped me along the way.

Some from years past and some who have joined me along the

way, regardless, the friendships keep growing and I think that is

truly what rodeo is all about. It’s the family you have going down

the road that share the same values as you about hard work, patri-

otism, and faith.

While traveling, I always think about what message I

want to take with me about the state of Wyoming, and it definitely

comes down to the people. We may not be high in quantity but we

are high quality. The Code of the West is still alive in Wyoming

and I am proud to represent that! The great Wyoming people who

have helped shape me into who I am are the ones I will forever be

grateful for. Continued on Pg. 5...

5

Coors Pro Rodeo Gillette, WY

It felt so good to be home and at a Wyoming Rodeo! What

better rodeo then the Winter Western, put on by the Powder River

Rodeo Company. The Franzen family did a great job and Jill rocked

the house with a great spread of music that everyone enjoyed, espe-

cially my dad. She is definitely our favorite sound girl! Powder Riv-

er Rodeo does a great job and has worked hard to be where they are.

I am so excited for their horse, Khadafy Skoal, to join the 2012 Pro-

Rodeo Hall of Fame!!

I brought Odie, my trustee breakaway horse; along for this

trip and he did a great job carrying the American flag and Coors flag.

I did have to break ice out of his buckets in the morning and in the

middle of the day, making me realize that they don’t just call it the

Winter Western for nothing! You can’t just be a fair weather cowgirl

if you are a Wyoming Cowgirl. Luckily, I did have my Tim Bath

Chaps on that help me in all elements of my travels. They are defi-

nitely one-of-a-kind and he did a beautiful job building them to repre-

sent me! They have a little hide, a flash of gold, and crystals to help

make them shine!! I am so blessed to have such great support from

Wyoming, as a go down the road, and Tim Bath is one who has been

with Miss Rodeo Wyoming for 30 years!! Thank you Tim, for keep-

ing me looking good everywhere I go!

Silver Spurs Rodeo Kissimmee, FL

The weather was beautiful as we did several school visits

and attended many events for

the Silver Spurs Rodeo. They

had a great royalty pageant and

I enjoyed getting to know eve-

ryone in the community. We

went on a really fun airboat ride

where I overcame my fear of

Alligators. I thought they were

a lot more aggressive then they

really are but Skip (our air boat

driver) told me it was the croco-

diles you have to watch out for.

Thank goodness they were not anywhere to be seen. The rodeo was

fun and my favorite little cowboy monkey, Wiplash, was there! I

road Lilly and Seminole and was glad to be a part of the rodeo. A

sweet local ranch family took us hog hunting after the first night of

the rodeo and we had a blast! It was unlike anything I had ever expe-

rienced. The dogs hunted the hogs, and then we roped the hogs!!

What a blast, and we were lucky enough to catch two. My favorite

part of this whole adventure was sticking my toes in the sand at Co-

coa Beach! It was beautiful and the water was fun and very salty.

None of the locals were in the water but all of the northern rodeo

queens didn’t mind a bit!

Cheyenne Frontier Days Volunteer Crisis Fund

I did an early morning News Channel 5 interview with Joe

Lopez of the VCF then headed to the State Capital to get in on part of

the Legislative Session. While there I was introduced on both the

House and Senate side and was so honored to come back after serv-

ing there my senior year of High School as a Student Page. It was

fun to see all of the familiar faces and it gave me pride in our wonder-

ful state. Hans Hunt was a student with me at the University of Wyo-

ming and is now a Representative in the House, and Senator Ross

welcomed me on the Senate side. I was also able to meet with Gov-

ernor Matt Mead and State Secretary Max Maxfield.

I am so thrilled to announce my new wonderful sponsor!!!

Miller Insulation Co., Inc., is sponsoring my Fuel Card to send me

down the road. Fritz and Karen Messer are two great people I am so

blessed to know and have with me on this exciting journey! I really

appreciate their support and look forward to the miles ahead thanks to

them!

Volunteer Crisis Fund went over wonderfully especially

with Western Underground as the entertainment for the evening!

They did a wonderful job and brought back so many fond memories

of our late Wyoming cowboy, Chris Ledoux. He did so much for the

state of Wyoming and I will always treasure his music. I was hon-

ored to speak and I am so glad for the money raised to help the CFD

Volunteer Family. The money raised will go to help volunteers in

need due to tragedy or unfortunate circumstance. What a great fami-

ly to be a part of!

Ogden, Utah Boot Camp

I headed off to Utah to do a little more tuning on myself in

modeling and appearance. While on the way, I made a stop in Rock

Springs to meet the new General Manager of Fremont Motors. Bill

White, is an exceptional guy and I am so glad he has allowed me to

do the demo period this year on three of their vehicles. The trips

would not be the same without a Wyoming Edition Ram!!

I had a blast in Utah and learned a lot to continue to do my

job well as Miss Rodeo Wyoming. Mesia and Jennifer were even

kind enough to include me the fashion show along side Miss Rodeo

America and Miss Rodeo Utah! We could definitely say I worked

the catwalk in a little different way then Utah was used to! But none-

theless, everyone laughed and had a good time, which is what it’s all

about!!! If I can make someone else feel good or inspired then I feel

like I have done my job. The last evening Miss Rodeo Utah took the

state queens and a few Utah queens to the indoor surfing adventure

and I would say that I totally mastered the “wipe out!!!” Surf’s Up

Wyoming!!

Douglas, WY

Wow, did we have a great turn out at the Miss Rodeo Wyo-

ming clinic!!! Stacy Jo Berger did a wonderful job in preparing for

the clinic and all the girls came eager to learn and work on their per-

sonal skills to better represent their titles or work on running for a

new title. McKenzie Haley, Miss Rodeo America 2011, also did a

great job helping the girls in all aspects of being a rodeo queen. I was

so excited about the enthusiasm the girls brought to the clinic. They

really showed great growth and improvement over the weekend and

went home with a list of materials to study including the PRCA Rule-

book, the PSN, the PRCA Media Guide and so many more materials

to get their knowledge up to better do their job in promoting and in-

forming about the sport of rodeo. It takes a good cowgirl who is a

lady to have a rodeo queen position and do it correctly, the etiquette

one must have in and outside the arena is what makes it special. I am

eager to keep teaching myself to be the best I can be, and share with

everyone I meet, to make them the best they can be too! It’s a good

thing!

Thank YOU!

A big thank you goes out to all who have helped me and

touched my life so far. Whether it is from a compliment, support at

my coronation or just friendship down the road. I appreciate all of the

very special people along the way and hope you always feel welcome

to approach me and talk to me about this outstanding journey. I know

it will go by in the blink of an eye, but right now I will just try to soak

it in and keep doing my best to represent WYOMING! Yahoo!!

Kim Kuhn

Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2012

6

It was a success!!

I accomplished all of my goals: 1) Run a marathon and

survive, 2) Raise a little money for the Miss Rodeo Wyoming

Scholarship Fund, 3)Have fun. With that said, the marathon was

one of the hardest endeavors that I have ever attempted! Since I

ran college cross-country and track, I had an idea of what 26.2

miles would feel like, but I certainly wasn’t prepared for how diffi-

cult 26.2 miles really would be!

The marathon took place the evening of December 4th. It

started at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, went across the interstate and

weaved past The Orleans before merging on to the Vegas Strip

with the half-marathoners. I might mention that there were 44,000

runners entered in the event (6,000 marathoners and 34,000 half-

marathoners). The atmosphere was exhilarating with bands playing

music on nearly every corner and celebrities mingling with the

crowd. I started out strong and felt great for the first half of the

race. When I crossed the half-way point and met up with the half-

marathoners, I still felt strong but was overwhelmed by the amount

of people running and cheering on the sidelines. By the time I hit

Mile 19, I was starting to feel a little fatigued and by Mile 23, I

was really hurting. The last 3.2 miles were the longest and hardest

miles I have ever run! I knew that if I walked or slowed down, I

wouldn’t finish and I was getting emotional about how difficult it

was. I pushed through the pain and crossed the finish line with a

time of 3 hours, 48 minutes, and 56 seconds! My average mile

pace was 8:44, which was pretty good considering that I trained to

run 10 minute mile pace!

I was staying with Markie Battaglia, Miss Rodeo

California 2010. Markie was competing in the World Series of

Team Roping at the South Point, and running the half-marathon.

Thankfully, I caught up with her and her mom right after I fin-

ished. We had a long ride back to our hotel room and I spent the

next few days hobbling around our hotel room. I was able to watch

Markie and her partner qualify for the final round in the World

Series Team Roping.! Since our bodies were so run down and sore

from the race, we didn’t make it to the MRA Pageant. But we were

getting updates regularly from people who were watching! I know

Brittany did a great job representing Wyoming!

Overall, It was a great experience! One that I am so

thankful to have done! I am grateful for the support of those who

donated to the scholarship fund. Who knows, I may even run an-

other marathon...someday!

7

Only in Vegas… They had a run

through wedding chapel, where couples

running the marathon could renew their

wedding vows!!

Markie and I after the race!! Thankful that we survived!!

Wyoming is a land covered in frosted sage,

trickling waters, and rising mountains. She welcomes

everyone and makes them feel like family. This past

year I have journeyed to her edges and beyond, and as

I venture on her highways, I knew this was my home.

My time as Miss Rodeo Wyoming has been a journey

that words can’t even start to describe. I have seen the

lands across the nation that God created, the people

that take pride in their work, the sport that holds no

judgments.

My journey this year has been made possible

by the efforts and support of so many. Thank you to

the Miss Rodeo Wyoming Association members, who

volunteer their time year after year to this organiza-

tion. They have been great to work with

this year, and I knew I have their support

as I made my way to the Miss Rodeo

America Pageant in Las Vegas. Thank you

to my sponsors who made sure I had what

I needed as I represented the state of Wyo-

ming. Fred and Jamie with the Albany

County Tourism, thank you for presenting

me with so many new chances to get my-

self and the title of Miss Rodeo Wyoming

out into the public. Liz at Absolute Acryl-

ic, thank you for the numerous emergency

nail appointments in between my travels.

You always made sure I was looking good. Thank you

to Brad at Star of the West Hats. I love the hat you

made me, and I have had so much fun wearing the

pink hat you let me use this year. I am proud to be

wearing the 29th pair of Tim Bath chaps. Tim, you

were great to work with this year, and I’m so happy to

be wearing a pair of your creations! All of my spon-

sors have been great to work with and I can’t thank

them all enough.

My biggest sponsor of all, who deserves the

most thanks, is my family. Dad, Mom, Dusty, you

have done so much for me this year, and the

years leading up to this journey. You would

take on any task I came up with, and you did it

with a smile. You made sure that my dream

was flawless and everything I wanted it to be.

Thank you for everything, you’re the best fam-

ily I could ask for, as different as we all may

be! I am glad you took this adventure with me!

It made it even more special.

Wyoming and rodeo walk hand in

hand, joined together to show their pride. I

have experienced their strength and under-

standing, and have learned their lessons

through their spirit. This past year has been

unbelievable, and an experience I get to share with

everyone I meet. Thank you for the opportunity to be

a part of this community; welcoming me with open

arms. Wyoming, let’s saddle up, ride the plains, and

head for where the trail meets the sky!

Brittany Richards Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2011

8

The Little Miss Rodeo Wyoming Pageant is back in 2012!

Open to girls ages 5-12, it is a great opportunity for future Miss

Rodeo Wyoming’s to mingle with contestants and spend some quality

time with Kimberly Kuhn! Entries are $50 if registered before August

1st and $65 after August 1st. The girls will receive a special T-shirt ,

autographs from contestants and

participate in a mini-pageant

during the speeches and modeling

portion of the 2012 Miss Rodeo

Wyoming Pageant. Come take a

preview of the future of Miss

Rodeo Wyoming!!

Contact Stacy Berger—

kyleandstacyberger@yahoo.com

The clinic was a great success! The participants

had a lot of fun and learned a great deal! The

clinicians were very knowledgeable an open to

sharing their expertise. A big thanks goes out to the

many volunteers that made the clinic possible.

Countless hours were put in behind the scenes so the

clinic ran smoothly. The Miss Rodeo Wyoming

Association is looking forward to another successful

clinic next year!

Group Shot: Clinic participants

and clinicians came together in

Douglas from all over the state

and region!

9

E-Newsletter

This publication is available to be

delivered electronically to your

inbox. Please contact

Erin Heffron

missrodeowyoming2010@live.com

(307) 690-8911

Miss Rodeo Wyoming Association Executive Board

President: Rod Myers, 307-672-8319

Vice President: Lindy Johnson

Secretary: Pam Rivers

Treasurer: Jennifer Lipp, jlipp@live.com, 307-746-6329

WY National Director: Laurie Thoman, llthoman@hughes.net, 307-877-9336

Scheduling Coordinator: Crystal Rivers-Myers, smoothwaters@hotmail.com, 307-851-5811

Immediate Past MRW: Brittany Richards, bricha307@gmail.com, 307-761-2155

WSF Director: James Goodrich, jgoodr@state.wy.us

Asst. WSF Director: Vicky Rupert, vrupert@state.wy.us

At-Large Members

Stacy Berger, kyleandstacyberger@yahoo.com, 307-760-6354

2012 Dues are Now Payable

The MRWA offers members the opportunity to stay up to date on Miss Rodeo Wyo-

ming and Miss Rodeo America events, to be active and help young ladies achieve their

goals. All levels of membership will receive the MRWA Newsletter.

Name:

Address:

Phone: Email:

Miss Rodeo Wyoming Association By-Laws include the following provision for mem-

bers with

unpaid dues: Only members in good standing for one year will have the priv-

ilege of voting on bylaw changes and for Governing Committee positions.

Only members in good standing for one year may hold a Governing Com-

mittee position in the

Association.

Membership Levels

MRWA Regular Membership—$35—Open to all individuals, committees and

businesses.

MRWA Active Membership—$25—Active members must attend a minimum of 2

meetings per year & serve on a committee. Must have been a member for at lease one

year to apply for active membership.

Ambassador Membership—$100— Open to all individuals, committees and busi-

nesses who would like to help support the MRWA Mission. Recognition in the MRWA

Newsletter.

Newsletter Subscription—$10— Open to current titleholders and young ladies

who are

interested in competing for a crown. No voting privileges.

To schedule

MRW 2012 —Kim Kuhn for an

appearance at your western

function or business event please

contact the MRW Scheduling

Coordinator:

Crystal Myers @ 307-851-5811 or

smoothwaters@hotmail.com

Platinum and Gold Sponsors

Remember that part of your

sponsorship package is a

promotional

appearance(s) by Miss Rodeo

Wyoming at your business

function!

10

Come join us for the 2013 Miss Rodeo Wyoming Pageant

August 13-17th in Douglas, WY