Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to the 46th Annual Mother Lode Round Up. My Name is Sarah Butler, and as the 2001-2002 Mother Lode Round Up Queen, it is my pleasure to welcome you to this special event.
For as long as I can remember my family has been attending this rodeo as both contestants and onlookers. It was here that I learned that rodeo is something special and it helps to bring people, animals, and history all together. My parents explained that rodeo is a test where only the most skilled humans and animals battled or worked together to achieve a common goal. But rodeo is more than just a sport. I soon saw that it was also a place of hope where seemingly impossible animals were not only given a safe place to live, but were encouraged to demonstrate their skills in a place where they are admired and appreciated. It's a place where families come to spend time together watching a sport that not only tamed the west, but also helped to shape the greatest nation in the world. It was here, after the rodeo was over, that I saluted an empty stand thinking of rodeo, cowboys and how I could be a part of it all.
Finally, last year, I won the revered title of Mother Lode Round Up Queen. I was thrilled at the image of saluting a real crowd, and smiled at the miles I knew I would travel. How as I to guess that the crown came with more than just glory? Well it was not long before I realized that this crown brought with it an insight to life and a view of the world that most will never see. Yes I traveled California, waving and smiling, but I could not see myself, what I saw was young girls, trying to mirror an image that I will never fully picture. I also saw my elders, smiling their approval of what I represented, and what I had become.
Finally, when September 11th came in a cloud of smoke and tears, I saw true pride as I watched Old Glory wave proudly at the opening ceremony of every rodeo. It made me proud to know I represented an organization that had never lost faith in our country or the flag that represents it, nor tarnished her name.
Yes, it has truly been an amazing year, and I must thank everyone for your love and support. Thank you to my sponsors for being so wonderful, the Marino Family for treating me like one of your own. Thank you to my family for all the love and for a wonderful life, and to my Grandma Bea, who may be gone in body, but lives on in everything beautiful. Thank you to Russ for giving me so much love and strength, and thank you to Steve and Janice Gray for introducing me to Drummer, the horse that made a girl a Queen. Lastly, thank you to the Posse and their wives. You all have taught a girl to have confidence and to give it all she's got. Thank you for the most wonderful ride of my life.
Happy Mother's Day Everyone!
Sincerely,
Sarah Renee Butler |
