Miss Rodeo New York 2023, Emma Gutchess

12/31/2023

12/31/2023

And this is where the cowboy rides away… ✨

I never knew why people always said “Glory be to God” when talking about the blessings in their lives, but I sure do now. There are so many things to say, so many people to thank, but I couldn’t possibly get everyone and I’ve been dreading this post for weeks so I’m doing my best to get through it, ha!

To every single person that believed in me, those that didn’t, every person that helped me along the way I truly couldn’t do it without you. To my momager, the Kris to my Kim, the woman that kept me sane and that I probably drove insane- Paige, I love you and don’t know what I did to deserve you. I only hope I can return the favor to you and others someday. I am where I am because of every hand that got me here. It is not my victory alone, it is all of yours too and I hope I have made you all proud. It was simultaneously the longest year that somehow feels like the blink of an eye. Now that I’ve returned back to “normal life” I sometimes wonder if I dreamt it all or if it really happened because that’s truly what it felt like- a dream.

This year has brought me closer to the ones I loved, formed new bonds with people I will hold close for the rest of my life, tested my strength both mentally and physically, taught me SO MUCH about myself and my capabilities, and most importantly, brought me closer to Him.

On a lighter note, here is a fun list of some things I had never done before this year….

- hauled a horse trailer (something I got very familiar with, very quickly… my second time ever hauling being the 5 hour trip to Kellettville, PA. If you have made that drive, you can understand my terror.)
- ridden a horse in a professional rodeo arena
- slept in my truck for days on end (another feeling I got very familiar with… hahaha)
- done rodeo queen wings! (I think my hair is permanently growing straight outward now)
- worn a felt hat in the summer time (iykyk)

You get the idea… had to throw some laughs in there.

I will cherish this year, the memories, the tears, the moments, the love and pure joy I felt for my entire life.

THANK YOU.

One last time…
Emma Gutchess
Miss Rodeo New York 2023

12/03/2023

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:13

As I make one final post before my journey to Miss Rodeo America starts, I wanted to touch on what an incredible year this has been. The people I’ve met, the places I’ve been, the experiences I’ve had; I know how many people say “if you had told me a year ago etc…” but it really is true. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this was God’s plan for me but indeed it was and here I am. Remember that with growth comes discomfort, but without growth we don’t experience life for what it truly has to offer. To the village it took to get me here, thank you. My mom, my dad, my grandmas, uncles and aunts both by blood and friendship, all of my friends but especially to my best friend and biggest supporter. I could not be happier with the year I’ve been given and what a way to go out with a bang. Whatever the next week brings, I am thankful for because I can say I have truly grown into who I was meant to be.

Now… don’t forget to send me some roses and emails! I so look forward to feeling the love from y’all!

With a full and grateful heart,
Emma Gutchess
Miss Rodeo New York 2023

11/27/2023

Lots of information coming but for those interested in keeping up with me during the MRA pageant in Las Vegas, PLEASE READ!

Firstly, I encourage everyone to save this picture and make it your temporary profile picture to show your support as I make the long trek to Vegas this week and while the pageant is going! All support is so appreciated!

During the pageant, I will not have any contact with the outside world. If you would love to send me roses (proceeds go to the Miss Rodeo America Scholarship Foundation, so all money comes back to us!) and make my room smell of looooove, here is the link to do so:

https://foundation.missrodeoamerica.com/p/foundation/2023-miss-rodeo-america-pageant-rose-sales?fbclid=IwAR3I_XULGTXAmNWAeh-S5-jCI7xtQwDPRHZQLfXvdcZC2cH4dkC13pu_xAU_aem_AZldWOJik-ZMuHOZv_Xwt8g1Jo10nY2-bDrgyUNUTO5fxwcZz4pDQU6PSKgmauxH9Vw

Just a reminder to all family, friends and supporters, you may send me well wishes during the upcoming pageant! Starting Dec. 3-De.c 9 you can send an email to any contestant. Simply send to:

[email protected]

and put the contestant state in the subject box.
Emails will be read prior to passing on to the contestant and we discourage including photos just to make the ease of printing and delivery more simple.

Thank you to all of my sponsors, family, and friends for getting me to this point. It’s almost time to shine!

11/01/2023

The end of the 50 horse challenge marks another huge milestone I never thought I’d accomplish so early in my life. I’ve been very lucky to ride many horses before this challenge started… but that number was far from 50. “Courage is being scared and saddling up anyway” was something that ran through my mind a lot… there were times throughout this challenge that I felt scared, unworthy, overwhelmed… but I pushed on, and with every horse I learned more and my confidence grew with every stride. Thankful for the person I have become through being Miss Rodeo New York 2023 and I can not wait to see what the future holds for me. Here’s to one step closer to that South Point stage 🫶🏻

I was able to ride 16 more horses at two of my favorite places- Lamb Quarter Horses and Galway Quarter Horses. I’m so thankful for the people that are in my corner consistently helping me grow as a person and a horsewoman, I couldn’t do it without you!

35. “Icey” buckskin paint gelding owned by Carrie Thompson
36. I’m Something Special “Special” AQHA palomino gelding owned by Carrie Thompson
37. Badger Star Nut “Badger” AQHA gelding owned by Carrie Thompson
38. “Paco” palomino gelding owned by Bridget McCarthy
39. “Roger” bay gelding owned by Jocelyn Lavigne
40. “CB” gray gelding owned by Stacy Lamb
41. Heza Heartbreak Kid “Wyatt” AQHA bay gelding owned by Stacy Lamb
42. “Sailor” sorrel gelding owned by David Ciborowski
43. “Merada” sorrel mare owned by Shelly Ciborowski
44. “Jameson” AQHA sorrel gelding owned by Stacy Lamb
45. I’m Overdrawn “Trixie” AQHA liver chestnut mare owned by Paul & Amy Galway
46. “Wilson” red gelding owned by Micki Barrett
47. Jacks Smokin Zephyr “Roxanne” AQHA black mare owned by Paul Galway
48. “Prince” grey gelding owned by Abby Landry
49. A Dashing Fling “Rizzo” AQHA blue roan mare owned by Amanda Sasenbury, trained by Patty Galway
50. KC Xenas White Rose “Xena” APHA cremello paint mare owned by Alexus Vonkrusze, trained by Patty Galway

Excitedly,
Emma Gutchess
Miss Rodeo New York 2023

Lambquarterhorse
Galway's Quarterhorses

10/30/2023

Went and paid a visit to a friend and sponsor, Amie Bell, owner and operator of Cowgirl Couture based out of Perry, NY, and rode 6 more horses! Getting so close to my 50, here they are listed below-

29. Roman Ace Cowboy “Boy” AQHA grey gelding owned by Ricki Bell ❤️
30. Mollys A Blue Hancock “Molly” AQHA buckskin mare owned by Amie Bell
31. “Dixie” Appaloosa mare owned by Ricki Bell
32. Native Dry Frenchman “Zack” AQHA bay gelding owned by Rhonda Jackson
33. “Hoxie” solid red paint mare owned by Clint Smith
34. Little Whiskey Sour “Mikey” AQHA dun gelding owned by Mikey Swearingen

16 more to go!
Emma Gutchess
Miss Rodeo New York 2023

10/29/2023

While in Alabama last weekend for the Miss Rodeo Alabama pageant, Ashton and I were able to ride some horses in between the performances of the rodeo! Thank you so much to Kylee Campbell and the newly crowned Miss Teen Rodeo Alabama Georgia Cauthen for letting me ride!

27. Southern T by Mister, AQHA red gelding owned by Kylee Campbell
28. Peptocats Wildfire “Miss Kitty”, AQHA bay mare owned by the Cauthen family

So many horses, so little time! What a wild October!

Emma Gutchess
Miss Rodeo New York 2023

10/28/2023

As I’ve been a little behind on posting, I have so many horses to catch up on! Here are my next 12 horses from New York and Georgia putting me at a total of 26, with many more planned over the next few days!

15. Guartamo Four Putney “Blue” AQHA blue roan mare owned by Jessica St. Peter
16. Bueno Four Putney “Bella” another AQHA blue roan mare (full sisters!) owned by Jessica St. Peter
17. “Zeus” red gelding owned by Dawn Zimmer
18. Break My Conclusion “Shy” AQHA red roan mare owned by Cheyenne Coleman
19. MS Shiny Catt “Caddy” AQHA red roan mare owned by Cheyenne Coleman
20. RS Frenchman’s Charm “Charmandar” AQHA red mare owned by Cheyenne Coleman
21. Bully’s Blingn Sixes “Bling” APHA red mare owned by Cheyenne Coleman
22. Smart Bar King “Scratchoff” AQHA bay gelding owned by Dawson Boswell
23. Pl***oy Bar “Pl***oy” AQHA red gelding owned by Dawson Boswell
24. “Tarzan” red gelding owned by Dylan Gilbert
25. “Boone” buckskin gelding owned by Dylan Gilbert
26. “Archie” buckskin gelding owned by Dylan Gilbert

More to come soon!
Emma Gutchess
Miss Rodeo New York 2023

10/15/2023

Such a huge thank you to my friend and sponsor Rebecca Gates with Fancy Cowgirl Designs for helping me check ELEVEN horses off my list of 50! Such an amazing Friday, thankful to have so many people in my corner 🥰 use code “MRNY23” to save yourself some money on anything you order from Fancy Cowgirl Designs!

4. Sugar owned by Rebecca Gates
5. Lily owned by Rebecca Gates
6. Meech owned by Zach Losee
7. Freya owned by Miranda Linch
8. Star owned by Anita Herring
9. Ginger owned by Jen Jacobs
10. Journey owned by Anita Herring
11. Sassy owned by Rebecca Gayes
12. Jolene owned by Rebecca Gates
13. Frank owned by Susan Delong
14. Latte owned by Susan Delong

Emma Gutchess
Miss Rodeo New York 2023