I was born and raised in the Salmon River Canyon. My parents were Bob and Jessie Spickelmire. I was raised with two brothers; I being the youngest. When I was about 8 years old our great uncle gave us a Shetland pony, Fancy. (I was hooked on horses from then on, they were in my blood.) I rode Fancy in PeeWee, Little Britches, and Jr. Rodeos in our area. She was the first horse I rode in the Riggins Rodeo. It was every little girls dream to be riding with the big girls in your home town rodeo. What a crowd pleaser as it still is today. When I was about 12 my Dads boss, Warren Brown, gave me my first big horse from his ranch. He said if I was going to rodeo I needed a horse not a pony. She took me to the State High School Rodeo Finals. I became Riggins Rodeo Princess in 1973 and 1974, and Rodeo Queen in 1975. I have had numerous horses since then, all very special to me and they kept me rodeoing and staying connected to my rodeo family. I joined the SRCA when I was in high school and have been involved with it pretty much every year since then. I don't know if I have ever missed a rodeo. I married my husband, Donnie, in 1976 and rodeoed with him for many years. We had two children, Joni and Chad. They learned to ride at an early age. I became a 4-H leader when they were old enough to be in Horse 4-H. I also coached High School Volleyball for 9 years and JV Basketball a year. My son and I also cowboyed for Jack and Arlene Hubbard taking the cows to and from the mountains. And I can't forget working and training my SAR's dog, Niki, for 10+ years, this all in my spare time of my regular job. I became Secretary for the Rodeo in the early 80's. I took a couple of years off when my daughter was in High School Rodeo so we could help with the Dist. 3 High School Rodeos as Barrel Racing Directors. Then I took back the Rodeo Secretary job for Riggins again. I continued as Secretary/Treasurer till my daughter, Joni, took it over about 9-10 years ago. I still help with pay-outs and whatever else I am able to do. I am proud to say my whole family is still very much involved in the Rodeo. From my Husband being Vice-President and Arena Director, to my Daughter Secretary/Treasurer, to my Son-in-law being Director and Chute Gate tripper, to my Son President and Chute Gate puller, to my Daughter-in-law working in the ticket and t-shirt booth, to my Brother Director and Chute Boss, and all three Grandsons, one on the return alley gate, one on the stripping chute, and one on the chalk board giving us the scores, and numerous cousins helping where needed. There has been a Clay involved with the Riggins Rodeo every year since the Salmon River Cowboys Assoc. started back in 1948. When I was told they had voted me to be the Grand Marshall I was kinda surprised. I'm not old enough yet, (the Grand Marshalls are always older people and in my mind I'm not old yet, my body might tell me differently; just ask my Aunts or Uncles they still think I'm a kid…) Thank you all for the wonderful years of being able to work alongside some of the greatest people I know. It has been a privilege to put on one of the best Rodeos around with you. I am very Proud and Honored to be this year's Riggins Rodeo Grand Marshall.