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As published in the January 2006 issue The Central States Horseman The Queen of Hearts, WPBR Melissa Phillips |
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She's that special person that will leave an impact on
your spirit. She's a person that will touch your heart and soul, yet will leave you
feeling hopeful and blessed at the very same time...if
you are indeed lucky to meet her in your lifetime.
She is an
exceptional person with sensitivity and a very big heart…perhaps
a legend to be known as The Queen of Hearts. Lady Bull
Rider Melissa Phillips is that one special cowgirl.
This Women’s Professional Bull Rider is the Queen of Hearts.
I
believe we didn't meet by chance and to hear Melissa talk about her life while
on the road is remarkable and inspiring.
I learned more and more about her as we rode up to Green Mountain
crossing over Tonahutu Creek in Colorado that year. We talked about horses,
cowboys and bull riding. We also
shared our thoughts about life, our choices and the cowgirl spirit. We became friends and I instantly knew this go-getter cowgirl
is a true winner. Her endless
energy and positive attitude truly contributes to her successful bull-riding
career. She
has titles and awards that will fill any trophy room.
Melissa has rightfully earned her success the hard way...through
perseverance, hard work and skill.
A 1992
Reserve Champion Bull Rider, 1993
Pro Women's Rodeo Association Rough Stock Rookie of The Year, 1993 PWRA
Champion (bull riding), 1993 two time Bareback Riding Finalist; Bareback Riding
Director; Bull Riding Director, 1995 Reserve Champion Bull Rider and a 1995
National Cowgirl Hall of Fame Nominee. In
1997
Melissa was the first woman on The Worlds Toughest Tour.
This is just a few of her accomplishments.
Those
big Oklahoma eyes can light up any western sky.
I remember we talked late into the moonlit night while sitting around a
Rocky Mountain campfire. I
watched her wipe away a tear as the hazy smoke lifted a burning ember to the
sky. We talked about the rainbow we saw earlier that day, rodeo…and cowboy
legends that we both held dear to our hearts.
Melissa then spotted a shooting star, pointed to it and made a wish.
Her heartfelt laughter told me her spirits were lifted again...yes she
is living her dream.
There
is a price to pay for rodeo accomplishments.
Eleven broken ribs, two broken collar bones, a skull fracture, a broken
wrist, a broken thumb not to mention several head injuries.
There were some broken hearts along the way too.
Sometimes they don’t heal as quickly.
Melissa boldly bounces forward as she has had a lot of lessons on how
to start over again. With determination she never stops to look back. She
talks about God and how her life has a meaning. She has had her share of ups
and downs and yet she feels blessed in every sense of the way.
She is a devoted soul and admired by many. Melissa
just finished a professional, promotional CD for the purpose of endorsing
women’s rodeo. Her love for the
sport is a lifelong commitment. She
just signed a contract with Long Horn Rodeo Productions (www.longhornrodeo.com)
and of course she is thrilled that she is the celebrity headliner for 2006.
She started off the tour in November 2005 during the finals at
Murfreesboro, TN. Her new year schedule begins in Tulsa, Oklahoma on January 20-22 , 2006 at the Expo
Square Pavillion. She has signed
on sponsors such as Dillard’s (cosmetic division) Department Stores, after
all cowgirls wear lip gloss too. If you’re lucky, you
might be able to rope this rodeo Queen of Hearts into promoting your next
rodeo or ranch event.
Melissa
encourages women to be active and supportive in women’s pro rodeo events.
You
only have to stay on a bull for 6 seconds and the prize money increases every
year for the ladies. Sometimes
you have to put up with a lot of bull (from the guys) while you’re in
training, but this Queen of Hearts wouldn’t trade her life for anyone else’s.
Thanks
for the memories Melissa…this is your year for ridin’ high again.
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livestock and 400,000 tons of dirt is the setting for her stage. The
lights dim, the echo of her name and the glaring beam of light bounces off
of 45,000 fans inside the dark arena. She carefully slides one leg
over the 2000 pound animal, while securing her leather grip. His back
is tense, he snorts and gives a stomp...she knows that "Satan" will live up
to his name tonight. The wranglers are giving last minute instructions on how to stay out of trouble on number 22. After all they
don't want see their little comrade get hurt. The buzzer sounds, the
gate flies open and the bull bolts out of the chute. This is it and
she knows she has to make it. Satan, bucking and spinning with all
fours off the ground...and she knows this is the longest 6 seconds of her
life. The wranglers are wide eyed, gripping the fence rails waiting to
run into the arena to keep her from harms way, as soon as she tumbles
to the dirt packed floor...at the mercy of the fire breathing black bull
named Satan. This is rodeo and it leaves your breathless. This
is a story about the greatest sport in America and one special cowgirl, The
Queen of Hearts, Melissa Phillips. 
I
met mid-western cowgirl legend Melissa Phillips, while riding in the Rocky
Mountains in 2003.