A Colorado Rodeo: It is 1949.  The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo is returning to the Broadmoor Polo Grounds in Colorado Springs thanks to entrepreneur and philanthropist, Spencer Penrose. A young girl of the west, Jessi, has been waiting all year to see the Rodeo Parade come through town. She is looking forward to seeing the precision riders, trick ropers and rodeo clowns from all over come to the Springs to compete for the coveted Spencer Penrose Buckle.  Jessi’s favorite part is the Pageant Parade featuring the Rodeo Queen and her court. She dreams of becoming the Queen one day, by representing Western values (community, country, faith and family) and showcasing her skills to be a successful cowgirl. 

As the kickoff for the rodeo begins, Champ, a young cowboy, takes notice of Jessi. He sees her mimicking the Queen and taking part in the festivities. Champ makes his way through the crowd to meet her, only to see her disappear in the distance. 10 years later, Jessi is on the ranch practicing her ridin(g), ropin(g) and barrel racin(g). She feels more confident than ever that she can compete for the Rodeo Queen title. Jessi and her ranch girls secretly watch as the riders and cowboys prepare for the rodeo too.  Champ recognizes Jessi, the young girl of the west, from the parade. He introduces himself and quickly becomes smitten with her. Jessi takes interest in him as well but doesn’t want to become distracted from her dream of becoming the Rodeo Queen. 

The first day of the rodeo arrives with much spirit and excitement. All the cowboys and cowgirls are ready to showcase their skills in the arena. Jessi feels confident with her performance, until her competition arrives. Prairie Rose and her ranch girls make fun of Jessi and embarrass her by taking her hat and throwing it into the crowd. Champ recovers Jessi’s hat and comforts her. He tries to cheer her up by inviting her to the Chuckwagon dinner celebration that night. He hopes he can impress her even more with his dance skills just as much as his rodeo performance.  Fun soon turns into flirtation at the Chuckwagon show, and Champ swoons Jessi into a romantic slow dance. They fall asleep together under the stars of the Colorado skies dreaming of the wide open west together.  Jessi and Champ are awakened by the rodeo parade coming into town. The excitement and nervousness build for both as they prepare for the rodeo competition ahead. 

They both put on their best performance. Jessi is crowned Queen and Champ proudly wears his new buckle. Prairie Rose puts aside her pride, congratulates Jessi and joins in the celebratory hoedown.

Appalachian Spring: Depicting a simple country wedding, Appalachian Spring was one of Aaron Copland's World War II-era populist works, exploring the depth and strength of the American people. A young couple arrives at a newly-built farmhouse, ready to start their lives together.  As the celebration intensifies, each new dance becomes more uproarious than the last, including The Minister's Dance, which is not heard in the more familiar Suite. The familiar Simple Gifts brings the day to close and the young couple are left in their new home, looking out the front window with optimism.