Two-time Wrangler NFR qualifier and 2005 Wrangler NFR average champion Liz Pinkston and WPRA president Jymmy Kay Davis departed on Tuesday, Feb. 24, on a rodeo-themed Goodwill Military Tour of Afghanistan that was put together by Pro Sports MVP of Colorado Springs, Colo.

The 10-day tours first stop is in Doha, Qatar, before heading to U.S. military bases in Afghanistan from Feb. 27-March 3. The group plans to return to the United States on March 5.

Each stop will feature autograph sessions, walking tours, hospital visits, question-and-answer sessions and possible rodeo demonstrations.

Pro Sports MVP has implemented more than 60 such Goodwill Military tours for U.S. troops over the last five years.
Joining Pinkston and Davis on the tour will be six-time world champion saddle bronc rider Dan Mortensen, three-time Wrangler NFR bareback rider Jessy Davis and PBR bull rider Tater Porter.

Both Davis and Pinkston are planning on sending updates and photos describing their experience, which will be posted as they are received.

Jymmy Kay Davis, Jessy Davis, Dan Mortensen, Tater Porter and Liz Pinkston are participating in a Goodwill Military Tour to Qatar and Afghanistan. Here they are pictured on a Stryker in Qatar

Hello to all back in the States,

What an amazing once in a lifetime opportunity this has been for me thus far. It is so great to visit the troops in person and to be able to tell them how much we appreciate and support what they are doing. Just in the past twelve hours we have gotten a sense that rodeo and military are similar in the highs and lows of traveling! It's a lot of hurry up and wait - and sometimes just hurry up!

Jymmy Kay and Liz Pinkston in a bunker in Qatar

The first place we visited in Qatar was an R and R type of facility and very nice, which Jymmy Kay talked about in her blog. Yesterday afternoon we all to ride in a Stryker! What a thrill! A Stryker is similar to a tank, only composed of pieces of metal as opposed to one large piece; and is on eight wheels as opposed to a tracker. They weigh 22 tons, get up to 72 mph and can stop quicker than our rigs loaded with horses! Unbelievable.

Jymmy Kay and Liz show their guns on the Stryker in Qatar

We left first thing this morning on a cargo plane to Afghanistan. After staying all night in the base airport, and flying all day, we arrived at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. This base is the real deal - there is a war going on over here! Not as much in amenities as in Qatar, but the soldiers are wonderful and glad to see faces from home.

It is 10 1/2 hours ahead of central time at home, so we are fixing to go to sleep. Jkay and I hope you all have a great weekend. Be thankful for what we have at home. We'll write again as soon as we can. Hope you enjoy the photos of us in the bunkers in Qatar and on the Stryker! --Liz

Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009...
This morning we met with the Colonel and had an autograph session with the soldiers. Most are here for 6 month tours. Some are also here for the R and R - a four day break from the war.

Found out today that Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world. It is over the largest natural gas reservoir in the world. Although very rich, it has a very small army. Qatar is owned by a royal family, who invited the U.S. to come over here. Basically, our military protects them from being overtaken by Iran or Saudia Arabia. Qatar doesn't really have any enemies, so they allow pretty much anyone to take refuge here. For this reason, security is very tight here at the base.

I am starting to feel the jet lag. I am writing this at 2 p.m. here but it is 5 a.m. at home and I feel like I should still be in bed. Ironically though, it's easier to adjust to this than Vegas! Later this afternoon we are going to go out and ride a Stryker, which is similar to a big tank. I am looking forward to this. Then we will pack and get ready to head to Afghanistan.

I will try to write again telling you about our ride on the Stryker and hopefully get some photos sent over --jkay

"Trust in God. Believe in yourself. Dare to dream."
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009...

We arrived in Doha in the state of Qatar a few hours ago (early evening here, mid-morning back in the States), after our 5-star flight from Washington, D.C. We are eight hours ahead of central time in the United States, so while we are getting ready for supper, our families back in the States are getting ready for lunch. We are now on base with the soldiers and they are such wonderful and amazing individuals. There are a lot of amenities here and lots of security, too. This particular base is where some of our soldiers come for R&R.

You definitely get such a sense of pride for our country and those who are defending us and the freedom for all! We are in good hands with our tour guides that include Staff Sgt. Lynn, Tony and Jody. I am joined on this trip with PRCA cowboys Dan Mortensen and Jessy Davis, PBR bull rider Tater Porter and good friend and WPRA member Liz Pinkston. For the next 10 days we will be visiting our troops here and then in Afghanistan and sharing some rodeo stories with them.

Prior to my departure from the United States, I went to Brook Army Medical Hospital and visited with some of the soldiers who were in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was amazing! The courage and strength of these men was truly inspiring. I also got the opportunity to tour the facility. BAMC, as it is called, is located in San Antonio, Texas. It is a state-of-the art facility and I am so grateful that our soldiers have a place like this to rehabilitate when they come home. They deserve the very best!

The weather here is actually in the 80's tonight. Since we are actually ahead of everyone back in the U.S. time wise, I can tell you that your future is in good hands with these soldiers over here.

Liz and I look forward to giving you an inside look into our trip. We are hoping to be able to send updates every other day so be sure to check back to see how our trip is going.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! -- jkay