Terri Arnold of South Lake Tahoe Wins Carson Valley Rider Contest

Humor and distinctive footwear shone through in a contest to find a spokeswoman for the Carson Valley. In September, the Carson Valley Visitors Authority announced its nationwide search for a “storyteller on horseback.” Fifteen women answered the call and in video submissions, which ranged from a poetic ode to the Carson Valley to a distinctive pair of pink stilettos, made their case to be the area’s spokeswoman.

From the 15 entries, four finalists were chosen for interviews with the Carson Valley Visitors Authority last week. Terri Arnold and her signature pink stilettos came out on top. (see her audition video in this story)

“We were truly impressed with the quality, creativity and commitment to the Carson Valley expressed in the entry videos,” said A.J. Frels, Carson Valley Visitors Authority executive director. “We were looking for ‘today’s woman’ and Terri didn’t disappoint. She is charismatic, entertaining, fun, authentic, athletic, professional and adventuresome and we are confident that she is the candidate who will definitely appeal most to our target markets. And her video was hilarious. Those shoes. You just had to watch.”

Arnold, 44, who lives in South Lake Tahoe with her husband and 6-year-old twins, a boy and a girl, is a district manager for US Bank. In her entry video, Arnold demonstrated her “country confidence with an urban edge,” one of the position requirements, by navigating a series of activities in her favorite pink heels, including hop scotching through horse manure and going for a run.

“I auditioned because the Carson Valley exemplifies a lifestyle that I not only love, but that I live,” Arnold said. “The idea around doing silly outdoorsy things in pink stilettos was to show that you can dress me up and at the same time, I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty. I was hoping the video would stick out as being fun.”

Arnold will appear in a series of videos, launching later this year, riding a horse through the Carson Valley’s various attractions. A branding study conducted in 2012 launched the area’s “Rugged. Relaxed. Reachable.” campaign that plays upon the area’s gateway status as a tourism outfitter for the region. The Carson Valley rider adventures will span from Topaz Lake and the Pine Nut Mountains to the Tahoe Rim Trail. The videos will go into production later this month. Arnold will help showcase the valley from all angles including a bird’s eye view in a glider to traversing some of the area’s best trails, golf courses, and hidden gems.

For her efforts and time on camera, Arnold will receive an all-expense paid outfitted four-night, five-day adventure in the Carson Valley for herself and a guest. She will be featured in videos and promotions filmed on location throughout the Carson Valley through October 2014.

The visitors’ authority is now actively recruiting a horse to take Arnold on her journeys around the valley. This horse will build its own fan following through a Facebook page and stories about adventures told straight from the horse’s mouth.