LAKE COUNTY — Lake County Rodeo Association members, knowing the future of rodeo lies in the hands and aspirations of youth, each year encourage young women who are interested in rodeo and equestrian skills to enter competition for the title of Miss Lake County Rodeo Queen.
While there was not one applicant for 2006 Lake County Rodeo Princess, this year the 2006 Lake County Rodeo Queen competition includes four contestants and began several weeks ago on June 24, at Argonaut Farms in Finley.
The process is long and, like the rodeo itself, can be grueling. Rodeo Queen contestants compete in several different areas to vie for the title. These areas of competition include promoting the sport of rodeo in Lake County by selling a minimum of $600 in rodeo admission and raffle tickets.
Contestants are also judged on poise & personality, speech, interview impromptu questions, modeling, horsemanship, horse know-ledge, rodeo knowledge and a written test.
2005 Lake County Rodeo Queen Sierra Shores said, “You have to know all about your horse, you have to know about the rodeo, you have to be able to speak in public because that is what you do as a rodeo queen. You teach people about the rodeo, you go out to public events. You smile. You wave. You take photos with people. You have to be very publicly oriented. It”s not like a beauty pageant.”
Shores also created and continues to contribute to the Lake County Rodeo Web site at www.lakecountyrodeo.com
Miss Lake County Rodeo Queen will be crowned Friday night; other events scheduled include the introduction of “Cutest Lil” Cowpoke” Contest Winners, a performance by the Clearlake Junior Horsemen Drill Team, Mutton Bustin”, and an invitational junior barrel race exhibition.
Contact Cynthia Davis at cdavis@record-bee.com.
