Looking for the next rodeo queen, princess

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

The Strathmore Stampede Royalty committee are looking for a new Stampede Queen and Princess this rodeo season. The Miss Strathmore Stampede contest will see two girls, between the ages of 18-24 crowned with the titles on Aug. 1.
“We are having a queen and a princess. The princess will not be expected to do any travelling, but we need to have a princess just in case something happens with the Queen that she can’t fulfill her duties for the remainder of the year, that’s the only criteria,” said chair of the Miss Strathmore Stampede committee Judi Wilson.
“Once they become queen, they go after their own sponsors to travel, so it’s not going to be a cost to the Ag Society.”
She said they have a great team put together, which includes Becca Walters, reigning Stampede Queen, and Amanda Jasman who won the princess contest in 2000, which Wilson said, was the last year Strathmore held a contest.
The successful candidates will be busy over the month leading up to the rodeo.
“They’re going to be judged all the way through on everything,” said Wilson.
“Becca is going to look after them all through the rodeo. She is going to arrange appearances for them.”
On July 18 the girls will take part in a horsemanship challenge at the Lausen arena. July 23 will see them strut their stuff, assisted by cowboys, in the fashion show at the Civic Centre at 7 p.m. There will be no dinner, but there will be hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a silent auction. Tickets will be $40 and can be purchased through the Ag Society or one of the committee members. July 25 is the public speaking portion in the Chuck Mercer room at 10 a.m.
The big day for the contestants is Aug. 1 when the queen and princess will be crowned in front of the rodeo audience.
Applications are being accepted until June 30. Contestants must have an extensive knowledge of the community and rodeo, be an expert horseman and a good public speaker, and able to travel. The Queen will have the opportunity to run for Ms. Rodeo Canada at the Canadian Finals Rodeo. The application can be found online at http://www.strathmoreag.com/strathmore-stampede.