Martina Holtkamp, the only Rimbey contestant among the four girls vying for the title, is this year’s Rimbey rodeo queen.
The amiable 16-year-old, who is going into Grade 12 at Rimbey Senior/Junior High School is thrilled with the win.
“I have always looked up the queen and it is an honour to represent my own community as the 2014 rodeo queen and promote rodeo in Rimbey as well as other communities.”
The competition for rodeo queen involved public speaking and horsemanship as well as helping out at various events related to the rodeo. The contestants were also part of the grand march at the rodeo and the rodeo parade.
The competition did present a few challenges, but for Holtkamp the most challenging part came minutes before the announcement was made.
“I was so nervous,” she said. “I think that was the hardest part.”
The newly crowned queen gives credit to her horse Silver, whom she borrowed from her neighbour Travis Jordan for her success with the horsemanship pattern competition.
“That horse was a super star,” she said.
The competition for rodeo queen was a positive, interesting experience, she said.
“I think it teaches you to be more friendly and outgoing and it also gives you a chance to get to know the other girls. And it increases your confidence.”
The teen, who is the oldest daughter of Joe and Linda Holtkamp, thanks her family, friends and community including sponsor Holly’s Greenhouse, Diane Weening, Lyn Johnson and The Jordan family for their support.
“I couldn’t have done it without them,” she said.
Holtkamp belongs to the Kansas Ridge Riders Gymkhana Group and enjoys barrel racing and pole riding.
When she is not participating with her horse she enjoys snowboarding, rugby and simply being outdoors.
And she loves riding.
“My four little sisters and I all ride together,” she said. “We have a long line of rodeo queens coming up,” she said with a laugh.
Whitaney Block, a 16-year-old Grade 10 student from Edson was runner-up. Block was selected as last year’s Alberta High School Rodeo Queen.
Also competing for Miss Rimbey Rodeo was Kaitlin Malterer from Ponoka and KC Goller from Leduc.