TREENA MIELKE/Rimbey Review
No rodeo would be complete without a lovely young queen graciously leading the grand entry and smiling and waving her way along the parade route.
The Rimbey Rodeo is no exception.
Promotions director Hazel Street said queen contestants are still needed for this year’s rodeo. She encourages all young ladies between 16 and 21 who would like to represent Rimbey as rodeo queen to contact Kristina at 403-350-1252 or Tara at (403)748-4248.
“We are looking for more entries,” she said. “Being rodeo queen is an important job and one that our previous queens have carried out very well.”
Chelsey Kinsella has been Rimbey’s rodeo queen for two years. The 17-year-old Grade 12 Rimbey High School student has enjoyed the role very much.
“You have a chance to go to parades and other rodeos. I also handed out ribbons at the 4-H show and sale and took part in the cutter parade. Basically, I promoted the rodeo and the town.”
Kinsella was successful at becoming the rodeo queen after being judged on public speaking, horsemanship and completing a general test. Her involvement in 4-H and her experience with horses, no doubt, gave her the qualifications she needed to wear the crown, not once, but twice.
Now, with plans to go to Red Deer College where she will be enrolled in the pre-vet program, she looks back on the experience of being rodeo queen as a fun and exciting time.
“I especially like the grand entry and going in the parade,” she said.
As rodeo queen she was presented with a buckle, a tiara and a sash.
Rodeo queens are also given an honorarium to help cover expenses they may incur while performing their duties.
Kinsella will be on hand to present the crown to the new queen at this year’s rodeo, July 8 to 10.