TREENA MIELKE/Rimbey Review
Three lovely young ladies, each of whom would do Rimbey proud, are vying for the coveted title of the 2011 Rimbey Rodeo Queen.
Rylee Davies, Jill Tannant and Michelle Vongunten are competing to be rodeo queen.
Seventeen-year old Davies, who lives near Rocky Mountain House and is sponsored by Nikirks, said she would be happy to represent Rimbey as rodeo queen.
“Our family is very rodeo,” she said. “My mom and my auntie were both rodeo queen contestants. And I like Rimbey, I would be glad to help out here.”
Davies enjoys participating in rodeo events and is an avid barrel racer.
“Actually, my life revolves around rodeos,” she said.
Tennant, who is also 17, and is sponsored by Allen B Auction, is an outdoors girl who loves riding and camping. The Grade11 student at Rimbey Junior/Senior High School also enjoys playing basketball.
“I love anything to do with the outdoors,” she said.
The Bluffton teen is excited about the opportunity to run for rodeo queen. “I look at it as a way to give back to Rimbey.”
At 16 years old, Vongunten, sponsored by Action Auto Body, also from Bluffton, is the youngest rodeo contestant.
Her interests include barrel racing, basketball and rugby.
“I really love horses and I’m in a horse club as well.”
Running for rodeo queen is a good experience, she said.
“I think it also gives me the opportunity to be a good role model and a chance to do lots of volunteering.”
The title of rodeo queen does not come easily and all contestants will be kept busy up to and following the rodeo.
The contestants will be required to participate in a public speaking competition July 5 at 2 p.m. at the Parkland Manor. Each girl will be asked to give a three- to five- minute speech as well as an impromptu one minute speech. Contestants will also be expected to help out with the rodeo pancake breakfast and then compete in a horsemanship competition.
They will participate in the rodeo parade on July 8 as well.
On July 9 they will be required to help with rodeo slack beginning at 1 p.m.
The crowing of the queen and her princesses will take place July 9 during intermission.
On July 10, the queen will be required to hand out buckles to rodeo winners.
The rodeo queen and her princesses are required to ride in the Ponoka parade and other local parades as well as help out at local horse shows, ranch rodeo, cutter rally and Rimbey 4-H show and sale.