A rodeo Queen Reflection: After Miss Rodeo California

Walking away with the title of first runner up at a state level pageant is a big honor, something that some girls dream of achieving. But lets be honest, it kind of stings to be so close and not get the title. After competing at the Miss Rodeo California Pageant, I learned a lot about the rodeo queen world, and looking back there are so many things I would do differently if I had the chance of competing again. And while I do plan to share everything I can about the experience, here are some things I have done since the pageant and what is next on my agenda as I begin to plan a different future.

1. Before the Pageant

   I wish I had done more, I wish I had studied more, I wish I had taken more notes, I wish I had my outfits finalized further in advance, I wish I sold more raffle tickets etc. etc. etc. There is a lot of things I wish I had done, but the reality is I can’t go back and change it now. Hopefully I can help someone else in their preparations for a state pageant so that they don’t leave any stone unturned.

2. During the Pageant

   While it might be sad to say, I knew I wasn’t going to win after our very first event of the contest. In fact I had a prediction of who would win the title before the pageant started but that prediction became solidified very early on. I knew I couldn’t walk away with the crown, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t walk away with a category win. And I won appearance, at a state level, which is something I can carry with me forever.

3. After the Pageant

   I said my thank you’s, changed into normal people clothes, packed my car and I was off to spend time with family that had come up to cheer me on. One of the first things I did after the pageant, was mute every single rodeo queen page I follow on Facebook for 30 days. November was crunch time for every state title holder preparing for Miss Rodeo America, and even 30 days later watching different parts of the MRA pageant, it still stings to know that I will never get the opportunity to walk across that stage (Unless the whole system decides to magically lift their age requirements another year).

4. What’s Next?

   That is the question I am struggling to find an answer to. Currently looking for a full time job, looking at applying to grad schools this winter and debating if I want to go after another rodeo queen title. Maybe I will compete for Miss Rodeo USA in 2023, or hang up the queen hat and go back to the hunter jumper world. I am planning to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in the next two years, and I debated even trying to do it on horseback. Maybe I’ll work in a zoo, or travel the world, maybe even find a way to ride a horse in every state or learn trick riding. I still hope to one day be on a rodeo queen committee, and at some point I know I will watch the NFR and MRA Pageant in person. But for now my life is still a big question mark, but I am excited to see what 2022 brings me.

5. What’s Next for Road to Rodeo Queen?

   I still have a lot to share about what I learned from the experience of competing in the Miss Rodeo California pageant. I also want to look into documenting the Miss Rodeo America pageant fashion as a reference for the future, and I still want to be a resource for aspiring rodeo queens. Just because I am hitting the age limit for titles in the rodeo queen world, doesn’t mean I don’t want to continue to give back to one of the greatest communities I have been apart of. While I might have a sporadic and everchanging schedule in the future as I figure out my next steps, I know I want to be a resource for rodeo queens years into the future.