Four wAYS TO boost your repuTation as a RODEO QUEEN contestant
A rodeo queen pageant is a contest, at the end of the day only one competitor will win the title. How you act throughout the entire pageant can affect both the outcome of this pageant and any future contests you may partake in. Being a rodeo queen is a privilege, and is not guaranteed so try to be gracious for the opportunity and respectful of everyone who is a part of the pageant, and express gratitude to everyone you can.
Listen to all instructions and read the rules ahead of time! If you need clarification if something is allowed be sure to ask it in advance and get it in writiting. Same goes for telling anyone who is helping you the timeframes for your pageant day, promptness is key, not only for getting to your pageant events in time, but also it may establish if you are allowed to have contact with the public (ie. help with your horse) or when you can visit with family. Failing to do so could result in disqualification.
Be mindful of how you act when on pageant grounds, especially when waiting or getting ready for pageant events. Pretend that someone is always watching, and act as if that person watching could be a silent judge, a queen committe member, a rodeo board director, even a future judge for your next pageant. Try not to pick a fight with your horse or family/friends. You don’t always have to be smiling, but if you have a RBF or a tendency to look grumpy, try to be cognizant of your facial expressions. Silent/secret judges can and will be judging you outside of official pageant events, including how you interact with your fellow contestants. It is easy to let nerves get the best of you, but try not to take it out on others. If you need a few moments to collect yourself, step into the corner of the room, take a few extra minutes when you go to the bathroom, or wait until you are in the safety of your horse trailer. Be sure to follow all instructions even if the pageant is over, if the queen committee wants you to stay through the end of the pageant, don’t storm off because you didn’t win, wait until you are officially excused. Behavior during pageants (and even rodeos) can follow you throughout your queen career so try to be gracious and respectful throughout the pageant.
Similar to the last point, be mindful of how those who come to support you act before, during, and after the pageant. There inevitably will be a time where there is some kind of drama regarding a queen contest, it is a competition afterall. But don’t let your family or coach fuel the drama, remind them that they need to be respectful of all the contestants and the judges decision. Who you choose to have come and support you is a direct reflection of you as a contestant, you don’t want to be known for having a challenging support system. If there was a rule broken during the contest, reach out to the committee and find out their grievence policy to know the proper steps of action. It may not change the outcome, but report it in the correct way, don’t just blast it on social media. For any parents reading this: how you act is a reflection of your daughter, do not influence a future judges opinion because you acted inappropriately. If you must, it should be behind closed doors because the internet lives forever, all it takes is a single screenshot to warp the perception.
Offer a helping hand and say thank you. It’s not always possible to do everything, but when an opportunity presents itself to help with a rodeo event leading up to the pageant try to assist with what you can. Optional activities leading up to a pageant are a great way to put yourself out there. Even if you attend them as visiting royalty or just a volunteer in years prior, guess what: people will notice, especially rodeo comittees. Saying thank you to people for inviting you to help with events, or signing thank you cards can also improve your relationships. These things might not have points associated with them, but having a new rodeo queen that went the extra mile can notably excite your next rodeo and queen committee where they can’t wait to work with you for your year in title, whether its that year or begging you to come back to compete in the next pageant.
Hopefully this helps some aspiring or current queens remember that being a rodeo queen is a public relations position, and the saying “your reputation precedes you” can be beneficial or a deteriment, and as a rodeo queen you always want to be seen as a positive additon to your next title.
