Entering Pageants
Rodeo queens have been reigning over rodeos for many years. Their role has evolved from a pretty girl on horseback to a "total package" public relations ambassador for the sport. Entering a pageant and holding a title can provide many life skill experiences for today's young cowgirl.
In some areas rodeo queen pageants are a dime a dozen while in others finding one may be like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. The internet is a great resource for locating pageants. Many states that have a state pageant program affiliated with the Miss Rodeo America pageant have local pageant information on their websites. To find a list of those affiliates visit the Miss Rodeo America site. There are also many pageant organizations with a presence on Facebook.
Once you have found a pageant to enter don't be afraid to make a list of questions for the coordinator. The more you know going into the pageant the better prepared you'll be to compete for the title. Also, while most coordinators do a really good job of sharing information about their program they are still human and don't always anticipate every question. Here some questions you may start with:
When contacting a coordinator it is important to make a good first impression. If you call the coordinator remember you are making a business phone call and speak politely and avoid stammering around. If you reach an answering machine simply say hello, who you are, that you are interested in the rodeo queen pageant and to please call you at this number. It is helpful to leave your number twice and speak slowly. Contacting a coordinator via email or Facebook messaging is also a business contact. Be polite, use good grammar and punctuation and be specific as to what you are requesting. Include your mailing address and a phone number where you can be reached.
After you receive the packet read through each and every piece of information included. I'm always amazed at the number of contestants who enter a pageant and have never read the contract that was included. This is a legally binding contract and you MUST understand each and every part of it. As you read through the rule book and other information use a highlighter to mark important areas and write down any questions you have. Do not be afraid to call the coordinator with any questions. Good coordinators do not mind having to answer questions, but you may want to limit your calls or emails to one a day.
Seeking out former contestants, titleholders and parents for their advice is also a great way to have your questions answered. They are a valuable tool with personal insight to the pageant process. The caveat to this is to not base your decision on the words of just one person. There will always be those who have a fabulous time each and every time they compete and there are those that almost always come away with a sour taste in their mouth about the outcome.
Putting yourself in front of a panel of judges can be difficult, but the rewards you receive from doing so are innumerable. Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek out help from a variety of sources. Even if you do not come home with the crown and banner you will have done what many will never do. Becoming a rodeo ambassador is a life changing experience, don't be afraid to make your rodeo queen dreams come true!
In some areas rodeo queen pageants are a dime a dozen while in others finding one may be like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. The internet is a great resource for locating pageants. Many states that have a state pageant program affiliated with the Miss Rodeo America pageant have local pageant information on their websites. To find a list of those affiliates visit the Miss Rodeo America site. There are also many pageant organizations with a presence on Facebook.
Once you have found a pageant to enter don't be afraid to make a list of questions for the coordinator. The more you know going into the pageant the better prepared you'll be to compete for the title. Also, while most coordinators do a really good job of sharing information about their program they are still human and don't always anticipate every question. Here some questions you may start with:
- What are the dates of the pageant and what is the entry deadline?
- Will contestants stay with each other during the course of the competition or can they stay with family? If they stay together are the hotel costs included in the entry fee?
- What type of clothing is required for the competition? Will contestants be wearing jeans all of the time or will a dress be needed for a fashion show?
- Are horses provided for the horsemanship competition or do contestants provide their own, and if so will they trade horses with another contestant during the competition?
- What are the duties of the new queen once the pageant is over? If travel is required who pays for it and is fundraising allowed?
- Will the title allow you entry into other pageants? (such as Miss Rodeo America or Miss Rodeo USA)
- Are ticket sales required and if so are they part of the final scoring or a separate competition and not part of the final score?
When contacting a coordinator it is important to make a good first impression. If you call the coordinator remember you are making a business phone call and speak politely and avoid stammering around. If you reach an answering machine simply say hello, who you are, that you are interested in the rodeo queen pageant and to please call you at this number. It is helpful to leave your number twice and speak slowly. Contacting a coordinator via email or Facebook messaging is also a business contact. Be polite, use good grammar and punctuation and be specific as to what you are requesting. Include your mailing address and a phone number where you can be reached.
After you receive the packet read through each and every piece of information included. I'm always amazed at the number of contestants who enter a pageant and have never read the contract that was included. This is a legally binding contract and you MUST understand each and every part of it. As you read through the rule book and other information use a highlighter to mark important areas and write down any questions you have. Do not be afraid to call the coordinator with any questions. Good coordinators do not mind having to answer questions, but you may want to limit your calls or emails to one a day.
Seeking out former contestants, titleholders and parents for their advice is also a great way to have your questions answered. They are a valuable tool with personal insight to the pageant process. The caveat to this is to not base your decision on the words of just one person. There will always be those who have a fabulous time each and every time they compete and there are those that almost always come away with a sour taste in their mouth about the outcome.
Putting yourself in front of a panel of judges can be difficult, but the rewards you receive from doing so are innumerable. Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek out help from a variety of sources. Even if you do not come home with the crown and banner you will have done what many will never do. Becoming a rodeo ambassador is a life changing experience, don't be afraid to make your rodeo queen dreams come true!