The Queen's Run
The queen's run is one of the most thrilling aspects of holding a rodeo queen title. It's fast, you're the center of attention and you're promoting your title.
For the most part local and regional queens will be expected to ride their own horses at rodeo performances. It's unfortunate that many queens have an uphill battle to fight due to those who came before them who were not mounted on appropriate horses or who did not have any business being in the arena in the first place. In order to make the best impression it's important that you be mounted on a seasoned horse. This means the horse is accustomed to the sights and sounds of the rodeo arena, is able to be ridden with one hand, understands the meaning of and responds willingly to the word 'whoa', easily enters the arena, does not buck during the queen's run and stays on the fence. An arena soured horse who does not go near the gate without whirling and rearing or enters the arena on its hind legs is not the best choice nor is one who is a habitual bucker. It is not appropriate for any queen to bring a young horse to a rodeo to season it. Leave that to riding at home and when you're not in crown and banner. |
As you progress through the different levels of pageants you will need to become comfortable riding unknown horses. Just because one is a "lifetime rider" does not mean one is an accomplished and capable horseman. If you are not taking your own horse to a rodeo appearance make arrangements before you even leave the house to borrow a mount from a trusted cowboy or cowgirl, committee person or the stock contractor. Avoid waiting until you arrive at the rodeo to make these arrangements as not every cowboy or cowgirl will be willing to let a queen ride their horse, especially if you have garnered a reputation for not being such a good rider, and stock contractors may not have enough saddle horses for the queens. When you are at the mercy of others for mounts it is often like the lottery, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. You may be given a nice easy going horse that does his job or you may get one that can't wait to get back to the gate and will try to keep going right on through it without the use of two hands and some real skill to get him to stop. You must be confident in your ability to not panic and to handle each situation as it comes to you. This type of confidence comes from riding a variety of horses before making the appearance.
Before mounting ask the owner or the saddle horse boss how the horse rides - easy to go and easy to stop or some combination of the two. Ask about adjusting the stirrups to your length. For those of you who are short don't be surprised when you get a horse with a saddle that does not have stirrups short enough for you. This is where hours in the saddle come into play as to your ability to safely ride with stirrups that are too long. However, if the stirrups are dangerously long don't be afraid to ask for another horse (again, not with 5-minutes until the introduction is left). Check the cinch but don't adjust it without asking first. Some horses can be cinchy and need to be ridden with a looser cinch than others. Also ask about spurs, not all horses need them. It may be possible to warm up the horse or it may not be possible. No matter the circumstances do your best and always keep a smile on your face.
After using someone's horse for a queen's run ask if you can help walk the horse out or unsaddle it (especially if you've used the horse throughout the performance to remove cattle from the arena or for flag runs). Tying up a horse or throwing the reins to someone and walking off is unacceptable. It is imperative you verbally thank the person from whom you've borrowed the horse from and, if possible, a written thank you sent. If you are making many appearances and working with one or more stock contractors on a regular basis and using their horses send a sincere, hand written thank you at the end of your reign. Do the same for their saddle horse boss, too. Never criticize a horse belonging to someone else. If asked about a challenging horse say it was challenging to ride but don't say it needs to be shot. Tact goes a long way in building positive relationships.
Before mounting ask the owner or the saddle horse boss how the horse rides - easy to go and easy to stop or some combination of the two. Ask about adjusting the stirrups to your length. For those of you who are short don't be surprised when you get a horse with a saddle that does not have stirrups short enough for you. This is where hours in the saddle come into play as to your ability to safely ride with stirrups that are too long. However, if the stirrups are dangerously long don't be afraid to ask for another horse (again, not with 5-minutes until the introduction is left). Check the cinch but don't adjust it without asking first. Some horses can be cinchy and need to be ridden with a looser cinch than others. Also ask about spurs, not all horses need them. It may be possible to warm up the horse or it may not be possible. No matter the circumstances do your best and always keep a smile on your face.
After using someone's horse for a queen's run ask if you can help walk the horse out or unsaddle it (especially if you've used the horse throughout the performance to remove cattle from the arena or for flag runs). Tying up a horse or throwing the reins to someone and walking off is unacceptable. It is imperative you verbally thank the person from whom you've borrowed the horse from and, if possible, a written thank you sent. If you are making many appearances and working with one or more stock contractors on a regular basis and using their horses send a sincere, hand written thank you at the end of your reign. Do the same for their saddle horse boss, too. Never criticize a horse belonging to someone else. If asked about a challenging horse say it was challenging to ride but don't say it needs to be shot. Tact goes a long way in building positive relationships.
In our sample photos Rachel Burton (top), Miss Rodeo Iowa 2012 and Alyssa Morrison, Miss Rodeo Kansas 2011, are sitting squarely in their saddles with their waving arms in a good, solid position and their head and eyes are in a position where they are catching the crowd but are also able to see what's coming ahead. Their riding hand is solidly around the reins and is in a position that will allow them to pull their horse up if the need arises. Rachel's photo was taken at the MRI '12 pageant in Fort Madison by Paula Jameson. Alyssa's photo was taken during the MRK '11 Pageant last August in Dodge City, Kansas and is provided courtesy of Kara Hackney Photography.
It is NEVER appropriate to perform a queen's run with no hands on the reins. Let's go back to horsemanship 101 and remember that you are on an animal that at any time can spook and run away from what it feels is about to eat it or who could step wrong and go to the ground or heaven forbid suffer a heart attack. If you do not have a hand on your reins while doing a queen's run you are not only putting yourself and your horse in danger but others as well. If you want to ride without hands become a trick rider. Until then keep one hand on the reins, your eyes looking ahead of you and the other hand greeting the crowd. |
A few other tips:
- Ride a good, broke horse. You are not a saddle bronc rider nor are you a trick rider. If at all possible warm your horse up well before heading into the arena, especially if it's early in the season and it's cool out. If your horse does act up reach down and get his head to get control of him and then carry on with your run. Having a safe, dependable horse to rely on when making a queen's run and having the skill and confidence to ride a variety of horses when you are unable to use your own at a rodeo will help make your reign all the more memorable for all of the right reasons.
- Check your cinch before making your run and stay in the center of your saddle to keep it where it belongs.
- Make eye contact with the crowd but also keep an eye on what's up ahead. I've seen queens take out stock contractors and others who weren't paying attention and stepped into the arena. You can do this by keeping your horse's ear in your vision while looking at the crowd. This also prevents you from turning your head too far and becoming unbalanced.
- Keep your arm down and out in front of you while you wave. Again, this helps keep your balance in the saddle if your horse moves out from under you unexpectedly.
- Lean a bit forward during your run. This will depend upon the speed at which you are making the run. The faster the run the more lean you'll have but always stay square in your saddle.
- SMILE! And the bigger the better. It seems like such a simple tip but you'd be surprised at how many girls don't smile while doing a queen's run.
- Keep your hat on. There is no such thing as too many bobby pins.
- Use some common sense concerning arena conditions. Fast is fun but it can also dangerous.
- Use the entire arena. YOU are in control of your horse, don't allow him to cut the corners. During a pageant you'll have points deducted for not using the entire arena.