Rodeo Royalty: Ambassadors of Rodeo

With their history going all the way back into the mid-1900s rodeo royalty continue to be ambassadors of rodeo across the nation. Essentially these days, there are two main associations for rodeo queens and royalty on the state level, those of Miss Rodeo America and Miss Rodeo USA. Miss Rodeo American is solely involved with the PRCA and Miss Rodeo USA is solely involved with the International Pro Rodeo Association. They both give women the opportunity to represent their state while also supporting the sport we all love. In honor of these ambassadors of rodeo, I was able to wrangle up some interviews with Arizona rodeo queens to get their take on what it means to them to represent their hometown rodeos.

Jessica Wolfe – 2020-2021 Gilbert Days Rodeo Queen

CLN: Can you tell our audience a little about yourself?

Jessica: I am a proud member of the rodeo community! Outside of rodeo royalty duties, I am also a barrel racer. I love every aspect of this sport and I am so proud to be a part of it. When I’m not horseback, you can find me hitting the books! I have 4 college degrees and I am preparing to apply for a graduate program.

CLN: Can you describe what it’s been like holding a rodeo royalty title during a pandemic? 2-3 sentences

Jessica: It has been a whirlwind! There has been a great deal of uncertainty during the pandemic. It has kept every rodeo queen on her toes. Luckily, we are used to adapting on the fly in this sport. We have all taken it in stride and are ready to kick things off again stronger than ever before.

CLN: What are you looking forward to most in the upcoming months as rodeo comes back?

Jessica: I am most looking forward to the incredible displays of patriotism. Every rodeo I attend reminds me how proud I am to be a citizen of this great nation, and how grateful I am to have my rodeo family. It will be wonderful to get back out there and do what we all love.

CLN: What advice would you give to someone wanting to become a rodeo queen?

Jessica: Get involved! Volunteer at your local rodeos and in your community. Acts of kindness and service will help prepare you for your duties as rodeo royalty and enrich your own life in the process.

CLN: Do you have any final thoughts that you want to share with our audience?

Jessica: I want to take a second to thank everyone for supporting the great sport of rodeo. It’s our passion, but we could not do it without the fans. We love you all and can’t wait to see you at the rodeo!

Rosie Wiltbank – Florence Jr. Parada Rodeo Queen

CLN: Can you tell our audience a little about yourself?

Rosie: I’m Rosie Wiltbank. I’m 19 years old and currently holding the title of Florence Jr. Parada Rodeo Queen. I’m currently a freshman at U of A double majoring in veterinary science and Agribusiness management with a minor in business. Along with rodeo queening, I’m also on The U of A’s Livestock Judging team, Rodeo team, and Pre-veterinary club. I won my first rodeo royalty title at the age of 8 and continued to go to school, play sports, and love the greatest sport on dirt since then.

CLN: Can you describe what it’s been like holding a rodeo royalty title during a pandemic? 2-3 sentences

Rosie: My title, like many others, got extended another year due to the pandemic. I’ve therefore been holding it for two years now. I’m definitely a busy person, however, it’s been hard to not be loading up a trailer and heading to the next rodeo every weekend.

CLN: What are you looking forward to most in the upcoming months as rodeo comes back?

Rosie: I can’t tell you how excited I am to be able to fly back into our rough and tumble swing of things. I miss my sash sisters and our family environment that is rodeo. Although I’ve been working as a horse trainer while going to school, I have felt like I have been in desperate need of my rodeo fix. I look forward to heading back into the rodeos, but I most look forward to our amazing rodeo family environment.

CLN: What advice would you give to someone wanting to become a rodeo queen?

Rosie: As cheesy as it may sound, be yourself. Many of us get caught up in being a “cookie cutter” model of someone they’ve been working with, a person they look up to, or whomever the Miss Rodeo America is at the time. Advice from everyone is a great tool to use, however, one of the best parts of being a rodeo queen for me has been to represent our sport correctly while still adding a little “Rosie” into my style.

CLN: Do you have any final thoughts that you want to share with our audience?

Rosie: While this past year has been hard for everyone, rodeo is the one thing I’m sure will pull through it. I’ve never been involved with a stronger group of people who loved what they do more than our cowboys and cowgirls.

A huge thanks to all the cowgirls out there not only representing their states but also their rodeos. Our industry would not be what it is today without our ambassadors of rodeo!