The Road to Becoming Miss Montana High School Rodeo Queen
Posted | Tags: barrel racing, Events, horse shows, News, Performance Horse, Tc Stories, Western, Youth
By: Triple Crown Insider, Laney Johnson
I have been involved with the Montana High School Rodeo Association for four years and compete in three events: breakaway roping, goat tying and barrel racing. After months of hard work and dedication, I was crowned the 2020-2021 Miss Montana High School Rodeo Queen on June 6, 2020. It has already been one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and I cannot wait see what opportunities I will be blessed with throughout the upcoming year.
The National High School Rodeo Association
The National High School Rodeo Association was founded in 1947 by Claude Mullins, Alton Allen and Leon Kahanek. The association consists of 42 states, five Canadian provinces, Mexico and Australia, making the National High School Rodeo Finals the world’s largest rodeo with almost 1,500 contestants each year.
To be a part of the NHSRA, you must be enrolled in grades 9, 10, 11 or 12. The high school rodeos are based on a point system for qualification purposes. There is a total of 55 points offered in each event and points are distributed evenly through ten places— first place earning ten points and tenth place earning one point. These points add up throughout the year and are evaluated at state/province finals to determine state champions.
Qualifying for the National High School Rodeo Finals
To qualify for the National High School Rodeo Finals, you first must qualify for your state/province finals by earning at least one point in the event(s) of your choice. The Montana High School Rodeo Association has two rodeo seasons a year— one starting in fall and the other in spring. Each season is spread out eight weeks, totaling 16 rodeos a season and 34 over the year. Once you make it to your state/province finals, you must place in the top four of your event(s) to qualify for the National High School Rodeo Finals.
Competing as a Queen Contestant
To compete as a queen contestant, you must first apply by contacting your state/province coordinator and then compete at your state/province finals. The contest consists of eight judged categories:
- Modeling: 1-25 points
- Personality: 1-25 points
- Appearance: 1-25 points
- Personal interview: 1-50 points
- Prepared speech: 1-50 points
- Impromptu question: 1-25 points
- Written test composed of the NHSRA Rulebook: 1-25 points
- Horsemanship: 1-50 points
Once a queen is crowned, she must represent her state/province at the National High School Rodeo Finals for the title of Miss National High School Rodeo Queen.
2020 National High School Rodeo Finals
Each year the NHSRF is held at a different location. This year, I traveled 1,500 miles from my hometown for the opportunity to represent the state of Montana at the National Competition in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The queen competition kicked off on July 14, starting with a queen contestant-only meet-and-greet. This was the only non judged event of the competition to allow contestants to get to know each other without any pageant stress!
Over the next few days, I competed in the same eight categories I previously competed in at my state finals. On July 17, the first of 13 rodeo performances began. The queens and other rodeo contestants had the opportunity to carry sponsor flags at each rodeo performance; I was fortunate enough to carry flags for all 13 performances.
The Queen Coronation Ceremony was on July 23, after the last performance. Out of 38 queens from across the country, I was blessed to earn sixth place. I spent a total of 17 days away from home, and I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world.
Triple Crown Feed
Triple Crown feed allows me to maintain a competitive edge as a competitor and a queen! I feed both of my competition horses Triple Crown Complete, Triple Crown 30% Ration Balancer and the Triple Crown Essential Omega Blend. Ever since I started my horses on Triple Crown, I have seen an incredible improvement in their overall health and performance endurance.
My Responsibilities as Miss Montana High School Rodeo Queen
As Miss Montana High School Rodeo Queen, it is my job to advocate for the sport of rodeo and represent the Montana High School Rodeo Association at every rodeo I can. The NHSRA takes great pride in preserving western heritage and exposing rodeos’ positive image to the general public. I decided to run for the MHSRA Queen because of my love for the sport of rodeo and I want to do everything I can to make this great sport amazing for everyone involved. My experience competing in the world’s largest rodeo queen contest was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I encourage every girl to embark on this adventure if they can.
Thank you, Laney Johnson
