BELLE FOURCHE—15 gals with hopes of being future rodeo royalty gathered to learn the ins and outs of the rodeo pageant world at a free Queen Clinic on the morning of March 15.
Traveling from Wyoming and all parts of South Dakota the participants got to learn from top notch professionals in the field. Lillie Longhorn, former Miss Rodeo Iowa talked to the girls about production, education and contest preparation. Kylie Myers former Miss Rodeo Oklahoma discussed arena etiquette. Amy Tierney Johnson owner of Permanently Perfect by Amy spent time teaching makeup and hair styling skills.
Other clinicians included, Michelle May teaching microphone use and impromptu speaking skills, Cheyenne Winkler helping with interview brush-up practice, and Kiara Brown and Brittnay Lambert teaching modeling techniques.
Raye Brown, Black Hills Roundup Queen Coordinator explained, “all of these clinicians have volunteered their time and we prepared a pamphlet with tips and tricks from modeling, arena etiquette, headshots, the packet is probably 50 to 100 pages of different tricks.”
So much behind the scenes goes into becoming a rodeo queen or princess, it is hard to understand all of the expectations without being able to learn from others who have already experienced what it takes to succeed and are now able to light the way for others.
“This clinic was created with the need to broaden the knowledge of the young ladies aspiring to be rodeo queens. And with our title, (Black Hills Roundup) it’s a PRCA title so there are greater expectations because our rodeo is growing and it’s getting bigger and we need girls that can be a positive and friendly representatives that have knowledge of the rodeo and can that can market the rodeo,” said Brown. “We have so much publicity on animals and on agriculture in rodeo and we want to keep it positive, we want to be able to educate the public on our Western way of life.”
Longhorn reminded the girls that they are basically filling out an application and applying for a job with the rodeo they are hoping to represent and to put in the work needed to get that job. But most of all, “remember to have fun!”
Of course there are no guarantees of future outcomes, one can only set goals and work to achieve them. “This clinic is preparing you for a contest, it isn’t telling you that you will win the contest,” said Brown.
This is the first time the Black Hills Roundup Queen Committee has put together a Queen Clinic, but they are hoping to do many more in the future. Brown said, “We’ll do it more, stay tuned to our Miss Black Hills Roundup Facebook page.”
Your chance to represent the six time PRCA Medium Size Rodeo of the Year is fast approaching. The 8th Annual Black Hills Roundup Queen Competition takes place June 30, 2025 with Coronation on July 1, 2025.
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