Interview – July 25, 2014 with Pauline Briggs
Question: Is Christa your full name? Yes.
Question: How did you get involved in the professional
sport of rodeo today? What is your role?
I was five years old when I began barrel racing. It was something we did – my family loved the sport of rodeo. We love horse sport events. There were actually three generations in my family that raised horses – my great grandfather, grandfather and my dad. My family is well known for driving teams of horses. They are also known for their teams of horses. My dad had no boys to follow in his footsteps – so my sisters and I just barrel raced. We attended high school rodeo and participated in cutting, barrel racing, pole pending, and a bit of goat tying.
When I attended Olds College, I barrel raced and pole bended for both years.
Question: Tell me how you got started in the western heritage lifestyle.
On the ranch at home – I really love branding and love heeling calves and dragging them to the branding fire.
Question: Did you belong to any clubs?
Yes. I was involved in 4-H. I showed cattle at 4 years of age up to grade 11. I had a beef calf. It was black and white calf that I named “Panda.” I started young. Dad was 4-H leader and my older sister was in beef. That got me started. Both of my parents were very involved in
4-H when they were younger. Dad was light horse leader for 10 years. I was also in a 4-H craft club. Can you believe I did crafts, beef and horse all in one year! Then it got to be too much – mom said to pick one – so I picked beef.

Question: What previous titles did you hold before running for Miss Rodeo Canada?
I held the Miss Rodeo Maple Creek 2003 title prior to my becoming Miss Rodeo Canada. I was in Grade
11 when I won Maple Creek. There were four girls running for Miss Maple Creek. Three were local girls and 1 girl was from Medicine Hat. The pageant was run very differently in Maple Creek. Speeches, modeling, attitude, exam all were lumped together and called “congeniality.” Winning congeniality counted for 50% of your score. Horsemanship counted for the other 50%. I won both categories.
I had a Princess Maple Creek. Her name was Alexandra McDougall. She and I grew up together. She was a year older than me. We were in 4-H together and she grew up in a ranch not far from mine. We knew each other very well. She ran for Miss Rodeo Canada the fall before me and she won horsemanship at Miss Rodeo Canada. That was the first time Maple Creek sent a contestant to Miss
Rodeo Canada.
Question: How did you get interested in becoming Miss
Rodeo Canada?
I got convinced into doing Maple Creek because my cousin
Eve was on the committee and was once a Miss Rodeo
Maple Creek queen. Our oldest cousin, Catherine, was also
Miss Maple creek before her! So my grandmother got to see three of her granddaughters crowned as Miss Maple Creek!
Question: What difference is there between the two roles
– Miss Rodeo Canada and Calgary Stampede Queen?
There is a huge difference between these two rodeos and rodeo pageants. I was good friends with Tara Sergerie who was Miss Rodeo Canada in 2007. Tara was also a Calgary
Stampede Princess in 2009.
Question: Did Miss Rodeo Canada have Princesses in your year?
There was no princess my year.
Question: Can you tell me about your pageant experience?
I ran in 2004. When I won the pageant, it wasn’t based solely on clothes and that sort of thing. It had lots to do with your public speaking and how you visited with people. It was about being a genuine person. Horsemanship was also very important.
Then the Miss Rodeo Canada logo changed from the CPRA logo to its new girl with hat log. I personally didn’t care for the new logo. I think it was classy when we used the same logo as pro-rodeo (the same logo that was on my chaps). We should have stayed with the pro-rodeo logo. We should be proud of flying under that pro-rodeo logo. After my year there was a “disconnection” began between the CPRA and the Miss Rodeo Canada organization. The Miss Rodeo Canada organization seemed to want to do
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their own thing. If you phoned the pro-rodeo office and asked where Miss Rodeo Canada was – they would not know. They are so disconnected now and yet Miss Rodeo Canada is supposed to be part of that organization.
Question: Who was running the Miss Rodeo Canada organization your year?
Lisa Hardy was running the organization my year. She was previously a representative of the Airdrie
Rodeo Board.
In my year every queen committee that wanted to be involved with the Miss Rodeo Canada pageant had to send representatives into Calgary for a meeting on the pageant, its organizations, rules etc. It was a great idea as it functioned so much better as the pro-rodeo queen coordinators began to know what was expected of Miss Rodeo Canada, what the rules were, and what was expected when visiting royalty attended your rodeo. We had Tammy Kneller as a Miss Rodeo Canada Coordinator. She was amazing. I lived with her in
Calgary. She was single and invited me to live with her.
Tammy would spend the week in Edmonton running us around during the pageant.
She coordinated for a number of years. This was the downside side -- when you have all those interests (pageant coordinators) coming together to crown a new MRC queen -- if they had some idea why you should not be there – it made it difficult.
Question on Public Speaking – What was your speech about?
My speech was about the western lifestyle.
Question on Horsemanship – Whose horse did you ride?
For horsemanship we rode the CFR grand entry horses. We also used them to do the presentation right on Wednesday night and crowning night on Friday.
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Question: Were there any contracts to sign as Miss Rodeo Canada? What were some of the rules?
Yes, there was a big contract I had to sign. This was the first contract I ever signed and the first job interview I ever had to do. The most memorable things, which still stand today, were: no marriage, children and no living common law. Also, no drinking, smoking or chewing tobacco in public!
Question: What can you tell me about the contestants?
There were nine contestants my year.
Question: How were you judged at the pageant?
When I ran there were three overall judges. Personality and appearance were judged every day. Our day started early (6:00 am) and ended at late at night (11:00 pm). There were nine contestants and we had two vans to transport us around to the various events. The judges travelled everywhere with us in the vans. The judges would just rotate us in the vans, getting to know all about us. Personality and appearance was judged every day as well as the other stuff too. Horsemanship, speeches, interview, modeling – those were the “other things.” They had three entirely different judges who judged us specifically on those areas. They were neutrals (not on the Miss Rodeo Canada committee). I believe one was a sponsor, Val
Rothenberger. She was one of the judges who rode with us.
The judges spent a fair amount of time visiting with us. I think the way they (the
MRC organization) did this was amazing. Seeing the girls as they appear in the public eye and out of the public eye is entirely different! They certainly received a better understanding of a girls’ personality when you see the contestants getting out of bed early and staying up late.
When you are Miss Rodeo
Canada – that’s the natural environment – early mornings, late evenings and little sleep! It is an emotionally and physical roller coaster for Miss Rodeo Canada. It is grueling and hard on you. No one realizes that you are always in the limelight and that you are being watched at all times -- how you stand, how you smile and what you wore yesterday is being judged – by everyone. It takes a toll on you.
Question: What can you tell me about the pageant?
This was very interesting. Being I was so far away from the competition we (my Mom and I) started the day before and stayed at a friend’s in Ponoka. My mom and I got delayed in traffic on the south side of the river the first day of the pageant. Coast Edmonton Plaza was the sponsor hotel. I remember getting
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there and seeing three of the girls already dressed and I was not! I began thinking “why did I come here and I am already late – they aren’t going to let me run.” I did, however, make it in time. I was not disqualified – but thought I would be because you could not be late for any event.
When I get to my room I saw that I had two roommates. We shared rooms in those days. I was sharing with Cody Jo Lawes (Miss Rodeo Ponoka) and Jessica McLeod (Miss Rodeo Airdrie). We had rules that you could leave your room to get ready in another room. I was only eighteen and lived so far away so my mom drove with me to Edmonton. She booked the same hotel we contestants were in. I was able to access her room to get ready. However, I had to tell our MRC coordinator (Tammy) if I was going to leave my room at any point (MRC rule). My clothes sat right between the beds. I didn’t know what mirror to use – so I asked to go to mom’s room. That’s what I did to get ready.
My first night – I will never forget – we were all sitting on the beds and deciding who to sleep with – three girls – two beds! I slept with Miss Airdrie and we all introduced each other how we came and why to Miss Rodeo Canada. I remember Jo saying she went to hair school, and beauty school and everything she did to become Miss Rodeo Canada. I didn’t even know there was a Miss Rodeo Canada pageant until 2003 when Shannon McCarthy came to Maple Creek (as Miss Rodeo Canada) when I was running for Maple Creek queen. So I knew there was one, but it didn’t interest me at that time.
Jessica told me she had to step out of school and go through all these hoops to get to the Miss Rodeo
Canada pageant. They asked me how I got to Miss
Rodeo Canada and what my year was and how many appearances I had done – I say “I’ve done five.” This is where I started to get scared. They also said “is that all the clothes you brought.” I borrowed them from my aunt. My aunt had never run for a pageant, but she was a great dresser! I wouldn’t like the clothes today but they were great then! I had never worn flashy, blingy clothes before. For the pageant, I wore nice vests and colored jeans most of the time. “When we ran, what was in style, was black, white or tan jeans.” There really were no rules as to what you could wear or not wear – you just had to be rodeo fashionable.
When I saw Cody Jo’s leather dress and all the other fancy clothes the girls had brought, I thought “oh – boy!” I did not have these.
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The night of crowning (on Friday night) I found I didn’t have a clean shirt to wear. I had to borrow one so my fellow contestants let me pick through their clothes because I had nothing to wear. I picked a shirt of Jessica’s. I was crowned in her multicolored metallic looking shirt with black pants.
Question: How did you feel when you won the Miss Rodeo Canada title?
Super shocked! I thought I had won only horsemanship because I felt good about how I did during this event. I had no idea at the end of the competition that I had done so well. There was tough competition, and I knew one girl was a favourite to win. I honestly thought that she was going to win the pageant. I thought another girl would be in the running too.
As Miss Maple Creek, I did only five appearances. I was young. I also did not have a lot of experience.
When we were being crowned (in the arena at Northlands) we were all sitting on horseback under the bleachers waiting for the big announcement. They would call runner up and the Miss Rodeo Canada winner. They called Cody Jo’s name and I thought she had won. Then they called another name – my own! I had actually won! I really thought I would just make the top five. I was sitting on my horse, pretty much in a daze, and when they called my name I am “Ok – what - me! I was just shocked!” When
I rode out into the arena to be crowned, Tammy told me later how she could see how shocked I was because I just whipped off my crown and gave it to Ralph Klein. I was like here buddy, “hold this!”
We were crowned during the CFR in the arena. There were a few dignitaries on hand, including Ralph
Klein, Premier of Alberta, Don Johansen from Montana Silversmiths and a representative from Taber
Chrysler Dodge. All the queen competitors wore their pro rodeo crown into the arena and if you won the Miss Rodeo Canada title – your crown was replaced with the Miss Rodeo Canada crown. Ralph Klein was the one who opened the secret envelope and read the names of Miss Rodeo Canada and the runner up. After I received the new crown, I got back up on my horse and did my victory lap!
Question: Tell me about your saddle you won as Miss Rodeo Canada 1975.
Currently my saddle is residing in the museum in Maple Creek. They have a rodeo room full of memorabilia of rodeo cowboys, cowgirls, princesses and queen’s from the Maple Creek area.
Question: What were your duties once you won the title?
The first thing I attended was the Regina Agribition. It was the last year they were a pro-rodeo.
Agribition was like heading to the CFR in Edmonton every year. It was the place to be! That was the last year they were a pro-rodeo. It was very special for me because when I was sixteen, I showed cattle there. Who knew that two years later I would come back as Miss Rodeo Canada!
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During my year we had to find sponsors to travel. I said that because we are trying to promote Canada, we shouldn’t leave Canada, so I chose to go to St. Tite, Quebec’s festival. You went to that festival for four days. One of my sponsors was Phizer. And because I knew a person in the company, he set up the trip for me. My older sister speaks French and lives in Ottawa. I flew in to her place and we drove out to the festival (a four hour drive). I was absolutely amazed at what I saw when I got there! The setup is amazing at this arena. The show was amazing to watch! They had amazing traction in that arena.
When I rode in for my presentation ride and waved to the crowd I actually got a standing ovation. That does not happen in western Canada! I was hosted by some people who owned a bed and breakfast.
They treated me like the queen of England – they were amazing to me. St. Tite closed down the town for this festival. 100,000 people went through there and you can walk around with no shirt and no shoes on Main Street. I learned a lot about the East. They eat a lot of cheese! We (westerners) are good at producing the meat – they (the easterners), however, are good at producing the cheese! And poutine was not the same today as it was then! It was fabulous then!
The Festival western St. Tite still goes on in September. Roger Lacosse was from down east. Spur, his son, just won Calgary Stampede this year (2014). Morgan Grant’s family is also from down east. His sister ran barrels at that rodeo the year I was there. They have some talented people. They are first generation cowboys. I had the opportunity to speak with some veterinarians one evening. It was my favourite event. I talked about being Miss Rodeo Canada. They also had a calf roper come along with me to many events. I would give a speech in English, the calf roper would give his speech in French.
The calf roper had also brought a roping dummy with him. The roper was showing them how to rope, but for some reason those veterinarians thought I was just a pretty face so I had to prove them wrong.
I grabbed the calf roper’s rope and cracked an eight around the rope dummy. The cowboy was like
“where did that come from?” He couldn’t believe this girl in curly hair and makeup could rope anything!
I showed the group that Miss Rodeo Canada could rope too!
Question: Did you attend the NFR? What events did you participate in at the NFR?
Yes, I went to Las Vegas. It was the scariest experience ever. When I ran for Miss Rodeo Canada I was not feeling well as I was getting over a bad bug. I really should have been in a hospital. You have to also remember that I was the youngest lady to win Miss Rodeo Canada. I had never left home in my life before. I rarely used make-up and had never really driven out of my home town before either! Now I found myself in the big city of Las Vegas.
To get to Las Vegas, I drove my Durango to Airdrie to pick up Shannon McCarthy (Miss Rodeo Canada
2003). Shannon was my Vegas chaperone. I navigated through Calgary to Airdrie and got there and then we flew out the next morning to Vegas. We had a layover in Denver and I remember sitting on the subway or the trains. I was so scared that I’d get lost. I was glad to have Shannon with me. I had never even applied eye liner on before Shannon dressed me and did my makeup. I was so thankful to have her with me. At the Miss Rodeo Canada fashion show in Las Vegas I passed out in the ladies bathroom because I was so sick.
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I always loved the NFR. Every year when
I was a little girl at home, we would watch the NFR with a neighbour because he had an American dish and could get the rodeo. My big goal when I was younger was to make it there as a barrel racer! But that neighbour – he actually died of a heart attack the fall of 2004.
His funeral was the day I drove to the
Canadian Finals Rodeo to compete as
Miss Rodeo Canada. Being at the NFR and not at home was like a dream come true. I know I had him (my neighbour) looking over me. I knew that he was watching over me that entire year.
Las Vegas was amazing. When you look back and say I represented my country and got to ride in the
Thomas & Mack arena – there is no experience like it. I did grand entry every night and every girl will be able to tell you about the horse I rode. Shannon told me not to ever complain about the horse I was given to ride. So I got on the horse I was given and found it had no stop! Shannon said “if you complain you will get a worse one (horse).” We practiced our grand entry. The committee wanted us to stop in front of the bucking shoots after our lap was complete. Once stopped, we waited for the cue from the announcer which was the word “Resistol.” That meant it was time to leave the arena. We then raced out with all the rodeo contestants. I knew what I had to do, but I couldn’t stop my horse where they wanted. I used two hands, but I still couldn’t stop him. I eventually shoved his face into the chutes to stop him! Finally a guy at the back, with this big mustache said “Miss Rodeo Canada’s horse is a piece of garbage, get her a new one!” I tried a new horse and he was good! However, I made the mistake of not getting the new horse’s name and when it’s dark those black and white horses all look alike — but I rode him well.
The first two nights, by the calf chutes, my new horse stumbled. Many thought we were going to go down. People know I like to go fast – the faster the better! But I was not scared. I knew he had feet and he would pick himself back up!
Miss Rodeo America and I got along great. Her name was Darci Robertson. She was twenty-four years old and I was eighteen. She could not believe that I was only eighteen and doing the job she was doing.
She was beautiful – six feet tall – with 0 size jeans. I had to stand beside her at the buckle presentations and she was intimidating, until I got to know her. The girl who got crowned as Miss Rodeo America after her was Selena (Ulch) Pope. I got to know Selena well at the Future Farmers of America Convention in
Louisville, Kentucky.
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Question: What were the fashion trends in 1975? What were your favourite jeans?
The pants were still not low rise yet. Blue jeans were an absolute no – no. Wrangler was my sponsor.
They supplied all my jeans and shirts which were a solid color. I had all different colors and the little wrangler emblem (appears on collar – the star) that means you were an endorsee. I was not allowed to wear anything but wranglers!
Question: What was the hairstyle of your year?
Curls – the bigger the better!
Question – What was your style of hats?
Biltmore supplied my hats. I had a black one a tan and a silver-belly (white one). The style was a lot like what they wear today. That part hasn’t changed.
Question: Can you tell me about your pageant dress?
I really didn’t have a pageant dress. We would only wear long skirts or “broomstick” skirts. But once I was crowned the Miss Rodeo America seamstress created and donated a red leather dress for me.
This was the only dress I wore all year when I needed one. Tammy (the MRC coordinator) worked with the Miss Rodeo America seamstress and they made me this beautiful red leather dress. My mom took my measurements for them – and it fit perfect.
I had no say on the design – it came that way and that’s how I wore it. I loved it! I love the color red and here was a dress given to me in my favourite color!
Question: Did your mother make your MRC clothing?
Although my mom sewed me one jacket I wore when I was Miss Rodeo Canada, all the other clothes
I wore were sponsored, begged or borrowed clothing!
Question: Describe your belt-buckle?
My buckle was made by Montana Silversmiths. I wore the buckle proudly, but after I was done my reign, I didn’t feel I should be introduced as Miss Rodeo Canada everywhere I went, so I have not really worn it again.
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Question – What can you tell me about your crown?
I wore the “all silver” crown with rubies in it. It was worn until the late 90’s. They built a brand new one before the CFR because the one I was wearing was falling apart. It had quite a bit of welding repair on it. There were little welds and glue inside to hold it together. They retired the crown after my reign. I know this as I delivered it to the CPRA offices myself.
Question: Did you have sponsors during your reign?
Yes. I had quite a few sponsors. The list appears in my photo gallery on the website. My favourite prize had to be my chaps. Why? Because my Aunt Heather (the aunt whose clothes I borrowed for the Miss
Rodeo Canada pageant) made them for me. I also had a sponsored vehicle - from Taber |Chrysler. It was a Dodge Durango, a fully loaded 2005 Durango. UFA sponsored my fuel.
Question: When did MRC girls start wearing chaps?
It was back in 1997 that Miss Rodeo Canada began wearing chaps. My aunt was commissioned to make them for Miss
Rodeo Canada when a couple (Helen & Bill Gilchrist) attended the 1996 NFR and noticed that Miss Rodeo America rode into the arena with chaps, but Miss Rodeo Canada did not. The next year, Miss Rodeo Canada was outfitted with a new pair thanks to the Gilchrist’s! A tradition was born.
My aunt (Heather Beierbach) made some amazing chaps for the Miss Rodeo Canada queens including my own! She said that if she had charged Miss Rodeo Canada for my set, they would be worth about 2500.00! The chaps had four colors of metallic leather, gold, silver, red and black. She hand carved and drew out the maple leaf CPRA logo. She also added more layers than a normal set of chaps. I got spoiled! They had everything on them you can imagine! View an article on chaps.
Because my chaps were so important to me – I had them signed by the cowboys at the CFR that year. I have signed autographs from the CFR cowboys on one leg of the chaps and on the other leg are the signatures of the NFR cowboys.
I lent my chaps to Aleaha Moore the next year under three strict conditions – one, that they not be wrecked, two, that they not get lost and three, she get Billy Etbauer to sign them! You see, my two most favourite rodeo cowboys were Billy Etbauer and Fred Whitfield .

Question: Who was a famous person you got to meet?
I did meet Emerson Drive. However, I have a wonderful story about meeting Aaron Pritchett. Because of the back brace I wore during the Grande Prairie Stompede, I could not ride. Therefore, the queen committee had a team and a wagon ready for me to ride in to do the grand entry. Aaron Pritchett was also in the wagon as he was going to sing the national anthem. We visited for a while and as the driver of the wagon was entering the arena he asked if I knew how to drive a team. When I said yes, he said
“good, I’m getting off!” The driver thought I was capable enough to drive and so he literally handed over the lines and jumped off the wagon. So I actually drove the wagon, myself and Aaron Pritchett into the arena! Aaron stood up and sang our national anthem and I drove us on out!
Later that week I did actually get to dine with the Queen! I joined 400 others people for a royal dinner.
My mom used to criticize me for not knowing my table manners. She used to say “you will never know when you will dine with the queen. “ Sure enough it happened!
I also got to meet the actual Governor General of Canada, Michaelle Jean. I was invited to the
Saskatchewan Legislature on another occasion to meet her.
Question: Have you ever won any awards/accomplishments?
Yes. I competed in the Saskatchewan High School Rodeo for a year and a half and made it to the
National High School Finals in cutting both years. In grade twelve, I won the “Cowgirl of
Year.”
I also started out in horses with 4-H and won
Grand Aggregate at our local 4-H show and at our regional show in Maple Creek. The smaller towns come to it the regional show. I finally convinced my dad that showing a steer would be the better thing to do. In 4-H Beef,
I won many awards in beef. I won showmanship every time I competed in it. I went to Med. Hat to a show there called the
Medicine Hat Beef Pen Show. That’s my thing
– showmanship! I had taken many grooming classes. I won grand champion steer twice and grand champion heifer twice. I was pretty lucky.
Question: What was your most memorable parade?
My favourite parade was the Calgary Stampede Parade. I am still in awe about it today. I couldn’t find a horse to borrow that I wanted to ride in it, so I convinced my dad to drive a horse from the ranch to come to the parade. He said he drove more miles delivering the horse to the staging area in downtown

Calgary, than I did driving from maple creek to Calgary! He was nervous pulling the horse trailer through downtown Calgary.
Question: Did you compete or attend the Miss Rodeo America pageant?
No. In 2005 we did not complete for this title. I did attend the Miss Rodeo America Coronation though.
Question: Which pro-rodeo was your fondest and why?
Armstrong, BC’s rodeo was my fondest. It was just a really neat experience. The people I stayed with treated me amazing. The rodeo crowd was energetic. The ferris wheel was right there. They held performances under the lights. The announcer, Wayne Brooks, was announcing on horseback. He had not been in Canada a lot. When he was in the middle of the arena – they line up the stock different – he didn’t know who was backing in the box at times. Me, being the rodeo girl, was cueing him on who was making the runs! He wanted to hand me a mike but public speaking was not my forte! I once got two standing ovations when I spoke in public, but it was the hardest thing for me to do. Going into a crowd did not scare me, but handing me a mike was very different! I had to work at public speaking. I had such a great time working with Wayne. Dennis Halstead was the clown that year and for two months straight we were at every rodeo together. We also had a lot of fun.
When our Maple Creek Committee (my husband “Slim” being President) decided for us to change the date for the Maple Creek Rodeo – we wanted to do it under the lights like Armstrong. It is amazing going under the lights. It is such a different atmosphere!
Question: Did you have a favourite horse and why?
My favourite horse would be a black horse of Wade Rempel’s I rode a few times during my year. “He was quirky – if you didn’t get the bridle on the first time – he would give you grief!” I knew Wayne from other things. I told him I needed a horse to carry a flag – he said you can take any one, I know you can ride them all. I said I have never ridden a black horse so I picked his black. Wade says “ok,” and he leaves and then he giggles. He definitely knew he would be difficulty to bridle but it wasn’t until we were ready to enter the arena that he said “this might be interesting. If they set off pyrotechnics, or fireworks the horse is not going to like it!” So what happens? I get a spotlight on me and a set of pyrotechnics. The horse did get nervous, but he behaved. I knew he had to be somewhat broke or
Wade wouldn’t ride him! He was also smooth and didn’t hurt my back.
Question: Who was your role model and why?
Probably my two grandmas because back at home there was never a bad word said about them. “They were both leaders in the community and lady-like.” I have lost one grandma. My other grandma is 98
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years young and she is still going strong. Her mind is strong and she walks strong. We have a great relationship – I want to be like her.
Question: What was the hardest part of being Miss Rodeo Canada?
The hardest part is when you get somewhere and you’re tired and you are all by yourself. I am a social butterfly – the lonely part was the hardest part.
Question: What title did you receive after winning the pageant?
Miss Rodeo Canada 2005.
Question: You were awarded the Centennial Medal of Honour – explain its significance to you.
I was awarded the Centennial Medal of Honour when I was Miss Rodeo Canada. There is an article on this in my photo gallery. View website article here .
Question: Who did you pass your crown on to?
Aleaha Moore.
Question: You had a bad injury during your reign.
Can you tell me what happened and how it affected you?
In the beginning of May of 2005 I rolled my vehicle on a grid road. Exactly one week later I was helping my dad on the weekend, helping him rope and tag calves. As I was never home to ride my horse I asked too much of him at the time and he bucked me off. He went under some tree limbs and that’s why the doctors think I broke my back. I was in three different hospitals for the next week.
I was fitted for a back brace until July of that year.
In the middle of July, I was told by the doctor it would not be wise to ride for the six months of my life. That didn’t stop me. I was in hospital during the
Cloverdale rodeo -- I only missed that one appearance. However, I got back in the saddle in July at the
Ponoka Stampede. I have recuperated from this injury, but have lost some strength due to it.
As for the horse that injured me “Earl” –my sister went on to win Saskatchewan High School Rodeo in barrels and “Horse of the Year” in 2008. I also went to the finals on him in 2007-2008 at College Finals too. I had no ill will towards this horse – he was a true athlete. He was a racetrack horse owned by a friend. People knew how fast he could be. He was very smart and could really, really run. He was my favourite horse.
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Question: What would people be surprised to know about you?
My true love is cows! I love cows and I like horses. I love researching the breeding, the genetics and bull genetics of cattle. My dad and I love going to the cattle auction rings and I now take along my son, Colt.
He too is an avid show ring kid! He loves it. He will be three in September. If you ask him any question – the answer is “cow!”
So if you ask me why I barrel race I would say I ride horses -- because that’s the fun way to deal with cows – pushing, moving, and tying them. I also barrel race because I have the need for speed! I like to go fast.
Question: Where would you like to see the Miss Rodeo Canada organization go in the future?
Going back to the contest – I love the fact that you don’t need to have expensive dresses and clothes to win Miss Rodeo Canada. I was a down to earth cowgirl and was judged on my rodeo knowledge and riding abilities, not just my clothing. In my year, as long as your clothes were clean, and you stood properly and acted properly you could hold the title. I wish the pageant would look back to its past pageants we had impromptu questions at every meal we sat at – so the judges got to see how we could handle ourselves, how we acted.
What would you change about the pageant if you could?
I want to see the pageant go back to being one where anybody can run. It has to be affordable. Why did we go from 7-9 girls running down to two? Miss Rodeo Canada should be knowledgeable about rodeo, be able to ride and have the grace, personality and poise to round out the package.
Question: You spoke of the NWMP horses and the Queen’s famous horse Burmese. Can you elaborate on where the horse came from and how your family is involved?
Many people know about the black horses the
RCMP use in their musical rides. These horses were actually born and raised in the Cyprus Hills
(around Maple Creek, Saskatchewan) until
1960. They were raised in the Cyprus hills at
Fort Walsh. The horses were black thoroughbreds back then. My grandpa raised thoroughbred horses. A few lucky ranchers got to bring some mares in and breed to the black studs. This was done through the Canadian government who owned the studs at the time. My grandfather had Buree. He was a full sister to
Burmese . Many of you might know that Burmese was a horse the Canadian government gifted to the
Queen of England. Burmese was her favourite horse to ride when she rode. The Saskatchewan
Government built a life size and half statue of the queen riding Burmese in honour of these horses and

the Queen. The Queen unveiled the statute in 2005 in the freezing cold rain in Regina, Saskatchewan.
The statute sits in the front of legislative building today. I was invited to attend and sat between a lady that is a multimillionaire and the artist who sculpted the statue at the unveiling. The Queen came by and acknowledged us. My two grandmothers also made the trip to see her too! There is a small replica of the statue in our Old Timer’s Museum in Maple Creek. My dad now rides a mare that is a great granddaughter to Burmese.
Question: What are you doing now?
I currently work in homecare as a continuing care aid. To receive accreditation you do training on the job and within 2 years you can complete the program. I have now done my 2 years and completed job training this spring.
Question: How long have you been active in the
Maple Creek Stampede?
My husband and I have been with the organization for approximately five years.
Question: What are your goals this year?
I have a couple goals. One was to finally get my two year old horse started and I’ve done that. The other was to work on getting Colt potty trained!
Question: Tell me about your family. Slim is my husband. Colt is my son. Slim and I met because of rodeo. I was in school taking my Land Agent diploma when I met Slim. I happened to be looking for sponsorship and a friend told me to phone him
(Slim) for sponsorship monies. Slim knew who I was.
However, I didn’t know him at the time! Now we are married and have a son. “My dad said it was a perfect match because he will be sponsoring me the rest of my life!” We married because of our true love of rodeo. Slim is the current President of the
Maple Creek pro-rodeo. We have won “Committee of the Year” three times (2012, 2013 and 2014). We also won ground of the year too for two years.
Miss Rodeo Canada Website
Alumni
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