FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shorthorn Lassies Promote Breed Heritage, Youth Activities
by Janell Baum
LOUISVILLE, KY – November 17, 2010- There is a hint of red plaid among the signature
green shavings in Freedom Hall at the North American International Livestock Exposition
(NAILE) Shorthorn show.
Cynthia Bunch, 18, of Millersburg, Ohio, serves as the kilt-wearing National Shorthorn
Lassie Queen, handing out ribbons and gracing photos with a bubbly smile.
Along with her counterparts, Ashley Shearer, 20, National Alternate Queen, and Karie
Bernards, 16, Oregon State Queen, Bunch collaborates with the “Lassies” to promote the
Shorthorn breed.
The American Shorthorn Association (ASA) auxiliary organization, National Shorthorn
Lassies, was founded in 1956.
The Lassies are actively involved with the Shorthorn breed, organizing exhibits, awards,
and national activities. They also support and guide a new national queen each year, along with
several state queens.
“People see you as a leader for the breed, and a good role model,” said Bunch, the
daughter of Duane and Jeannie Miller. As part of her duties, she is required to attend national
and local Shorthorn events, including sales, shows, and meetings.
When representing the organization at any event, the queen is required to wear specific
attire, as outlined in the by-laws of the Lassie organization.
“Little ones ask if I am from Scottie-land,” Bunch said, glancing down at her outfit,
which includes a kilt, which is a short petticoat worn slightly above the knee. Bunch also wears a
shawl fastened at the left shoulder, called a plaid.
Both the kilt and plaid are representative of the Royal Stuart cloth pattern, which also is
used by the British royal family.
-more-
Bunch said items may not be worn independently, and the sash and crown may not be
worn without the costume. Each queen obtains a costume on loan from the national seamstress
for her reign.
According to the ASA, the attire was chosen to represent valuable Scottish contributions
to the quality of the Shorthorn breed.
Popular with early settlers in the United States, the breed was valued for its ability to
produce quality milk and meat.
Currently, the ASA is the only breed organization to maintain an appendix record, which
documents influence from related and non-related breeds in the registry.
Though the costume can draw some strange looks, the queens don’t seem to mind. “I love
when little girls’ faces light up because they understand what I am,” Shearer said.
It takes plenty of time and dedication to be a queen, but the young ladies are proud to
serve the breed. “My mom was a Lassie queen, too,” Bernards said, looking down at the
champion ribbons on the trophy table. “I have shown all my life,” she added.
The NAILE is one of three shows the National Queen is required to attend, along with the
National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo., and the National Junior Shorthorn Show.
“Shorthorns are one of the larger shows here at NAILE,” Bunch said.
The National Lassie Queen Contest, open to unmarried members of the Lassie
organization between 16-21 years of age, is held in conjunction with the National Junior
Shorthorn Show and Conference, June 27- July 2, 2011.
-endBunch_NAILELassie; Cynthia Bunch, 18, Millersburg, Ohio, discusses her costume as the
National Shorthorn Lassie Queen at the North American International Livestock Exposition
(NAILE).
BernardsShearer_NAILELassie; Oregon Shorthorn Lassie Queen Karrie Bernards, left, walks
with the National Alternate Shorthorn Lassie Queen, Ashley Shearer, right, at the North
American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE). Bernards, 16, Carlton, Ore., and Shearer,
20, Mt. Joy, Penn., are required to wear the Lassie costume while representing the Shorthorn
breed at public functions.