Christa Lawrence
2005 Miss Rodeo Canada
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. My great grandfather
and grandfather and my dad 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, 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 I love heeling calves and dragging them to get
branded.
Question: Did you belong to any clubs?
Yes. I joined 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 and I named it “Panda.” I started young. Dad was 4-H leader and my older sister was in beef.
That got me started. Both parents were hugely 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 – 1
girl was from Medicine Hat. The pageant was run differenty 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 went and ran for Maple Creek the fall before me and she won
horsemanship. That was the first time Maple Creek sent a contestant to Miss Rodeo Canada. She won
horsemanship at the Miss Rodeo Canada pageant.
Question: How did you get interested in becoming Miss Rodeo Canada?
I got convinced into doing Maple Creek because my cousin (Catherine) was on the committee and was
once a Miss Rodeo Maple Creek queen. She was the first Maple Creek queen in our family. And our
older cousin was also Miss Maple creek before her! Out of my grandma’s grandchildren – all girls held
the Miss Rodeo Maple Creek title – except my sister JoAnn. She never wanted to be rodeo royalty. It
was Eve Beirbach who convinced me to run.
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 the Calgary Stampede Princess before she ran for Miss Rodeo Canada.
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 ran the pageant had nothing so much to do
with the clothes and that sort of thing. It had lots to do with your
horsemanship, your speaking and how you visited with people. It
was about being a genuine person. Horsemanship was very
important. How you handled impromptu speeches, and horses.
“After that it went for a rock and roll ride.” There were a lot of
people who didn’t like where the pageant was leading. I believe
the pageant went more towards what you looked like, rather
than who you were. For example, if you wore leather, had
sequins on in the right place, you were a step up from the others.
It was no longer about you being a genuine person. The queens
began to look like “Barbies.”
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. A “disconnection” began between the CPRA and the Miss Rodeo
Canada organization. The Miss Rodeo Canada organization seemed to want to do their own thing.
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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 it your year?
Shereen Cameron (Alumni Coordinator) might know. In my year every queen committee that wanted to
be involved with the Miss Rodeo Canada organization had to send representatives into Calgary They
met to discuss strategies. It functioned so much better as the pro-rodeo queen coordinators began to
know what a Queen was supposed to do and what was expected of them.
We had Tammy Kneller. She was amazing. I lived with her in Calgary. She was single and invited me to
live with her. She was a Miss Rodeo Canada coordinator. She would spend the week in Edmonton
running us around during the pageant. She coordinated for a number of years. After Tara Sergeries’
year she started Jennifer Bird’s year. This was the downside side when you have all those interests
coming together to crown the queen. The bad side is if they had some idea why you should not be there
– it made it difficult. It happened to me. They said, “ I was too young, no experience and that I was
going to fail – it did not set a good tone for the year. Instead of helping you -- they sat back and
watched how hard you stumbled.” Without Tammy I would have not survived the year.
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 all the grand entry horses. We met at Northlands – when we did our
presentation ride on Wednesday night, we used the flag girls horses.
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 or 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 was judged every day. Our
day started early (6:00 am) and ended at late at night (11:00 pm). The judges travelled everywhere with
us in the vans. There were nine contestants and we had two vans to transport us around. They would
just rotate us in the vans. Personality and appearance was judged every day as well as the other stuff
too. Horsemanship, speeches, interview, modeling – those things – they had three 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.
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These ladies would visit with you. I think the way they did this was amazing. Seeing the girls as they
appear in the public eye and out of the public eye is different. It’s better to watch the girls as they are
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. It is grueling and hard on you. No one realizes until you are in the limelight that you are being
watched at all times -- how you stand, how you smile and what you wore yesterday. It takes a toll on
you.
Question: How did you feel when you won the pageant?
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. I just 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 did not have a lot of experience. When we were being crowned (in the arena at
Northlands) we were all sitting on horseback in the back waiting for the top five names to be called. It
was very hard for us to hear. The last name of the five girls called would be the new Miss Rodeo
Canada. Then they called my name and it was the fifth name. I had 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 thought about it later I truly feel deep down that
“the reason I won is because I am a genuine person, I knew rodeo, and I could ride!”
Question: What can you tell me about the crowning ceremony?
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. Coast Edmonton Plaza was the sponsor hotel. I remember getting 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 weren’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 booked the same hotel we 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. 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.
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Jessica told me she had to step out of school and go through all these hoops to get to Miss Rodeo
Canada. 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. She had never run for a pageant, but
she was a great dresser! I wouldn’t like them today but they were great then! I had never worn flashy,
blingy clothes before. For the pageant, I wore a nice vest 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 Jo’s leather dresses and more
fancy clothes I was “oh –boy!” I did not have as fancy clothing.
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 shirt. I wore her multicolored metallic looking shirt with black
pants.
Question: Tell me about your saddle you won as Miss Rodeo Canada 1976.
Saddle sponsor?
Question: What were your duties once you won the title?
The first thing was the Regina Agribition. 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!
During my year we had to find sponsors to travel. I said because we are trying to promote Canada, we
shouldn’t leave Canada so I chose to go to St. Tite, Quebec. 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! The ground soil was good.
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
and 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, however, are good at producing the cheese! And poutine was not the same today as it
was then! It was fabulous then!
The Festival wester 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
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generation cowboys. I had the opportunity to speak with veterans one evening, it was my favourite
event.
They 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. One day the calf roper asked my sister if I knew how to rope. He
had brought along a roping dummy – so I grabbed his rope and cracked an eight around its neck and he
was “where did that come from?” He couldn’t believe this girl in curly hair and makeup could rope
anything!
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 to 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.
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
2005. 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 looking over me –I
knew that he was watching over me that 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 I complain I
will get a worse one (horse).” We practiced our grand entry. The committee wanted us to stop in front
of the bucking shoots -- stop and wave. I knew what I had to do but I couldn’t stop my horse where they
wanted me to. I used two hands, but 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 him and he was good! I didn’t get the horse’s name and when
it’s dark those black and white horses all look alike. They don’t remember what new horse they had
given me and I didn’t remember either. Well the first two nights by the calf chutes my horse stumbled.
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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 has feet and he would pick them back up!
Miss Rodeo America and I got along great. Her name was Darci Robertson. She was 24 years old and I
was 18. She could not believe that I was only 18 and doing the job she was doing. She was a Barbie – 6
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 Churchill
Downs (Illinois).
Question: What were the fashion trends in 1976? What were your favourite jeans?
The pants were still not lowrise yet – blue jeans were an absolute no – no. Wrangler was my sponsor –
supplied asll my jeans and shirts that were a solid color of all diff colors and the little wrangler (wrangler
o ntheir sleeves or collar – the star) that means your an endorsee. I was not allowed to wear anytnhign
not wranglers.
Question: What was the hairstyle of your year?
Curls – the bigger the better!
Question – What was your style of hats?
Built more – did my hats. I had a black one a tan and a silverbelly (white one). A lot like what they wear
today. That part hasn’t changed.
Question: Can you tell me about your pageant dress?
My only dress was donated. It was created by a Miss Rodeo America seamstress. My mom took my
measurements – my mom sewed. She phoned her Tammy got a hold of her and it fit me exactly perfect.
I had no say on design it came that way and that’s how I wore it.
Question: Did you mother make your MRC clothing?
Although my mom sewed, she only made me a jacket that I wore one day when I was Miss Rodeo
Canada. All the clothes I wore were sponsored 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 did not wear it
again.
Question – What can you tell me about your crown?
I wore the all silver crown. 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 it after my reign. I think it got taken to the
CPRA office.
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Question: Did you have sponsors during your reign?
Yes. John Scottam was a sponsor. Impact gel pads also sponsored me. They were the big new thing
that year. My favourite prize had to be my chaps. Why? Because my Aunt Heather (who I borrowed
my MRC clothes from) made them for me. In my year Aunt Heather realized there were Miss Rodeo
Canada ladies going to the NFR without chaps so she got started on making me chaps.
I 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?
Miss Rodeo Canada royalty began wearing chaps about eight years before me. I believe Brook
Robertson had them in 1998. In my day my aunt sponsored the labour and MRC organization paid for
the materials –but I’m not totally sure though. My aunt made chaps on the side. She said that if she
had charged Miss Rodeo Canada 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!
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!
I also got to meet the actual Governor General of Canada, Michaelle Jean. I was invited to the
Saskatchewan Legislature to meet her. I had actually come to the parliament to meet the Queen of
England, but it was pouring rain and freezing cold the day the queen arrived. She did not get the chance
to visit with us due to the cold. Instead we met with Michaelle Jean.
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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 was prepared as my mother was
married to a man in parliament and had three previous dinners with the queen. My mom taught me
well!
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 1975 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 is was in the middle of the arena – they line up the stock different –
he didn’t know who was backing in the box some 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 got
two standing ovations when I public spoke, but it was the hardest thing for me. Going into a crowd did
not scare me, but handing me a mike was a little different. I had to work at that. I had a great time
working with Wayne. Dennis Halstead was the clown that year and for 2 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 so much fun!
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Question: Did you have a favourite horse and why?
A black horse of Wayne Rempel’s I rode a few times during my year had to be my favourite horse. “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 – 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
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?
Question: What do you see different from the role of MRC then and now?
Question: What title did you receive after winning the pageant?
Question: What was your most memorable event of your year?
Question: You were awarded the Centennial Medal of Honour – explain its significance to you.
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?
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 1975 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
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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 -- my sister went on to win Saskatchewan High School Rodeo in barrels and horse of the
year on him the same year! That is the horse I made the college finals on too. I kept riding that horse!
He was my favourite horse.
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 loved 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, tying. I also barrel race because I have the need for speed! I like to go fast.
Question: What would you change about the Miss Rodeo Canada pageant if you could?
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: Where would you like to see the Miss Rodeo Canada organization go in the future?
Going back to the contest – I don’t see the emphasis being placed on horsemanship and congeniality. I
see a lot of bling and clothes and makeup but they don’t concentrate on who you actually are. That’s
where I think it has changed. In my year, as long as your clothes were clean, and you stood properly and
acted properly you could hold the title. I’m not sure if it’s like that anymore or not.
Question: Where would you like to see the MRC organization go in the future?
I wish the pageant would get back to more how it was in 2003 and that fall to when the fall of 2006. To
me it’s the knowledge. There should be less emphasis on the clothes. We had impromptu questions at
every meal we sat at – so the judges got to see how we could handle ourselves, how we acted. And
horsemanship – it’s what a rodeo queen should do well. That’s what the competition should be about.
I have also watched as some queen’s whose mothers followed them who stood in the way of their
daughters’ progress. Miss Rodeo Canada needs to move about solo, without interference from her
parent(s). It shouldn’t be a parent telling a rodeo committee what their daughter should or should not
be doing. That should be made clear. Those images hurt the program.
What would you change about the pageant if you could?
I’m not sure what they do now. I want to see genuine girls who can ride, and speak, and smart about
rodeo in general. That’s s who Miss Rodeo Canada should be.
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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?
My goals are to get my 2 year old horse started and to get my child potty
trained!
Question: Tell me about your family. Slim is my husband. Cole 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” twice
(2012 and 2013). We also won ground of the year too for those same years.
Miss Rodeo Canada Website
Alumni
**Email: clawneedham@hotmail.com
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