It was a busy weekend at the Cochrane fair for the young ladies competing to become the 2020 Cochrane Lions Club Rodeo Queen. Over the past month, the four have been judged on their horsemanship and public speaking skills.
The lucky lady will be chosen as an ambassador for the Cochrane Lions Club and will attend over 60 events across Alberta including rodeos, fundraising events, parades and public events.
A little background information about the competitors:
Megan Harms
Harms' love for rodeo and ranching began at a young age when her grandparents owned a farm. Although her grandparents sold the farm when her dad was 18, they just recently moved to a ranch west of Cochrane and Megan feels like that love never stopped.
"It's incredible, It's so much fun, I feel like it's part of me," said Harms. She has been competing in barrel racing for the past four years and loves the speed. She has been a member of the Central Alberta Rodeo Association for the last two seasons and volunteers at Out West Junior Rodeos. Even though Harms is only in Grade 12, her passion and love for rodeo is evident through her mannerisms. While the competition is tough, she says of her fellow contestants, "They are so amazing, they are so fun and we've honestly got this little bond going on. I've heard that other competitions can be pretty strict and head butting but no I feel like we're a great group of girls that have really bonded together and they're just amazing and they are going to be hard to beat."
Kaylee Shantz
Shantz became more involved with the rodeo lifestyle when she was part of the Rimbey royalty. She really got a taste of rodeo and queening and it was a moment in her life when she thought that this could be something incredible to be part of.
"The people are so nice and helpful, they want everybody to have fun and they want everybody to improve and learn and I love the atmosphere of the rodeo," said Shantz.
On her family farm, she trains for cattle cutting, reining and team penning events. She also enjoys horsemanship and showmanship and travels throughout Alberta to showcase her skills. When asked why she wants to be rodeo queen, Kaylee said, "I see the smiles on young kids' faces and they are so excited to see you and that just warms my heart so much. To be a role model to them is just unbelievable and how you can support them and encourage them and cheer them on, I love that about being a rodeo queen."
Paige Bray
Bray was born and raised in Calgary and it was after her grandparents took her out on a trail ride that she was hooked on horses. She begged her parents and grandparents to buy her a horse.
"Please get me a horse, I want a horse so bad, like every other little girl ever," said Bray of her conversation with her grandfather.
Her grandpa eventually said he would buy her a horse if she won the lottery and then one week later, her grandpa won the lottery and so Bray got her horse, Stella.
She has been obsessed ever since. Bray spends her time barrel racing and over the past year has gotten into ranch roping. The best part of the competition for Bray has been the police rodeo and the horsemanship.
"My horse is not good with flags at all, she hates them, her little ears go back and she gets all sassy but when we did it that day she was an angel and was completely fine so I think that was really cool for me to be able to overcome that with her."
Breanna Correia
Correia has a passion for horses and rodeo that began early in life. At the age of 12, she would become an employee at the Lazy S Arena where she would feed horses, clean the stalls and pens, and do general horse care. Breanna is an ambassador for 4-H Alberta and is the president of the Midnight Express 4-H Horse Club. She is an avid rodeo fan who would love nothing more than to be the next rodeo queen. In her spare time, Breanna enjoys riding her three horses, spending time with family and friends, and snowboarding.
During the weekend, the three ladies were missing Correia as she was recently awarded a Provincial 4H Ambassador position and has been in the Northwest Territories promoting and participating in 4H activities. She will return on Aug. 22 and continue competing in the remaining royalty events.
The new Queen will be crowned at the annual Cochrane Lions Club Rodeo on Sept 2.
