It’s been a while since the San Miguel Basin Rodeo had royalty in the arena, but this year a group of local women have come together to reinstate the tradition. Now, Alex Thompson, Cortney Lemon, Virginia Lucarelli and Katey Herland — all local horsewomen in the region — are making it happen for the girls.
“There’s just been, on rodeo committee and the fair board and in the horse club, a lot of talk and questions about bringing it back,” Thompson told the Forum in an interview last week. “Cortney and I were talking about it, how much fun she’d had, how important we thought it was.”
Thompson said the conversation spurred action, and they don’t want to wait.
“We decided: Why don’t we?” Thompson explained. “With everything going on with solar and the monument, we are getting it from all sides. It’s a really important time to buckle down and make sure these programs that define our lifestyle keep going and don’t fall by the wayside. It’s a good time to have ambassadors for rodeo and the western lifestyle.”
It’s all happening quickly. Now, on June 9 at 10 a.m., the committee is having a full-blown rodeo royalty tryout. That Sunday, contestants will have to complete a horsemanship pattern, demonstrate a hot lap that the queen would make in the outdoor arena, and participate in a five to 10 minute interview with the panel. Girls will be asked about Wright’s Mesa and its heritage, the San Miguel Basin Rodeo specifically, and rodeo in general.
Thompson said they’re keeping it simple, and the committee will do more next year.
The girls trying out must live in San Miguel County, or West Montrose County. Age divisions are for the rodeo princess, ages 8 to 11; the junior queen, ages 12 to 14; and the queen, ages 15 to 19.
Girls can borrow a horse, but they must show up at the San Miguel Basin Fairgrounds that day with the horse they’d ride at the 2024 San Miguel Basin Rodeo. That horse has to be able to pack a flag, be parade-ready, not mind livestock and perform a hot lap. Ideally, the girls trying out have been in 4-H, or FFA, or have done something related to horses and agriculture.
The winners should be horsewomen who can perform the duties necessary, like ride in the grand entry, make the queen’s run and speak with the public and answer questions. Essentially, those chosen as royalty represent the local rodeo and the western way of life.
Winners will be expected to be present for the San Miguel Basin Rodeo, July 26-27, and the Pioneer Day festivities too. Thompson said those crowned may participate at other events and in other parades, with the committee’s approval.
Judging the June 9 contest will be Thompson, Lemon and long-time professional horsewoman Lisa Foxwell.
Winners will be presented with belt buckles and sashes, along with real crowns. A fundraising event, in conjunction with the San Miguel Basin’s 4-H Horse Club fundraiser, will happen at Water Days in Nucla later this summer.
Girls should attend the June 9 tryout looking the part, including jeans, a cowboy hat, a belt, boots and a button-down shirt — no T-shirts or tanks are appropriate for the tryout.
Thompson said there’s plenty of parking at the San Miguel Basin Fairgrounds in Norwood. The girls will be trying out in the outdoor arena.
