Attention all Cowgirls! The Adams County Deputy Sheriff’s Pro Rodeo (April 26 and 27) is excited to announce that the Miss Rodeo Miss Lou Contest will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Wayne Johnson Arena at 200 Foster Mound Road in Natchez. Sheriff Chuck Mayfield is proud to announce that to four distinguished horsewomen will be judges, and the winner will be able to participate in the Miss Rodeo Queen USA in Oklahoma City in August. Now is a great time to take part in our celebration!

Miss Adams County Deputy Sheriff’s Pro Rodeo Queen contestants must be between the ages of 16 and 24. Each contestant has the opportunity to shine in each of the five categories: speech, modelling, personal interview, impromptu question and especially horsemanship!

While our prize list is growing every day, we have some great gifts to offer our winner and contestants. The winner will receive a beautiful belt buckle, a crown, roses and entry fee paid to the Miss Rodeo USA Pageant!

Before you consider entering, remember, it will require a lot of time and effort, and you’ll have to consider the following guidelines:

4Be particular about choosing your clothing. You will need a western hat and boots throughout the competition. Make sure they are clean, well pressed and fit well. Pick clothes that make you feel confident. For the horse-riding section, wear long sleeves.

4Be prepared to answer questions. Read both the national and local sections of the newspaper. During the interview, you will want to be well-informed. You will also need to know horse anatomy and facts about the history of rodeo and rodeo rules.

Make sure that you have sent in your entry fee and application. Most competition will make you run a reining pattern. Make sure not to wear anything that will impede your movement in the saddle. No extra beading or fringe, keep it simple, clean and polished. Don’t forget to smile big and look at the judges when you can.

Groom your horse well. It is better for your horse to be good-natured and well-behaved that it is to be beautiful. That said, you should still try to make your horse look as good as it can. Its hooves should be polished, and you should spend time making the coat shine.

Practice. Make sure you get a copy of the pattern that you will be riding. This will be posted on the website and Facebook and given out by the program coordinator at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Try and remember the pattern, but do not practice it as a whole with your horse too much. Break it into sections and work on pieces. If you rehearse the full pattern too much, your horse will anticipate instead of listening to you. Practice with your horse using the same tack that you will use in the competition so that both you and your horse will be able to do the routine without distraction.

We hope you can join us for this year’s Miss Adams County Deputy Sheriff’s Pro Rodeo Queen Contest. For more information, please contact me at 601-597-9321 or e-mail me at ctaylor@adamscosheriff.org. You may go to the website www.adamscosheriff.org and download the application, rulebook and the release of liability forms need for the pageant. Look for the press release about the contest, or go to our Adams County Sheriff’s Facebook page. You can drop them off at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office or mail them to Adams County Deputy Sheriffs Pro Rodeo Queen Pageant, 306 State St., Natchez, MS, 39120. The deadline for applications is April 22. Thank you so much for taking time to read this, and we hope to see you soon!

 

Courtney Taylor is public information officer for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.