MEETING American rodeo royalty? Tick. Learning the tricks of their trade? Tick. And watching the world’s best horsemen and women ride? Tick.
Current Warwick Rodeo Queen Tamara Evans and former Queen Kate Christensen last month travelled to Wyoming in the United States to represent Warwick at the Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Held annually since 1897, the event promotes itself as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration” and attracts crowds of up to 200,000 annually.
Cowgirls of the West Brunch, a Thunderbirds airshow, street parades, meet and greets, autograph signing and pancake breakfasts were among highlights they experienced.
Behind-the-scenes, Tamara and Kate met sponsors, committee members and met various Australian rodeo riders competing at Cheyenne in 2022.
Warwick representatives have been visiting Cheyenne “on and off” since 2014 and Kate said the event was an opportunity to connect with the Frontier Days committee and to learn from them.
“Pageantry is a full-time job in the United States,” she said. “It’s a professional pursuit with nationwide sponsors. So, it’s an amazing opportunity for the Warwick Rodeo Queen to have.
“We have become like family over there. They treat our Queen like real royalty and are so generous with their time, resources and advice.”
Kate, who works as a Bush Kids clinical administrative officer, has long been involved with the Warwick rodeo, having herself won the Queen title in 2010.
Her father, John Skinner is a former general manager of the Australian Professional Rodeo Association, so her involvement evolved naturally.
“Mum and Dad nominated me for Junior Minor Rodeo (now known as Junior Cowgirl) when I was nine,” she said.
“Basically, I got the bug for it then and once I started I didn’t want to stop.
“I had competed on and off in every age group and, leading up to winning Queen in 2010 from eight other entrants, I had won horsemanship, personality and overall fundraiser.”
In 2008 and 2009, Kate travelled to the United States on an International Rural Exchange.
During her time in Montana she worked on two ranches, an experience she described as “challenging but exceptionally rewarding”, and which had enhanced her rodeo skills.
“I have always enjoyed the timed events, particularly team roping,” she said.
“When I was in America I was working with cattle, as well as breaking horses and cutting hay and had the opportunity to attend a roping clinic with former World Champion Team Roper Clay Tryan and his brother Travis.
“I learnt so much over there and gained so much confidence and knowledge to come back and win Queen.”
In 2011 Mrs Christensen moved to the other side of the quest, helping to run the contest before assuming the top job the next year.
Since 2014, she has secured invitations to national rodeo events in Canada and Cheyenne to give the Queens exposure to overseas events.
And, in a fitting circle-of-life moment, Kate has just been appointed to the management committee of the Warwick Show & Rodeo Society at its recent annual general meeting.
She said the Warwick Rodeo Queen quest is now accepting applicants for this year’s contest. It caters for girls in four categories from the age of five through to 30 and boys from age five to seven.
The categories are Mr Tiny Tot, Miss Tiny Tot, Junior Cowgirl, Rodeo Princess and Rodeo Queen.
Judging will be held on 15 October in the lead up to “Australia’s Most Famous” rodeo on 24-30 October.
For more information please visit warwickshowandrodeo.com.au
