Miss Rodeo Kern County Pageant

Winners don't win because of the clothes on their body. They win because of what is in their heart, mind and soul. In order to win, you have to be willing to do what your competitors aren't willing to do...WORK, PRACTICE, REPEAT. Spend more time on knowledge and less time on lipgloss.

THAT'S JUST NOT THE "RODEO QUEEN WAY!" I admit, it's been a while since I've posted a "Soapbox Moment." Recently I heard something that made me think "HUH?" and... felt that a different point of view might be refreshing. At a recent Queens in Jeans Boot Camp, a young lady told me the reason she doesn't do this or that is because she was told, "It's not the Rodeo Queen Way!" WHAT? When did we create a mold and name it the "Rodeo Queen Way?" Did I miss it? I chuckled, but after thinking about it for a moment, I realized I've heard that phrase (or versions of it) since the 1980's. So just to update those who are simply not aware of how things DO CHANGE in the rodeo queen world I thought I would share a little history -- this is going to be a long post -- but I'm sharing Photos to prove my point. I was blessed to be Miss Rodeo Kansas in 1980. For as long as I could remember, rodeo queens wore 2 and 3-piece polyester or brocade satin western suits for EVERYTHING!!!! Interviews, Horsemanship, Parades, Appearances -- everything! And the GLOVES with everything! You think it’s hard to dye a pair of jeans, try to find gloves that you can dye to match your outfits. At that time THAT was considered the Rodeo Queen Way. In 1980, I was a trend FOLLOWER, so Polyester suits it was. Then Diana Putnam, Miss Rodeo America, 1980, introduced us to spandex pants and even wore them on the cover of the Miss Rodeo America program. Even without social media in 1980, I'm sure the phone lines LIT UP with people ranting because it wasn't traditional or the "rodeo queen way." UNTIL....IT WAS! It didn't take long before spandex pants showed up on the current MRA in Tony Lama boot ads. Then in the first ever MRA program center-page spread by Suzy Gillard Miss Rodeo Louisiana, she sported a satin version of them (she won MRA that year by the way). Then the first ever "dress" made it’s debut. I always laugh when I here people say, "why are they doing away with the leather dresses -- those are the traditional 'Rodeo Queen Way!'" Well let me assure you the first dresses worn by Rodeo Queens did not happen until the early 1980's. and, they were NOT leather, nor were they $2,500. They were lace or gingham dresses with lace lined bibs. The first suede Leather dresses didn't show up until the mid-late 1980s - an example was the Tony Lama ad in the MRA Program in 1987. The first LAMBSKIN leather dress in the MRA Program was worn by Miss Rodeo Texas, 1987 (I believe). In the 1980's and 1990s colored hats were the trend. I carried a 6-hat can all year just to carry them. Then came the white hat decade. For years, Rodeo Queens were "not allowed" to wear anything but a white hat. Somewhere along the way, "someone" decided that White Hats were the "Rodeo Queen Way"...UNTIL THEY WEREN'T. Chenae' Shiner submitted her MRA photo and broke all the rules...black hat, black backdrop, black jacket and she won MRA. Now don't take me wrong! I tell girls regularly "if you can't afford many hats, get a good quality white and black hat!" So I understand the value of them. Rumor has it however, this change was based on someone deciding that Rodeo Queens are pure and "the good guys" and should wear ONLY a white hat. I believe it also helped photographers who didn't know how to light under a western hat to avoid dark shadows. But let’s think about this too. Hat sponsors want to sell hats - all colors, shapes and styles. So now we're back into colored hats and "someone" somewhere is ranting daily "that just isn't the Rodeo Queen Way." My personal favorite issue is modeling. I've heard through the grapevine, that walking on the runway with your hand on your waist is NOT the Rodeo Queen Way. Well, it probably wasn’t...UNTIL IT IS! As a former President of the American Modeling Association and former professional Plus Size model, I can assure you that there ARE times when walking the runway with a hand on your hip is not only acceptable, but many times actually helps to showcase the garment being worn. I'm not sure when this became the "Rodeo Queen Way" -- but it has never been the professional modeling way. I've attached photos of professional runway models in major markets with their hands on their waist, or in the clothing pockets just for a point of reference that models DO walk the runway with their hands on their hips. So here is my point. EVERYTHING changes. Between 1980 - 1990 we went from only wearing Polyester Suits, to wearing Spandex pants, fabric/lace dresses and leather dresses. So why would it surprise anyone that fashions and trends in the Rodeo Queen world have and WILL change? Each year I watch the young woman who wins step outside the box and set a new "trend" -- Facebook lights up with everyone saying "that isn't the rodeo queen way" and then...IT IS! You see, the Rodeo Queen Way is just like every other industryit changes. There are fashion updates, we incorporate current fashion trends into our western wardrobes and the rodeo queen world has even introduced a fashion forward concept into it’s fashion shows. Having minored in Fashion Merchandising in College, one thing I have never forgotten is that "fashion cycles every 20 years." Meaning what was in style 20 or 40 years ago will often make a comeback in a modified way. And that won't change. Clothing retailers want and need to see change in fashion. In my Queens In Jeans Pageant Boot Camps, I still teach all of the traditional western clothing "elements" (like keystone belt loops) and explain that incorporating those core elements into current trends helps keep your styles grounded in the western history. Bring your personal style to the table, BUT keep it classy and appropriate, focus on the fit, and incorporate western elements to make it western. However, if you step outside the current "Rodeo Queen Way" you better be so good at everything else, that they can't fault you for your "new" trend. Things WILL change, whether you like the changes or not. Always have...always will. I look forward to seeing western creativity from year to year. And with the help of designers, those ideas have changed dramatically from 1990 to today. I firmly believe that you can take the girl out of the leather, but you will never take the country/western out of the girl. There is no reason why Rodeo Queens can't look up-to-date and fashionable and still be modest and classy while representing our western heritage. I'm just hoping and praying that those dyed gloves don't make a comeback. Some things are better left in the past!

https://www.givebigkern.org//kern-county-sheriff-s-mounted Give Big Kern is active now to May 4 KCSMP publicly represents the office of the Kern County Sheriff and has since 1939... Dedicated to supporting Kern’s special needs youth and keeper of Kern’s spirit of the Old West. See more

Day 6: A Day in the Life of a Rodeo Queen Stuck in Quarantine. A queen cant be a rodeo queen with her horse(s). I wouldn't be the queen I am without these aweso...me four legged creatures. Since we have some down time, it's time for some extra love, extra cleaning and definitely some extra treats!! Mariposa County Fair Rodeo Royalty Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association KCSOR Stampede Days Rodeo Bakersfield Miss Rodeo Kern County Pageant See more

Day 1:Crown Thank you Mariposa County Fair Rodeo Royalty for this fun challenge. Stay up to date on what us queens are doing during this quarantine and keeping ...ourselves busy. #MRKC#2019Queen#10daychallenage Miss Rodeo Kern County Pageant Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association Kern County Sheriff's Mounted Posse KCSOR Stampede Days Rodeo Bakersfield

Day 5:Sash A little late but that's ok!! A sash is an other item to always hold near and dear to a queens heart as it hold memories, miles and so many rodeos th...at we as queens can remember later in life. Kern County Sheriff's Mounted Posse KCSOR Stampede Days Rodeo Bakersfield Miss Rodeo Kern County Pageant Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association Mariposa County Fair Rodeo Royalty See more

Tune in Thursday !!!!