2016 Rodeo Queen of Australia entrant, Bessie Smits is conducting the final preparations before judging finals in September.
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Ms Smits will travel from Cloncurry to the Gold Coast to compete against five other rodeo queen entrants for the national title, Rodeo Queen of Australia. These ladies include Roxy Wooley from the Northern Territory and Bianca Mason, Kylie Mace, Cherie Bramich and Stacey Harper from Queensland.
All six finalists will be judged on their presentation, deportment, interview with the judges, onstage interview, modelling and horsemanship.
Ms Smits said she had also been practicing a variety of rodeo knowledge, current events, and personality interview questions on a daily basis.
“I've also been studying the National Rodeo Council of Australia rule book and the National Consultative Committee of Animal Welfare standards,” she said.
“I don't receive the horsemanship pattern until the morning that horsemanship is judged. So in preparation I have been riding as many different horses as I can.
“As a Rodeo Queen it's incredibly important that you can adapt quickly to the cues, behaviour and movement of a different horse as when we travel we often have to use someone else's horse.”
Ms Smits has been attending different local rodeos across North West Queensland practicing carrying the Australian flag on horseback around the arena.
“The support I have received from Cloncurry and surrounding communities has been absolutely overwhelming,” she said.
“Whether it's borrowing a horse when I'm away from home or donating money for my fundraisers- all support has been fantastic and my journey has been nothing but amazing.”
Ms Smits hosted a fundraiser auction a mothers day luncheon, mechanical bull night, sausage sizzles, hot dog stands, pancake breakfasts and multiple raffles including a $5000 raffle draw. All the money raised goes to the Australian Rodeo Queen Quest which is a not for profit organisation.
Judging week will commence September 5 at Mantra Legends Hotel on the Gold Coast, with the Rodeo Queen of Australia announcement on the 10th.