It must be the way they breed them down the Curry way.
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Barely months after Katy Scott was crowned 2016 Miss Rodeo Australia covering the rodeos cowgirl Bessie Smits was crowned the 2017 Rodeo Queen of Australia at Mantra Legends Hotel on the Gold Coast last Saturday night.
The difference is – apart from the year – that Ms Scott represents the APRA rodeos while Ms Smits represents the National Rodeo Council of Australia.
But the similiarity is that both women are from the North West and will represent their sport with pride.
Bessie was overwhelmed when she won the award,
“It feels surreal winning such a prestigious title and it’s still sinking in,” Bessie said.
“I am so incredibly excited about what the next year holds for me”.
Bessie took home the trifecta of Rodeo Queen of Australia, Ms Horsemanship and Miss Fundraiser.
“To me, it demonstrates if you want something badly enough and work very hard you will be rewarded for your efforts,” she said.
“This is something I hope inspires future entrants to join the Quest."
Bessie spent a week on the Gold Coast for the final judging, competing against five other entrants who were judged on their personality, appearance, rodeo knowledge, public speaking and horsemanship which was judged by some of rodeo’s most noted riders including Rodeo Legend Colin McTaggart and 1998 Rodeo Queen of Australia Jo Kestel.
Entrants made a special visit to long time Australian Rodeo Queen Quest supporter Councillor Dawn Crichlow’s office along with a trip to Leamington Nursing Home, appearances at Warner Bros. Movieworld, Bunjee Rocket, Timezone, Ice-Skating, Jupiters Casino, Southport Sharks Football Club, Tamborine Mountain, and modelling and deportment classes with Pam Tamblyn Modelling Agency and the Stefan Squad.
Bessie took out the coveted Rodeo Queen of Australia title ahead of fellow Queenslander first runner-up Cherie Bramich from Herberton.
Ms Smits will have the opportunity to travel overseas as Australia's ambassadress for Australian Rodeo on a 21-day whirlwind promotional tour through Canada and the United States. Her international tour will take place next July attending the famous Calgary Stampede in Canada, a whirlwind of promotions in Texas and then onto to the Daddy of them all rodeos 'Cheyenne Frontier Days' in Wyoming.
She will participate in street parades with over 30,000 spectators in attendance along with participating in charity lunches, dinners and talk back radio interviews during her visit.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
