There's nothing like a parade of rodeo queen contestants to add a little style, pizzaz and flash to the Days of the Old West rodeo sponsored by the Sawtooth Rangers.
"Miss Days of the Old West" returns to the dusty Hailey arena today, Wednesday with a full schedule of competitions and appearances for the next three days. Everywhere you go, you'll see the 13 candidates and reigning royalty from 2007.
The young women play a big role in the Independence Day festivities and the 61st annual Hailey rodeo. They are attractive, talented, skilled on their horses and determined to promote the sport of rodeo.
Michelle Bobbitt is back as contest organizer. She has mapped out these stops:
Today, Wednesday, July 2: Poise and personality competition at 10 a.m. at Hailey Grange Hall followed by the personality interview.
Contestants will wear prairie skirts or western dress, hats, boots and belt. Theme of the speeches (maximum 3 minutes) is, "What Does Red, White and Blue Mean to Me?" The contestants will also answer impromptu questions.
The optional freestyle horsemanship competition is tonight at 6:30 p.m. as part of the pre-rodeo entertainment for the first rodeo. And the royalty will help with the cattle, mingle and sign autographs during the 7:30 p.m. rodeo performance.
Thursday, July 3: Horsemanship competition at 10 a.m. at Hailey Rodeo Arena. The Idaho Cowboys Association (ICA) and Intermountain Professional Rodeo Association (IMPRA) rodeo at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 4: The girls wear show apparel for the Mile Long Parade starting at 12 noon. They help serve at the post-parade barbecue, and have their coronation at 7 p.m. as part of pre-rodeo entertainment before the final 7:30 p.m. show.
There are 13 contestants—four for Senior Queen, five Teen Queen, two Junior Queen and two PeeWee queen. Contest judges are Melinda Markin, Angel Wynn, Jan Jorgensen, Angie Jones and Ryan Thomas.
Reigning royalty
2007 Hailey Senior Queen
Rebecca Aaronson is the daughter of Howard and Diane Aaronson of Portland, Ore. She said she was delighted to win last year's Senior Queen contest while working as a waitress at the Pioneer Saloon and as a therapeutic riding instructor at Sagebrush Equine. "I thank the Sawtooth Rangers for an amazing year. I feel blessed to be part of this whole process," Rebecca said.
A 2006 graduate of Washington State University, she has a degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Rebecca recently moved back to her hometown of Portland where she works as a fitness trainer, waits tables and gives riding lessons. She has recovered from the broken hand and torn rotator cuff she suffered shortly after the 2007 Hailey rodeo.
She enjoys spending free time with her seven-year-old Palomino quarter horse gelding Rocky and her four-year-old rescue pup Token.
"Token goes everywhere with me—and I wish I could take Rocky everywhere," she said. " I want to thank my family, friends, Shawna Dally, Linda Board, Jane Thomas, everyone at Sagebrush Arena, and the list goes on and on."
Last year Rebecca won the Senior Queen horsemanship and photogenics contests and earned the Corriente saddle as overall high-point winner.
2007 Hailey Teen Queen
Charlee Smith, 17, is the daughter of Chuck and Michelle Smith of Hooper, Utah. She is currently a senior at Fremont High School where she enjoys high school rodeo and FFA. Charlee looks forward to spending another awesome Fourth of July in Hailey with the people of Hailey. She wishes all the other girls good luck in the 2008 contest.
Last year was Charlee's second Miss Days of the Old West Teen Queen title. She also won in 2005. Last year she won poise and personality, horsemanship and speech. Charlee will also compete in the Senior Queen contest this year in addition to her reigning queen duties.
2007 Hailey Junior Queen
Nichole Dally, 13, is the daughter of Dan and Shawna Dally of Jerome. She will attend Jerome Middle School as an eighth grader this fall. Nichole won poise and personality, horsemanship, photogenics and speech at the Hailey rodeo last year.
She loves playing volleyball, basketball and rodeo. In her free time she rides her dark bay gelding quarter horse Sancho Six Snakes, nicknamed "Notche." Together, they enjoy helping her father doctor cows and ride in the desert.
Nichole was Miss Junior Rodeo Idaho first-runner-up and horsemanship winner in Aug. 2007. She was second runner-up for the Queens of Magic Valley Western Days 2007 contest. Her dream is to become Miss Junior Rodeo Idaho and travel with her horse, her lifetime companion, as an ambassador of professional rodeo and the western way of life.
2008 contestants
Senior Queen candidates
Krystal Tracy, 17, is a daughter of Tom and Heidi Tracy of Hailey. She is employed by the summer D.A.R.E. PAL program and fully enjoys working with kids and being a good role model for them.
She plans to attend the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls this fall and wants to become an elementary school teacher. But first, Krystal will be back in Hailey Rodeo Arena over the Fourth of July, where she won the title of Days of the Old West Teen Queen in 2006.
Her love of horses started at the age of six when she had her first riding lesson. She won Miss Congeniality at her first rodeo queen competition held in Filer at the Champions Rodeo Camp in 2003. That year she was first runner-up in the Days of the Old West Junior Queen contest. She is now looking forward to competing in Senior Queen, and wishes all the girls much success.
Ashley Rendahl, 20, of Bellevue, is a daughter of David and Dorinda Rendahl. A 2007 Wood River High School graduate, Ashley was Senior Queen first runner-up in her first Miss Days of the Old West, in 2007. She won poise and personality and the speech contest.
She recently completed her first year at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, where she studies elementary education and competes as a runner on the NNU cross-country and track teams. Her goal is to teach English in a foreign country.
Besides riding her Arabian mare Zelda, Ashley's other activities including playing the flute, drama, and teaching two- and three-year-olds at Big Wood Preschool in Ketchum.
Kandace Boggs, 19, is a daughter of Harold (Lisa) Boggs of Hagerman and Darla Boggs of Fairfield. She is a 2007 graduate of Camas County High School in Fairfield. Kandace attends the College of Southern Idaho and made the Dean's List this past year. She hopes to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering.
She enjoys horseback riding, showing and rodeos. Kandace is an accomplished young equestrian and has received many awards. Her favorites are reining and all English disciplines especially hunter jumpers.
Charlee Smith, 17, is the daughter of Chuck and Michelle Smith of Hooper, Utah.
Teen Queen contestants
Elizabeth Cameron, 15, is a daughter of Les and Thelma Cameron, Bellevue. She is a fourth generation Wood River Valley resident to live on Glendale Rd. Her grandfather helped build the first Blaine County Fair when it was held at Bellevue City Park.
She has participated in 4-H for eight years. Lizzy has taken horse, sheep, archery, rabbit and swine projects. She has also participated in AWANA as a leader and clubber.
Jessica Lancaster, 14, is a daughter of Mike and Laurie Lancaster of Jerome. She enjoys playing basketball and volleyball, showing horses, cattle and goats, and hanging out with friends and family.
Amber Doramus, 16, is a daughter of Dale and Dela Doramus of Filer. She will be a College of Southern Idaho freshman this fall studying Equine Massage Therapy. Amber was the Teen Queen first runner-up in 2007 Miss Days of the Old West.
She is a member of the Silver Spurs Riding Club and actively drives teams in the Southern Idaho Draft Horse and Mule Association. Amber also is a Silver Spurs 4-H teen leader. She enjoys skateboarding, singing, dancing, playing guitar, volleyball, baseball and spending time with her family and friends.
Keely Lance, 14, is a daughter of Brett and Kristy Lance of Rigby. She will be a freshman at Rigby Junior High School.
Jessica Koyle, 17, is a daughter of Jeff and Valerie Koyle of Clinton, Utah. She enjoys being involved in FFA and all kinds of rodeo events. Jessica comes from a long line of farmers and really knows how to work a tractor.
Junior Queen candidates
Shania Stinemates, 11, is a daughter of Bill and Dalonna Stinemates of Wendell. A sixth grader this fall, she attends Wendell Middle School and is active in basketball, softball and rodeo. Her hobbies include reading, playing her Nintendo DS and talking on the phone. She enjoys spending time with her sister, Aspen, her friends, family and also with her horses Cowboy and Jazz.
Zoie Pierce, 9, is a daughter of Jim and Karen Pierce of Jerome. This will be her first queen contest. Zoie loves her horse Whata San Storm, nicknamed San.
PeeWee Queen contestants
Kali Castle, 8, is a daughter of Scott and Nicole Castle of Hailey. She is a sixth generation Blaine County resident. Kali will be in the fourth grade at Hailey Elementary School this coming fall. Her favorite singer is Taylor Swift.
She has ridden horses all her life. She mainly uses her horse Sally for barrel racing and pole bending. Besides riding horses, Kali's other hobbies are riding motorcycles with her brother, skiing, cheerleading and spending time with her animals.
Kodi Giron, 7, is a daughter of Charlie and Kelly Giron of Kuna. She enjoys being a country girl and loves living the western life. Kodi competes in barrel racing, pole bending and goat tail tying. Last year she was named Rookie of the Year for IGA rodeo. She recently gave up her title as Meridian Lions Little Bit Queen. She enjoys riding her pony Rosie and her horse Cash.
Rebecca Aaronson (Reigning queen)
