Four local girls hope to become this year’s Rodeo Queen
As the annual San Benito County Saddle Horse Show/Rodeo
approaches, four local women are hoping to reign as this year’s
queen.
Four local girls hope to become this year’s Rodeo Queen
As the annual San Benito County Saddle Horse Show/Rodeo approaches, four local women are hoping to reign as this year’s queen.
Tanya Dubrul, Amanda Jacobsen, Alicia Kimes and Erin Paxton will compete in the Miss San Benito Rodeo contest Saturday at Bolado Park, beginning at 9 a.m.
Each contestant will be judged on horsemanship, communication, appearance and poise, presentation, and scholarship.
Horsemanship is judged on a short reining pattern, equitation, flag run, and presentation run. Communication skills, appearance and poise, and presentation judging will include a brief interview. The scholarship portion will be a short quiz based on San Benito County and local Horse Show history.
The duties of Miss San Benito Rodeo include attendance at the annual PR dinner, annual membership BBQ, the downtown parade, and Grand Entry at the Saddle Horse Show. The winner will also be required to represent the Association throughout the year at the California Rodeo in Salinas, local community functions, the San Benito County Fair, and the Junior Rodeo.
The winner will receive sponsorship as Miss San Benito Rodeo at the California Rodeo in the year that she completes her reign as Miss San Benito Rodeo. Runner- ups in the contest will be asked to carry flags for the Downtown Parade and Grand Entry each day of the show.
As part of the contest, each of the contestants were asked to write a short essay about their qualifications for rodeo queen. The essays are printed below.
Tanya Dubrul: I have shown in San Benito County since I was 7 years old. I have done some schooling shows in Gilroy and Watsonville. I enjoy taking lessons with Paula Rodriguez. She is my inspiration for coming this far with equine, and has helped me learn to really love them.
I am currently employed with Lonnie and Gigi Brisson at their horse rescue ranch. I brush and care for eleven horses and their miniature donkey. I also do some cleanup around the barn.
I love being involved with FFA. They have really good leadership activities and community services. I like to stay occupied, so helping my sister with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is fun. I raise swine for FFA. I work especially hard in school to keep my grades up. I have a lot of school spirit and enjoy going to football games and especially the rallies! Being with my friends and family, and even though I’m not supposed to mention it, my horse, is the best in the world for me, because that’s who I love the most.
Amanda Jacobsen: I was 7 years old when I started showing in All-Around events. Throughout my years showing All-Around I have won numerous awards both year-end and circuit. However, in the past couple of years, I have finally given into the need for a “hotrod” by showing reining horses.
Last year I showed my paint mare Tinky’s Graceful Plan at both Paint World Championships and Pinto World Championships in reining. I won Reserve Champion-Youth reining and fourth in Open reining at Pinto World.
Besides showing and raising paint horses I participate in dog agility with my family’s three black German shepards Bodacious, Rose, and Princess. I am a “KD Lady” with my sorority Kappa Delta. Through Kappa Delta I hold positions such as Gracious Living, where I planned our national officer visits. I am also a committee member for the PR of the “Shamrock Showcase,” one of the largest philanthropies on campus and alumni relations. I also enjoy participating in numerous community service activities which included “Kicks for Kids”, Adopt a Park, and Girl Scouts of America Mentors.
I am currently a sophomore at San Jose State University majoring in child and adolescence development with a minor in dance while maintaining a 3.14 GPA. I have been told that one of the things that makes me sweet is my home-baked goods such as cakes, brownies and fudge. I take pleasure in helping sweeten the day for someone else, as I give most of my baked goods away.
Alicia “Allie” Kimes: I participate in 4-H and FFA horse shows and Junior Rodeos. I am a member of the California Gymkhana Association and I enjoy attending various clinics and training classes.
My interests and activities include the high school water polo and swim teams, Future Farmers of America (FFA), raising and showing animals for the San Benito County Fair, and church related activities including mission trips to Mexico.
Erin Paxton: I enjoy competing annually at the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, and am excited to start my first year with California State Horsemen’s Association Region 10 reining. I am also trying to advance my skills with greener horses as a student rider for Cal Poly’s Quarter Horse Enterprise.
When I am back in Hollister, I enjoy lending a helping hand on friends’ ranches. I am a sophomore at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, double majoring in Agricultural Communications and Animal Sciences. I am a member of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, the Young California Cattlemen’s Association, and Young at Heart, whose members organize and run monthly activities in a rest home. I have been on the Dean’s List for the last four consecutive quarters and am a writer and photographer for Cal Poly’s Ag Circle magazine.
In my spare time, I take pleasure in photography, snowboarding, spending time outside and with my family.
Miss San Benito Rodeo Contest
Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 9 a.m.
Blue Room, Bolado Park
Free admission
Questions: Lisa Tobias 635-0246
