Horsemanship Competition

Wow, what a great horsemanship competition at the South Point Arena this morning! Despite starting a few minutes late, it was a really good competition.

The opening featured Maegan Ridley who entered the arena riding her horse in a beautiful Spanish dress to commemorate her travels. This year including a trip Spain. She welcomed all of the contestants who followed behind her, on foot, wearing funky dark sunglasses and waving balloons. It set the scene for the theme - "Party in the USA!"

The competition began shortly after Master of Ceremonies, Creed Robert, said a prayer and the national anthem was sung by Laura Kessler and the colors presented by Maegan Ridley.

The winner of the Horsemanship Competition will receive a $1500 Miss Rodeo America Memorial Scholarship honoring Marie Mass Gatlin, Miss Rodeo America 1960: $1000 sponsored by the AQHA and $500 sponsored by former Miss Rodeo America's and the Marie Mass Gatlin family. She will also receive a beautiful Tex Tan saddle sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Association. In the eyes of many contestants, this is one of the most coveted awards at the competition.

A total of 14 horses were in the draw, meaning that with the two go-rounds, each horse was ridden four times. Horses were provided by stock contractors Bennie Butler, John Smith, Sparky Dreesen, Mike Cervi, Bob Barnes, and Bronc Rumford. NFR Pickup Man Bobby Marriott, along with Bobby Berger were the "horse" judges for the event - they were in charge of selecting the top horse provided for the competition. The Top Horse Award is sponsored by Absorbine, the contractor providing the Top Horse is awarded a plaque along with a check for $200.

Stay tuned - the Top Horse Award will be given out during the PRCA Luncheon on Thursday!

The outfits were gorgeous for horsemanship and all of the girls did an outstanding job with their mounts. In the first go, Miss Rodeo Kansas started things off, and the last to go was New Mexico. In the 2nd "Freestyle" round, Miss Rodeo Colorado was first and Miss Rodeo Nebraska was the last to go.

All of the committee members for Horsemanship deserve a pat on the back - they were not only up at 4 a.m. getting the horses down to the South Point and getting them groomed, warmed up and ready, but they also were involved in selecting the horses the day before.

Chairmen: Bronc and Kate Rumford, Kansas
Linda Ebest, TX
Johna Niedfelt, NE
Tara Rowe, CO
Laurie Thoman-Hernandez - WY
Nicole Cypers, UT
Amy Means, MN
Melanie Mooney, NV
Suzie Kendall, UT
Manny Azevedo, TN
Bill Olson, MI
Doug Beehler, ID