Hours of study, written tests, interviews and horseback riding practice will culminate in the ultimate challenge when the Ramona Rodeo Queen Pageant takes place on Saturday, April 5.
Thirteen contestants are vying for three titles — Senior Queen, Junior Queen and Young Miss.
“The contestants are all so impressive, we would be over the moon having any of them on the court,” said Rachelle Laws, pageant chair. “It will be a competition to the very end.”
Winners are required to attend rodeos in Ramona, Lakeside, Poway and Valley Center, as well as numerous community events, such as Ramona Chamber of Commerce mixers, the Junior Livestock Fair and the Christmas Tree Lighting.
The horsemanship portion of the pageant begins at 8 a.m. at Neal Livestock Arena. Contestants are required to ride an equestrian pattern, dismount and complete a private interview with the judges.
Doors open at 3 p.m. for the evening session, which begins promptly at 5 p.m. at Olive Pierce Middle School. A $5 cash-only entry fee is required at the door.
Contestants will be being tested on their knowledge of professional rodeo, current events, pubic speaking and more, concluding with the coronation.
Nichole Bell, Candy Evans and Sujhey Rosas are competing for the title of Senior Rodeo Queen, for ages 18-25.
Bell, 21, the daughter of Ed and Cheryl Bell of Temecula, is a finance major at Cal Sate San Marcos. She is a member of the Rancho CA Horsemen’s Association, rides on a Nations Cup collegiate team, participates in gymkhanas, jumping shows and team penning, and takes reining lessons and trains horses.
She plans to attend dental school, with the goal of opening her own orthodontic office.
Evans, 23, is the daughter of Miriam Lawrence and Tyler Evans of Ramona. Evans works at a ranch riding and reining barn, and often helps others with their horses. She plans to have her own training barn focused on reining and pageantry.
Rosas, 23, the daughter of Ana and Frank Rosas of Tecate, San Diego, is an agriculture teacher. She has been a member of the Cal Poly Equestrian team and the Norco Mounted Posse.
She plans to return to school in the next few years for a PhD in istration or a master’s in business.
Junior Queen contestants, ages 14 to 17, include Violet Camerino, Vivian Gragen, Emilee Hudson, Madelyn Kennedy and Lily Sweeney.
Camerino, 16, the daughter of Ruben and Leslie Camerino of Alpine, is a junior at Liberty Charter High School. She takes part in ranch sorting, team penning, trail challenge competitions, show jumping and trail riding and volunteers for R.E.A.C.H. and the Golden Circle of Champions.
Gragen, 14, the daughter of Victoria Herrera, is a ninth-grader from Valley Center, where she attends Valley Center High School. A member of FFA, choirs and the Sundance Hills Equestrian riding Center, she volunteers at the center and an equine online program.
Hudson, a 17-year-old junior at El Capitan High School, is the daughter of Natalie and Jason Meriman of Alpine. She participates in barrel racing, pole bending and breakaway roping, and is a member of the CA Junior Rodeo Association, Lakeside El Capitan FFA and East County Grange.
Kennedy, 14, a freshman at Ramona High School, is the daughter of Neil and Sarah Kennedy. She is a member of numerous equine-related organizations, where she competes in hunter/jumper, dressage and eventing clinics and assists with therapy riding lessons.
Swiney, 14, the daughter of James and Ashley Swiney of Santee, is an eighth-grader at Carlton Oaks School. She takes breakaway roping lessons and is working toward certifying the family’s miniature horse as a therapy animal.
Macy Mault, Scarlett McMurray, Sophia Sanchez, Carrie Vincent and Faith Winters are competing for the title of Young Miss, for ages 11 to 13.
Mault, 12, the daughter of Chase and Kaitlynn Mault of Valley Center, is a sixth-grader at Valley Center Middle School. A member of 4-H and the Valley Center Vaqueros Young Rider’s Club, she competes in gymkhanas, shows, parades and the Young Riders Drill Team.
McMurray, 13, the daughter of Kasie Luck and Christopher McMurray of Santee, is an eighth-grader at Lakeside Middle School. She teaches horseback riding lessons at Windsor Equestrian Center in Lakeside, helps with spring and summer camps, and is active in the Lakeside Middle FFA and ABS clubs.
Sanchez, 10, the daughter of Gabe and Sarah Sanchez of Valley Center, is a fifth-grader at Heritage Flex Academy. She participates in gymkhanas, shows, dressage and 4-H equine and poultry, Play as One Guitar, American Heritage Theater and tennis.
Vincent, 12, the daughter of Chris and Taylor Vincent of Ramona, is a sixth-grader at Mt. Woodson Elementary School. She participates in P.E.A.C.E. Builders, Student Council and the Santa Ysabel/Julian 4-H Club and training in barrel racing.
Winters, 12, the daughter of Jason and Heather Winters of Ramona, is a seventh-grader at Mountain Valley Academy. She is involved with her church, her school music club and “Love Ramona” volunteer group. She also trains and regularly rides her two horses, and takes barrel racing lessons.
In addition to their Rodeo Royalty titles, winners receive custom belt buckles, perpetual sashes and crowns and equestrian gear. Junior and senior queens receive custom saddles.
Neal Livestock Arena is at 3664 Highway 67 (access on Dye Road).
Laws said the arena is a residential facility with extremely limited parking and no bleachers, so spectators should bring their own seating.
Attendees are advised to show up early for the evening session of the pageant, as last year’s event was standing room only. Concessions and drawings for raffle prizes will be available.
