Amy Wilson's gold tiara sits squarely on the rim of her black felt hat, its amethyst ovals catching the sunlight.
She wears it and her Miss Rodeo America sash whenever she's on duty, which is often since being crowned in December at the 53rd Annual Miss Rodeo American Pageant in Las Vegas.
Since then, she's racked up the frequent flier miles and visited dozens of rodeos throughout the U.S.
It's places like the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo, where she's been hanging out since Wednesday, that she likes best.
"It's really fun to come to the events that have both the fair and rodeo," said the 22-year-old from Colby, Kan.
The event reminds her of hometown fairs where she participated in 4-H.
"I grew up on the back of a horse," said Wilson, a tall blonde with a wide smile and easy-going personality.
She showed horses and got into doing junior rodeos as a kid. In high school, she also participated in rodeo queen pageants.
In 2007, she was named Miss Rodeo Kansas, opening the gate to the Miss Rodeo America pageant -- a weeklong competition where she competed against 27 other cowgirls for the title.
The young women are judged on horsemanship, a personal interview, speeches and their photogenic qualities.
"It's like other pageants -- without the swimsuits, but with horsemanship added in," she explained.
And the girls don't get to ride their own horses during the competition -- they draw horses owned by stock contractors.
That's a big part of the preparation for the job, however, said Wilson, who only gets to ride her own horses on the rare occasions she's home.
This year, she'll appear at more than 100 rodeos and travel about 100,000 miles.
As Miss Rodeo America, Wilson is an ambassador for the sport she loves. She does interviews, helps in the timed events of the rodeo by clearing stock out of the arena and signs autographs.
She even participated in Wednesday's Kiddie Parade at the fair.
Thursday morning she meet the fair board and rodeo organizers. Today she's off to Bremerton and then on to Ellensburg.
"It's the best job in the world," she said. "I've made friends all over."
Wilson, who has an associate's degrees in agri-business and communications, plans to return to college after her year as Miss Rodeo America. She wants to pursue a career in broadcasting and become a TV broadcaster for professional rodeo.
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6 compete for spots on Royal Court
6 compete for spots on Royal Court
Six young women will vie for a place on the Benton Franklin Fair & Horse Heaven Round-Up Royal Court on Saturday.
They are Alissa Bready of Kennewick, Courtney Brown of Prosser, Breeann Jennings of Kahlotus, Katarina Kay Hiebert Rothrock of Burbank, Taylor A. Van Meighem of Richland and Kelci Williamson of West Richland.
The winners will become ambassadors for the Fair and Rodeo for the next year.
Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo volunteers step into spotlight
Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo volunteers step into spotlight
The people leading the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo parade this year are used to being behind the scenes.
Dobie and Julie Burns and their family are longtime volunteers who pitch in whenever asked to keep the fair going. That's what led the fair board to choose the Burns family as grand marshals for the 63rd annual fair, said Lori Lancaster, the fair's manager.
Dobie Burns and his family have been involved in the fair since before it changed from the Grape Festival. He and his relatives helped run and volunteered at the Columbia Valley Grange food booth.
Cowgirl College: Benton Franklin Fair event teaches ladies about rodeo
Cowgirl College: Benton Franklin Fair event teaches ladies about rodeo
Saddle up, ladies, it's time for school. But leave your notebooks and pencils at home. You will learn your three Rs - roping, riding and rodeo - on the back of a horse with a rope in your hand.
The Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo is offering women a chance to learn to ride, rope and understand the sport of rodeo at its first Cowgirl College.
The event, scheduled for Saturday, consists of 11⁄2 hours of instruction from bullfighter Rowdy Barry; barrelman JJ Harrison; Rocky Mullen, who owns part of the equipment that will be used; and cowboys who will compete that night at the Horse Heaven Round-Up Rodeo.
Rascal Rodeo rocks
Rascal Rodeo rocks
I want to commend Rascal Rodeo and the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo's board of directors for sponsoring the wonderful Rascal Rodeo event during the fair. More than 100 cowboys and cowgirls volunteered their time to create an opportunity for people with disabilities to experience firsthand how it feels to ride a horse, rope a sheep and ride a bull.
Wow! The smiles on the faces of the 30 individuals who participated said it all. What a great community we live in, where people are reaching out to make sure all can participate.
Thanks again to all the people who donated their time. Special thanks to Ann-Erica Whitemarsh for her vision that all people no matter their disability should have the opportunity to participate, and kudos to the fair board for supporting this great event and making it accessible for all. Thank you for valuing persons with disabilities.
Rascal Rodeo delight
Rascal Rodeo delight
I would like to express my appreciation to the organizers and volunteers of the Rascal Rodeo. My sister Tawna, along with about 30 other disabled, developmentally delayed or autistic individuals participated in the fun event.
They got to dress up like cowboys or cowgirls (hats, bandanna, T-shirts and goody bags) and enjoy rodeo events. They rode real horses, had pony cart rides, lassoed a "steer", milked a "cow" and rode a "buckin' bale of hay." Many volunteer real cowgirls and cowboys assisted them and made them feel special and important.
Thanks to Ann-Erica Whitemarsh and her organization for a great job. I really appreciate all the vendors and people who volunteered time and supplies and those who brought their animals for this great experience.
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