Valley Center rodeo queen envisions an equestrian life

By: JESSICA MUSICAR - For the North County Times | Tuesday, May 17, 2005 11:19 PM PDT ∞

VALLEY CENTER ---- Driven by her love of horses and Valley Center's enthusiasm for equines, newly crowned Rodeo Queen Cara Ouellette, 15, said Tuesday that she looks forward to representing the town at its third annual rodeo on May 27-28.

Named rodeo queen Friday at an awards dinner for the Valley Center competition, the Valley Center High School freshman said she has been riding horses since she was 7 years old, and plans to make it a lifelong pursuit. She said that every day, she spends several hours after school taking care of her family's six horses, including Cara's 7-year-old mare, "Sweetie," who helped her win the queen competition.

"I will probably have horses all my life," Cara said. "I really like the fact that ... your horse really responds to your thoughts. It's almost like reading minds."

Although a Valley Center resident for only 1 1/2 years, Cara said she admires the small-town feel of the community and wants to protect that way of life.

"I really love the fact that I can represent Valley Center because our town is one of the last towns where horses and horseback riding are really popular," Cara said. "It's important that we keep remembering our heritage up here and keep the equestrian rodeo way alive."

Cara said she became inspired to try out for queen after watching last year's winner, Mackenzie Cayford, and her princesses ride during the town rodeo.

"They were having all this fun, and they were doing all this neat stuff," Cara said. "I wanted to do it, too, so this year, I did."

Because contestants must be between 15 and 19 years old, this was the first year Cara could participate. Five girls competed in this year's competition, which included a speech about why each contestant wanted to be queen, a test for the most photogenic and a test of their riding abilities.

"I think the judges saw that I was really comfortable around a lot of people and that I know how to handle my horse," Cara said. "That's a really important part of being the rodeo queen ---- it's what separates it from being Miss Valley Center."

In addition to riding in the rodeo and its Saturday parade, Cara will make appearances at other rodeos, as well as city and charity events in Southern California. She received a $500 scholarship, $1,000 bond, a tiara, a custom Western saddle and an engraved silver Montana belt buckle when she became queen. Princesses Sara Stridsberg and Lexi Boles will accompany Cara at many of the public celebrations.

Theresa Trogdon, chairwoman of the Valley Center Rodeo Queen Committee and founder of the competition, said: "It's a public position for her to be involved in the community. I think she was chosen because she is so well-rounded. She had very controlled horsemanship skills that were steady and consistent."

Trogdon added that the position will help build the teen's confidence, speaking skills, and assertiveness.

"It just adds a nice flare (to the rodeo)," Trogdon said of the queen's role. "It's nice to let them know that there are cowgirls there."

Suzanne Ouellette, Cara's mother, said she is very proud of her daughter and has confidence that despite her age, she will be a great queen.

"She just works really hard and I know she will do what it takes," Ouellette said.

Cara said she holds a 4.0 grade-point average at her school, sits on the North County Academic League and plans to begin taking Advanced Placement courses next year. She hopes to one day become a marine biologist, geneticist or a wildlife photographer.

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