Valley Center Rodeo Queen contestants get some horseplay

By: NOELLE IBRAHIM - Staff Writer | Sunday, May 13, 2007 7:43 PM PDT ∞

VALLEY CENTER ---- After proving her ability to handle a horse and think on her feet, 16-year-old Jessica Simonsen and her horse, Archie, took a victory gallop Sunday afternoon as the newly crowned Valley Center Rodeo Queen 2007.

"I'm still in shock," said the visibly excited Valley High School sophomore after she was announced as the winner of the fourth annual competition, which included biographical essay, interview, speech and horsemanship portions.

Beaming with pride, Ingrid Simonsen cheered her daughter as Jessica smiled and waved to a crowd of more than 100 onlookers who gathered on the bleachers at the Aerie Park arena.

"It's the best Mother's Day present I've had in my life," she said.

Jessica, one of three 16-and-older senior division contestants, took home a $1,000 scholarship, custom saddle, engraved belt buckle and a tiara that fit snugly over her black cowboy hat. She and Senior Division Princess Stephanie Sorge will entertain the crowd during the opening ceremonies of the Valley Center Stampede Rodeo, coming to Bates Nut Farm the weekend of May 25.

"I can't wait to get families amped up for the sport we love," said Jessica, who added that she was also looking forward to being a role model to young girls in the community.

Sara Maguire was crowned Sunday as a junior queen out of nine contestants in the 12- to 15-year-old category, which was added this year to encourage younger girls to participate. She and Junior Princesses Megan Glennie and Samantha Peters will also be on hand for the rodeo.

"They've all grown so much since the beginning," said Jane Rockenmacher, who coordinated the competition with her daughter Kohlby, the outgoing 2006 Rodeo Queen. "They committed to something, followed through and made new friends along the way."

Rockenmacher said the goal of the competition is to build the girls' self-esteem and get them involved in the Valley Center community.

In addition, contestants polished their public speaking skills during interviews with judges and speeches on what it means to be a rodeo queen, events that were held Saturday at the amphitheater near Valley Center Community Hall.

The judges were looking for the whole package ---- personality, poise, self-confidence, the ability to represent the community, and, of course, horsemanship, said Rockenmacher.

"She represents the sport of rodeo and the cowboy spirit," she said, adding that the competition is not a typical beauty pageant.

"It's keeping our heritage alive and it gives young girls something to aspire to. It's as close to a princess as a little horse-crazy girl can get."

Before the final outcome, the 12 contestants, dressed in sparkly long-sleeve shirts, jeans and cowboy hats, showed off their equestrian skills by demonstrating a pattern of trotting, dismounting and other displays of control.

Junior contestant Shelby North, who later won the Most Photogenic award, did a little dance after her pattern demonstration.

"That was so fun," said the 15-year-old Valley Center High School freshman. "I had such a big smile on my face the whole time."

North, who has been riding horses since she was 5, said she had a few jitters beforehand, but was excited to display her riding skills.

"You just have to put your show face on and be ready," she said.

The youngest contestant, Stephanie McCarley, 12, let loose a sigh of relief after her turn around the arena.

"The adrenaline is just rushing through you," said Stephanie, who won an award for best sportsmanship. "I was just picturing the entire thing in my head of what I was supposed to do."

Stephanie said none of the contestants walked away empty-handed at the close of the competition because they all forged new friendships.

"I'll be happy for whoever wins because we all worked so hard," she said.

Contact staff writer Noelle Ibrahim at (760) 761-4404 or nibrahim@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.

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