Rodeo Royalty host boot camp for potential queen competitors

By James Tubb on March 13, 2024.

NEWS PHOTO ANNA SMITH Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Queen Emma Atkinson (left) and Princess Caitlyn O’Connor give advice to aspiring contestants at the 2024 Boot Camp.

Sunday saw royalty hopefuls at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede office for their 2024 Boot Camp, to find out just what it takes to fill the boots of the queen and princess.

“Boot camp is an annual thing that we provide for any ladies that are interested in partaking in our competition,” said Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede Queen Emma Atkinson. “So it’s just a look at everything that is detailed. Whether it be your personality, horsemanship, the fashion show, or public speaking we just give tips, tricks, and anything that we think would be useful to allow you to feel confident moving into a competition.”

While Rodeo Princess Caitlyn O’Connor unfortunately missed her chance to attend the session before her own competition, she said that she was glad for the opportunity to help the girls looking to compete this year start with their best foot forward and go into the coming months with confidence.

“I like that we’re able to give them everything that, while I did have, I wish I would have had somebody to spell it out for me like we are for these girls today,” said O’Connor. “This is going to be a learning experience for them, regardless of the results.”

Potential contestants were walked through the finer points of public speaking, modelling, how to create curls that will last under their hats, and general advice that will serve them well as they prepare.

”The day was somewhat emotional, said Atkinson.

“I had a moment of reflection while we were getting ready for boot camp. I had a couple of tears because I was thinking of tips and tricks and all of these things and I think it was just like a flash of how we’ve evolved and everything that’s come with it, just all the activities we’ve had throughout our year. It’s been so special.”

A lot goes into becoming rodeo royalty which is fitting as plenty goes into being it, as well, with roughly 400–600 volunteer hours involved over the course of the reigning year.

“You are very involved,” said Atkinson. “It’s anywhere from rodeo, to farmers markets to community events, to charity events. So you really get to go in a wide scope and look at things from a lot of different angles.”

Both Atkinson and O’Connor expressed a deep gratitude for everything they have been able to do as this year’s royalty, as well as for everything they will still do leading up to the “crowning in the dirt” for the 2024 royals. She added that it has been an incredible chance for growth and development as a person, as well.

“I just think it’s really important for young ladies. It allows self growth, self development,” said Atkinson. “It allows us to be ambassadors for the medicine, exhibition and stampede, as well as the entire community.”

“The experiences you have with your title and all the people you get to meet are incredible,” said O’Connor. “I would not be the person I am today if I hadn’t held this title and I’m very grateful for that. And I know that this is a time of my life that is going to always mean a lot to me.”

Registration for the competition will run from April 1 to April 30, with the competition itself running from July 11-13. Further breakdown of the competition dates can be found on the Exhibition website.

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