Exhibition & Stampede announces Rodeo Princesses for the day

By ANNA SMITH on April 17, 2024.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede’s Queen committee was thrilled to announce this year’s “Princess for a day” winners.

The two girls are eight-year-old Willow Page and Jaylin Arnal, who at the time of writing, is nine, but will be 10 when the girls are announced at the Spring Rodeo this weekend.

“I knew that the chance was really low,” said Page, “which just made it really exciting when I won.”

Alongside Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede Queen Emma Atkinson and Princess Caitlyn O’Connor, the winners spent spoke with media Tuesday and also learned what they could expect during their big day, which will take place Saturday during the 2024 Broncs and Honky Tonks Indoor Spring Rodeo.

“On Saturday, everything begins at Dunmore Dugout, where we get to have all the fun and get our energy out,” said Atkinson. “And then we come back here, where we do our hair and makeup, we eat some pizza and Booster Juice, and we have an opportunity to meet the horses prior to the rodeo that evening.”

The girls will be announced during the evening performance at 7 p.m. in the arena itself.

Page was unable to pick just one thing to be excited for on their special day with the Rodeo Royalty, and Arnal was simply pleased to be able to attend the rodeo that evening as a part of the festivities.

“We have possibly one, maybe two girls that would be interested, when they’re 18, in competing for the Medicine Hat Rodeo Queen title, so that’s super exciting,” said Atkinson. She added that she feels Princess for a day is a special opportunity for young girls to see what exactly goes into the competition and having the title, which can help make the idea of participating less intimidating when they’re older.

“You can always have a dream, but when you have something to relate to it, it just gives you that extra push and to come back, and just keep working towards what you want,” said Atkinson.

“I’m very excited to have these two lovely young ladies with us. I think we’re gonna have an awesome day Saturday, and I can’t wait to have them alongside us at the rodeo,” said O’Connor.

Both winners attend Seven Persons School, in Grades 2 and 4. The Exhibition & Stampede is grateful to sponsors Lammie’s, Logos Embroidery, Panago Pizza, Booster Juice, Dunmore Dugout and radio stations WILD 94.5 and MY96 for making the opportunity possible.

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