>> Behind the scenes at the Cowgirl Queen contest is an
entertaining array of activities.
Nearly 150 riders from across the state travel to the fair
grounds where they spend the day preparing to dazzle the judges.
The Cowgirl Queen contest is split into detwo divisions.
Ages 10-15 and senior division for riders ages 16-26.
Due to the large number of entries, there are four
preliminary rounds of competition in both the journal
and senior divisions -- junior and senior decisions.
They move on to compete in the final round.
The finalists in the are junior division have entered the ring.
>> Every year it just seems to get bigger and better.
This is a big event and in the Jacobson building tonight we
will have an overflow crowd.
>> The difficult task of deciding who will wear this
year's crown falls to the three judges.
Here's what one of them had to say.
>> I conceded in this event 30-40 years ago.
It's a long time.
I'm feeling some butterflies for the girls.
What an opportunity for the girls to display their
horsemanship ability.
That's great.
>> The junior division finalists answered a question from the
judges then performed the Cowgirl Queen salute.
>> When you add speed to any element of any sporting event
and this will be considered a sporting event, you add speed
the risk factor goes up.
And we have a large group of people, a lot of action going
on, a lot of noise, and that's not something the -- horses are
used to on a day-to-day basis.
It will require to have a tight hold on the reins.
I wish them a lot of luck.
>> Congratulations to the 2013 junior Cowgirl Queen.
The 20 finalists in the senior division have now entered the
show ring.
>> The horsemanship skills of a rider are sometimes difficult to
detect, how do they manage the animals.
I think probably more than anything is that they know their
horse well, and you have to be a partner with the animal in order
to be successful.
>> All of these young ladies that are participating tonight
are a queen in their own right.
They have won a contest at a local saddle club or a breed
show.
They earned the right to be here and they're going to do their
very best tonight.
>> To help provide some showing insight, we spoke with a two
time winner of this event.
>> I would just say trust your horse and practice a lot because
any work you do in my opinion.
I have a pony that's great.
He's nothing special.
He can go out and do everything just like he should.
And the pleasure horse and halter horse can do just fine.
Just trust your horse and practice a lot and you'll do
just fine.
>> After answering a question from the judges, the senior
division finalists are asked to back their horse and execute a
360 degree turn.
A hallmark of the competition is the Cowgirl Queen salute.
>> This happens to be my favorite part and probably our
best part.
I think go fast, go hard.
I like to do it as hard as we can and really get that stop.
I do a lot of stops in practice just so they know when to stop
and how they hopefully slide.
>> Congratulations to the 2013 senior Cowgirl Queen.