ESTEVAN - The Estevan Exhibition Association has its royalty for the next 12 months.
Desirae Cleveland of Bengough was crowned as the Rodeo Queen and Hannah Ferrier of Ceylon the Rodeo Princess during the EEA's Energy City Ex. on June 15 at the Graham Collie Rodeo Arena.
They were judged on four different components: horsemanship, public speaking, 50/50 ticket sales and people's choice votes. Ferrier was the winner of the people's choice division, while Cleveland took home the other three categories. She also won a $1,000 scholarship.
Rodeo queen committee chairwoman Annetta McDavid said public speaking and horsemanship were evaluated on June 10 during contests that were open to the public. Their speeches had to be four to eight minutes long and were of a topic of their choosing. They also had to address an impromptu question drawn from a hat. They had a minute to prepare their answer.
The horsemanship was based on how they handled a riding pattern. Three judges evaluated their riding and speaking abilities.
The voting for the People's Choice Award ended Friday evening.
Proceeds from the 50-50 ticket sales will be directed to the Estevan Exhibition Association for maintenance and upkeep of the grounds.
McDavid said the two contestants were busy during the Energy City Ex.
"They were promoting Estevan, offering to help out to direct people. They opened gates, they helped with our people movers and just generally helped out with the rodeo and anywhere they could," said McDavid.
McDavid predicted the queen and the princess will show up wearing their sashes at different events in the community, including other exhibition activities, events that involve agriculture and other functions in the Estevan area.
McDavid was pleased with this year's contest. The community, rodeo committee and the KCRA, which is the rodeo circuit for Estevan, were very supportive. People in the community stepped forward with sponsorships, prizes and assistance.
"The really exciting part for us, and the main reason that we do Miss Rodeo Estevan, is they embody the rodeo … and western lifestyle and spirit," said McDavid.
They will be good representatives during their tenure over the next year, she added.
