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What is your background in rodeo culture and royalty?

Kyra: is is the fourth year I’ve been involved in rodeo royalty. I was the 2019 Elbert County Fair Queen. at was a great experience. I reigned with Josie omas, last year’s Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Queen. When we visited the Elizabeth Stampede, everything just felt so homey and communityoriented, and it made me want to try out for their royalty. is is only my second title, but I’m enjoying it so far. It has been a great experience.

Isabelle: None of my family comes from the royalty side of things. ey all do barrel racing, which is what I grew up doing.

What made you want to pursue rodeo royalty?

Kyra: When I rst tried out in 2018 for the 2019 Elbert County Fair royalty, I wasn’t really looking to win. It was kind of a new experience. My horse was really new to me, so I was really just trying to get him out there. I wasn’t looking to be queen, but I ended up winning. It ended up being a great experience, but I wasn’t really into royalty until I had that rst title. It ended up being one of the greatest years of my life and I loved every second of it and wanted to keep doing it.

Isabelle: I’ve had no previous experience with royalty. This is my first year. I saw the Instagram post for the Elizabeth Stampede royalty clinic and decided that I was going to do everything possible to get my horse out there. After seeing everybody and the community and connection everybody had, how supportive they were of each other, I decided that I was going to try out. The dress I bought for my speech was from Amazon and I got it at the last minute. I studied so may YouTube videos to prep for the competition. I didn’t think I was going to win. It was so shocking.

What was your experience like as Elizabeth Stampede Royalty at the 2023 National Western Stock Show? Kyra: It was a really cool