Hand beaded Rodeo Queen crown gets handed over

Rodeos aren’t always about getting down and dirty. Each rodeo has a rodeo queen, and Ashlyn Hilburn of Vinita is currently the 101 Wild West Rodeo Queen. Echo Blanton said Hilburn was given the authentic hand beaded crown at last year’s rodeo.

“She will be handing over her crown after the second event, at Saturday nights performance of the Rodeo,” Blanton said.

Hilburn’s reign is not over yet though, she will compete in Miss Rodeo Oklahoma next month. Also, joining Hilburn at this year’s Rodeo are the current Miss Rodeo Oklahoma, Miss Rodeo Oklahoma teen and Miss Rodeo Oklahoma Princess.

Blanton said Miss 101 has to be between 13 and 23, live in Oklahoma and can’t be married or have been married. This year’s four contestants will compete this weekend in horsemanship, impromptu questions, personal interview with judges and deliver speeches.

"The 101 Queen pageant, Dr. Blanton and I have done the rules to where they are reflected as the same rules at the state level, that way it’s not anything extra for the girls to learn or nothing new that it’s a surprise on them at the state level,” Blanton said.

The public is invited to the Osage Casino to watch the girls impromptu questions, speeches and modeling portion. The 101 Wild West Rodeo Queen luncheon is at 11:30 on Friday.

There is also a Miss 101 Wild West Rodeo Princess competition.

101 Wild West Rodeo Princess contestants

Allie Baker of Barnsdall, Okla.

Rachel St. Andrews of Ponca City, Okla.

101 Wild West Rodeo Queen contestants

Lesley Henderson, 17 of Vinita, Okla.

Keli Jeffries, 17 of Ponca City, Okla.

Kassidy McKee, 14 of Lenapah, Okla.

Rachael Smith, 20 of Ponca City, Okla.

For more information on each contestant visit 101WildWestRodeo.com