Rodeo queen graces USU
Many people envision rodeo contestants as redneck, or folks who are free of the constraints of conventional society. Porch-sitting, gopher-eating, coverall-wearing, slang-speaking people are redneck. But rodeo contestants are not redneck, especially not rodeo queens.
Chenae Shiner, the 2007 National High School Rodeo Association Queen, is a well-polished, polite, education-seeking individual who said she doesn’t think of herself as a redneck.
“We are not rednecks, but just because I look like I can’t ride a horse doesn’t mean I can’t,” she said. “Most people are surprised when I tell them I am involved in rodeo.”
Shiner received the title by her outstanding horsemanship and riding, appearance, personal interview and modeling abilities.
The NHSRA holds the competition annually, and one queen from 47 states and provinces competes. The horsemanship part of the competition includes following a pattern on the horse while carrying the NHSRA flag. Contestants must also give a two-minute speech and an impromptu speech. The winner receives a $2,000 scholarship.
After winning the title, the rodeo queen is expected to represent and promote rodeo, sign autographs and be a positive face for rodeo. Shiner was even able to meet many professional rodeo athletes, including Stran Smith.
“He is also a model, and very good-looking,” Shiner said.
Unfortunately, she said she didn’t get his phone number.
Shiner is currently a USU freshman majoring in broadcast journalism.
“As a rodeo queen I learned how to do interviews and be more outgoing. This is why I chose broadcasting,” Shiner said.
However, Shriner said becoming a rodeo queen isn’t something that happens overnight.
“I have been riding horses since before I could walk. Rodeo is a family event. All of my aunts were rodeo queens, so I naturally followed the path,” Shiner said. “Usually, I put in four or five hours a day riding, and I still have to fit two or three in to study.”
Shriner said a rodeo queen must be dedicated, willing to put in the hours and have their priorities straight.
“I was a cheerleader in high school, as well as involved with rodeo. This meant that sometimes I had to study or ride instead of going to the football game,” she said. “You can’t do it all, but with hard work it is possible to have fun and do well in school while in rodeo if your priorities are set right.”
Besides performing her queen duties, Shiner also did barrel racing and breakaway roping, qualifying for nationals in barrel racing.
Although Shiner isn’t on the USU rodeo team, she is now on the Professional Rodeo Association team for barrel racing and said she does this year round.
Shiner’s said work ethic and can-do attitude are a must when one is faced with a loss.
“No one is 100 percent all the time,” she said. “When I lose, I am initially down because I expect better from myself. But then I realize I can take it as a positive to learn from my mistakes and do better next time.”
Shiner said she grew up in the town of Roosevelt, Utah. While growing up, she said she lived on a ranch and had several horses. She said she even brought one horse to school with her to practice with.
“Vegas is my favorite horse, and I am glad to have him here with me,” Shiner said.
Through Shiner’s many years of rodeo, she said she has been blessed to have only one major injury.
“I broke my foot on my queen horse, but other than that I have been pretty lucky,” she said.
Besides the danger of injury to rider and horse, Shiner said that the other cons of rodeo are its time-consuming nature and the cost, particularly with diesel being so high.
“It is expensive to haul horses to a rodeo, after paying for diesel and entry fees. I don’t think people realize this,” said Shiner.
No matter the expenses, Shiner said she loves everything about rodeo. She said she likes to watch fellow contenders compete to share their adrenaline, which gets her pumped up for her turn.
While Shiner has since passed on her NHSRA queen title, she is still promoting rodeo.
“Students should attend a rodeo because it’s lots of fun, you will never get bored,” she said. “It’s cheap, bring a date.”
–storee.powell@aggiemail.usu.edu