Miss Rodeo Montana 2003

Speech * Horsemanship * Appearance
By Ed Hebbe IV of the Montana Trappers Association

As Miss Rodeo Montana 2002, Kande Ellis, was preparing to hand over the honor of Miss Rodeo Montana to another young rodeo lady, her friends were getting ready and all psyched up to take her on her first skydiving jaunt in a year.  Needless to say, Kande was definitely getting overly anxious to jump out of a perfectly good airplane yet again.

January 12, saw another mild day and the perfect end to a long weekend for five young ladies from across Montana who gathered in Great Falls yearning for the prestigious title of Miss Rodeo Montana 2003.

As folks began showing up for the morning brunch and coronation ceremonies, one couldn't help but notice that fur seems to have really taken center stage this year with several of the ladies, including State Representative, Jody Rempel, who was wearing a wide raccoon collar with her jacket. And two of the Miss Rodeo Montana contestants as well as up-and-coming contestants wearing fur with their outfits. Makes one wonder if it was former Miss Rodeo Montana Kristina Mensik who started a new and exciting fashion statement, or if it has something to do with one of the pageant sponsors. In any case, it's certainly an exciting addition.

Prior to the final score count and announcement of who that may be, the five contestants were introduced to a full house at the Heritage Inn by the coronation Master of Ceremonies, Skip Archibald.  Each of the contestants then enlightened the audience members with a short biography of themselves and why they believed they had what it takes to be Miss Rodeo Montana.

After a morning brunch provided by the staff of the Heritage Inn, the final stages of the pageant were under way.  Each contestant had one more impromptu question to answer for the audience before the contest results were tabulated and then announced.

The Miss Rodeo Montana Pageant uses three judges, each of which judge all of the contestants in all categories.  Special importance has been placed upon selecting qualified, knowledgeable and impartial judges. A local accounting firm tallies the scores and determines the winners based on total points. Following the pageant, each contestant will receive a summary of her ranking in each category in comparison with the winner's. For more on the scoring criteria: Click here

Judging the event this year was the former Miss Rodeo Montana State Director, Karen Shepard from the Kalispell area.  A native Canadian now living in Great Falls, Lynn Contway, who assists her husband, bronze artist Jay Contway, with promotion and sales at art shows. And Troy Kurth of Missoula, who operates the Western Montana AI Breeding Center.

In the meantime, Kande Ellis, Miss Rodeo Montana 2002 delivered her outgoing speech referencing her experiences during the course of her reign.  Stating, "Some say another year, another queen. I say, another year, another opportunity to represent the best state in the pro circuits."

Kande expressed her gratitude towards all who had been individually and corporately involved in making the year such a success.  Everyone left an influential impact in her life.  Family and friends, rodeo buddies, sponsors, and media have all helped her to achieve her goals.

She went on to say that the young lady to be crowned as Miss Rodeo Montana 2003 will be blessed with an exceptional year for her and her family.  She will go on to walk the footsteps before her and make her own paths. The pageant's long time friends and sponsors will befriend her and she will have the opportunity to grow beyond everything comprehendible.

Upon finishing her speech, Kande was presented with a beautiful throw from the State Director, Jody Rempel. To which in turn, Kande responded by presenting Jody with a gift of appreciation for all the help and support she had shown.

Kande was also presented with a custom made picture and frame from a long-time supporter of Miss Rodeo Montana. Each year the outgoing Miss Rodeo is presented with a wonderful souvenir from this same young cowboy. Each year it's different than those before. Like each Miss Rodeo Montana, they are truly special and unique.

Finally the moment of truth arrives and each Miss Rodeo Montana contestant is introduced once more before the final results are announced.

In High School, Lori was active in 4-H and FFA and was a five-time Montana State Horse Show Champion. She served as the 1999 Ravalli County Fair Queen, 2002 Miss Rodeo Butte America, and received the 2002 American Quarter Horse Foundation Heritage Scholarship. She is on the Dean's list, a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, MSU Horseman's Club President, MSU Ag Ambassador, and MSU Ag Student council Officer. She enjoys photography, snow skiing, ski blading, horses, dancing, team roping, modeling, and volunteering with Eagle Mount. Lori would like to become a high school Ag teacher and FFA Advisor in Montana.

As another rendezvous comes to a close for the Montana Trappers Association each September, so does the crowning of another Miss Rodeo Montana in January. Each is special and exciting and holds new challenges and wonderment.

Yet Montana has another young lady for state representation for rodeo and her sponsors, including the Montana Trappers Association.

This is the Montana Trappers Association seventh year as a major sponsor for Miss Rodeo Montana. If the past six years are any indication of the worthwhile efforts and opportunities we have provided and been given in return, I'm certain our seventh will be just as rewarding for us, as well as for the Miss Rodeo Montana queens and organization.