For newly crowned Miss Rodeo Nebraska Kelsey Hutton, earning the title was the result of months of preparation and a passion for promoting rodeo across the state.
Hutton said the Miss Rodeo Nebraska competition tests contestants in a variety of areas, including horsemanship, public speaking, rodeo knowledge and personality.
“Our contest was spread across three different days,” Hutton said. “We started off with our horsemanship, where we rode draw horses that we had never rode or seen before. We also had extemporaneous speeches, interviews and a written test about rodeo knowledge, PRCA regulations and history.”
Preparing for the competition became Hutton’s top priority nearly a year before the event.
She created a study guide that eventually grew to about 50 pages and spent time each night reviewing rodeo history, equine science and PRCA rules. She also completed weekly mock interviews, worked with mentors and rode as many different horses as possible to prepare for the draw horse portion of the contest.
“The judges can really ask you anything under the sun,” Hutton said. “I tried to prepare in as many different areas as possible, and I’m sure glad I did.”
Unlike many rodeo queens, Hutton did not grow up in the rodeo arena.
She came from an English riding and show jumping background before beginning barrel racing at age 19. Her first rodeo queen competition came at the encouragement of a trainer, who suggested it would be good experience for both her and her young horse.
After that first contest, Hutton said she discovered a new passion for serving as an ambassador for the sport.
“I just found a new spark and a new passion there,” she said. “I have just loved being able to be an ambassador for rodeo.”
Now representing Nebraska at the PRCA level, Hutton hopes to help newcomers feel welcome in the rodeo community, especially those who did not grow up around the sport.
“If there’s people like me who joined rodeo a little bit later in life and are looking to become more involved with rodeo, I can be that person to help them do that,” Hutton said.
As she begins her year as Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Hutton said she is especially looking forward to school visits, where she can introduce young students to rodeo and agriculture.
“One of the things that I have loved doing as a queen is our school visits,” Hutton said. “It gives you that full-circle moment, and you realize why we do what we do.”
Hutton’s platform during her reign is “Arena for All,” encouraging people of all backgrounds to become involved in rodeo, whether as competitors, queens or fans.
“It truly never is too late to start,” Hutton said. “You’ll never know if you never try, and the rodeo community has been so welcoming. I would absolutely encourage everybody to do so.”