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Location: In my own little world | State pageants have different rules regarding sponsorships. Some won't let business/individuals directly sponsor the queen. It has to come through the pageant 1st. The state pageant may get a percentage of it, etc. You really need to contact the state director and ask for a copy of the contract given to their state queen. That way you know what their expectations of you are should you win the title. I co-directed a local pageant for 9 years and we had a contract with each local queen. They were expected to make so many designated appearances, attend the state pageant so they would know what to expect when it was their turn to enter it, and they were expected to enter the state pageant with the expecation they were entering it to win it. These were the requirements set in place by the fair board as they were the ones paying the entry fee into the state pageant. We were very successful at having our local queens go on to win or be 1st runner-up at the state level. If the fair board was putting the money into it the expectation was the queen was also very serious about it as well. There was also a Little Miss Pageant and a Teen Pageant so most girls had lots of queening experience before they reached the Miss Rodeo Local. So my best advice is check with whoever is your state pageant director, which their name should be available on the Miss Rodeo America website and see what all is involved, the expectation and if it is something you think you want to move forward with, want to do and can afford. Most of all if you do follow through, good luck and have fun!
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6443
 
Location: Montana | Thank you. I have emailed the president of Miss Rodeo Montana and discussed a little bit with her. I also have a previous MRM that is willing to answer some questions as well. I'm trying to get as well informed as I can before I go into it. | |
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Member
Posts: 13
| It is absolutely possible to compete successfully on the national level without having $50,000 in wardrobe alone. I have worked with our state pageant for nearly 18 years and have had top 10 and category winners who have spent a quarter to a half of that during their reign which included travel expenses throughout their year. When I have a new titleholder we sit down to plan her reign which includes what rodeos and events she wishes to attend as well as how well she wants to do at MRA (see below). Quality fundraising and planning are very important. Planning your wardrobe around three to four colors and mixing and matching clothing saves a great deal. One of the former title holders I worked with planned her wardrobe around red, a color she looked great in. She had one skirt made with two different tops - one with a lot of flash for the fashion show and another more subdued for interviews. The advantage to this was that both tops could also be worn with dyed jeans for arena outfits and she only needed one pair of boots for four sharp outfits. Off-the-rack clothing is now much more acceptable and often more affordable than custom clothes. We are also seeing the trend away from leather to materials such as satins and silks which are also more affordable. However, it does not matter how much an outfit costs if it doesn't fit well or is a poor color or design choice for you. A lot of contestants make that mistake, they buy a really expensive dress that is too short, too long, too big in the waist, too tight around the bust, too short in the sleeves, etc...and they lose points in appearance even though the dress may be drop-dead gorgeous.
There are state titleholders who have no desire to be Miss Rodeo America, and frankly I think that's just fine. It takes an immense amount of work (and yes a bit more of a financial commitment for coaches, etc.) to achieve the title. However, you should still put in your very best effort to prepare for the national pageant even if achieving the title is not your goal. Believe me, you will regret not doing so in 20-years.
Be very careful about sponsorships that come directly to you either before or after the competition. The IRS treats this as income and you will need to report the money, this is why as a state title holder you must go through your state pageant with the sponsorship money. They are either a 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 corporation (or should be). There have been titleholders and contestants who had problems with the IRS due to their not reporting sponsorship moneys and gifts.
The two national programs for young women 18 - 26 are Miss Rodeo America and Miss Rodeo USA. America represents the PRCA and you must earn a state title affiliated with Miss Rodeo America in order to compete for the title. The pageant is held in Vegas prior to/during the WNFR. Miss Rodeo USA represents the IPRA with the pageant held in OKC during the IFR in January. A title is needed to enter USA but it can be from any rodeo association/committee or by a sponsor. The programs have different scoring systems emphasizing different skill sets and both are worthy titles to hold.
There are so many benefits to competing for and holding these titles. Only one young woman is going to go away with the title but she's not the only one who receives benefits from her state and national titles. Kadee Coffman is one of the best examples of state titleholders who did not earn the Miss Rodeo America title. Through her involvement with Miss Rodeo California she made connections and honed the skills needed to become an on-air personality. Others are working for large pharmaceutical companies, as lobbiests for agricultural organizations, are working as reps for major western brands (Justin, Wrangler, etc.) or even as teachers through the connections they made during their reign. If you are smart about finances and your goals then this opportunity can land you amazing opportunities.
You will find a lot of information on www.RodeoRoyalty.com as well as on their Facebook page and Pinterest account . There are many YouTube videos available to give you an idea of the type of speeches given at the state and national levels. If you have an opportunity to attend a queen clinic then make the investment to do so (and do as you learn at the clinic, it's not worth your time or money if you don't act on what you're taught and I see that a lot). There is also a Facebook group called Rodeo Queen Tips and Suggestions that is fairly active with good information.
Good luck!
Edited by Bobbie1207 2014-09-20 3:59 PM
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