The 2016 Curry Merry Muster Rodeo Queen will strive for greatness as she journeys to become the next Miss Rodeo Australia.
Since crowned Curry Merry Muster Rodeo Queen in August, Kate Taylor had opened her eyes to rodeo and wanted to pursuit it further and chase the national title.
Following in the 2016 Miss Rodeo Australia Katy Scott’s footsteps, Ms Taylor hoped to become the second Cloncurry queen to win the competition two consecutive years running.
Ms Taylor said the Curry Rodeo Queen had been so much fun and she loved getting out and talking to people and representing rodeo.
“Going on to win Miss Rodeo Australia would mean everything to me,” she said.
To be Miss Rodeo Australia would mean everything to me.
- Kate Taylor
“Everyone has been working so hard for it, it would be great to see our hard work pay off.”
Preparation is key for this competition, and Ms Taylor has been balancing study with her everyday routine.
“I have been doing a lot of study; brushing up on rodeo rules and regulations, past winners, rodeo knowledge, horsemanship and Australian history,” she said.
“When we attend finals we will be judged on horsemanship skills, rodeo knowledge, appearance, interview and a written test. So I am trying to prepare myself as much as possible for the competition.”
Ms Taylor will represent North West Queensland when she competes against four other women from all across Australia.
“I will compete against other queens from Bowen River, Millmerran and Deniliquin,” she said.
“It is great to see so much variety and the wide-spread of APRA rodeos.”
Once Miss Rodeo Australia is announced and Australian Professional Rodeo circuit starts, the winner will travel to all the professional rodeos in Australia.
The winner will be required to conduct grand entries at rodeos, represent Australia at the rodeo finals in America and Canada, talk to schools, visit hospitals and talk to people about the rodeos in their area.
Ms Taylor said win or lose, she was proud to represent North West Queensland and Cloncurry.
“This has been an amazing experience while raising much needed money for my chosen charity the Royal Flying Doctor Service,” she said.
Ms Taylor will travel to Warwick in January for the Australian Professional Rodeo Association, Miss Rodeo Australia competition.