“There is so much character, history, and tradition in rodeo that today’s generation needs to know about.”
Sharing that important heritage is the main objective Abbey Pomeroy, Miss Rodeo K-State 2012, emphasized following her coronation during the Kansas State University Rodeo at Manhattan.
“Rodeo is the only sport built on tradition of a livelihood that was essential to development of this country,” Pomeroy stressed. “Those cowboys and cowgirls who have competed in rodeos from the beginning up through all levels today have a contagious personality, mentality, and passion so important to be shared with others.”
Infectious-enthusiasm for the sport of rodeo and telling its story is obvious as Queen Pomeroy of Hesston related her experiences leading to the prestigious-crown and the agenda planned during her reign.
Coordinated by Brande Iseman, Miss Rodeo K-State 2011, who set an impressive- precedence of rodeo belief and service, this year’s queen pageant attracted three contestants.
“There was a meeting to explain the contest during November, and I started working diligently in preparation right then,” Pomeroy explained.
Those efforts reaped success.
Evaluated by a panel of three judges, contestants competed in six categories including “photogenics,” horsemanship, modeling, interview, speech, and written-knowledge of rodeo.
When announcement of Miss Rodeo K-State 2012 was made, Abbey Pomeroy received the crown, all of its glamour and expectations included.
“Hard work always pays off,” Pomeroy admitted. “I knew I had to be ready, and I felt confident, but to hear my name announced was such a thrill.”
Runners-up for the title were Devon Stewart, Courtland and Lauren Rumbaugh, Dodge City.
Pomeroy ranked first in all of the judged-categories, and Stewart was voted Miss Congeniality.
Road-to-be-queen is more detailed than it might seem.
“My parents and brother and sisters all are involved with horses, but I’ve taken my interest to the highest level,” Pomeroy contended.
The “middle-daughter” of Jerry and Dixie Pomeroy, the queen has an older brother, as well as an older and a younger sister.
Showing horses while growing up, Pomeroy was “an English rider,” who traded her flat-saddle for Western tack and attire to become a “cowgirl and rodeo queen.”
She recalled, “I competed in 4-H and Morgan shows with my chestnut Morgan mare called Gates, mostly in rail classes and over low-jumps.”
Despite achieving success including blue ribbons and state fair awards with her Morgan-style, Pomeroy had that inward-desire to “go Western.”
“My older sister has a Thoroughbred-Paint gelding called Boo that I borrowed and started riding,” she recalled.
Now a sophomore studying interior design, Pomeroy brought the big “flea-bitten gray” to college to perfection her “Western abilities.”
Pomeroy feels fortunate in selection of housing for her mount. “Steve Frazier boards my horses, and Steve has been a great asset to me in becoming a better rider,” Pomeroy credited.
Frazier, a strong rodeo ambassador, coach, leader, and former-competitor, encouraged Pomeroy to compete in rodeos. “I entered the barrel race at three National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association competitions as a member of the K-State Rodeo Team last fall,” Pomeroy noted.
However, when it came time to “get ready,” for the queen pageant, Boo didn’t have what Pomeroy thought were the “right credentials,” so she found another horse.
“I was really fortunate to borrow a retired performance-mare,” Pomeroy said. “Sally is just absolutely awesome, and I rode her every single day to get ready for the contest.”
The sorrel mare coupled with Frazier’s guidance are readily-credited by Pomeroy for her winning the horsemanship division of the pageant.
However, emphasis on education and serving as Miss Rodeo K-State made Pomeroy decide to send the horses back to Harvey County following her coronation.
Living in the Clovia Scholarship House on-campus, as an extended benefit of her 4-H participation, Pomeroy is active in her curriculum activities as well as the K-State Rodeo Club.
“I hope to work in architecture of commercial hospitality and entertainment, in hotels and restaurants. So, I’m taking advantage of every experience related to my career,” Pomeroy said.
A full-year of rodeo-story-telling is on the front burner as Pomeroy plans her agenda. “I’m working to get sponsors to help with my expenses as I make public appearances,” related Pomeroy, who welcomed groups to contact her about attending rodeos or any “Western-event.”
However, no small task-at-hand is finding a new mount. “Boo needs rest, and Sally was borrowed, so I’m looking for another horse,” Pomeroy accentuated.
Appearance is utmost-essential for a queen, and Pomeroy is excited about the chaps being made for her by Circle R Chaps of Abilene.
“What will be special is that with the help of my grandpa, Jack Pomeroy, I’ve tooled the belt for the chaps. Tooling is my hobby that I learned from Grandpa.”
Busy-times ahead for an enthusiastic Miss Rodeo K-State Abbey Pomeroy who promises to “always be involved with horses and spread rodeo’s story.”