Rodeo Queening is a Lesson in Personal Development
At some point in your rodeo queen journey, you'll probably hear something like: "This is about more than a crown." And if you're in the thick of contest prep, it can be easy to roll your eyes.
But here's the thing — it's actually true. Especially when it comes to public speaking.
The Skills You're Building Right Now Will Follow You
Every hour you spend working on your speech is an investment that pays dividends for decades. The ability to walk into a room, command attention, speak with clarity and conviction, and connect with an audience is one of the most valuable professional and personal skills a person can have.
And most people never deliberately develop it.
You are.
What the Research Says
Fear of public speaking consistently ranks among the most common fears adults report. Many professionals go their entire careers avoiding it, turning down chances to present, lead, advocate, or be seen, which can lead to promotion or more opportunities coming their way.
Rodeo queens are different. Public speaking has to become second nature. You start young, train under pressure, compete, get feedback, and improve. That's a coaching and performance environment most adults never get access to. Read that again. What you’re doing now is giving you an edge for adulthood.
Where It Goes From Here
Consider where a communication foundation like this can take you:
Job interviews, presentations, and leadership roles
Advocating for causes and organizations you care about
Running your own business and talking to clients, investors, and the public
Teaching, coaching, or mentoring the next generation
Representing your industry, your community, or your family
The skills you learn on a rodeo arena stage translate directly to every one of these contexts.
The Investment Mindset
That's why it's worth approaching your speech preparation not just as contest prep, but as a long-term investment in yourself.
When my mom entered me in my first rodeo queen contest, I was nine. I was one of those girls who was so shy that I’d hide behind my mom’s legs or avoid talking to other people. I was, as one fellow rodeo queen phrased it in adulthood, “So shy I was weird.”
Fast forward to today: I’m still a little weird, admittedly. But aren’t we all? I’ve also done everything that rodeo queening has prepared me for. When I apply for a job, I have the confidence in my skills to know that if I can get an interview, I’ll get an offer. I’ve asked for multi-thousand-dollar gifts for a fundraiser without blinking an eye. I’ve spoken in front of hundreds of strangers. I run two successful businesses, have traveled by myself, including out of the country, and have the discipline to do hard things because I know a reward is on the other side.
Rodeo queening is so much more than the crown. And honestly, it’s more than public speaking. It teaches you how to carry yourself, builds your confidence and independence, and teaches you how to set a goal and chase it. If you’re concerned that investing in your skills is a waste or frivolous, know that this kind of training that most working professionals would pay significant money to access.
Use your opportunity wisely, and take everything you can from it.
