One of two contestants running for the title of Miss Rodeo Sundre 2019-20 said she was inspired to pursue that path in large part after meeting royalty who encouraged her.
Jesse Miller, who is currently residing in Rimbey but has roots in Sundre, said she attended the Canadian Finals Rodeo when she was a little girl and had the opportunity to meet a young woman by the name of Brittany Foster, who ended up being crowned Miss Rodeo Canada 2010.
“She said to me, ‘One day, you could be a rodeo queen too,’” Miller recalled during a phone interview.
“I’ve had her autograph taped on my wall ever since.”
More recently, while working over the past summer at the Alberta Pioneer Ranch, which is sponsoring her bid for the Sundre title, Miller met Kyla Williams, who was crowned Miss Rodeo Sundre in 2015. That encounter further solidified her desire to throw her name in the hat.
Additionally, Miller was crowned the 2018 Cochrane Lions Rodeo Queen.
“It was kind of then that I realized what queens do for the sport of rodeo and the town they’re representing,” she said.
“I love that I can promote a sport that I feel so passionate about.”
Being crowned Miss Rodeo Sundre has preoccupied her thoughts for several years, she added.
“It has been a dream of mine since 2014.”
If successful, she hopes to eventually carry forward with the possibility of pursuing the title of Miss Rodeo Canada.
In the meantime, she has other plans and dreams, namely to study for a future career as an equine massage therapist, which will begin by enrolling in a one-year program this coming fall in Barriere, B.C.
“I plan on working on a ton of horses after I finish the program in order to be the best I can in my career,” she said.
“After that, I would like to chase my dream of becoming an auctioneer,” she said, adding she eventually wants to study at the Western College of Auctioneering in Montana.
“My mom has always said I talk fast, eat fast, and walk fast,” she joked with a chuckle, adding she has also always loved watching auctioneers in action.
“It’s such a great job to have,” she said, adding the profession ties perfectly into the western way of life.
Although that lifestyle, especially rodeo, has constantly evolved over the years, there are some core elements that have remained the same “since 1869, when they say rodeo was born. Many things to this day have not changed about it.”
The world of professional rodeo is akin to a large, extended family, she said.
“You always see familiar faces,” and new acquaintances often become fast friends, she said.
“I love that we can all support each other in this sport.”
Although never involved in 4-H — she tried to join a group in Rimbey but ended up diving headfirst into the rodeo world instead — Miller praised the organization and the opportunities it offers.
“Programs like 4-H really do help get youth interested in being the next generation of farmers and ranchers, and that’s exactly what we need.”
Originally raised in Sundre for the first six years of her life, Miller said the community offered many first-time experiences that she has kept close to her heart over the years.
“Sundre is where I watched my first rodeo” and participated in her first parade, she said, adding she also learned to ride here.
“I am so honoured to be running for the title in Sundre’s 40th pro rodeo,” said Miller, adding she hopes to make everyone proud.
“We have tons of friends and family. Whenever I come to Sundre for an event, I have somewhere to stay. I definitely have a big supportive group behind me.”
Eventually, Miller hopes to one day hang her hat right here in Sundre, which she said, “definitely holds a big part of my heart.”
