Emily Bowers - 2009 Miss Evergreen Rodeo

Howdy rodeo fans! My name is Emily Bowers and I am honored to represent the Evergreen Rodeo as your Queen for the year 2009. I am 18 years old and proud to be a native of Colorado. I have spent most of my life in Evergreen having moved from Englewood when I was three. During my elementary years I spent every summer at a youth sports camp where I developed a wide variety of interests such as swimming, baseball, fishing, bowling, volleyball and football. It was my grandmother's interest in bowling that eventually influenced me to join a youth bowling league at the age of 6. I bowled every Saturday until I turned 14.

My first riding experience was with the Evergreen 4-H club "Horse Feathers" where I was introduced to the Evergreen Rodeo. My love for horses and rodeo grew quickly which led me to become a member of Westernaires, a non-profit organization located in Golden, Colorado that teaches young people ages 9-18 precision mounted drill riding skills. I recently graduated as 1st Lieutenant from one of the top Red Division Westernaire teams - the Crimson Rangers. I plan to return, as do many, as a volunteer instructor in the years ahead.

Outside of Westernaires my experience with horses has included working as a ranch hand and caring for horses at a local ranch and boarding stable. I am currently attending the Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology in Denver where I have begun my studies in veterinary medicine.

I am excited about rodeo and the opportunity to promote it because I believe that it's rodeo in general that keeps our western heritage alive. Today's professional rodeo holds a distinct position in the world of modern sports having come directly from a working-lifestyle. Early rodeo began as the everyday chores of working ranches on the great plains of the American West. Chores that would eventually evolve into the unique rodeo events we enjoy today.

The Evergreen Rodeo dates back to those early years, and continues today to maintain its competitive stance within the professional rodeo circuit nationwide. Father's Day weekend is the traditional weekend for rodeo in Evergreen. So plan to join us June 19-21 for 3 days of ropin', ridin', wrestlin', and of course bulls! In other words, the toughest sport on dirt…..rodeo!

Emily Bowers
2009 Evergreen PRCA Rodeo Queen

Katy Rydzik - 2009 Evergreen Rodeo Princess

Hello I'm Katy Rydzik your 2009 Miss Evergreen Rodeo Princess. I was born in Fort Worth, Texas and raised around the rodeo. I remember the first time I ever rode a horse at the age of one with my dad at a world show. After 3 years in Texas we moved to Colorado where I found my one true love, the sport of rodeo!

Since the day I was introduced to a local barn called Bobkat Ranch, I have been riding horses and revolving my life around 4-h where I was the president. I love to show horses and have won several highpoint awards but I love the wild side to that…rodeo!!! Ever since I moved to Colorado, at the age of three, I have been attending the Evergreen Rodeo. For two years, I also volunteered with the Royalty competition which showed me how important our royalty is to this sport.

My goals for this year is to work with our Miss Evergreen Rodeo Queen, Emily Bowers and promote our mountain area rodeo and the royalty. But most of all my goal is for you, rodeo fans, to get to know you and show you the best time of your life!!

I am hoping to attend CSU for equine science with a full scholarship there. I have maintained a GPA of a 4..0+ since sixth grade! I love to help in the community and make people happy.

I am a cowgirl.. Being a cowgirl is not something to be ashamed of like people make it seem…it's a blessing. As Miss Evergreen Rodeo Princess I am going to travel across Colorado promoting cowgirls and cowboys, a positive way of life, and most of all the best sport in an arena… THE RODEO!!! I am a dedicated horsewoman that lives to breathe the sport of rodeo. The rodeo is a great tradition to be part of and as the Evergreen Rodeo Princess I am proud to be part of one of the few PRCA rodeos!

Katy Rydzik
2009 Evergreen PRCA Rodeo Princess