Getting to spend 2 weeks in full queen mode was an experience I have been looking forward to throughout my reign. August 1st was a big day; it was my last day at my job at Penn State and the day I was flying out to Oklahoma for the AQHYA Youth World and NSBA World. This year’s world show was extra exciting because it was the first in the new OG&E Arena, replacing the historic Jim Norick. I reunited with many of the AQHA employees I hadn't seen since the Level 1 Championships, but also met many new faces! I was nervous about whether it would be super hot in Oklahoma City in August, but the weather was gorgeous! I got to help present awards at the largest Youth Horse Judging contest in the country! In many classes, I was joined by AQHA and AQHYA Executive Committee members, which was so appreciated to see their support of our next generation. I got to meet former Miss Rodeo America, Hailey Fredericksen, where I might have fan girled because she always had the best queen hair wings! I also got to visit with OQHA CEO Justin Billings and talk about many exciting changes to the 2025 QH Congress! From cutting, fences, horsemanship, reining, halter, and more, I got to see the youth’s dreams come true, walking under the new Where Champions Meet sign. Former Congress Queen Mariah Sherer and I got to be in a TV interview! All the social media platforms were on fire with incredible reels!
A fun fact about me is that my master’s degree is in Agricultural Leadership from Oklahoma State University. However, it was completely online, so I never got to see the campus. When I needed to drive from Oklahoma City to Tulsa, the GPS happened to suggest I drive through Stillwater, where OSU’s campus is. This is one of those special moments that Queening has afforded me. I went on campus and got to visit Agricultural Hall. Ironically, I found a statue on campus with horses, so I had to take a picture! Go Pokes!
Next Up: National Snaffle Bit Association World Show
