A 17-year-old Holy Trinity Academy student has earned the title of Alberta High School Rodeo Queen.

Kira Schneider, from Millarville, won the crown at the Alberta High School Rodeo Provincials in Olds earlier this month.

She says the moment she was crowned queen is one she will never forget.

"I was very nervous because it was the first time I'd ever done anything like that," she explains. "But I was also very proud of myself for going after this competition and stepping outside of my comfort zone. I learned so much and it was such an honour to actually win it and to represent my association like this."

She earned the most points in categories including horsemanship, prepared and impromptu speech, along with a written test and personal interview, to win the title. She competes in rodeo events such as barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying and breakaway roping with her horse Carlos. She's also working on training two up-and-coming colts, Slim Shady and Vegas.

"I love the barrel racing because there's a lot of strategy to it, as much as being a good, balanced rider," she explains. "And I think the strategy is just as important to helping your horse get to the right spot and helping them move their body in the correct way to ensure your success."

Schneider says one of her goals as a high school rodeo competitor has always been to promote the sport to up-and-coming riders and she feels that earning the high-profile position will help her continue those efforts.

"That was the most important part to me is that as a rodeo queen you are such a huge face for the sport of rodeo," she points out. "Riding and the way that you handle your horse and the way that you behave around your horse, and building champions inside and outside of the arena is very important to me."

She'll have a busy year as high school rodeo queen, making public appearances throughout the province, including the Calgary Stampede parade. After that, she'll be heading to Wyoming to compete in the National High School Rodeo Queen Competition.

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