Selah High grad lassos rodeo queen crown
http://www.selahnews.com/articles/429/1/Selah-High-grad-lassos-rodeo-queen-crown/Page1.html
Denise Keller
By Denise Keller
Published on 06/25/2008
Danielle York, a 2008 Selah High graduate, will spend a good share of her summer sporting chaps and a crown.
Pictured: Pictured with her horse Misty, 2008 Selah High graduate Danielle York is spending her summer serving as the first ever Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo Queen. Denise Keller photo
Pictured: Pictured with her horse Misty, 2008 Selah High graduate Danielle York is spending her summer serving as the first ever Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo Queen. Denise Keller photo
Danielle York, a 2008 Selah High graduate, will spend a good share of her summer sporting chaps and a crown.
York was named Miss Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo at tryouts held in Grandview last month. As the rodeo’s official ambassador, York will make appearances in parades and rodeos throughout the Northwest.
“I love to travel and I will get to go to rodeos all over. And I love to meet new people,” York said. “It means a lot to me to be part of this rodeo, not just a contestant.”
York, now 18 years old, began riding horses at the age of three and stayed busy with 4-H activities as she grew up.
With her new title, she will be a person of honor at the rodeo, but will also be helping out behind the scenes.
“I’m not required to push cows, but it’s helpful and it’s good for my horse. He’s young and he’s kind of crazy,” York said with a smile.
York competed for the rodeo queen title with her six-year-old Paint horse named Cash. York was given a pattern to complete which involved stopping, backing up, paces, two figure eights and an arena run. Judges looked for a contestant who rides well and a horse that responds well.
After completing the horsemanship portion of the competition, York fielded questions from the judges. Topics ranged from rodeo rules to her personal strengths and weaknesses.
York was the only contestant in this year’s queen pageant.
“My job is to make it more well known,” York said.
York also served as Toppenish Eagles Junior Rodeo Queen 2004 and was the runner-up in Miss High School Rodeo Washington 2007. She is excited to now be representing the Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo, a PRCA event scheduled to take place in Grandview on August 8th and 9th.
“I’m looking forward to me and my horse bonding, my horse growing up and getting used to these rodeos,” York said.
She hopes to compete in PRCA rodeo events when Cash is ready.
York plans to attend Yakima Valley Community College this fall to study dental hygiene.
York was named Miss Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo at tryouts held in Grandview last month. As the rodeo’s official ambassador, York will make appearances in parades and rodeos throughout the Northwest.
“I love to travel and I will get to go to rodeos all over. And I love to meet new people,” York said. “It means a lot to me to be part of this rodeo, not just a contestant.”
York, now 18 years old, began riding horses at the age of three and stayed busy with 4-H activities as she grew up.
With her new title, she will be a person of honor at the rodeo, but will also be helping out behind the scenes.
“I’m not required to push cows, but it’s helpful and it’s good for my horse. He’s young and he’s kind of crazy,” York said with a smile.
York competed for the rodeo queen title with her six-year-old Paint horse named Cash. York was given a pattern to complete which involved stopping, backing up, paces, two figure eights and an arena run. Judges looked for a contestant who rides well and a horse that responds well.
After completing the horsemanship portion of the competition, York fielded questions from the judges. Topics ranged from rodeo rules to her personal strengths and weaknesses.
York was the only contestant in this year’s queen pageant.
“My job is to make it more well known,” York said.
York also served as Toppenish Eagles Junior Rodeo Queen 2004 and was the runner-up in Miss High School Rodeo Washington 2007. She is excited to now be representing the Yakima Valley Fair and Rodeo, a PRCA event scheduled to take place in Grandview on August 8th and 9th.
“I’m looking forward to me and my horse bonding, my horse growing up and getting used to these rodeos,” York said.
She hopes to compete in PRCA rodeo events when Cash is ready.
York plans to attend Yakima Valley Community College this fall to study dental hygiene.