Roundup Queen crowned

MOSES LAKE — Katie Garfield impressed the judges Saturday, making her the 2007 Roundup Queen.

Garfield, 19, from George, competed against Brielle Noah, 19, of Soap Lake, and Rebeca Lewis, 18, of Moses Lake, in horsemanship, impromptu questions, speech and modeling.

All three girls have ridden horses since childhood so the horsemanship competition offered strong showings as did other categories, according to Lewis.

"I feel that all of us girls have been equal throughout the day," Lewis said before the evening competition began.

Lewis prepared for the question portion by studying rodeo history.

After giving her speech, Noah said it made her nervous, but the crowd sounded impressed with a loud round of applause when she said on stage, "Underneath all this show lies the true spirit of rodeo."

The question each contestant answered required them to defend rodeo against the accusation that it is cruel to animals.

Responses explained the animals in rodeo have thick skin and are treated humanely, even given a physical before each event.

Queen Director Nolan Billman became visibly emotional toward the evening's end.

As he began to thank 2006 queen Jillian Connolly for her year representing Roundup, tears formed in his eyes. When offered a handkerchief from an audience member, he produced his own pink handkerchief and said, "You know I'm tough enough to use pink."

He said Connolly did an "exceptional job over the last year," then played a DVD showcasing some events from her reign as queen.

Connolly thanked everyone for making her a part of the rodeo family and received a standing ovation.

The contestants would now learn which of them would be in Connolly's place next year.

While they stood in front of the crowd awaiting the announcement, they were showered with gift bags and flowers.

Katie Garfield was announced as the 2007 Roundup Queen, Brielle Noah was first runner-up and Rebeca Lewis, second runner-up.

Garfield was naturally all smiles upon hearing the news.

"I'm ecstatic," she said. "It's going to be a great year."