Miss Rodeo Washington: 33 years in the making

MOSES LAKE — Katie Garfield is the first Grant County resident in 33 years to accept the crown for Miss Rodeo Washington.

Garfield is a resident of George and is accepting the titled for 2010.

Tickets for the  coronation are on sale through Wednesday.

The event is Feb. 27 at Big Bend Community College in the ATEC Building. It starts at 6 p.m. with a social hour and continues with silent and live auctions, along with a filet mignon dinner. The theme of the evening is “A Night of Western Elegance.”

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) clown JJ Harrison will emcee the event and PRCA queens are attending.

Tickets cost $30 and must be purchased in advance at Rathbone Sales, located at 3860 E. Broadway Ave., in Moses Lake, or at the CHS Bean Plant, located at 296 S. Broadway Ave., in Othello.

Garfield represented Grant County at a competition in Ellensburg with success in categories including photogenic, knowledge, sales, speech, personality, appearance and presentation.

“I look forward to spending an enjoyable coronation evening with my friends and family,” Garfield stated. “I desire this night to be a fun social event and hope you’ll be able to join us.”

She said funds raised at the event help pay for future travel needs and preparation for the future rodeo pageant.

With her title, she is promoting the program across the United States at various events including the Miss Rodeo America Pageant and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas where she will compete for the title in December.

“This is incredibly exciting,” she said.

Garfield explained she is passionate about rodeo and few people get a chance to come as far in the competition as she has. She is the first person from Grant County since 1977 to hold the state title.

Garfield’s journey began in January when she represented Washington at the Northwest Stock Show & Rodeo in Denver.

“Rodeo is one of America’s truest legacies and during my reign, I aspire to inform, educate and encourage all rodeo fans, new and old alike,” she explained. “I would like to leave an impression on my technology saturated generation, to believe in themselves and their dreams. I intend to be that positive role model for my peers, community and state.”

Garfield graduated from Quincy High School in 2006 and attends Yakima Valley Community College working toward a nursing degree. She’s been involved with 4-H as a group leader and won previous titles including 2006 Miss Rodeo Othello and 2007 Miss Moses Lake Roundup.

For young girls interested in becoming a rodeo queen Garfield says to reach for those goals and speak with other rodeo queens about their experiences.