Foundation helps Moses Lake woman become rodeo queen

MOSES LAKE- The Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo may have wrapped up more than a week ago, but for 21-year-old Katrina Johnston, the event is still fresh in her mind.

Johnston was named honorary rodeo queen this year. She spent rodeo weekend hanging out with other royalty and watching the various rodeo event, which was definitely a blast, she said.

But the most memorable part of the weekend came during the last night of the rodeo, when she got to ride into the arena on her favorite horse, Cisco.

"Every time I look at the pictures, and think about it, I just can't help but smile," said Johnston. "It was so much fun."

However, the experience was about more than just having fun, she said. Riding into the arena was a personal triumph for Johnston, who is considered legally blind.

"I have no central vision and less than 50 percent peripheral vision," she said. "I have to rely a lot on hearing to help me through."

Johnston said she never let that hold her back from anything, especially when it came to doing the things she loved. And one of the things she loves is horses.

"Horses have always been a passion of mine since I was young, I just fell in love with the animal" she said. "And I wanted to see what riding would be like."

So when she was in eighth grade, Johnston went out and signed up for riding lessons. Although she had to stop for a while, she started back up with coach Tereesa Wentland at the JT Ranch in Moses Lake last June, she said.

"I started out with English riding, learning how to show jump, but then I decided to switch to Western," she said. "I feel so much more comfortable with Western."

Once she made the switch, Johnston said she began dreaming of riding in a rodeo. It wasn't long before she got that chance, thanks to the Children's Western Wish Foundation. Founder Glee Nett said she heard about Katrina's story last year from a community member.

"I called her and asked her what her wish was, and she told me she wanted to be a rodeo queen so she could ride into the arena," Nett said. "I heard her story and said let's make it happen."

Nett founded the Children's Western Wish Foundation as a way to share the Western heritage with others, she said. Last year the foundation granted 27 wishes throughout the United States and Canada.

By the end of this year, they will have granted 32, Nett said.

"We are all children of God, so there is no age limit- we've granted wishes for someone who was three up to someone who was 91," she said. "We also have no guidelines as to an individual's challenge or affliction."

Nett said she worked closely with the Moses Lake Rodeo Association to make sure Johnston's experience was a good one.

Johnston said her experience was definitely a good one.

"Our former Miss Rodeo Washington Kylie (Kooistra) and one of her friends did my hair and makeup," she said. "We also went to lunch that day and they gave me some really good tips about what it's like to ride in the rodeo."

Johnston also got a sash, crown and a belt buckle, among other gifts.

"It was much more than I expected," she said. "It was definitely a weekend I won't forget."

Johnston said her experience will help carry her through the next few months.

She's currently preparing to return to classes at Big Bend Community College.

"I'm taking a full load so it's going to be a busy quarter," she said.

Johnston is in her third year at Big Bend.

She hopes to transfer to Eastern Washington University in the spring, she said.

She said she's pursuing a communications degree.

"I really enjoy going out and speaking to people," Johnston said. "I like educating others about people with disabilities and really being a strong advocate for those that need it."