Rodeo fans watched as Lauryn Patterson, 17, was crowned 2019 Clovis Rodeo Queen, on Thursday, April 25, 2019, the first day of the Clovis Rodeo.
Born and raised in Clovis, Patterson is a senior at Buchanan High School. She also attends Clovis East High School where she is involved with FFA, Veterinary Science, and welding.
“I have also enjoyed participating in the Clovis East farm day, sharing my horse with first-grade students from all over Clovis Unified,” says Patterson. “After graduation, I plan to further my education by attending Clovis Community College, then California State University, Fresno.”
Patterson was sponsored by the American Legion.
Also competing were Callie Bassett, 22, from Delano, CA, a sophomore at Santa Monica College sponsored by the Clovis Kiwanis Club, and Jessie Miles, 19, from Raymond, CA, a sophomore at Reedley College and a member of the Reedley College Women’s Equestrian Team.
The queen and runners up will receive more than $6,000 in scholarships and $5,000 in awards and gifts, thanks to the generosity of the competition sponsors. The candidates were judged on their scholastic achievements, interview skills, community involvement, poise, showmanship, and horsemanship.
The horsemanship segment was held at the rodeo grounds on the Saturday morning before the rodeo and is considered to be the talent portion of the contest. The public was welcome and the event was free. During the five phases of competition, each candidate demonstrated her riding skills and equine knowledge.
The personality, poise and appearance competition took place during the Queen’s Banquet, held the evening of the horseback riding contest.
Patterson will represent the Clovis Rodeo’s 105 years of rodeo tradition as its ambassador at various events and rodeos. Her reign will run from April 25, 2019, to April 24, 2020.
Information on applying for the 2020 Miss Clovis Rodeo can be found at clovisrodeo.com by early next year.
Looking to the future, “Early Bird” tickets for the 2020 Clovis Rodeo will be on sale until May 3, 2019, 4 p.m., at the Rodeo Ticket Office at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds or online at clovisrodeo.com. Ticket sales will resume in January 2020.