Two Utah County women compete for Miss Rodeo

Two Utah County women competed at the Miss Rodeo Utah pageant recently with Jennifer Christensen, 20, from Lehi, placing in the top four.

The queen was Cami Cushing from Sandy followed by Chris Wade of Heber, Jody Stark of South Weber, Stevie Anne Stewart of Fairview and Christensen.

Micki Ann Musick, 19, from Spanish Fork, was also a competitor.

Christensen is a Lehi High School graduate and a student at Utah Valley State College. She was last year's Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days Rodeo Queen.

Musick, a Spanish Fork High School graduate and also student at Utah Valley State College, is this year's Lehi Round-up Rodeo Queen.

"To everything there is a season, and this is the season of my life to put forth and promote a sport and heritage I love dearly. A queen is the frontline for organizations, communities, clubs and associations. She can bring information, ideas and be the spokesperson to represent this great sport," said Christensen. "I am looking forward to the opportunity to be the liaison for our sponsors, supporters, contestants and all who love the sport of rodeo."

"I love the sport of rodeo, and it has been a huge part of my life," Musick said. "I spent my whole life growing up around horses and competing in many different areas with them. Rodeo isn't just a sport to the people who compete in it. It is a way of life. So by being Miss Rodeo Utah I would have the opportunity to be an ambassador for the cowboys and cowgirls who take part in rodeo and give back to them just a little of what they give us in every rodeo performance."

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. crowned the new Miss Rodeo Utah July 24 at the final performance of the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo.

She will make appearances and participate in community events, parades and rodeos throughout Utah and other parts of the United States.

Miss Rodeo Utah also represents Utah at the Miss Rodeo America Pageant held each year in Las Vegas during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The Miss Rodeo Utah pageant is much like any other scholarship pageant. The women are judged on their poise, personality, general appearance, knowledge of current events and public speaking skills, but also are judged on how well they can ride a horse. They wear western clothing, including a cowboy hat and boots.

Pageant organizers say Miss Rodeo Utah is much like the state she represents: stylish, sophisticated and smart, yet true to the ideals of the American West.

All participants must be residents of Utah between the ages of 19 and 25.