THE country’s foremost Rodeo Queens have congregated in Tenterfield to enjoy a weekend camp in preparation for the competitive circuit.
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The rodeo royal aspirants headed for a two day stay hosted by Wangrah Wilderness Lodge, south of Tenterfield.
National Queen Renee Boston stopped by Tenterfield last Friday on her way to the annual camp.
Hailing from Mareeba in North Queensland, Ms Boston has been attending rodeos since she was a child, and first entered the National Rodeo Council of Australia Rodeo Queen Quest in 2011.
Each year, the Australian Rodeo Queen Quest is crowned at the culmination of a week-long competition on the Gold Coast.
Women from across the country, with aspirations to wear the crown, head to Queensland to battle it out in a series of tests based on horsemanship.
Ms Boston was last year’s winner and she’s keen to help usher in a new group into the contest.
Everything from make-up to horsemanship is run through at the camp with eight attending this year’s ‘seminar’.
"It is a mostly male dominated sport, and we want to get more people involved, especially female competitors, and encourage younger generations and women to compete,” Renee said.
Numbers competing vary each year but Ms Boston said it provided a credible way to promote the sport.
"To be an entrant in the Quest you have to want to promote the sport.
“My role is to help out with any questions or queries and help the girls gain their confidence.”
Ms Boston competes in barrel racing and steer undecorating and is starting in breakaway roping.
Having spent much of her formative year’s horse riding, Ms Boston is now able to promote the sport she loves.
“It’s not all dirt and dust, there is a glamorous side,” she said.
Renee said she cherished her role and was keen to set a strong standard.
“I try to set a standard for the Queens that come under me.
"Young kids, boys and girls, if they want to get involved they can start barrel racing," she said.
The competition was founded in 1992 by the National Rodeo Council of Australia, and all profits raised by the quest are used to promote the sport and cover the cost of prizes and travel for the queens.
Each year, the winner of the search goes to the United States to represent Australia at some of the world’s biggest rodeos.