Indian Rodeo Queens

Yakama Indian Rodeo Association
Treaty Days All Indian Rodeo 50th Annual Rodeo Queen
Kayonnie Badonie 2007-2008

How Far Did You Travel:
The farthest I traveled was to Big Cypress, Florida to compete in the
1st Annual Seminole Veterans Rodeo during the Veterans Day Weekend in
November 2007. I borrowed horses from my friend, Hillard Gopher. The
horses were a team roping horse and a calf tying horse. I missed my
calf in breakaway and I rode his team roping horse in barrels. I didn't
place, but I had fun competing there and most of all I did my best. The
Florida Reservations are beautiful country and they have great arenas.
I also traveled to the Navajo Nation Fair and Rodeo in September 2007.
I won the Jr. Rodeo barrel racing, placed 3rd in the poles. For the
open rodeo I earned the 10ths spot back for Saturdays show. This was
the most exciting rodeo I ever competed in. The grand stands hold 7,000
spectators, a big screen that shows each event. Even more exciting was
the grand entry. I entered the arena every day with the World Known
Stock Contractor Harry Vold and with Miss Indian Rodeo Queen, followed
by all the rodeo contestants. This was a spectacular rodeo for me as a
youth competing against Indian National Finals Champions from all
Regions. Another good rodeo that I traveled to for the 2nd time was in
Rocky Boy, Montana. Thats a good rodeo with lots of contestants and big
prize money..
 
Favorite Parade:
I was not able to attend very many parades because I was generally
competing somewhere. I would probably say the Yakama Treaty Day
Parade, the Toppenish 4th of July Parade and the White Swan Community
Day Parade in June, because it is local for me .I was also in the Navajo
Nation Parade but I had to get out of line and head back to the Rodeo
Grounds for Grand Entry. That parade was 41/2 hours long with about
10,000 spectators, I never seen anything like it.
 
Other Royalty I met::
I got to meet Mis Indian Rodeo 2007 at Window Rock. She was very nice
and pretty. The only other Royalty I have worked with is Miss Yakama
Nation, Kendall Mansfield. We were asked to assist in the Yakama Nation
Rez Jam introducing the performers, The Rez Jam was great and Top
Quality Indian Artists & Performers were there.
 
What are some good ideas on selling raffle tickets:
Selling raffle tickets is a big challenge
1st of all look for big sponsors and fill out the tickets for them. Go
to family dinners and community events, put up a display board of your
events, like sports, rodeos, parades that show your personality. People
like to look at these displays because it tells a story of who you and
and what your represent. I also target my school, teachers and
friends. Go to Bazarrs and set up your display, community events, and
go around introducing yourself, tell them what you represent, and ask
them if they would like to buy a ticket. Your personality plays a big
role in selling tickets, be friendly, confident, courtious and lots of
smiles and thank yous. Make sure you have a good poster that displays
your riding ability, traditional and western look and if you are
competitive in rodeo. I also advertise on the local tribal radio
station and local newspapers.
 
Rodeo Outfits/Do you have them made for you:
 
I always try to get a different look for in rodeo western wear. Most
western stores offer the same line. My mother has good friends from the
Seminole Tribe of Florida who make very colorful shirts for me and my
Navajo side of the family make velvet shirts and handmade sashes with my
name or rodeo logo on it. On my Yakama side I wear their beautiful
ribbon shirts. My uncle Kelsey Packineau also buys handmade western
shirts for me when he is traveling or a business venture.
 
How do you keep your hat on during queen's run:
 
My Dad folds the inside of my hat band in so my hat fits tightly on my
head when I do arena runs. I have found out that bobbi pins don't work
that well. I try to keep my hat on during an arena run because I like
my horse running fast at the same speed through out the run. I see alot
of girls doing an arena run with their hands on their hat, trying to
control their horse, it never works. That arena run can really make an
impression on the crowd. It shows if you have horsemanship or not.
 
Since you have held so many rodeo queen titles, what is the most that
you enjoyed of representing a rodeo:
The fact that I love to rodeo, I take great pride in representing Indian
Rodeo, especially the Yakama Treaty Day Rodeo, Tyge Ridge Indian Rodeo
and the White Swan Jr. Rodeo Assoc. I meet and make alot of good
positive friends thru rodeo, and in turn I invite them to our June
Rodeo. I also like representing my Tribe and being able to travel to
other Reservations and Canada to promote Indian Rodeo. I want to be
part of the team to keep Indian Rodeo going and if I can do that,
running for rodeo titles helps me accomplish that task.

 
Thank you,
Kayonnie Badonie
50th Annual Yakama Treaty Day Rodeo Queen 2007
 

Please email us  with your profile and picture.  We encourage all rodeo queens to submit something for future young Indian ladies who would like to become a rodeo queen or princess and we all know that starting out as a princess is good experience.  Rodeo Queens