Dressed in her gorgeous, gold gown Rebekah McMahon took front and centre stage on Saturday evening as she graciously accepted the 2018 Rodeo Queen of Australia crown.
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Friends and family joined her at the Gold Coast for the final evening of her year-long rodeo queen quest, where she not only won the crown but Miss Horsemanship and People’s Choice.
Born and bred in Ashley, Rebekah’s love for rodeo stemmed at a young age having multiple friends and family members competing in the Australian circuit regularly.
The quest began in September 2016 after Miss Bessie Smits was crowned, Rebekah decided to ride out the quest and see if she could last.
“From there I had to fundraise at least $5000 to be in the running for Rodeo Queen of Australia,” she said.
Thanks to the help of local and Australia-wide sponsors, and a kids fun day in Moree she hit her target and moved on as one of the six rodeo queen quest finalists.
In May, Rebekah travelled to Tenterfield for a queen camp to prepare for judging week.
“We had lessons in etiquette, make-up, hair, behaviour and even some western roping lessons."
On Sunday, September 10 Rebekah arrived at the Gold Coast ready for a full judging week.
The six finalists attended a nursing home, ice skating, Movie World, dinner on top of the Q1 and many other events where undercover judges were watching them.
On Friday, the girls started their official judging with horsemanship where each girl had to ride their horse in a special pattern.
“A panel of judges watched us perform the specific pattern that the rodeo queen would usually do at a rodeo. Then on Saturday morning we had a private interview with the panel,” she said.
Rebekah said she was tested on her rodeo knowledge, personal beliefs, the quest itself, wider world knowledge and how she conducted herself during the interview.
On Saturday evening, the girls met 2017 Miss Rodeo USA Brittany Howard before their on stage interviews.
Afterwards, the girls dressed in their beautiful gala gowns and prepared themselves for the final presentation.
“I just heard my name called out as the Rodeo Queen of Australia and it didn’t really sink in. I was so amazed and could not stop smiling unbelievably big,” she laughed.
Rebekah’s friends and family members in attendance live streamed the presentation on Facebook for all her supporters to watch at once, and afterwards her phone did not stop buzzing.
She said the title was starting to sink it, along with the exciting feelings.
“I’ve already started planning where I want to go and I’ve just sent emails to the organisers asking ‘can I go here? can I go there?’,” she said.
Until July, Rebekah will travel around Australia promoting rodeo. She will be at the National Rodeo Council of Australia finals at Dalby in November and if that’s not enough for her, she’ll also be heading to Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory for their presentations.
Internationally, the local girl will head to Canada and America for the Calgary Stampede and a whirlwind of promotions in Texas.
Rebekah said she learned so much about herself throughout the quest.
“The amount of confidence I have gained in such a short time is mind blowing. I encourage anyone considering entering to send me a message,” she said.
Rebekah’s sponsors:
- Agri-storage and logistics
- Kader boot co
- Kerry Kerri Fitzpatrick Arbonne independent consultant
- Oakies Puppies
- Chesterfield Moree
- Rustic Hyde Australia
- MB & co
- Allied beef
