By Cassidy Bearinger
Journalist
Rodeo queen promotes local event
Nelson will represent Clearwater's Rodeo during Burwell event
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July 25, 2019
LuAnn Schindler
Queen duties • Ashleigh Nelson, Clearwater rodeo queen, has been promoting the local rodeo at area events.
In 2014, a little girl was sitting in the crowd at the Clearwater Rodeo. She watched as the new Miss Clearwater Rodeo, McKenzie Brozek, circled the arena.
The young girl thought, "Man, I want to be like her someday: ride a horse, carry a flag, and dress all pretty."
Five years later, Ashleigh Nelson's dream has come true.
On Friday, June 28, at the 52nd annual Clearwater Rodeo, Nelson was crowned queen.
Nelson 16, of Tilden, will be a junior at Elkhorn Valley Schools. Her parents are Gary and Dawn Nelson. Nelson is involved in FFA, FBLA, FCCLA, basketball and is a teacher's aid.
Nelson and other contestants were judged on a series of competitions including, working a calf, completing a reining pattern (that was judged as their horsemanship), carrying a flag, riding queen run and interviewing.
The competition was no easy task. However, Nelson rose above the challenge and won the title. Nelson also won the Horsemanship Award.
Why did she decide to try out?
Nelson stated, "I wanted the chance to represent an amazing rodeo across Nebraska. I was being asked, ever since I was of age, to try out and when I was going to, and I thought what a better year than this year, I finally have the horse that does it all, so I may as well."
It seems that it was a great decision and ended up working out well for her.
Nelson was surprised and relieved she won the queen title. When she heard her name called on the loudspeaker, she said, "It was the most awesome moment ever. Just hearing my name come across the speaker, and hearing the crowd applaud and cheer, sent goose bumps down my arms."
To promote Clearwater's Big Rodeo, Nelson plans on attending as many rodeos and public outings as possible to try to get this small town rodeo's name more well-known.
In particular, she plans to attend the Burwell Rodeo, Antelope County Fair Rodeo, and others throughout the next year. Nelson promoted the rodeo at O'Neills Summerfest last weekend.
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