New Poway Rodeo Queen, Junior Queen are crowned

The Poway Rodeo has two new queens to represent it throughout the year, especially during the rodeo next fall.

The new royalty are Rodeo Queen Kate Richardson, 19, from Imperial Valley; and Junior Queen Riley Kirkland, 15, from Ramona.

The 2026 Poway Rodeo Queens Pageant was held on Nov. 22 at the Poway Community Center. Six young women competed for the titles – two for Rodeo Queen and four contestants for Junior Queen.

Richardson said she is honored to represent the Poway Rodeo as the 2026 Rodeo Queen.

“I am grateful to represent so much heritage, families coming together and community — it’s such an amazing feeling,” Richardson said.

She recently graduated from cosmetology school and served as Miss Rodeo Lakeside 2025. Richardson was a part of the Poway Rodeo in past years as visiting royalty and as a flag girl.

Richardson has been riding horses since she was five.

“There’s nothing that can explain the freedom I feel when I am on the back of a horse,” she said. “Having a partner that has a mind of its own, but chooses to be your partner — it’s something that’s so surreal.”

In her role as junior queen, Kirkland said she is looking forward to connecting with Poway and playing a bigger role in the community.

“I have always felt close to Poway because I live so close,” Kirkland said. “But now, I get to really meet all the amazing people.”

Kirkland is a high school sophomore who has been riding horses for the past seven years. She has competed in two prior pageants in Ramona and Lakeside, but this is her first time winning a crown.

Rodeo queens are an essential part of the rodeo and serve as a link from the rodeo community to the public throughout the year.

“Rodeo queens have to demonstrate excellent horsemanship and must be articulate and knowledgeable about horses,” said pageant co-director Lisa Bankhead. “They are the face of the rodeo.”

In addition to working at the Poway Rodeo, the queens have many responsibilities. They complete about 100 hours of community service each year and work closely with nonprofit organizations affiliated with the Poway Rodeo. They attend community events, neighboring rodeos, visit elementary schools and participate in fundraisers.

Pageant day began early for the contestants. The first part of the competition was held in a private equestrian arena. Contestants performed a reining test on a horse in which they guided the horses through patterns of varied-sized circles, different speed variations and quick style spins.

In addition, they answered questions from a three-judge panel that included topics related to equine science and rodeo knowledge. Contestants also took a written test on rodeo rules, equine science and Poway history.

The public portion of the competition took place in the evening at the Poway Community Center. The contestants gave a prepared speech on a preselected topic, modeled a full-length gown and answered impromptu questions that tested their ability to speak in front of the public.

The speech topic for the queen candidates was about how the internet has impacted the sport of rodeo. The junior queen speech topic was about what the most important part of the rodeo is.

Bankhead said learning about the contestants’ personalities is a big part of the competition.

“They must be outgoing, confident, knowledgeable and articulate — they are the hostess for the rodeo and must be comfortable talking to people,” Bankhead said.

The contestants with the highest overall scores across all the categories were selected as the winners.

Kirkland said she looks forward to getting younger kids involved in rodeo.

“I am really looking forward to going to the schools and seeing the little kids during our rodeo week and showing them what rodeo is all about,” Kirkland said.

She understands that young girls look up to rodeo queens and is ready to serve as a role model.

“I want to help these younger girls realize that they can do anything they want as long as they put in the hard work, the time and the effort,” she said.