Four years ago a friend approached 15-year-old Mary Ashley Rohrscheib with an idea that changed her life. The friend suggested that they sign up for the Rodeo Queen contest.
“I wasn’t interested at first, but then I learned more about it and I thought that if it meant working with my horse, then I’m all for it!” said Rohrscheib.
She attended classes to familiarize herself with the rules of the competition, and it was so much fun that she decided to toss her hat into the ring, literally.
As she gained confidence and worked more than usual with her horse, Mystery, she entered and won several other pageants – one was the Jr. Miss Rodeo Queen in Ardmore, and the other was the Sr. Miss Rodeo Queen in Limestone County.
But her big break finally came last weekend when she took the title of 2016 Morgan County Sheriff’s Rodeo Queen. She was delighted to receive the title, the loan of the crown for a year and a trophy saddle and belt buckle.
Her next competition will see her vying with girls from all over the U.S. for the coveted title of Miss Rodeo USA, to be held in Oklahoma City this winter.
Rohrscheib, who graduated from Way Home Christian School in 2015, says that it’s the rodeo lifestyle that attracts her to the arena.
“It’s more than a sport; it’s an amazing environment,” she said. “I love the reaction of the crowds, the smell of sawdust, popcorn and leather, the bright lights, the clowns getting the audience pumped up, and it’s exciting to see the broncs and bulls. It’s become like one big family.”
Rohrscheib was honored last Friday morning, Oct. 14 at the Cullman County Sheriff's Office. She was commended for her achievements with an official resolution by Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope and Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview.
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