KERROBERT — The Kerrobert Fairgrounds are going to get a little bit more country July 4 to 6, and this year the rodeo committee is trying something new.
A fan favourite at each rodeo is the Rodeo Queen competition, where young ladies dress in their best western wear, representing the rodeo they are competing in. But why should the young cowgirls have all the fun?
This year, the Kerrobert Rodeo committee is hosting the first-ever Cougar Queen Competition, open to women over the age of 40. Here are this year's contestants.
Amy Wright
My name is Amy Wright. I am running for the 2025 Kerrobert KCRA Rodeo Cougar Queen Contest. I have been involved with horses all my life. I was a 4-H Light Horse member and then a Project Leader for many years. I competed in gymkhanas in Saskatchewan and Alberta and entered a few rodeos in barrel racing.
Later on, I took up team roping as a header. I have raised quarter-horses for over 30 years. Once the kids came along, I joined the Kerrobert Jamboree Committee and chaired both the Rodeo and the Horse Show for 20 years.
I have had a strong commitment to the horse community and the town of Kerrobert. Over the years, I have volunteered and supported 4-H, the Ag Society, hockey, figure skating, ball and the Wildlife Association, and am more than pleased to throw my hat into the first Cougar Queen Competition. All the best to the other contestants, and I hope this is the best rodeo year ever.
Annie Cholin
My name is Annie Cholin. I grew up on a horse farm near Bonnyville, Alta., moving to Kerrobert with my husband Dan and our three boys in July 2007. Two of my boys are adults now (ages 22 & 20) and have moved on to their own endeavors. My youngest, who is 17, is graduating from Grade 12 this June.
I have been around horses, rodeos and gymkhanas my whole life growing up, and all my kids were on horses by the time they could walk. My youngest is a saddle bronc rider in the Kakeyow Cowboys Rodeo Association, the Saskatchewan High School Rodeo Association and the Canadian Cowboys Association. I went to Lakeland College and graduated in 2000 with a diploma in Herd Health Technology. My gelding Keno is my go-to horse right now. I barrel race and would love to learn how to rope if given the opportunity.
I am also a business owner in Kerrobert. I own Prairie Sky Treasures (or Annie’s as most call it) on Main Street, and I am a professional photographer (Annie Cholin Photography) with my main focus being sports photography. You will see me around the Kerrobert Rodeo this year with a camera in hand when I am not riding Keno. My love is and always will be horses, dogs and photography. If you don’t see me with a camera, I will be either on my horse Keno or with my dog, Luna.
Shirleen Morland
I grew up on a farm 10 miles east of Kerrobert. My first horse was a kind, gentle and a very intelligent Clydesdale mare. As a teenager, I spent my free time riding in the country. The community gossip was that I could ride anything.
I graduated from Kerrobert High School and then attended Teacher’s College in Saskatoon. The next year, when I was only 19, I was teaching 30 Grade 5 students at Major. I met my future husband, Bruce, a month later. Three years later, we were married. In his vows, he promised to accept and support my horse fetish.
My life dream was to own, ride, raise and show quarter-horses. I began searching for young fillies. Soon, I had to purchase a stallion. My fall chore was halter-breaking and quieting the foals. Luckily, a large hip-roofed barn stood on the Morland farm. We insulated the walls and installed prefabricated nine box stalls, giving each foal its own stall. During the February school break, Bruce and I would body clip the yearlings. I sewed my own horse blankets and hoods. At our April West Central Horse Sale, the yearlings looked pretty fancy.
Each summer, we showed at quarter-horse shows in Saskatchewan and Eastern Alberta. I taught horse confirmation to 4-H light horse members and have judged many 4-H Light Horse and open shows.
I have had a wonderful life with horses.
Tickets are on sale now and the Cougar Queen will be crowned July 6.
