Horsemanship patterns may be practiced daily. Enhanced, refined, and committed to memory long before a competition.
Speeches can be memorized. Written, remembered, and blocked out until presenting feels natural and like a second nature.
What about interviews?
Unlike patterns, speeches, and even modeling routines, the interview portion of a pageant is not so easily prepared for.
There is no way to know what questions you will be asked, in what order, or even if the questions will be more personality or black and white trivia questions.
Though there is no exact science to preparing for a rodeo queen interview, there are a few things that you can do that will help you feel confident and ultimately perform well when the questions come.
Never Stop Learning
Though it is true that you will never know the exact questions or answers to questions that you might get during an interview, it is still important to study.
Rodeo queens are expected to be experts or at least versed in rodeo history, rules, and current events as well as equine science, political affairs, and just about everything in between.
You do not need to be an expert in all of these areas (though as a rodeo queen I would highly recommend having a proficient knowledge of the sport), but even an intermediate understanding can help you exceptionally during your interviews.
Find PRCA study guides and stay up-to-date on world standings and influential events in the sport of rodeo currently.
Read anatomy books, talk to a vet, or even a trusted horseman to gain a better understanding of equine anatomy and ownership.
Finally; watch the news. Recognize hot topics going on in the country and the world and build an informed perspective on each of these.
Even if you aren't good at remembering exact names, symbols, or percentages from your study material, exposing yourself to the topic can do wonders at helping you feel prepared and answer questions using the understanding that you have on the subject.
Role Play
The only way to get better at anything is to practice. While you may not be able to set up a replica interview with a panel of judges you can practice answering a variety of questions everyday.
Walk through every step of the interview from the minute you walk in and sit down till you stand up to leave. Role playing each aspect of the interview will help you to feel confident and reduce any uncertainty about what to do net because you've already done it.
Have a list of questions available at all times. Find or make study cards and don't hesitate to hand the stack to someone else so that you can get comfortable with not only thinking about and answering the questions, but also with speaking and articulating your thoughts.
All the studying in the world and all the knowledge you acquire is useless if you can't figure out how to articulate those ideas and messages in a fluent way.
Know Yourself
Studying can help you to answer black and white/right and wrong answer questions, but the only way to answer "personality" or abstract questions is to know yourself.
When an interviewer is asking you a "silly" question like what kind of fruit you might be, they are not simply asking what fruit is your favorite but what characteristics about you shine through in your choice.
Every question is a chance to show the judges who you are and why you want to and should be the next rodeo queen.
Your character should be on display in your answers.
For example, if you are passionate about service and think that this is a key attribute to why you would be a good rodeo queen, you might answer the fruit question by elaborating on how you would be an orange so that you can share with those around you.
Putting a piece of yourself into your answers takes a great deal of practice but the best way to start is to get to know yourself.
Start by recognizing why you want to be a rodeo queen and why you would be a good one. Recognize your character traits that would be beneficial to the role and begin recognizing opportunities to let these attributes show.
Now is Better than Later
There is no exact formula to a perfect interview. You will undoubtably be faced with questions you don't know or situations where you can't quite articulate the answer that comes to mind.
Study, Practice, and understand what you bring to the table. The only way to get better at anything and gain confidence in that thing is to work at.
Interview skills can be developed and will help you immensely in all that you do.
If you find yourself struggling with your interviews or just need a little help finding study material feel free to reach out to Cowgirl to Queen with a message and we will be happy to point you in the right direction.
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