Past Rodeo Queens

2008 Royalty:

Representing the 2008 Bakersfield Stampede Days Rodeo, I am 22 year old Shannon Lee Walker, from Livermore, California.I had an amazing week in Bakersfield during the pageant and made a lot of new friends. Jacie and Tyana are like two new amazing little sisters, and I'm enjoying every minute we get to spend together.

When I am not out promoting the Stampede Days Rodeo, I am attending school, currently taking 20 units at Las Positas Community College, pursuing a degree in Speech and Communications. After obtaining this degree, I hope to work in the public relations field for a major company within the western industry. Some of my hobbies include riding my horses, spending time with my family and Chihuahua, going to calf brandings, roping, working on the ranch, spontaneous adventures, and traveling.

I would like to thank the posse and their family for all of their hard work, and giving me the opportunity to travel up and down the state; my parents for all of the love and support they have given to me, and my horses for just being them. The biggest thank you goes out to our sponsors of the queen pageant as well as the rodeo itself. Your support is greatly appreciated.

I am looking forward to my travels with the posse and hope to keep the friendships I have made for a lifetime. I can't wait to tell you all my stories from the adventures I have had.

Shannon Lee Walker
Stampede Days Rodeo Queen 2008

Hello and welcome to the Stampede Days Rodeo website! My name is Tyana Hawker and I am currently representing Bakersfield as their Stampede Days Rodeo Junior Queen. I am 18 years old and reside in Palmdale, CA.

Horses and Rodeo have been a huge part of my life for many years. Besides holding three other rodeo queen titles, I have heavily competed in barrel racing, roping, and goat tying. Reining has become my new discipline of choice, but starting and working with colts has and will always be my passion.

I'm finishing up my third year at Antelope Valley College where I will be receiving my AA degree after this semester. I have applied to both Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, so I hope to transfer to one of them this next spring. Getting my BS in Animal Science will be my next step, and then I plan to attend UC Davis to earn my degree in Veterinary Medicine.

Staying active is the only way I have ever lived my life! I participate in all sorts of hobbies, from snowboarding and jet skiing to hiking and swimming. Competing in Agility with my Border Collie, Heidi, has also taken a big part in my life. I enjoy learning new things and taking my chances.

I truly hope you love or come to love Bakersfield's Rodeo as much as I do. There are so many incredible people behind the making of this event and so much hard work! I know one day I will compete to hold the title of Miss Rodeo Bakersfield. Thank you so much for reading a little bit about me, and I hope to meet you at this year's rodeo!

Tyana Hawker
Stampede Days Rodeo Junior Queen 2008

My name is Jaycie Branch and I am proud to introduce myself as your 2008 Stampede Days Rodeo Princess.

I am 11 years old and am in the 6th grade at Rio Bravo Greeley. I have been around horses for as long as I can remember and I compete with my horse, Dallas in many junior rodeo associations. I also have played softball for two years with B.A.S.A and NOR.

As soon as the 2008 title was handed too me, I knew I was about to enter a rodeo year filled with fun. I am very honored to represent the Kern County Sheriff’s Posse and Stampede Days Rodeo as your 2008 Princess. I am looking forward to an amazing year!

Thanks for your support!
Your princess,
Jaycie Branch

2007 Royalty:

Hello Everyone,

My name is Brittany Slaton and I am honored to be your 2007-2008 Miss Stampede Days Rodeo Queen. Iam 18 years old and reside in Hollister, California. Currently I am a senior at Notre Dame High School in Salinas. I will be attending Sonoma State University in the fall majoring in political science. When I am not in the arena you can find me involved in my school asPresident of the Ambassador'sClub, a BTS team member and an active member in all of the event committees. I am also a member of Gabilan 4-H where I have shown my horse, made arts and crafts, and also entered projects in the cooking and photography exhibits. I love to stay active and keep a busy life style.

I had such an amazing week during the competition and I am so pleased to represent the Kern County Sheriff's Mounted Posse as well as California's Biggest Little Rodeo, the Stampede Days Rodeo.The tour that we went on was so exciting. Thank you to all of the Sheriff'swho helped to put in on. Also the Lion's Club luncheon was incredible. I have never laughed so hard while eating great food in my life.

I am looking forward to traveling with the posse this year. I loved meeting all of you. I wanted to say thank you for all of the hospitality that you have shown me and the other contestants. I will do my best to represent Bakersfield, The Stampede Days Rodeo, and the Kern County Sheriff's Mounted Posse as your Miss Stampede Days Rodeo Queen.

Lastly always remember "wherever you go, go with all of your heart."

Always Your Queen, Brittany Slaton

Rori Skellenger is a 15-yr-old home schooled student. She is active in her church helping teach Vacation Bible School and competing on her Awana team. She is a former two-time National Champion roller skater and showed her dogs to the California Jr. Obedience and Agility Handler of the Year titles. She has earned high point crossbar champion through 4-H as well as many other 4-H honors. She shows her horse, Pepsi, in jumping shows and rides him on the Bakersfield Heat Wave equestrian drill team. She is active in community service and takes her therapy dogs to hospitals, rest homes and schools.

Rori is much honored to be 2007 Stampede Days Junior Rodeo Queen. She is looking forward to an awesome year representing the Sheriff's Posse! She would like to thank all her sponsors and those who supported her in so many other ways!

“I must be dreaming”, was the thought that kept coming to mind.

Hi, my name is Abigail Malyn Grisedale and I am your 2007 Stampede Days Rodeo Princess. I am proud of the title that has been handed down to me and I will do my best to represent the Kern County Sheriffs Mounted Posse this year.

I am a fourth generation rancher and love working with horses and cattle. My dreams in life are to someday become a veterinarian, a horse trainer or a country music singer and to help other young people realize that dreams can come true.

Being your 2007 Stampede Days Rodeo Princess was a dream of mine that has now become reality. I am very excited about this coming year and what it has to offer me.

Thank you for your support and thank you for supporting the great sport of Rodeo.

2006 Royalty:

My hope was to inspire others to hold a piece of our Western Heritage, but I did not realize that through the Kern County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, and the title of Miss Bakersfield Stampede Days Rodeo Queen, I would be the one to receive the spirit of the West in my travels. Through the hospitality, generosity, community and encouragement I encountered from the members of the Posse and friends along the way, I have realized this opportunity has inspired me more than I could ever hope to return.

With the honor of having represented the “Biggest Little Town of Bakersfield” at parades and rodeos, I am assured that after this year has passed, rather I be continuing my college education toward my degree, horse camping with my family, or teaching riding lessons, I will forever make reference to the experiences and opportunities I have been blessed with this past year.

I plan to promote the preservation of the equestrian lifestyle on a local level and continue representing the sport because after all, rodeo is a sport and a way of life, but it is also a people, and a family which I am proud to be a part of!

“To see a world in a grain of sand
And a Heaven in a wild flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.”
– William Blake

Over the past year Maegan, Mandy and I have been roaming throughout the state of California representing Bakersfield. We’ve been to parades and rodeos, alongside the Kern County Sheriff’s Posse. It’s amazing how fast the year went by, but it really reminded me of how precious life is. This past year has been an incredible experience and I want to thank everyone who helped me get here. Every ticket buyer, every sponsor and every friend, thank you. I’m truly thankful for the opportunity I was given, and that I was able to share it with a wonderful group of guys and two amazing girls. I am disappointed that it is all over, but I hope the next girl will realize how lucky she is.

Always,
Kara Wilbanks

“it is good to have an end to a journey, but it’s the journey that matters in the end.”

It has been a wonderful experience to go to parades and rodeos with the Sheriff’s Posse as Stampede Days Rodeo Princess. I will miss being with all the kind and caring people. This experience has encouraged me to someday run for Junior Queen and Queen. I will never forget this awesome year as your Princess. I hope to someday run for Miss Rodeo California or Miss Rodeo America.

Yours truly,
Mandy Trammell

2005 Royalty:

“Always treat others as you wish to be treated yourself, for if you do, a world of possibilities will open up before you.”

Brittany’s trail has been a long and enjoyable one, from viewing her first rodeo in her parents’ arms full of excitement, through her pony years and into the Hesperia Wrangler’s, Brittany developed her talents as a horseman.  As the Hesperia Wrangler’s Petite Rodeo Queen in 1993, Brittany soon set her sights to achieve a seemingly impossible goal of becoming the first girl in San Bernardino County to win the coveted title of Miss Rodeo California.  As Brittany has traveled down her trail, she has achieved many of her goals.  From being a lead-liner with Daddy in tow, to winning the championship saddles in the most competitive divisions of several horse organizations in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003, winning the 2000 NBHA Youth 1D Open Championship Award, to competing and winning several rodeo queen titles including: 2001 Hesperia Rockin Bar H Rodeo Jr. Queen, 2002 Barstow Rodeo Stampede Queen, 2003/2004 Norco Mounted Posse Rodeo Queen. 

In May of 2005 she won the title of Bakersfield Stampede Days Rodeo Queen and during this past year she has enjoyed making new friends with the members of the Kern County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse,  her Jr Queen Tyana Hawkins, and her family as well as many others throughout Kern County.  Brittany and Tyana have enjoyed participating in fundraisers, team penning, parades, rodeos and other special events throughout their year. 

After graduating from Sultana High School in the top eighth percent of her class, Brittany went on to California State University in San Bernardino where she is majoring in Kinesiology to pursue a career in Physical Therapy.  Upon graduation, Brittany would like to attend California State University in Fresno where she will also pursue a career in the Equine field.  She wants to eventually have her own physical therapy practice, as well as, a large animal veterinary/chiropractic clinic.  Brittany is currently working in the Western Marketing Industry so that she can stay current with the western wear industry and its fashion trends.

In September 2005 Brittany had the honor of representing the Bakersfield Stampede Days Rodeo and the Kern County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse at the 2006 Miss Rodeo California Pageant where she was chosen from an impressive field of 11 contestants to represent the state of California as Miss Rodeo California 2006. In winning this title Brittany took home top honors in the categories of Horsemanship, Speech, Appearance, and Personality.

All of these accomplishments in horsemanship, sportsmanship and rodeo have helped Brittany to become the person she is today and she would like to personally thank everyone involved with the Bakersfield Stampede Days Rodeo and Pageant, especially the sponsors, for without their support this great event could not happen.

“Along my trail there have been many fine people who have assisted me throughout my journey.  I would like to take the time to thank all of them for their wonderful support, for without the gift of their true friendship, my dream of achieving this ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to represent and promote the sport of rodeo and my western heritage throughout California and beyond would not have been possible.”

Brittany Renée Nuckols

“In a universe of opportunities, always stay true to yourself, and your future will be bright.”

I cannot believe how quickly this year has flown by. Since I was crowned Stampede Days Rodeo Princess last May, I have been gone almost every weekend representing this outstanding rodeo at parades, rodeos, and other functions. I am so honored to have been able to represent the Stampede Days Rodeo and the incredible Kern County Posse. Thank you so much for this opportunity- I know I will never forget it.

Stampede Days Posse- you boys always made the trip worthwhile. I had such a blast being around you all and getting to know each and every one of you. I’ll be sure to keep in touch. Thanks for all of your effort and love you put into this pageant.

Brittany, Roy, and Diane- thank you so much for always helping me and my family with rides, clothes, and basically being at my beck and call. Roy and Diane, you two are so lucky to have such a beautiful and intelligent daughter, I have learned so much from Brit and I really do up to her so much.

To all of my sponsors- I would definitely not be where I am today if not for each of you- thank you so very much for all of the last minute sponsorships and for always being there whenever I need you.

To the contestants of 2006- It’s here!! All of your work is about to pay off- it has been so nice to get to know all of you and I hope the new girls enjoy the fun times with the posse as much as I did- and believe me, those boys feed you GREAT! Have an awesome year and always remember that you are representing one of the best rodeos in California!

And last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my incredible parents, DJ and Randy, for all of their time dedicated to not only me, but to my horses and clothes, and just everything else I’ve ever needed. You both have put up with me even as I’m yelling at you to give me my hat before flying into that arena. I could never ask for more than what you two give me. I am honestly so proud to be called your daughter.

A big thank you goes out to everyone who is here tonight, watching our 21st annual Stampede Days Rodeo. Without each of you, none of this would have been possible.

Thanks again,
Tyana Hawker
Your 2005 Stampede Days Rodeo Princess

2004 Royalty:

Kayla Spurlock lives in Ramona, California. She is currently attending California State University San Marcos majoring in Business Administrations with an emphasis in Finance. Her goal is to achieve a Master in Business Administration and utilization her education to make a difference in both the equine and agriculture industries.

In High School Kayla spent many hours working with her 4-H horse project, Regional Horse Judging Team, and was Assistant Coach of an Equestrian Vaulting Team. In college she is active in the University Accounting Society, Palmar Speech and Debate Team plus spend time working with Toastmasters International. Kayla is a avid horsewoman, she has won numerous awards in many disciplines of horse back riding, including Equestrian Vaulting, dressage, hunter over fences, western pleasure, reining, barrel racing and team sorting. When not riding her horses Kayla enjoys, underwater diving, traveling, camping, surfing, running, hiking, sky diving and scrape booking.

Melissa Kristen Payne attends Liberty High School in Bakersfield. She plays on the Liberty High Junior Varsity Softball team. In middle school she organized a Community Service Club receiving recognition from both Rosedale Middle School and Bakersfield Optimist Club. She aspires to become a large animal Veterinarian specializing in the care of Pro Rodeo horses and livestock.

Melissa has been competing in the Kern County Gymkhana Association where she is excelling rapidly. She has won show hi-point and reserve hi-point on several occasions this year. Melissa enjoys spending time with her family both on and off their many horses.

2003 Royalty:

With my trusty steed, “Jerry the rope horse,” my new two-horse Trails West trophy trailer, and a rodeo queen wave, down the road I went. I had the opportunity to attend many parades and rodeos, and assisted the K.C.S.M.P in raising funds to benefit the special needs of children in Kern County. Over the years I have been a huge supporter of the Special Rodeo program, which enables special kids to experience rodeo in a way especially designed just for them. This year was no exception and it was a privilege to be involved with the children and the community of Kern County. Another aspect of my year was representing the sport of rodeo and the heritage and traditions it embraces. Some of the finest people in the world are in the livestock, ranching, and rodeo business. This lifestyle is about preserving a way of life that at times is hanging by a thread, and this lifestyle is how one day I would hope to raise my family like generations before.

As the dust settles on my year, I reminisce on the challenges and the experiences that have brought me to where I am today. I am blessed to have had two wonderful parents who gave me a strong foundation and high moral values that have helped me become the young women I am today. Whether it was ballet or FFA show pigs, softball or rodeo, they have always been my biggest fans. Thank you to the Kern County Sheriff's Mounted Posse for welcoming me with open arms and allowing me to be a part of your lives and your families. The support I have received throughout the year is breathtaking and I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.

Good luck to all of this year's contestants and may you find this experience as fulfilling and rewarding as I have.

Miss Mattie Bronson captured the title of Miss Stampede Days 2003 Rodeo Princess on May 3, 2003. In addition to brining home the Title and crown of the 2003 Stampede Day Rodeo Princess, she won first place in the categories of Speech and Rodeo Knowledge as well as garnered the title of Miss Congeniality and Miss Personality.  

Mattie is thrilled and honored to promote the sport of rodeo and the great state of California. In addition to making formal appearance at various rodeo events, Mattie is in the process of completing High School, with plans of attending UC Davis where she will study to become a Veterinarian. In her spare time, Mattie competes in gymkhana and enjoys riding her horse.  

Mattie thanks her many sponsors for helping her achieve this dream, with special thanks to all who supported the pageant and to the Kern County Sheriff's Mounted Posse for making this event possible for a spectacular year filled with many special memories.

2002 Royalty: