Rodeo Queen Contestants Saddle Up

Contestants are busy preparing for the Ramona Rodeo Queen contest on March 26 and 27. Opening ceremonies start at 6 p.m. Friday night at Bobby Neals arena on the corner of Mussey Grade Road and Highway 67. They are open to the public and free. (Please use the Mussey Grade Road entrance to the arena). Riding and handling abilities are demonstrated in an exciting musical venue.

Saturday begins with personal interviews being held in a closed session.

At 6 p.m. the glittering evening takes place at the OPMS Performing Arts Center. Speeches will be presented and evening western wear will be modeled, and a new Rodeo Queen will be crowned. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Senior Queen

Ashley Taylor

Ashley Taylor: Ashley is the 2003 Ramona Round Up Rodeo Queen. During her rein she represented rodeo at chamber events, parades and rodeos throughout California, accompanied by her American quarterhorse George. A native of Ramona, Ashley now attends Mira Costa College and is pursuing a degree in physical therapy.

Junior Queen

Markie Battaglia: Markie is the 2003 Ramona Round Up Rodeo Junior Queen. She is a member of Jr. Rodeo, High School Rodeo, several team penning organizations, AQHA and the USTRC. Markie appeared at rodeos and parades throughout the year. She attends Mountain Valley Academy as a sophomore. Markie also enjoys playing softball and volleyball with her friends.

Senior Contestants

Markie Battaglia

Dana Greenwood Dana is a 17 year old junior at Ramona High School. She competes in local gymkhana shows and barrel races. Dana is also active in the Ramona FFA and CGA. After high school Dana plans to attend Cal Poly Pomona and major in large animal sciences and get a degree in Equine Sports Massage Therapy.

Kaitlan Israels Kaitlan is a 17 year old senior at Ramona High School. Kaitlan enjoys riding horses, dancing and spending time with friends. She is also an active member of the Ramona FFA. One day Kaitlan hopes to become a mounted police officer.

Lara Klopp Lara is an 18 year old senior at Mountain Valley Academy. Lara is currently training her three year old filly and her two year old mustang. She enjoys barrel racing, western pleasure, horse-manship, trail riding, dressage and jumping. Lara’s goal in life is to become a large animal vet specializing in equine chiropractic’s.

Amanda Rasco Amanda is a 17 year old junior at El Capitan High School. Amanda is involved in FFA and raises animals for the junior fairs. She is a member of RJJR, CGA, ACTRA and Jr. Rodeo. Amanda wants to attend a university in Texas, become an NFR champion and own her own clothing company.

Junior Contestants

Fawnda Rasco Fawnda is a 14 year old freshman at El Capitan High School. Fawnda has competed in barrel racing, goat tying, pole bending and bull riding. She is involved in drill team, band and wrestling. Fawnda loves to be around community activities and volunteers time at local rodeos and ropings.

Gillian Ireland Gillian is a 16 year old sophomore at El Capitan High School. She has been competing for six years throughout the western U.S. in team penning. She also participates in 4-H , FFA, dance, softball and sailing.

Carlin Boyle Carlin is a 15 year old sophomore at Ramona High School. She plays center forward for the high school junior varsity soccer team and is also an avid dancer. Actively involved with horses since she was eight, she helps coach younger children to ride and trains horses at Mystic Mountain Ranch.

Lacie Bubeck Lacie is a 15 year old sophomore at Ramona High School. She participates in gymkhana and is a member of the Ramona Santana Riders. One of Lacie’s goals is to own a successful business in cosmetology.

Dena Harry Dena is a 14 year old freshman at Ramona High School. Dena took her first horse back ride when she was six months old. She has grown up with horses and has shown in lead line classes, riding on the trail or competing at gymkhanas/rodeos. Dena has been active in 4-H for nine years and has raised pigs and steers.

Lacey Ryan Lacey is 14 years old and in the 8th grade at Olive Peirce Middle School. Lacey started riding when she was 7 years old and started competing in gymkhana at age 9. Some of her hobbies are camping, boating and dance. Lacey’s most cherished possession is her horse Danny.

Young Miss Contestants

Tristian Monterastelli Tristian is 13 years old and in the 8th grade at OPMS. She is a member of the Ramona Stars 4-H and involved in the horse project. She also does gymkhana and is a member of the Santana Riders. Her hobbies include softball, crafts, quads, gardening and wakeboards.

Devan Statler Devan is 12 years old and in the 7th grade at OPMS. Devan has been riding horses since she was five years old. She is currently participating in rodeo, gymkhana shows and junior rodeo. School is her biggest priority and horses are a hobby.

Alexandra Brisendine Alexandra is 13 years old and in the 8th grade at OPMS. She participates in WEB, yearbook committee, Science Olympiad, Sun Valley Riders and National Honor Society. Alexandra short term goal is to become a AAA rider in gymkhana. Her long term goal is to attend college and focus on Forensic Science.

Rachelle Pyeatt Rachelle is a 12 year old 7th grader at Mountain Valley Academy. She enjoys roping and training her horse to run barrels. She rides English and is training her thoroughbred to jump. She is active in the Ramona Stars 4-H and is Sargeant at Arms. Her favorite hobbies include cooking and singing.

Makenzie Taylor Makenzie is 12 years old and in 7th grade at OPMS. She has been riding horses and competing in barrel racing and gymkhana for five years. Makenzie also enjoys jazz dance and art.

Jacqueline Roteck Jacqueline is 13 years old and in 8th grade at OPMS. In the future she would like to go to college and become a large animal vet. Jacqueline would like to have her own ranch and train mustangs because she enjoys the challenge of working with them. She has participated in Mountain Valley Ranch Jr. Rodeo Series.

Miranda Angel Miranda is 13 years old and in the 8th grade at OPMS. She is an active member in the Ramona Santana Riders Open Show. She would like to become a professional barrel racer, graduate high school and go to a sophisticated college.

Paige Connelly Paige is 11 years old and in the 6th grade at James Duke Elementary School. She is a member of the CJRA, AWBA and CGA, and competes in several local clubs and junior rodeo. Paige participates in 4-H and her hobbies are horses, her nine dogs and spending time with friends.

Danielle Webb Danielle is 13 years old and in the 8th grade at OPMS. She is an active member in the Ramona Stars 4-H. She is also a 4-H county medalist for record books. Danielle enjoys reading and is a member of the National Honor Society. She enjoys riding her horse Buster and is learning to barrel race and rope.

Little Miss Contestants

Sierra Israels Sierra is 10 years old and in the 4th grade at Hanson Lane Elementary School. Sierra has been in Ramona her whole life. Rodeo and Rodeo Queen Pageants have been a big part of her life for her two big sisters have run for titles before.

Brooke Williams Brooke is 10 years old and in the 5th grade. She is a member of the Sun Valley Riders and enjoys competing in gymkhana events. Brooke looks forward to the rodeo season each year.

Cheyenne Burris Cheyenne is 8 years old and in the 2nd grade. She has been riding horses since she was 1 year old. Cheyenne enjoys competing in horse and gymkhana shows. Her favorite event is barrel racing because it is fun and fast.

Alexis Sumner Alexis is 9 years old and in the 3rd grade. Her favorite activities are Girl Scouts and the Gate Program. Her favorite subjects in school are Math and Science. Alexis enjoys volunteering at school to help with the kindergarten and in the cafeteria selling snacks.

Alexis Awrey Alexis is 8 years old and in the 3rd grade. She is a member of the Ramona Santana Riders and competes in the gymkhana shows.

Rachel Brown Rachel is 8 years old and in the 3rd grade. She has been riding horses since she was 4 years old and is also involved in 4-H. She would like to be a horse trainer someday and also go to college to be a veteranarian.