Rodeo Queen contestants ready to claim their crown

This weekend, eight young women will compete in the Auburn Stampede Rodeo's annual Senior and Junior Rodeo Queen competition. At 9:30 a.m. Sunday, the would-be royals will compete in horsemanship at Auburn's Stage Stop Ranch before being interviewed by judges. Later that evening, following a social hour and group dinner, the contestants will be judged in speech and modeling. Outgoing queens are Hayle Gibson, Junior Miss Auburn Stampede, and Lindsay Prince, Miss Auburn Stampede.Junior QueenClarise Bankus is the 13-year-old daughter of Tim and Marie Bankus. She is in the seventh grade at E. V. Cain school, very active in 4-H and has her own business. Clarise is sponsored by Auburn Tack and Feed, Allen's Custom Meat, Family Farm Supply, Bill Bryant, Pam Ellis, All Sierra Grading & Paving - Pat Feirra, Cynthia Costa, Scott's Corner Hay and Fee, Marson's Regular Big & Tall, T&M Christmas Tree Farm and Feed Plus.Britan Thomas is the 15-year-old daughter of Dave and Kim Stillian and Mark and Nanci Thomas. She is a freshman at Placer High School. Her hobbies include Rodeo, FFA, riding and raising steers for fairs. Her sponsor is Meadow Vista Vet.Chloe Romero is the 14-year-old daughter of Elke Truscott and Bud Romero. She is an eighth-grader at Weimar Hills. Chloe enjoys horseback riding and gymnastics. She is being sponsored by Blaze Air Inc., Foresthill Garage, Yellowstone Ranch Horse Rescue, The Candler Real Estate Team and Linda Sullivan.Madison Lyon is the 14-year-old daughter of Gary and Panfila Lyon. She is a freshman at Placer High School. Her hobbies include High School Rodeo, FFA, showing horses and steers, wakeboarding and cooking. She is sponsored by Capps Real Estate - Chuck Forsyth, Central Sierra Construction - Jack Dilworth, Lincoln Taco Bell, Lyon Real Estate - Holly Mraz, Rafter 6B Ranch - Chris Bugenig, Fiddler Green Plaza, Bruce & Patricia Lyon, Translift Service - Tim & Daphne Van Stavern, Ryan Fowler Training, Lyons Pride Pomegranate Farm and J Lee Buckingham Architect AIA.Senior QueenEmily Gragg is the 20-year-old daughter of Randy and Debbie Gragg. She is currently employed as a office manager. Her hobbies include trail riding, traveling and boating. Emily is being sponsored by Randy Gragg Trucking, GR Trucking and Roseville Livestock Auction.Jordan Diaz is the 19-year-old daughter of Tom and Joel Diaz. She is a sophomore at Sierra College. She enjoys horses, rodeo, singing and track. Jordan is being sponsored by Tom Diaz Cutting Horses and Clover Hill Embroidery.Jessica Brown is the 21-year-old daughter of David and Shawn Brown. She is a sophomore at Sierra College and employed as a veterinary technician. Her hobbies include 4x4 offroading, riding quads, showing horses and pigs. Jessica is being sponsored by A Lazy J Livestock, Auburn 76 Tire & Service Center, Bright Star Mastiffs, Lifestyle Real Estate, the Lindley family and Whitehead Painting.Glenda Reyman is the 23-year-old daughter of Rodney and Marsha Reyman. She is employed as a veterinary neurology care technician. Her hobbies include camping, dancing, fishing, swimming, barrel racing and reining. Glenda is being sponsored by Country Manor Fence, High Performance Animal Acupressure and her family and friends.The rodeo festivities kick off at 10 a.m. April 16 and 17, when the Trading Post opens for shoppers with local vendors offering jewelry, arts and crafts, clothing and munchies.Karen Spencer, public relations coordinator for the rodeo, said the children's mutton bustin' event is one of the most popular with families.At 3 p.m. both days it's time to get serious as more than 300 professional rodeo riders take to the ring for the guts of the Stampede: bull riding, steer wrestling barrel racing and more.There are activities and exhibits throughout the day that will keep the entire family busy.Saturday night, the 21-and-over crowd can kick up their boots at Pistol Pete's Brew and Cue on Harrison Avenue at the Rodeo Dance.Whatever it is about rodeos, whether Wrangler jeans or mutton bustin' youngsters, the Wild West Stampede rodeo promises to be an exciting time when it rides into town.The Journal's Penne Usher contributed to this story.