Nicole Briggs - Miss Rodeo Canada

Nicole Briggs
2014 Miss Rodeo Canada
Interview with Pauline Briggs – January 14, 2016
Question: Under what name did you run for Miss Rodeo
Canada?
Nicole Briggs
Question: Do you have any nicknames?
I sometimes get called Nick, Nikki, and Cole, however it’s
mainly the crew that I rope with that uses them.
Question: Tell me about your family? Do you have any
siblings?
I have two extremely supportive parents, Alan and Pauline
Briggs, as well as a younger brother Stephen. All of my family
has and continues to be involved with horses and rodeo.
Question: Are you related to any famous rodeo personality?
No.
Question: How did you get involved in the professional sport of rodeo today?
My involvement in professional rodeo began when I competed in the High School Rodeo Association.
After holding the queen title in 2008, I set my sights on Miss Rodeo
Canada and worked hard to reach that goal.
Question: Did you ever qualify for the Nationals in High School rodeo?
Yes. I qualified for the 2008 National High School Finals Rodeo held in
Farmington, New Mexico for the Queen Competition.
Question: Did you ever compete for any High School or National
School pageant?
Yes. In 2008, I ran for the title of Alberta High School Rodeo Queen. With
the Alberta High School Rodeo Queen title, I went on to the National
Pageant in Farmington, New Mexico where I placed ninth out of 42 girls.
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Question: What previous titles did you hold before running for Miss Rodeo Canada?
Before running for Miss Rodeo Canada, I held the Alberta High School Rodeo Queen title and title of
Miss Rodeo Airdrie. Miss Rodeo Airdrie was the title I held in order to compete for Miss Rodeo Canada.
Question: How did you get interested in becoming Miss Rodeo Canada?
Following my year as the Alberta High School Rodeo Queen in 2008, I had a good idea that I wanted to
run for Miss Rodeo Canada. I fell in love with the role that a rodeo queen played in promoting the sport
of rodeo. After I handed down my high school crown, I began planning to compete for Miss Rodeo
Canada. I knew in high school that I wanted to attend vet school and that taking time off of university
could potentially hinder my chances of getting into vet
school.
After my first year of university, I began researching pro
rodeo titles and contacting both the UCVM and WCVM
schools to see if taking time off would affect my acceptance
into their schools. It did not. Following my second year of
university I competed for Miss Rodeo Airdrie. With this
title I was able to compete for Miss Rodeo Canada. In order
to avoid a large gap in my education, I completed an
internship through the University of Alberta working at a
vet clinic during the fall semester when I ran for Miss Rodeo
Canada. I then took a year off from attending classes and
resumed school the following January after my reign.
Question: Did Miss Rodeo Canada have a Princess your
year?
No. Miss Rodeo Canada did not have a princess the year I
held the title.
Question: Can you tell me about your pageant experience?
It was a great experience and still to this day, one of the highlights of my life. The pageant was well
organized, well run, and was a lot of fun! During my year, there were only two girls competing.
Bronwen Bowhay, who held the title of Miss Rodeo Sundre, was the only other girl who competed with
me.
Question: What can you tell me about the judges?
We had a large variety of judges for each category. There were three judges for each of the five events.
We had the current Miss Rodeo America and Miss Rodeo Australia act as judges. We had accredited
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horse show judges for the horsemanship event. We also had people who represented our sponsors for
some categories. It was a very diverse group of judges who looked for many different qualities in the
contestants.
Question: Was having “day” judges follow you around a good or bad thing?
I loved having a day judge follow us around each and every day. I think it is a great way to see how
contestants handle themselves behind the scenes. It allows the day judge to get to know the girls better
and see their true personalities. We had a lot of fun with each and every day judge during the pageant.
Many of them I am still in contact with, well after my MRC year!
Question: Who was running the Miss Rodeo Canada organization your year?
The president of the Miss Rodeo Canada organization was Jocelyne Lambert (November 2010 – January
2014) when I was crowned. She retired and in February 2014 Ms. Anne Lamers became President
(February 2014 – July 2015).
Question: How did you enjoy the public speaking event?
I have always enjoyed public speaking. During my years in 4-H, I was the member that would practice for
hours before public speaking competitions. The Miss Rodeo Canada competition was one of my favorite
portions of the competition that year. I loved my speech and was excited to present it.
Question: For public speaking - what was your speech about?
My speech was a description on how rodeo became a sport. My speech began describing a cowboy in
the chutes at a local rodeo and lead into how the friendly competitions on the working ranches turned
into today’s modern day rodeos.
Question: Were there restrictions on
the type of speech you could give?
No, there were no restrictions on the
subject matter of our speeches.
Question: The Miss Rodeo Canada
pageant will ask you to do impromptus
– where did you do these?
We were asked horsemanship
impromptus at the horsemanship
competition. The second impromptu
was asked at the speech portion of the
Miss Rodeo Canada competition. It was
based on Canadian current events.
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Question: Regarding the Horsemanship competition – whose horse(s) did you ride?
During our competition, we had the opportunity to ride finished reining horses, thanks to Top Notch
Performance Horses. It was held at their indoor arena. Bronwen and
I performed the same reining pattern twice. We both rode the
same two horses. We then rode a third horse for our presentation
ride and flag lap.
Question: Were there any contracts to sign as Miss Rodeo
Canada? What were some of the rules?
Yes. We signed a contract before we competed for Miss Rodeo
Canada in the event that we did win the competition. The rules
were all fairly straight forward and basically the same as most rodeo
queen pageants.
Question: Were there any rules you would have changed?
There were no rules I would have changed my year.
Question: What can you tell me about your wardrobe?
The year I competed, the styles were changing from the traditional western shirt and jeans to a more
“fashion forward” look. I had a mixture of fashion forward pieces, traditional western shirts and jeans,
custom made outfits and clothes I used while showing horses. My dresses were a mixture of full leather
and fabric.
Question: Where was your fashion show?
Our fashion show was the first fashion show held in conjunction with the Ladies of Professional Rodeo
Fashion Show at the Westin Hotel in Edmonton. It was the final
judged portion of our competition. It was great to be able to
model in front of a large crowd of people. We were also lucky
enough to model our formal dress along with clothing from
many of our sponsors including Roper, Stetson, Tin Haul and
Wrangler!
Question: What can you tell me about your clothes? Did you
make them, buy them?
I bought a majority of my outfits second-hand from other
former royalty. I tried to keep my clothes as affordable as
possible. For the competition, I had some outfits custom made,
but all were reasonably priced and affordable.
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Question: Can you tell me about your pageant dress and
your modeling for the competition?
I had a beautiful dress made by Ann and Sherri Belcham
from British Columbia. Mom and I spent hours in Indian Sari
stores looking for fabric and material to be used for my
dress. After finding a gorgeous raspberry coloured fabric, we
sent it off to Ann and Sherri to creatively design a dress for
the fashion show. I went away from the common leather
dress and had mine made from a satin material. They made
my dress with two belts, one normal and one that had a long
skirt in the back that I wore on stage. It was my favourite
outfit of the pageant and the one dress I still have and will
keep as a memory from my year.
Question: Do you still have any clothes – what pieces do
you still own?
I do still have quite a few outfits from my year. I have kept
some of my more sentimental pieces from my year, including
my red Canada vest and Canada shirt which was sponsored by Ann and Sherri Belcham. I wore that
outfit on Canada Night at the NFR.
I also kept a raspberry dress with a detachable skirt I wore for the fashion show and a vest set that I
wore in my application photo and for the crowning. It is also one of my favourite pieces that I cannot
part with. These were some of my
favourite pieces. A lot of the
wardrobe that was sponsored my
year I still wear today!
Question: How did you feel when
you won the Miss Rodeo Canada
title?
It was a blur! I remember shaking
like crazy before they introduced us
into the arena at the CFR. I couldn’t
believe it when they called my
name. I was a mess to say the least!
There were a lot of happy tears that
day!
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Question: Tell me about your saddle you won as Miss Rodeo Canada 2014.
I was awarded a beautiful saddle supplied by Western Specialties. It is a smooth leather and lightly
tooled. I will enjoy it for many years to come!
Question: Did you attend the NFR? What events did you participate in at the NFR?
I did attend the NFR my year! It was one of the most amazing experiences of holding the MRC title. I had
the opportunity to ride 9 of the 10 nights in Las Vegas. Miss Rodeo Australia rode one night too. It was
the most unbelievable experience! The first night, I remember riding down the alleyway and then riding
back. It was a blur and I honestly couldn’t remember anything about the ride, but the feeling was
incredible! Thank goodness there were 8 more nights so I could remember my grand entries!
I attended 2 to 3 autograph sessions each day at all the NFR trade shows/Cowboy Christmas’. It was
great to sign alongside NFR team ropers and calf ropers during the 10 days of NFR. I also got the chance
to sign alongside Trevor Brazile at the Wrangler booth.
During the NFR, I was able to attend all of the events of the Miss Rodeo America pageant including the
Cowgirl Kickoff Party, Speeches, Fashion Show and Coronation.
I also had the opportunity to attend the Gold Card
Room at the Thomas and Mack arena each night.
While I was there, we had dinner each night with
some of the PRCA’s legends of rodeo. I also helped
with the Gold Card Raffle Draws each night alongside
Bob Tallman.
Following the rodeo each night, I attended and
helped present buckles to each of the go-round
winners at the Montana Silversmiths Go- Round
Buckle Presentations at the South Point. I also
attended the Bob Tallman Charity Bowling
Tournament and World Series of Team Roping during
my time in Vegas.
Question: What can you tell me about the horses at NFR?
I had an absolutely fantastic horse at the NFR named Eagle. He was great. He moved off your leg, stayed
to the rail, and was a smooth ride. We were put through a riding test during grand entry rehearsal to
make sure everything went smoothly. The funniest part was my NFR horse, Eagle, was almost a splitting
image of Dakota who was Miss Rodeo Canada’s CFR horse. I had many people throughout my year ask if
it was the same horse and if they hauled him down for us!
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Question: What was the hairstyle of your year?
I wore my hair curled and down at all events. I didn’t wear my hair up or pulled back at any event as I
felt that holding the title brought responsibility and class and that I should put effort into my
appearance at all times no matter how tired I might have been. I didn’t have the “big” queen hair but
rather a nice full loose curl. That was the hair style my year.
Question – What was your style of hats?
I wore a black and a white Smithbilt hat during my reign. Both hats were shaped with a flatter top than
what was the current rodeo queen trend. I also had a wider set brim. Both of these styles
complimented the crown better than the narrow and square shape a lot of the other queens wore my
year.
Question: What crown did you wear?
I wore the silver crown with the red maple leaf
designed and created by Montana Silversmiths. It
was the same one that Gillian Shields wore for the
last part of her year.
Question: Describe your belt-buckle?
My buckle was designed and created by Montana
Silversmiths. It has a black base with bronze and
gold designs. The words “Miss Rodeo Canada” run
along the top and my name was below in red to
the left. It is the same style that had been used for the last few years.
Question: Did you have sponsors during your reign?
I was fortunate enough to have a large number of sponsors to help make my year a success. To name a
few of the larger sponsors: Northlands, Roper, Stetson, Tin Haul, Wrangler, Montana Silversmiths,
Dodge, CFCW, Chateau Lacombe Hotels, Cowan Graphics and Global TV.
Question: How did you design your chaps and who made them?
Were they sponsored?
I didn’t have the opportunity to design my chaps my year, however I
absolutely loved them! They were created by Kenton Hubschmid of
Ocean Front Saddlery. They were black with gold and red fringe. Miss
Rodeo Canada was in red with gold highlight and they had a maple
leaf with the year inside.
Question: Who was a famous person you got to meet?
I had the opportunity to meet a few famous people my year. During
the NFR I had the chance to sign autographs for Wrangler alongside
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Trevor Brazile which was one of the highlights of my year! I also met Josh Turner during the Medicine
Hat Stampede.
Question: What was your most memorable parade?
The Calgary Stampede was one of the most memorable parades! It
amazes me how many people line the streets. There isn’t an empty
space to be found! I had the chance to be able to ride my own mare
during the parade and ride alongside the Calgary Stampede Rodeo
committee as well as some past and future Calgary Stampede
contestants.
Question: Did you compete or attend the Miss Rodeo America
pageant?
I did not compete for the Miss Rodeo America pageant but I did attend
all categories open to the public during my visit to Las Vegas. I attended
their public speaking fashion show and coronation
events.
Question: Explain your NFR experiences.
The NFR was an incredible experience! For anyone who
rodeos, it is a dream to ride down the alleyway of the
Thomas and Mack. Being able to represent Canadian
Professional Rodeo every night of the NFR was
absolutely incredible. Each night following the rodeo, I
attended the Montana Silversmith Go Round Buckle
presentations at the South Point.
One of my good friends from high school rodeo, Madison MacDonald, was invited to trick ride during
the openings of the NFR my year. It was amazing to see how two Albertans had made it to the big stage
in Vegas doing something we loved to do!
I spent the majority of each day signing autographs for sponsors at the trade shows. I sat alongside some
of the world’s best team ropers and calf ropers. I also attended the Bob Tallman Charity Bowling
Tournament, the Gold Card room each night before the rodeo as well as the Miss Rodeo America
pageant.
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Question: Which pro-rodeo was your fondest and why?
I had many highlights during my year as Miss Rodeo Canada. It is extremely hard to pick just one that is
the fondest! Each brought new memories. One of the highlights of my year was team roping alongside
Katy Lucas who was Miss Ponoka Stampede at
the time. We did this during a performance of
the Ponoka Stampede. After a few days of joking
around with the Ponoka Stampede Committee
that we should be out there roping, one of their
members secretly set up for the two of us to run
out a spare steer during the Saturday afternoon
performance of the rodeo! The only people who
were aware of what we had planned was Blair
Vold, Les McIntyre (the announcer) and those
running the chute. It was a cold, wet, and
extremely windy day when we had to make our
run. When all was said and done, Katy and I
posted a clean run in one of the fastest times of
the weekend! I’ll never forget it.
Question: Did you ever have to ride difficult horses?
I was extremely lucky during my year and
was given great horses to ride at each
rodeo. There was no horse that I felt unsafe
swinging a leg over. I did, however, have a
horse buck me off during the grand entry at
the Medicine Hat Stampede. The horse I
was given was the sweetest, kindest old
horse there was. He was a joy to ride in the
parade that morning and was fantastic in
the warm up pen beforehand. During grand
entry, he caught me off guard and bucked
me off about halfway through our hot lap
and continued to buck all the way out of the
arena. It happens to the best of us!
Question: What was the hardest part of being Miss Rodeo Canada? The easiest part?
The hardest part of being Miss Rodeo Canada was airline travel. I had zero luck every time I stepped foot
in an airport. I dealt a lot with overbooked flights or with my seat being double-booked. I also dealt with
a lot of lost luggage or luggage left on the runaway. One flight, I could actually see my suitcase sitting all
alone on the tarmac! I had luggage arriving late, 20 minutes later than all others. I had delayed flights
and missed flights too. We certainly know how to handle these situations as Miss Rodeo Canada!
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The easiest part was being at events. I loved every minute of meeting new people, helping out in the
arena and attending all the great events.
Question: Do you compete in rodeos, or horse shows or barrel race anymore?
I still currently rodeo as a part of the
Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo
Association and Lakeland Rodeo
Association in both the team roping
and barrel racing. I also spend a lot of
time at team roping and barrel racing
jackpots and will attend the odd horse
show here and there.
Question: Who did you pass your
crown on to?
I had the honor of crowning Katy Lucas
as Miss Rodeo Canada 2015.
Question: What would people be surprised to know about you?
I have an extreme fear of phoning people. I would much rather talk face to face then call someone over
the phone!
Question: Where would you like to see the Miss Rodeo Canada organization go in the future?
I would love to see the pageant grow and bring in more contestants each year. I like to see the addition
of scholarships for contestants and category winners. They are a great asset to the program.
Question: What would you change about the pageant if you could?
There is nothing I would change about the pageant. It was very well run, organized and was a good test
to how your year as Miss Rodeo Canada would play out.
Question: What are you doing now?
Since my title, I have completed a Bachelor of Science in Animal Health with a Food Animal major. I have
applied for vet school which starts in September 2016 and I am waiting to hear whether I have been
accepted for the interview process.
Question: Did you ever mentor or teach others?
I am continuing to help and mentor those who are interesting in competing in queen pageants. I also
spend a lot of my summer teaching riding lessons to students of various ages.
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Question: Where were some the places you went as Miss Rodeo Canada – how many events did you
go to your year?
I traveled throughout western Canada, the United States and Australia as Miss Rodeo Canada 2014. I
attended over 650 appearances my year. I had the honor of attending the largest professional rodeo in
all three countries.
Question: If you could pass on one tip to an upcoming rodeo queen contestant – what would it be?
Enjoy the experience and be yourself. Just competing for a title will help you grow as a person and will
give you memories that will last a lifetime.
Miss Rodeo Canada Website
Photo Gallery / Alumni
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