Miss Rodeo Canada Clinic hosted by Abbey Harty in North Battleford. (Image Credit: Alyssa Rudolph)

By Alyssa Rudolph

RODEO QUEEN CLINIC

‘Just be yourself’: Miss Rodeo Canada shares experience with future queens

Mar 30, 2026 | 2:01 PM

A full circle moment.  

That’s how Abbey Harty described the experience of hosting North Battleford’s first ever Miss Rodeo Canada Clinic.  

Abbey Harty, Miss Rodeo Canada. (Image Credit: Alyssa Rudolph)

“Three years ago, I was competing for the title of North Battleford Rodeo Queen and it’s a really big deal to be back here and to hold the title of Miss Rodeo Canada. I remember practicing in this arena for horsemanship for that competition, and I didn’t think that I’d be back here three years later teaching it myself,” she said. 

Harty is the first Saskatchewan queen to hold the Canada title in the last 20 years. So, for her, being a mentor to upcoming competitors in the province is very important.  

Public Health Inspections

Is your favourite restaurant up to code? Here's how you can check.

31m ago

TRANSITION UNDERWAY

School divisions end partnership with North Battleford's Sākewew High School

44m ago

CRIME

Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2023 stabbing death on Buffalo River Dene Nation

1h ago

“I’m here to provide them with the skills and the knowledge to be able to have a successful year and just to be able to even use that in their life experience as well because everything that we’re teaching this weekend isn’t just valuable for the queen industry, it’s also valuable for their life.” 

She explained the ‘queening’ industry as a complex system with many moving parts. Those include written exams, interviews, public speaking, horsemanship, and modelling.  

“I just want them to be able to be themselves. You don’t have to be the perfect rider. You don’t have to be the perfect public speaker. You don’t have to know all the answers. I want them to be able to go up to people and talk to them, and I want them to leave an impact on people.”  

Harty wasn’t alone in her teachings during the weekend clinic; by her side was Julian Ireland, a local sportsmanship coach.

Julian Ireland, horsemanship coach. (Image Credit: Alyssa Rudolph)

“There’s basic horsemanship and then there’s also the production of putting it on into a pattern, when they’re tested during their run and in a competition. Part of that is building their foundation and understanding how our horses work, and how our horses move, and how we need to be better riders, as well as how do we apply that when we’re put into a competitive situation,” he explained.  

Ireland said that even over the course of the weekend, he began to see great improvement in the riders’ ability to control their horses and always be one step ahead.  

“When we’re at home riding a horse, you can correct things, but when you’re in a show setting, you can’t correct things the same way. So, they have to be prepared and this is a great place to learn,” he said. 

Steele Sylvestre, Miss Saskatchewan High School Rodeo Queen

Steele Sylvestre, Miss Saskatchewan High School Rodeo Queen. (Image Credit: Alyssa Rudolph)

Steele Sylvestre stood took in the event as Miss Saskatchewan High School Rodeo Queen.  

“This clinic has been so much fun, I’ve learnt so much from all the different people, and different perspectives of being a queen,” she said.  

She grew up rodeoing, while watching the queens before her and thought ‘I think it’s my turn to try and do that’. 

“I went down to Nationals this past July with the Saskatchewan crown, I met so many different people and saw different sides of queening… I just really want to continue this journey.”  

Sylvestre’s goal during the clinic was to polish the skills that she will take with her as she attempts to advance into pro-queening.  

Presley Mcknight 

Presley Mcknight, Saskatchewan High School Rodeo Queen contestant. (Image Credit: Alyssa Rudolph)

Presley Mcknight highlighted how motivational the clinic was for her.  

“Putting myself in this position is definitely pushing myself out of my comfort zone but it’s been very helpful to step into this and get more information.” 

She is running to be the next Saskatchewan High School Rodeo Queen, following in the footsteps of her friend, Sylvestre.  

“She’s been like my big sister through all of this. She has given me a whole bunch of information and makes this whole thing not so scary, making it easier to comprehend,” said Mcknight.  

For her, the clinic meant building up her confidence to talk to new people and truly be herself.  

“This weekend I’ve learnt that mental health is very important, I need to put my mental game first, not just my physical game.” 

Faith Whitton 

Faith Whitton, North Battleford Kinsmen Rodeo Queen contestant. (Image Credit: Alyssa Rudolph)

This year, Faith Whitton is running to be the next North Battleford Kinsmen Rodeo Queen. 

“This has been really awesome; I love doing clinics and I’ve learnt a lot,” she said. 

During her time working alongside girls who already hold a title, she has seen an improvement with her public speaking and horsemanship skills.  

She notes her aunt as her biggest role model as she looks forward to her dream.  

“She loves horses like me and she really got me back into the sport. Horses are something that I really love, and I want to continue to do this.” 

Grace Pain, Miss Rodeo Moose Mountain 

Grace Pain, Miss Rodeo Moose Mountain. (Image Credit: Alyssa Rudolph)

Grace Pain’s next step in pro-queening is a Miss Rodeo Canada title.  

“This year I’ll be doing lots of travelling around Saskatchewan and Alberta to go to different rodeos and being a part of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association.”  

She said being a queen wasn’t even on her mind last summer, and now it has become her passion.  

“Abbey Harty offered the opportunity up to me to say, ‘Hey, do you want to run for Miss Agribition’… and I got the title as Miss Rodeo Moose Mountain,” said Pain.  

She said her biggest takeaway from the clinic is the horsemanship portion.  

“Just having those techniques from Julian to be able to ensure that I’m safe, the people around me are safe, and that I have control over that animal is one of the big things I will take out from this weekend.” 

Pain highlighted how honored she is to represent her province and learn from someone who is a Saskatchewan queen. 

Shylah Sitter, Miss Rodeo Agribition 

Shylah Sitter, Miss Rodeo Agribition. (Image Credit: Alyssa Rudolph)

“This has been awesome; it has been brain mush with so much information. Bring on the information and then you go out into the real world, and this information is going to come back to you,” said Shyla Sitter. 

Sitter’s biggest goal this weekend was to embrace her horsemanship and learn more about confidence.  

“Confidence is huge, if you don’t have confidence, you are going to struggle. You must believe in yourself, just be you. My biggest advice to anyone competing – be you.”  

Sitter sits on a strong road to the Miss Rodeo Canada title with the current crown she holds.  

Keira Gerstenhofer 

Keira Gerstenhofer, North Battleford Kinsmen Rodeo Queen contestant. (Image Credit: Alyssa Rudolph)

Keira Gerstenhofer stood in the local arena with a North Battleford Kinsmen Rodeo Queen contestant sash across her body.  

“This whole experience is exciting; I can’t wait for the rodeo to happen and see who gets crowned.” 

She said the journey of running for the title has taken a lot of work and time.  

“I’ve put in lots of time selling tickets since that’s the main way to win. It’s also making sure your horse is ready for the horsemanship and preparing your speech takes a lot of work too,” she explained.  

She said the main lesson she will take out of the clinic is to be herself and not care what other people think.  

Morgan McGraw 

Morgan McGraw, North Battleford Kinsmen Rodeo Queen contestant. (Image Credit: Alyssa Rudolph)

“I am running for the 2026 North Battleford Kinsmen Rodeo Queen,” said Morgan McGray.

McGraw explained how she ran for the same title a few years ago and did not end it on a good note for herself.  

“I feel like I need to restart as a better person for myself, and I think with different learning experiences it would be just a better way to end things off,” she said.  

This year, she brings more confidence and passion to rodeo, specifically barrel racing.  

“This weekend I’ve learnt confidence, leadership, and building friendships. I feel like that’s very important and Abbey has a great way to explain those things and what she’s brought with her from her past.”  

She noted the friendships she has made over the weekend with the other girls in the clinic will carry her into future events and opportunities.

—

Alyssa.Rudolph@pattisonmedia.com