Named first runner-up in the contest was Bobbi Wirth, Miss Rodeo Montana. Bobbi, another blue-eyed blonde, is a junior at Montana State University where she is a member of the rodeo club. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Wirth of Wolf Creek, Montana.
The horsemanship award went to Vicki Christensen, Miss Rodeo Oregon. Vicki is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Christensen, Roseburg, Oregon. Her dad Bob is one of the Christensen Bros. rodeo stock contractors.
The appearance award went to Geri Gibson, Miss Rodeo Utah. Frances Devereux, Miss Rodeo Arkansas, won the congeniality award. This personable young lady will probably be remembered by most of us for her outstanding rendition of an Arkansas hog call.
During the five-day· event, the girls were continually judged by three panels, consisting of three judges in each category. For horsemanship it was Judd Morse, Hollister, Calif., Jack Hunter, Ardmore, S.D., and Dale Smith, Chandler, Arizona. For appearance it was Mary Kay Ash of Dallas, Sharon Larkins, Alexandria, Va., and John Motta, Reno, Nevada. The personality judging was handled by John Hutson, Sparta, Wis., Gene Hull, Twin Falls, Ida., and Jim Alexander, Boise, Idaho.
The real fun event in the pageant is the horsemanship phase of the competition. This time it was held at the Equestrian Country Club on the M.J. DiBiase Ranch on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Susan Merrill, Miss Rodeo America 1972, had the honor of setting the pattern that included figure eights, barrels, pole bending, and goat tying. Announcer for the event was Lin Helton, La Grande, Ore., and he raised a few eyebrows when he commented that, “This will separate the men from the boys.” He was probably referring to the rule that states a contestant may not ride the horse prior to the test. The contestants each had two go-rounds on different horses- good mounts that were furnished by Harry Stickler of the Stickler Training Stables in Las Vegas.
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