After a tension-ridden day of horsemanship testing, public speaking and formal wear modelling, Stacy McFall was named the new Jasper Rodeo Queen.

The animal health technician (AHT) from Edson captured the crown Sunday, July 12 at the Sawridge Inn, edging Hinton resident Katie Cull in what was described by organizers as a ‘very close competition. 

“This is very exciting. It was a very close competition, but I came in prepared,” McFall said.

The crowning of the new queen is the first event for the Jasper rodeo, which takes place on August 12- 15.

In order to win, McFall had to display her horsemanship abilities, deliver a speech, answer a question about the economy and model three different outfits.

This isn’t McFall’s first experience as a rodeo queen. She was named Edson Rodeo Queen in 2004, and has been involved in organizing the Edson pagent for the past year through the Yellowhead agricultural society. She said she did her homework before the competition, and said that paid off.

“I spoke to some ex-queens about what to wear and how to model. I wrote out my speech on cue-cards and knew the answers to potential questions off by heart.”

While the other competitors spoke about following dreams and reaching potential, McFall impressed the judges with her speech about becoming an AHT, and how helping animals has touched her heart in so many ways. She quipped that being an AHT was better than being a veterinarian, as she gets to spend more time with the animals, and only required two years of school instead of seven.

McFall said she’s a little nervous, but is looking forward to the challenge.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people,” she said.

This is Cull’s second time as princess of the Jasper rodeo.