Queen´s Horsemanship Competition This Morning

Mother Lode Round-Up activities get started this morning at 10 a.m. at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds with the Queens Horsemanship competition.

“Admission is free, but this is the time the queen candidates go through their horsemanship routines,” said Ty Wivell, Round-Up organizer. “That includes rail work, reigning pattern, barrel pattern, pole bending and their queen salute,” Wivell explained.

He says with the rain, the event will still be held, but may be moved to a covered arena. Everyone will meet at the fairgrounds before heading to the new, dryer location this morning. Horsemanship counts for about 30 percent of the queen judging total scores.

The candidates this year are Bret Harte High School student Mallory Wallace, and Valerie Lagattuta and Caitlyn Smith of Summerville High. The Queen pageant starts at 5 p.m. Sunday evening at the Sonora Elks Lodge.