It's been a long-time tradition of the Cochrane Lions Club to ensure their rodeo queen rides in comfort while bringing joy to many on the rodeo circuit.

Last night, Lions Rodeo Queen Riley Larsen was presented a custom saddle that she had a hand in designing.

"This year they gave me the opportunity to fully customize the saddle," says Queen Riley. "I got to go through all the individual aspects of the entire piece and make it fit me and fit my horse so that I know that going into this rodeo season everything is going to go nice and smoothly, fit well and everyone's going to be comfortable. It was a really cool opportunity to let me do that."

Queen Riley has already thrilled crowds at a couple of rodeos this season and has several more ahead. This Friday, she's at the High River rodeo, then heads to the Sundre rodeo on Saturday.

Then before you know, it's time to be a part of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, July 5 to 14.

"You grow up watching the Stampede, you grow up going to the parade and thinking, one day that's going to be me on the back of a horse with a big smile on my face riding through downtown Calgary. 

"What a cool opportunity to be that person and to be a role model for a younger generation. I think it's going to be something I've always dreamed it would be. It's going to be a lot of work, but it will never be exchangeable."

Riley was crowned at the Cochrane Lions Labour Day Weekend Rodeo last year, and it's where her reign will end. Besides rodeo season, she's already appeared at upwards of 30 events to represent the Lions, and, in many ways, serve as an unofficial ambassador for Cochrane.