The four contestants for Cochrane Lions Rodeo Queen have begun a series of events to help determine who will be crowned on the final day of the Cochrane Lions Labour Day Weekend Rodeo.

It's the largest field in several years and the growing interest pays homage to the important role the queen plays in the rodeo world and in representing Cochrane at upwards of 70 events year-round.

With three events already under their belt, public events for the contestants leading up to the Labour Day Weekend Rodeo include this weekend's Cochrane Fair, the Ranch Rodeo, the Cochrane Farmers' Market and the Alliance Church pancake breakfast. Behind the scenes, they'll be participating in personal interviews and public speaking events.

They've already helped at the Calgary Police Rodeo and have been judged on their horsemanship.

Despite their age, the contestants are all seasoned riders and confess a common passion for both rodeo and how Cochrane embraces its Western heritage. Besides being an unofficial ambassador for Cochrane, they all want to help promote a sport that is either part of their roots or close to their heart.

"I've been a massive fan of rodeo, especially the Cochrane Lions Rodeo," says Breanna Correia, 17, from the outskirts of Calgary.

She has ridden since she was 9 and is active in the Midnight Express 4H Horse Club. It was through her 4-H club she learned more about the significant role of the Cochrane Rodeo Queen.

"We had a past Cochrane Queen that was part of our club and that's where the fascination started at a pretty young age," she says.

She was a princess for the Peter Knight Crossfield Rodeo in 2016 and the rodeo queen there in 2018. She wants to continue to champion both rodeo and the lifestyle it embraces.

"I have an absolute passion for the sport of rodeo and it makes me really sad to see our sport dwindling, especially in our youth, so I'd like to be someone who supports it and tries to increase our numbers and help keep our western way of life alive.

Besides her involvement with 4-H Club, she is a volunteer for the Airdrie Food Bank and works at a disability riding camp.

Born and raised in Calgary, Paige Cray, 19, says her passion for rodeo is self-taught. Her mother lives in Cochrane. Cray has resided here in the past and continues to visit.

"I love it. I think it's a great community and the rodeo is a lot of fun. It brings a lot of people together from all over the place, which is great."

"I always like coming back to the community because it's so closely-knit."

This is the first time she has been a rodeo queen contestant and fully appreciates what it entails.

"It's a big role to represent the community here and in the rodeo world. There's all the rodeos and events, so you need to present yourself well."

Cray is a recent graduate of the Lakeland College, in Vermilion, and intends to return for further studies. While there she helped organize several fun rodeos, including the college rodeo that brings together students from as far away as Quebec.

Megan Harms, 17, lives with her family on a ranch west of Cochrane and is entering her graduating year at the Cremona High School this fall.

She's ridden since she was eight and has been barrel racing for four years. She's a member of the Central Alberta Rodeo Association that takes her around the province. She has competed in the Cochrane Lions Rodeo arena a few times. 

"I started with a little bit of English jumping and switched to rodeo pretty quickly. I just love it," she says.

Her dad and brother, too, are starting to get into team roping.

Harms says she always looked up to Rodeo Queens as a youth and believes they have an important role to play.

"Queens are so inspiring and I want to be that inspiring to people. All the little girls look up to you and it's really sweet."

She's been involved with the Cremona 4-H Club in the past and volunteers through the leadership program at her school.

Originally from Manitoba, she is impressed with how Cochrane has strived to maintain its western heritage.

"I believe it's important to bring that aspect to community events and to keep that part of Cochrane alive."

Kaylee Shantz, 18, of Rimbey, 18, got a taste of the role of Cochrane Rodeo Queen from the 2018 queen, Jesse Miller. She has also been the Rimbey Rodeo Queen.

"I have had a little bit of experience in rodeo queening and it has offered me so much personal growth and so much experience in creating lasting relationships with other people and getting out in the community," says Shantz. "It's an amazing experience. I love it and I'd like to do more of it."

"I think that is so incredibly cool that the young lady chosen gets to travel around Alberta and represent this great community and rodeo and how they get to meet new people and create lasting relationships."

Rodeo is in her blood. Her grandfather was a saddle bronc rider and a brand inspector. Her family frequently attends rodeos.

"As a kid, we went to a lot of rodeos around Alberta. it was something we liked to do as a family as a get-together and it was a lot of fun."

Shantz graduated from high school in 2018 and just completed her first year towards a bachelor of science degree at the Red Deer College. She's a member of the Winfield 4-H Gait Riders.