Being the Miss Vancouver Rodeo Queen is something Ali Diegel said she’s been dreaming about her entire life.
The Vancouver Rodeo is one of Clark County’s most popular and glorified events of the year. Each year roughly 8,000 people attend for a wild four day ride of ropin,’ ridin’ and buckin.’ As part of the annual affair, there is always a queen. This time around it’s county resident Ali Diegel.
Though she’s only 18 years old, Diegel said being the rodeo queen is something she’s always wanted to be.
“For me becoming Miss Vancouver Rodeo is something I have dreamt about before I can even remember,” said Diegel. “When I was little they were my role models, the girls I aspired to be and now 18 years later I have been blessed with the opportunity to be one.”
To be the queen Diegel had to win the pageant contest in October. Horsemanship, impromptu questions, personal interviews, modeling and speech were all aspects of the competition.
“A huge highlight for me was getting to compete on my horse KB. He had been injured beforehand and he had helped me achieve my other title so it was pretty amazing to have him help me achieve this one as well,” said Diegel of the experience.
Her previous title was the 2016 Northwest Youth Rodeo Association Queen.
Diegel formally become Miss Vancouver Rodeo with a coronation ceremony March 11, but she’s been hitting her involvements hard since she won.
“(In the last few months) I have been attending many community events, spreading the word about the Vancouver Rodeo,” she said. “I have attended eight coronations for other queens ranging from Longview to Grants Pass. This past weekend I had the opportunity of attending Greys Harbor Pro Rodeo in Elma as the first rodeo of the season. Although it was super rainy and wet we had a great three performances and an awesome family day on Sunday. We took pictures and signed autographs for all the little kids.”
Diegel said everything about being Miss Vancouver Rodeo has exceeded her expectations.
“The amount of support from the community is more than I ever could've imagined and for that I am extremely grateful. It is a blessing to get to be the face of such an amazing rodeo for an entire year,” Diegel said.
During the June 30 to July 3 rodeo, Diegel said a few of her shining moments will consist of a presentation run (which is “when the queens are announced and run around waving at the crowd”), a special American flag presentation by her, autograph signings and open dancing with her.
“Not only is the Vancouver Rodeo the most attended rodeo by contestants and spectators in the NPRA (Northwest Professional Rodeo Association) but it has encompassed community, family and tradition for the past 47 years,” said Diegel.
Diegel currently attends Clark College and aspires to be a large animal chiropractor and massage therapist. Since 2011 she has been deeply involved in the horse community through 4H competition, equestrian teams and the Washington High School Rodeo Association. She said on most days you can find her with her horses.
