by Marianne Christy
Paige Schweinsberg of Old Forge will vie for the title of Miss Teen Rodeo New York in a pageant that will be held Friday and Saturday, November 6 and 7 at the Heritage Hall of the Glens Falls Civic Center.
The mission of the pageant is to select quality role models of integrity, good will and leadership to promote the western way of life and professional rodeo in New York state.
The pageant is open to contestants ages 13 to 18 and runs in tandem with the Miss Rodeo New York pageant open to young women ages 19 to 24.
Paige, who will turn 15 on October 16, has been interested in horses and riding since she was a toddler.
She has received instruction for the past few years from Kim Hutchins, a trainer at DJ Farms of Boonville, with her equine interest further fostered by her longtime membership in the 4-H Club of Oneida County.
She was encouraged to join the competition by Kim’s daughter, Justine, a former contestant, and by Emilya Washeleski, who she met at riding clinics and is now the reighning Miss Teen Rodeo New York.
In the application process Paige provided professional photos, a brief biography, a list of her rodeo/horse show experiences, her scholastic accomplishments, and extracurricular activities.
She is currently training for the competition that will include a 15 to 20 minute interview with the panel of judges; impromptu questions on stage that will address such topics as personal experiences, rodeo and equine knowledge, and current events; and a speech/modeling sequence where she will deliver a two-minute speech on a topic that relates to rodeo, horses, and/or the state of New York.
Prior to the speech, she will model a Western dress of choice, with belt, boots and hat.
For the horsemanship portion of the competition Paige will perform a reining pattern and a Queen’s Run around the arena with a horse provided by the pageant.
Contestants are not allowed to ride the horses prior to the competition.
Paige will have the opportunity to win a number of awards at the pageant.
The local community can greatly assist with her gaining the People’s Choice Award by voting for her on the Miss Rodeo New York, Inc. Facebook page.
The contest begins Friday, October 2 and runs through October 9 at midnight.
Once you get on the Facebook page, you will see a picture of Paige and other contestants. Tap her picture to register your vote and help her seal a win.
Another prize, The Spirit Award, will be given to the contestant who sells the most raffle tickets for a chance to win a 15” barrel saddle.
Second prize is $250 cash and third prize is $100 cash.
Paige will be selling tickets at Kinney Drugs in Old Forge on Sunday, October 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. She welcomes all to stop by and ask her questions about her quest to become Miss Teen Rodeo New York 2016.
Paige is a sophomore honors student at Town of Webb school and the daughter of Dawn and Kyle Schweinsberg.
She is being sponsored by Jack’s Turf Goods, Hollister’s Trading Post, Advocare, The Foley Law Firm, LLC, Back-woods Tug Hill Photography and Enchanted Forest Water Safari.