The third time was the charm for both Kelsey Reinboldt-Lynch and Shannon Black. They were crowned the Cochrane Lions Rodeo Queen and Princess Sept. 5.
Reinboldt-Lynch previously competed in last year’s Miss Rodeo Okotoks pageant and this year’s Miss Airdrie Pro Rodeo pageant. Black also ran for the Airdrie title this year, as well as the Cochrane title last year.
“I’m just really excited,” Reinboldt-Lynch said.
“I don’t even know how to describe it. I’m excited to represent the rodeo and Cochrane.”
Black held back tears as she rode into the arena and as was mobbed by hugs from her friends, family and the other visiting royalty.
“I’m so overwhelmed and over the moon,” Black said.
“I’m excited to be spending a great year with a great girl, and I’m looking forward to get to knowing (Kelsey) more.”
The 2012 royalty pageant was one of the events that wrapped up the 2011 Cochrane Lions Rodeo and featured visiting royalty, including the Airdrie, Sundre and Okotoks queens and princesses.
The crowning of a new queen and princess ends the reign of the 2011 royalty, Megan Luider and Shelby Mitchell. The year passed by quickly for the two Cochrane natives, but they were happy Reinboldt-Lynch and Black were chosen as their successors.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s been a year,” said Mitchell. “(The year) went awesome. Every event we went to was great, and I got to spend the year with my great, best friend.”
“(Kelsey and Shannon) are wonderful,” Luider said. “They couldn’t have picked better girls.”
Mitchell and Luider also offered Reinboldt-Lynch and Black advice on representing the rodeo and the town of Cochrane.
“Be yourself and don’t let it change you,” said Luider. “That’s how you got it and that’s how you’re going to keep it.”
