The Oregon Queen — All the news from July 2024!

August 8, 2024 Off By Lois Forester

2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon Abby Torgerson!

I cannot believe the month of July is already over. It was my busiest month so far!

I started out strong with my Cowboy Christmas run. My first stop was Molalla for the Molalla Buckaroo! I was able to help throw swag to the crowd, help in the barrel truck and kids’ coin race, and compete in the donkey races. MTRO Hallie and I got second in the donkey races! My second stop was St. Paul for their Hall of Fame rodeo. It was such a blast to be able to do a run-in around those Christmas trees! Next on my list was the Eugene Pro Rodeo. Eugene always puts on a show, and it was so much fun to be able to watch the rodeo after my run-in and sign autographs. After Eugene, I headed back up to St. Paul for the Fourth of July! I started my morning off at the parade where I was honored to win first place. After the parade, I headed to the queens luncheon and then straight to two more rodeo performances! I ended the week at home where I was able to spend some quality time at the beach with my family.

The next weekend I headed to Elgin for the Xtreme Broncs performance. I had a blast signing autographs and watching the best of the best compete. As soon as the performance was over, I hopped in my jeep and drove four hours back to the Portland airport to catch a flight to Colorado Springs for the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductions. The all nighter was absolutely worth it because there is nothing quite like seeing the Hall of Fame Inductions in person. Being able to hear the stories and feel the emotions of these legends is something I will never forget.

After two days at home, I hopped back on an airplane to head to Cheyenne for the Daddy of ‘em all! Cheyenne was on the top of my bucket list for out of state rodeos and it did not disappoint. My week included two brunches, a pancake breakfast, an iconic flyby on the Cheyenne track, meeting with sponsors, exploring downtown Cheyenne, and seeing some of my fellow state queens. It was an opportunity of a lifetime.

The final weekend of July took me to the opposite end of the state for the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo. The town of Joseph sure knows how to rodeo. I had a blast doing flybys, pushing cattle, helping with the mutton bustin, and signing autographs every night. During the day, the Jr./Teen Director Vixen Wecks showed some of the out-of-town queens the darling town of Joseph. 2020-21 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Ainsley and I make quite the go-carting pair. She only made me car sick once!

As the month of August begins, I cannot believe we will be crowning the 2025 Miss Rodeo Oregon. My heart is so full knowing she is going to have the opportunity to go on all these once in a lifetime adventures next year.

Gratefully,

Abby Torgerson

2024 Miss Rodeo Oregon

Autograph signing in Molalla at the local feed store.

Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Hallie and I getting ready to throw swag at the Molalla Buckaroo.

Rocco and I during a flyby at St. Paul. This was my first time showcasing my new woolie chaps!

Some of the visiting royalty at the Eugene Pro Rodeo.

Hallie, Kayla, and I gearing up for the St. Paul parade!

2023 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Morgan and I at St. Paul. Morgan graciously let me borrow some of her horses for the week.

Xtreme Broncs at the Elgin Stampede!

Miss Rodeo Nebraska JoSee and I at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductions.

Miss Rodeo South Dakota Callie and I at Cheyenne Frontier Days!

Some of the state queens and I at the Daddy of ‘em All.

MTRO Hallie and her mom Karen have been so gracious to me this year. They keep me fed and always give me a place to stay!

Some visiting royalty at Joseph taking the tram up the mountain. It was a little scary!

The Chief Joseph Days Court put on a beautiful queens luncheon and represented beautifully.

Parades are one of my favorite events as a rodeo queen and the Chief Joseph Days parade was packed full!

A sneak peek at one of my Art of Aperture photos I've received!

2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon Hallie Haslebacher

With the end of July that means there is only one more summer rodeo for my time as Miss TeenRodeo Oregon! My July has been jam packed full of amazing memories!

I started off my month going straight into Cowboy Christmas! Night one you could find me in Molalla for the Molalla Buckeroo Rodeo where I did run ins, barrel truck, throwing swag and even competed in the donkey races with Miss Rodeo Oregon Abby. I’m proud to say we took second place! Night two I was at St. Paul for opening night! I am very grateful for good friends who lend me horses when Roo is out of the running like the Brownells who let me borrow my second horse of the week. Night three brought me to Eugene for the Eugene Pro Rodeo where I got to ride yet another amazing horse and make even more unforgettable memories. For the Fourth of July I traveled back to St. Paul for the parade, luncheon, and two action packed performances. Cowboy Christmas brought me so many amazing memories and I am so grateful for my friends Alexis Ditchen, Brownell Family, Jasmine Capri, and Jessica Sayward for letting me borrow their four-legged friends!

The very next weekend I was off to Philomath for the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo for three nights of fantastic rodeo action! I was able to push cows, do run-ins, ride in the barrel truck, sign autographs and even compete in donkey races for the second time! Thank you, Queen Katie, for letting me tag along on your big week. I had so much fun!

For the final rodeo of July, I attended the 78th Annual Chief Joseph Days where I got to be in the famous serpentine, do run-ins, sign autographs, join a queen's luncheon, and participate in a parade. Along with my queening duties, I got to hang out with my fellow sash sisters going to events that Destiny Wecks planned which included a tram ride up a mountain, hiking, mini golfing, go karting and shopping in downtown Joseph! Thank you to the Wecks family for hosting me and making the week unforgettable!

Bring on the last rodeo of summer! Can’t wait for all the fall rodeo action!

With love your,
2024 Miss Teen Rodeo Oregon
Hallie Haslebacher

2024 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Kayla Hunt!

What a exciting month July has been for me.

It started off in Molalla where there was a unique start of the rodeo with so many wonderful groups like Baca doing a ride through with the local fire department celebrating a milestone for the community. On my next stop was Saint Paul where the parade was a must see by all the community members celebrating its own history, to a great queens luncheon, to some exciting air fly by to the largest grand entry of queens I have been to yet.

My next event was a week doing 4-H showing my horse at my hometown fair and rodeo in Columbia County. There were Friday and Saturday night performances where I got to help carry sponsor flags in between events and help in the barrel truck. The following weekend I was at Thunder Mountain where I got to help with the Rascal Rodeo in between slack and the evening performance. I truly got great joy helping the community members at this event as it is such a special opportunity to give back.

Thank you to everyone for such a great month of July.

Truly grateful,

2024 Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon Kayla Hunt