Developing a Set of Pageant Flash Cards

Rodeo queens are much more than pretty girls in flashy clothes riding fast horses. They are knowledgeable cowgirls and horsewomen who possess a wealth of knowledge about rodeo, horses and the world around them. Their wealth of knowledge didn't happen overnight. Throughout their years of pageant preparation they have learned facts and figures and as they have risen through the ranks of local, state and national pageants this knowledge has many of them knowing more about the sport of rodeo and the association they represent than many of the competing cowboys and cowgirls. In order to learn this information many have built a library of flash cards. This article will give you guidelines to build your set with, resources to go to for information, how to use your flash cards and a few sample questions.

Your first stop will be to the office supply store or to one of the many 'dollar' stores that are found in many communities. At the dollar store you can purchase several hundred index cards for just a few dollars. That's right, several hundred cards will be needed as you develop your library. You may want to purchase a card holder (such as a recipe box) and as your library grows you'll need to increase the number of boxes you have. Perhaps you'll want to purchase a box for each category of cards so it is easy to keep track of them. You'll also need a pen and a set of highlighters or markers.

You'll have four main categories of cards: Rodeo, Equine Science, Current Events and Odds and Ends which are event specific (this final category will be changed each time you compete for a title). These three categories can then be further developed into sub-categories and filed into your boxes. These subcategories can be divided by simply making a small, color-coded dot in the upper right hand corner of each card. For instance the rodeo information cards may have a pink dot for general rodeo history, a red dot for terms, an orange dot for saddle bronc riding, a yellow dot for bareback riding, a green dot for bull riding and so on. Keep a small chart taped to the inside of the box to help you remember. Another method for categorizing your cards is to purchase colored index cards for the various categories.

Categories

Rodeo

General Rodeo History
Terms
Saddle Bronc Riding
Bareback Riding
Bull Riding
Barrel Racing
Tie-Down Roping
Team Roping
Steer Wrestling
Association History
Association News
Association Rulebook
Association Officers, Board of Directors, etc
Association Champions

Equine Science

History and Development of the Horse (domestication, use by man, etc)
General Breed History (generally stock type horses that are used in rodeo events - Quarter Horses, Paints, etc)
Identifying Features of Horses (basic and modifications of colors, facial and leg markings, etc)
Skeletal System of the Horse (of bones, location of bones, type, number of and development of teeth, etc)
Muscular System of the Horse
Respiratory System
Circulatory System
Digestive System
Nervous System
Endocrine System
Reproductive System
Integumentary System (skin, etc)
Criteria for Selection of Horses (conformation, suitability to use, etc)
Conformation - Parts of the Horse, Conformation Faults
Unsoundness and Blemishes (splints, sore or bucked shins, bowed tendons, sidebones, ringbone, etc)
Gaits of the Horse
Vices Horses Exhibit (cribbing, striking, etc)
Nutrition and Feeding Concerns (types and amounts of feed needed, nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, etc)
First Aid (signs of colic and what to do, how to treat wounds, how to administer medicine, etc)
Diseases and How to Prevent/Treat (strangles, influenza, VEE/EEE/WEE, etc)
Parasites
Information on the Horse you Use (age, registered or not, what and how much you feed, shoe size, type of bit you use and why, etc)

Current Events

Local News
State News
US News
World News

Odds and Ends - Pageant Specific

Rodeo Dates, Performance Times, Location, etc
Rodeo Stock Contractor
Clowns, Announcer, Specialty Act
History of the Rodeo
Reigning Queen (including reigning state Miss Rodeo, Miss Rodeo America/USA)
Board of Directors/Officers

That's a lot isn't it? Don't be intimidated by this outline, just start with the basic facts and then as your age, skill level and level of competition increases add more information.

Resources

When I was in college I took an equine science course and the textbook used was The Horse, 2nd ed. authored by Evans, Borton, Hintz and Van Vleck. I have found it to be one of the best general reference books on the market. It is still on the market and can be found or ordered through any bookstore. 4-H horse manuals are also excellent sources of information and can be used to develop your notecards. Rodeo programs generally have a basic history of each event and the basic rules associated with the event. For more detailed information on an Association and its rules you'll need to contact the secretary if it is a local, state or regional association and if it's a national association you can contact their headquarters and request rulebooks, etc. If you are competing for a local title and the rodeo is sanctioned by the PRCA you'll want to focus on PRCA rules and news. Likewise if it's an IPRA rodeo you'll want to request information from the IPRA. Although many rodeo rules are 'standard' there may be slight differences. Many rodeo officials, contractors and contestants are willing to answer your questions as well.

How to Use Your System

There are two ways to develop your cards. The first is to write the question on one-side of the card with the answer on the back with the second having both the question and answer on the front of the card. Each method has it's advantages and disadvantages and you'll need to decided which one will work for you.

Once you have your library of questions and answers started it's time to put them to use. Begin by reading the question and then answering it. Did you get it right? If so, good for you! Place that card in a pile. If you didn't get it right repeat the question with the answer three times. For example: Q: How many seconds must a rough stock cowboy ride his animal for a qualified ride? A: 8 seconds If you missed this question you would repeat three times "In order to have a qualified ride a rough stock cowboy must ride his animal for 8 seconds.". By doing this repetitively you'll be more inclined to learn the information. And you'll also be more inclined to remember the information if you make your own flash cards. Your brain is connected to your eyes and hands and the act of reading and writing increases your ability to remember information.

You can also put your questions and answers on a tape to listen to while you're traveling. Simply read the question, pause while you count to ten in your head and then read the answer. Count to five and read the next question and so on.

Don't forget to enlist the help of relatives and friends with your studying. Have them ask you the questions as you answer them. Many moms and dads have as much knowledge about rodeo as their rodeo queen daughters do!

Sample Questions

We have compiled a list of sample questions that are located in the Library section of RodeoRoyalty.com. Use these to begin your library of flash cards. Go through your resource books page by page and develop questions from there. Contact your local Extension office to see if your state has developed a set of sample questions for horse quiz bowl events (FFA and other horse associations may also have these).

Being a rodeo queen is so much more than flashy clothes and fast horses. The process of competing for and holding rodeo queen titles helps build knowledge, skills and self-confidence. The wealth of knowledge a rodeo queen holds is vast, and by starting slowly and with the basics you can develop the knowledge needed to not only be an effective ambassador for the sport of rodeo, but you'll also be a better horseman and well-rounded person.

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