Miss Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Tricia Luckett is one of three candidates vying for the title of Miss Rodeo South Dakota today in Belle Fourche.
Luckett, 21, of Mitchell, joins two other candidates, Lacey Cole, Piedmont, and Stephanie Miles, Spearfish, in the four-day-long event. The winner will serve as Lady in Waiting for six months, and will be officially crowned Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2007 in January.
The reigning Miss Rodeo South Dakota is Sorrel McKay, of Wall. She will compete in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant this November in Las Vegas.
Luckett said her experiences as the 2000 Junior Miss Rodeo South Dakota prepared her for the event.
"They want to know if you can ride and how you represent yourself," Luckett said.
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She has also received advice from her mother, Jerry, who was the 1975 Miss Rodeo South Dakota, and her father, Gary Luckett, of Mitchell.
With interviews, eight outfit changes and a dance routine to prepare for, Luckett said she's looking forward to the competition. She's especially looking forward to sharing the experience with the other candidates.
"They are actually your friends," Luckett said. "They are going through the same thing you are."
One of the most challenging tasks during the pageant will be riding an unfamiliar horse during a portion of the horsemanship competition.
"You don't know anything about their little quirks," said Luckett.
As a senior at Dakota Wesleyan University this fall, Luckett said this year is the perfect chance for her to compete in the pageant, because of the uncertainly of job placement or internships after graduation.
"School was the biggest factor," she said. "I wanted to do it while I could stay here."
At age 8, Luckett competed in her first queen competition. Since that time, she has earned six queen and junior pageant titles, including Miss Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo.
