Meet The Queen; Kentucky

By Wrangler Network contributor Miss Rodeo America

Coming to you from the finish line of the Kentucky Derby, I am Alivia Conkwright, your 2016 Miss Rodeo Kentucky. I was raised on a small farm in the depths of our Bluegrass States’ rolling hills and white fences. Growing up in the Horse capital of the world you become accustomed to the western way of life around the same time you learn to walk and talk. I was fortunate enough to have parents that dedicated their young lives to agriculture and all things equine.

I was heavily involved in 4-H from the time I was 9 until I graduated from high school. I rode on my county’s drill team for 9 years where we competed at State and brought home 8 consecutive State Championship Titles. During this time in my life, I also competed in our 4-H district and state shows, barrel racing and pole bending. I was even fortunate enough to be a member of the Kentucky High School Rodeo Team where I qualified to go to the National High School Finals rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming. The first year that I competed at the NHSFR I represented our state as the Kentucky High School Rodeo Queen. It was there, that I found my love for being a rodeo queen. I’m not sure if it was the thrill of being around “the best of the best” or having made life-long friends but I do know that it was a lifestyle I wasn’t ready to give up. I decided that my rodeo career wasn’t over.

When heading off to college, I consumed myself with my passion for wanting to become a lawyer. I had the opportunity to work hand in hand with some of the finest attorney’s, clerks, and judges that our state had to offer. Since then, I’ve dedicated my college career to the rest of my future in hopes to become successful enough to support my ambitions.

I owe all of my success thus far, to the family and friends whom I have surrounded myself with over my short lifetime. Since moving off to school, I’ve learned to appreciate the most precious of things that God has blessed me with; cooking meals with my family, traveling the country, and meeting some pretty amazing rodeo friends along the way. All of these special relationships have contributed to who I am as a person and has taught me to live each moment to the fullest.

We do however, spend our time a little bit differently here in the Bluegrass. Weekends are spent at the horse track and weekdays are spent watching the Kentucky Wildcats playing basketball. I have engulfed myself into UK’s “college kid” lifestyle. Although I appreciate spending my weekends watching horse races there is nothing like loading up the trailer and heading to “The Daddy of ‘em All” or traveling thousands of miles just to praise My Old Kentucky Home.

I have been blessed to carry the honor of Miss Rodeo Kentucky and I’m humbled to say that it has enhanced my personal characteristics. I have evolved into a better public speaker, learned the importance of giving back to those less fortunate but most importantly I have made memories that will last a lifetime. When the dust settles, I will be able to look back on my life and know that I lived each moment to the fullest of my capabilities, sharing my happiness with the world. As they all say, “Heaven must be a Kentucky kind of place.